2010-02-052010-02-052005Van Wyk, IWC 2005. 'The political responsibility of the church: On the necessity and boundaries of the theory of the two kingdoms', HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 647-682.[http://www.hts.org.za/index.php/HTS/issue/archive]0259-9422 (print)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/12874Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDFThe voice of the church has fallen silent in the new political dispensation in South Africa. Many people in the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (Nederduitsch Hervormde Church) argue that the church should keep its distance from politics. They are of the opinion that they could defend this position with the “Lutheran two-kingdoms theory”. This article shows that the theory of the two kingdoms is not a uniquely Lutheran, but also a Calvinistic interest. It furthermore shows that this theory is not only interested in separating the two kingdoms, but also in bringing these kingdoms in relationship with one another. A plea is made for loyalty to both the Lutheran and Calvinistic traditions. The article also calls for a concentration on the three new challenges in South Africa, namely democracy, pluralism and Africanisation.enReformed Theological College, Faculty of Theology, University of PretoriaChristianity and politics -- South AfricaReligion and politics -- South AfricaMission of the church -- South AfricaTwo kingdoms (Lutheran theology)Article