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Christian Citizenship  /  Two Kingdoms  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
In the historical sections (Constantine, the English Civil War, the modern Religious Right), Bercot argues “gains” like outlawing abortion or closing immoral theaters were outweighed by losses like war, persecution, and the church becoming worldly (e.g., divorce rates and shifting views on headship); what “victories” do you most want the church to achieve through worldly power, and what would you be willing to lose spiritually to get them—especially if Satan’s “bargain” is that the church absorbs corruption in exchange for society absorbing some goodness?
Another way to ask: Bercot says using worldly power can bring some wins, but it often makes the church more worldly and causes serious harm. What changes do you most want the church to achieve through political power, and what spiritual cost would you be willing to pay for them if it also meant the church slowly absorbs corruption?

Direct Answer Bercot’s history lessons warn that even if worldly power achieves moral “wins,” the tradeoff is often deeper corruption of the church—war, coercion, persecution, and adopting the world’s values—because Satan is willing to allow some “goodness” in society if he can bring “worldliness” into the church.

Support from Transcript:

  • Constantine-era “gains”: ending gladiatorial games, shutting theaters, outlawing abortion, outlawing magic/sorcery.
  • Constantine also funded ornate church buildings and paid clergy salaries; Bercot says the church should have said, “we can’t mix your kingdom with ours…it’s going to corrupt our kingdom.”
  • What was lost: Christians began to go to war; within 50 years they were “fighting each other, killing one another,” and this continues.
  • Loss of freedom of religion: pagans outlawed, temples torn down, and persecution in Christ’s name; Donatists persecuted; Augustine defended forcing people into the church.
  • English Civil War: gains like more religious freedom and closing theaters, but losses included killing fellow professing Christians and brutal suppression in Ireland.
  • Modern Religious Right: some limits on abortion/pornography, but loss shown in worldliness—divorce rates “as high” or higher among evangelicals and shifting views on headship; plus “mudslinging” politics.
  • Satan’s “bargain”: he “doesn’t mind if some goodness comes…if in return, the church will accept some worldliness and corruption.”
Discussion Follow-ups Bercot doesn’t tell you which “victory” to pursue; he asks what you might sacrifice to get it. Which spiritual losses (purity, nonviolence, freedom of conscience, distinct witness) seem most likely if the church chases power?

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