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Will the Theologians Please Sit Down  /  Chapter 16: How the Theologians Entrenched Themselves  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Calvin’s model (Geneva) included mandatory infant baptism, mandatory weekly attendance, state enforcement of moral law, and state punishment to keep the nation from God’s wrath; what uncomfortable questions does this raise about the desire to use political power to produce “Christian” outcomes, and how does John 18:36 confront that impulse?
Another way to ask: Calvin’s Geneva used government power to enforce church practices and moral laws to avoid God’s wrath. What hard questions does that raise about using politics to get “Christian” results, and how does John 18:36 challenge that?

Direct Answer Bercot’s description raises the uncomfortable question of whether “Christian outcomes” produced by force are actually the kingdom of God or a baptized form of earthly rule. John 18:36 confronts the impulse by defining Christ’s kingdom as “not of this world,” meaning it is not advanced by the normal tools of state power and violence.

Support from Transcript:

  • Calvin taught every nation can be a potential Israel; “everyone… needs to be brought into the covenant… by being baptized… as infants,” and “Statewide, infant baptism should be mandatory.”
  • He said government must “protect the church,” “establish… the true Christian faith,” and “regulate the lives” of citizens by God’s moral law.
  • He taught even “the unconverted should be forced to live by the same moral laws” as Christians.
  • The state must “mandate weekly church attendance for everyone,” and elders should examine lives closely.
  • Though church discipline is excommunication, “God expects the state to punish sinners” to keep the nation pure and avoid wrath.
  • Bercot counters with Jesus’ words: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight” (John 18:36).
Discussion Follow-ups If political coercion can make people look “Christian,” what does that do to genuine repentance and voluntary discipleship—the heart of the kingdom Jesus preached?

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