Calvin’s Twofold Government

The article explains that Calvin’s doctrine of the twofold government teaches that God rules through both the spiritual government of the church and the civil government of the state, each with its own calling and authority under God’s sovereignty. It shows that the church governs by the Word, spiritual discipline, and voluntary obedience, while the civil government may use coercion to uphold justice, protect religion, maintain public peace, and promote the common good according to God’s law.