One Body: Two Kinds of Righteousness (2KR)

Lesson 05 in our series (series began September 7, 2025)

⁠⁠⁠Click here to view the lesson slides⁠⁠

Lesson Summary:

In this session of One Body, we unpack Two Kinds of Righteousness (2KR). First, the vertical righteousness coram Deo—our standing before God—is entirely passive, given by grace through faith in Christ’s alien righteousness (Eph 2; Rom 3–5). Second, the horizontal righteousness coram mundo—our life before the world—is active, shaped by God’s Law as we love neighbor in vocation (Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount). We show why these must be distinguished but never separated: faith alone justifies, and that same faith inevitably bears fruit (James 2). We also address civil righteousness (non-Christians can do real earthly good), tie in Luther’s Two Kingdoms (church/Word & Sacrament vs. state/sword), and caution against turning works into a way of earning favor with God. Result: clear categories that protect the Gospel and energize good works.Key Takeaways:

• Coram Deo (vertical, passive): justified solely by Christ’s righteousness—a gift, not our performance.

• Coram mundo (horizontal, active): good works flow from faith; the Law guides love of neighbor in daily callings.

• Keep together, don’t confuse: Faith alone saves; the saved do good works (Eph 2:8–10; James 2).

• Civil righteousness: real societal good ≠ meriting grace before God.

• Two Kingdoms: the Church advances by Gospel & Sacraments; the State preserves order by the sword.

Scripture referenced: Genesis 1–2; Ezekiel 37; Ephesians 2:1–10; Romans 3–6; Matthew 5–7; James 2; Romans 13; John 8 (Abraham’s children).

This class is taught by: Rev. Matt Doebler, pastor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Norfolk, VA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (LCMS)⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TLCnorfolk.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Our mission is to make disciples and make them stronger through Word and Sacrament. (Mt. 28: 18-20)