Marginal Christianity

Usually the kingdom of God Jesus announced is presented according to an “already/not yet” scheme. It “dawned” or was “inaugurated” by Jesus’ earthly ministry but is not wholly present at this point. The fullness of the kingdom will become present when Jesus returns in glory at his second coming. Two scholars have recently challenged this usual way of understanding the kingdom. And their views are well worth considering. -the first scholar to consider is Andrew Perriman. In his book Re: Mission and a host of articles on his blog Perriman makes the case that the kingdom of God is a political term denoting God’s rule over his world. This happened in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Through him God reasserted his rightful but usurped rule, first over that portion of his people who remained resistant to and rejected Jesus. The judgment for their perfidy was that Israel as a nation defaulted on its commission to be God’s Abrahamic people through whom God would bless the world. This judg...

Excursus: The Kingdom or Reign of God Nothing is more characteristic or central to Jesus’ ministry than what is usually translated the “kingdom” of God. However, scholars in the last 50 years or so believe the word “kingdom” is too spatial or place-oriented to do justice to the biblical reality the Greek word basilea connotes. In addition many feel the term is too male-oriented – kings have kingdoms – or associations with other “kingdoms” that have been authoritarian, autocratic, and destructive – like the Third Reich (or kingdom) in Germany – leave a bad taste in modern readers’ mouths. Moreover, linguistically, the word basilea and its underlying Aramaic equivalent) carries a dynamic sense meaning “rule” or “reign.” Though one reigns over a people and a place, [1] it is the act of ruling that the New Testament emphasizes. But when does this rule or reign of God happen or take place? God as Creator and Ruler of all means he has always ruled or reigned over what he has made....

“God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” – Campus Crusade’s Four Spiritual Laws “I’m a bastard, you’re a bastard but God loves us anyway” – Will Campbell, rouge Baptist preacher “Here’s the Gospel: You’re more sinful than you ever dared believe; you’re more loved than you ever dared hope” – Tim Keller, PCA pastor “You are accepted – Paul Tillich, liberal theologian These four statements reflect in their own ways and parlance the default American version of “the Gospel” across the theological spectrum. “The Gospel is not a religious message to inform mankind of their divinity or to tell them how they may become divine. The Gospel proclaims a God utterly distinct from men” – Karl Barth Barth contests this default version of “the Gospel.” Rather, it is something about God in distinction from us. “The time is fulfilled and the reign of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” -   Jesus ( Mk. 1:14-15 ) “Paul, a servant of Jesus Chri...

http://www.postost.net/2012/07/was-jesus-kingdom-spiritual-or-physical-no 17 July 2012 Kingdom of God The debate running over here regarding spiritual and physical kingdoms seems to me to be getting confused. To my mind, a straightforward distinction needs to be made between the place where the king is and the place where his reign takes effect. Jesus became Israel’s king by his resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God, from where he will rule until all his enemies have been placed under his feet. It’s misleading to call this a “spiritual” rule—the New Testament doesn’t; “heavenly” would be a better term. It’s a rule enacted from heaven. But this reign at the right hand of God has a real world impact; it is directed towards realities on earth. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven….” It cannot be separated, in my view, from such events as the destruction of Jerusalem, the defeat of classical paganism, and the deliverance of the churches from persecutio...