The Kingdom Of God

April 2013

Some random points of view on the subject of “The Kingdom of God”

I recently had occasion to research the subject of “The Kingdom of God”, in preparation for a life group study. Below are some random points of view., as expressed in various contexts. by theologians. I thought that they would be of interest to share. Please note that, in sharing this information, I’m not making a value judgement on the veracity of the views expressed!!

• The Hebrew word “malekut” and the Greek word “basileia” refer, in one form or another,  to ”the Kingdom of God”.
• The general concept of the “Kingdom of God” appears in all Abrahamic religions; in some cases the term “kingdom of God”  is used, in other cases the term “Kingdom of Heaven” is used.
  (i) The notion of God’s kingship goes back to the Hebrew bible, which refers to “his kingdom”, but does not use the actual term “kingdom of God”; (ii) The Quoran does not include the term ”kingdom of God”, but does refer to Abraham seeing “ the kingdom of heavens”; (iii) Bahai writings refer specifically to the “kingdom of God”.
• No overall agreement on the theological interpretation of the term “Kingdom of God” has emerged among scholars. The term is often interpreted to fit the particular theological “agenda” of those bringing the interpretations, eg: 

           - Christian lifestyle (the Kingdom of God is within us);
        - World evangelization (future world to come);
        - Re-discovery of the charismatic gifts.

• To the extent that there is a general preference amongst scholars, it would be that the term should be understood in the abstract sense, i.e. the “kingdom” is God’s reign; the “Kingdom of God” means primarily the rule of God, the divine, kingly authority, rather than a “concrete” kingdom.

One definition in this sense of “the kingdom of God”:  In the simplest terms, the “Kingdom of God” is “the rule of God”; thus it can be said that wherever God reigns there you have “the Kingdom of God”, and this is true whether in the life of an individual or in the corporate life of a group of people.

“The Kingdom of God” (or its equivalent form “The Kingdom of Heaven” in Matthew) is one of the key elements of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Drawing on Old Testament teachings, the Christian characterisation of the relationship between God and humanity inherently involves the notion of “the kingship of God”.

• One seven-point summary: 

     The Kingdom of God is:
       (i) both a present reality and a future certainty;
      (ii) opposite to our human understanding;
     (iii) revealed in the New Testament in the ministry of Jesus Christ;
     (iv) revealed in the New Testament in the power of the Holy Spirit;
      (v) righteousness, peace and joy;
     (vi) entered only on God’s terms; and
    (vii) inaccessible to the wicked.

• Nowhere in the New testament is there a reference to “the kingdom of God” meaning specifically  the church.

Brian

12/04/13

Poems/Thoughts on the New Year

January 2013

We have started on the journey through another year. We don’t know what circumstances we will face during the year, but we can go forward with faith and a sense of God’s presence, guidance and peace.

Although not specifically Christian in content, I thought a couple of short poems have something to say to us as we begin the year’s journey. Here they are.

Another fresh new year is here,
      Another year to live,
To banish worry, doubt and fear,
      To love, to laugh, to give.
This bright new year is given me
      To live each day with zest,
To daily grow and try to be
      My brightest and my best.
I have the opportunity,
      Once more, to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree
      And sing more joyful songs.

William Arthur Ward
…………………………………………………………………..

A happy year! Grant that I
     May bring no tear to any eye.
When this new year, in time, shall end,
      Let it be said I’ve been a friend,
Have lived, and loved, and labored here
      And made of it a happy year.

Edgar Guest
……………………………………………………...…………..

Every blessing. And shalom! Or Malenby (Ugandan for “peace”

Brian