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| NEWS: THEME FOR THE YEAR |Theme for the Year
The Kingdom of GodA casual reading of the synoptic gospels reveals that the central theme of Jesus’ ministry is “the kingdom of God,” or as Matthew preferred, “the kingdom of heaven.” In both Matthew and Mark, the ministry of Jesus begins with the proclamation, “The kingdom of God (or heaven) has come near” (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15). In Luke, Jesus’ ministry begins with the reading of Isaiah 61:1-2, after which Luke simply expounds on the implications of the coming of the kingdom: Jesus has come to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, set the oppressed free, and proclaim the cancellation of debts at the Year of Jubilee. During the last century, a basic scholarly consensus emerged concerning the meaning of “the kingdom of God.” In both Hebrew and Greek, the term “kingdom” refers primarily to the authority of rule and only secondarily to the territory over which this rule is exercised. Synonyms for “the kingdom of God” include “the reign of God” or “the rule of God.” The Lord’s Prayer illustrates this understanding as “your kingdom come,” which is parallel to “your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). For God’s kingdom to come is the same as for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. What would it look like for God’s reign to break into a world under the curse of sin and authority of Satan? In Jesus’ ministry sins are forgiven, and estranged humans reconciled to God and each other. Injustices are confronted, and outcasts welcomed. Diseases are healed, and demons cast out. Death is defeated, and the call of discipleship issued. People are invited to receive and participate in the work of God, but a decision must be made. One cannot live under the reign of God and the reign of Satan. While the kingdom of God was brought into the world in a decisive way during Jesus’ ministry, we anticipate its final inauguration at Christ’s return. The kingdom ministry of Jesus has important implications for the life of the church. While the kingdom of God and church are often equated, this view does not do justice to the separate-but- related nature of these terms in the New Testament. The church is the people of God who live under, proclaim and anticipate the reign of God. A kingdom outlook calls into question any reductionism or compartmentalization of Christian life, as well as simplistic debates over the priority of worship versus mission or evangelism versus social action. A kingdom outlook brings the whole of the Christian life together in a profound way and calls for a radical commitment of allegiance. As we meditate on this rich theme in our annual events, daily chapel, classes, informal conversations and private devotions, may God’s spirit mold us as kingdom people and form within us a kingdom vision for the world. Dr. Mark Powell |