Let Your Kingdom Come
Our church (cbcoceana.org) decided to offer two classes for biblical education. I have been given the opportunity to teach Biblical Theology (really an introduction to) and as a result I have had to articulate what I perceive to be the "center" or overarching message of the Scriptures. I perceive, thus far, that the Kingdom of God is the center/overarching message of the Scriptures. I am growing in both my commitment to this understanding and in my handling of it. I have really enjoyed it, especially at the church level. That has been my greatest joy this year.
Anyway, I was reading an essay entitled, "What is the Kingdom," by George Eldon Ladd and I mostly enjoyed it. I thought that perhaps you would also enjoy his thoughts as well, as you consider your daily life lived in the power of the Spirit as a citizen of God's Kingdom.
"The Word of God does say that the Kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality. "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17). Righteousness and peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit which God bestows now upon those who yield their lives to the rule of the Spirit. They have to do with the deepest springs of the spiritual life, and this, says the inspired apostle, is the Kingdom of God."
"The very complexity of the Biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God is one of the reasons why such diverse interpretations have arisen in the history of theology. Isolated verses can be quoted for most of the interpretations which can be found in our theological literature. The Kingdom is a present reality (Matt. 12:28), and yet it is a future blessing (I Cor. 15:50). It is an inner spiritual redemptive blessing (Rom. 14:17) which can be experienced only by way of the new birth (John 3:3), and yet it will have to do with the government of the nations of the world (Rev. 11:15). The Kingdom is a realm into which men enter now (Matt. 21:31), and yet it is a realm into which they will enter tomorrow (Matt. 8:11). It is at the same time a gift of God which will be bestowed by God in the future (Luke 12:32) and yet which must be received in the present (Mark 10:15). Obviously no simple explanation can do justice to such a rich but diverse variety of teaching."
Anyway, I was reading an essay entitled, "What is the Kingdom," by George Eldon Ladd and I mostly enjoyed it. I thought that perhaps you would also enjoy his thoughts as well, as you consider your daily life lived in the power of the Spirit as a citizen of God's Kingdom.
"The Word of God does say that the Kingdom of God is a present spiritual reality. "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17). Righteousness and peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit which God bestows now upon those who yield their lives to the rule of the Spirit. They have to do with the deepest springs of the spiritual life, and this, says the inspired apostle, is the Kingdom of God."
"The very complexity of the Biblical teaching about the Kingdom of God is one of the reasons why such diverse interpretations have arisen in the history of theology. Isolated verses can be quoted for most of the interpretations which can be found in our theological literature. The Kingdom is a present reality (Matt. 12:28), and yet it is a future blessing (I Cor. 15:50). It is an inner spiritual redemptive blessing (Rom. 14:17) which can be experienced only by way of the new birth (John 3:3), and yet it will have to do with the government of the nations of the world (Rev. 11:15). The Kingdom is a realm into which men enter now (Matt. 21:31), and yet it is a realm into which they will enter tomorrow (Matt. 8:11). It is at the same time a gift of God which will be bestowed by God in the future (Luke 12:32) and yet which must be received in the present (Mark 10:15). Obviously no simple explanation can do justice to such a rich but diverse variety of teaching."
posted by adam at 3:03 PM
1 Comments:
I am, unfortunately, a blogging novice. I have no idea how to really work with it like the others do. Perhaps given some time messing with it I would be better but, well, maybe sometime I will get to it. :)
Anyway, thanks for your comment. I have about 25-30 pgs of sunday school notes posted on our churches website which you can download.
If you are interested go to cbcoceana.org and on the top of the page it says "resources" and then click on "resource downloads" The material should appear. Thanks for your interest perhaps you would enjoy atleast looking it over.
I'm sure pastor "T" would :):)You know how he is with me :)
Have a good one
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