Kingdom of God
What is the meaning that Jesus gives to the “Kingdom of God”?
Danielle D. Brewer
Professor William Ward
Foundation of Christian Faith
Saint Leo University
Center for Online Learning
3 February 2013
What is the meaning that Jesus gives to the “Kingdom of God?”
Many scholars have pondered over the question as to the meaning Jesus gives to the “Kingdom of God”. The one thing many scholars agree on is that this proclamation constitutes Jesus’ public ministry. It is interesting to note that the kingdom of God is at the soul of Jesus’ teachings. Another interesting note is that the kingdom of God appears 103 times in the Synoptic Gospels in the New Testament, but is unheard of in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at and consider Jesus’ first ministry as recorded in Mark 1:15, which states, “the time promised by God hast come at last,’ he answered. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the good news!” Mueller mentions that these words in Mark’s gospel constitute Jesus’ ministry (Mueller 109). One thing is certain, is that scholars from all over have tried to come up with a possible meaning as to what Jesus was trying to say. Here we will take a look at a couple of interpretations, since this is all we have to go on. In his article, Donn Walter Leatherman, mentions Christianities message has often been portrayed in a highly individualized and spiritualized form: Jesus came to die for your sins; you must accept him as your personal savior; this will guarantee you eternal life (Leatherman 16). Leatherman further cites that this may be true, but it constitutes only a small part of Jesus’ message (16+). Furthermore, according to Leatherman, most of Jesus’ public proclamation was not about forgiveness, but “the good news of the Kingdom” (Matthew 4:23, 9:35) (16+). Leatherman states in his article, that George Edon Ladd made the remark, “This theme of the coming of the kingdom of God was central to [Jesus’] mission
Danielle D. Brewer
Professor William Ward
Foundation of Christian Faith
Saint Leo University
Center for Online Learning
3 February 2013
What is the meaning that Jesus gives to the “Kingdom of God?”
Many scholars have pondered over the question as to the meaning Jesus gives to the “Kingdom of God”. The one thing many scholars agree on is that this proclamation constitutes Jesus’ public ministry. It is interesting to note that the kingdom of God is at the soul of Jesus’ teachings. Another interesting note is that the kingdom of God appears 103 times in the Synoptic Gospels in the New Testament, but is unheard of in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at and consider Jesus’ first ministry as recorded in Mark 1:15, which states, “the time promised by God hast come at last,’ he answered. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the good news!” Mueller mentions that these words in Mark’s gospel constitute Jesus’ ministry (Mueller 109). One thing is certain, is that scholars from all over have tried to come up with a possible meaning as to what Jesus was trying to say. Here we will take a look at a couple of interpretations, since this is all we have to go on. In his article, Donn Walter Leatherman, mentions Christianities message has often been portrayed in a highly individualized and spiritualized form: Jesus came to die for your sins; you must accept him as your personal savior; this will guarantee you eternal life (Leatherman 16). Leatherman further cites that this may be true, but it constitutes only a small part of Jesus’ message (16+). Furthermore, according to Leatherman, most of Jesus’ public proclamation was not about forgiveness, but “the good news of the Kingdom” (Matthew 4:23, 9:35) (16+). Leatherman states in his article, that George Edon Ladd made the remark, “This theme of the coming of the kingdom of God was central to [Jesus’] mission
Cited: Beasley-Murray, G. R. “The Kingdom of God In the Teaching of Jesus”. Web. Ebsco: Alta. 1 March 1992. Pg. 6-15. 29 January 2013. Leatherman, Donn Walter. “A Nation Without a State: Constituting the People of God in the Synoptic Gospels”. Web. www.lasierra.edu. 29 January 2013. Mueller, J. J., SJ. “Theological Foundations: Concepts and Methods for Understanding Christian Faith’. Book. 2011. Anselm Academic, Christian Brothers Publication. Pg. 109-111. 29 January 2013. Pack, David C. “What is the Kingdom of God?” Book. 2011. The Restored Church of God. 29 January 2013.