Christian Foundations I Interpretation: Kingdom of God

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Christian Foundations IInterpretation Kingdom
of God

• Cornerstone University

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Introduction

• Outline of Today
• Look at Gospel Literature
• Examine Kingdom of God
• Review study guide and Old Testament chart for
  Final Exam
• Topics for Discussion
• Wednesday will focus on Messianic themes and
  discussion questions

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Gospel Literature

• Introduction
• Synoptic Gospels
• Matthew / Mark / Luke
• Does anyone know why these are called the
  synoptic gospels?
• Synoptic is another way of saying common view
• These three accounts of Christs life and
  teachings share a significant amount in common
• Why are the gospels difficult to understand?
• Jesus didnt write one himself there are four

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Gospel Literature

• Gospel Timetable
• Mark was written first
• Matthew Luke written from Mark
• John was written without any of the others
• Why four gospels?
• Each gospel served a unique purpose
• First, to present who Jesus was and what he said
  and did
• Second, story is told in various contexts

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Gospel Literature

• Gospel Contexts
• Matthew
• Written to Jews by a Jew about a Jew
• Mark
• Written toexplain the nature of Jesus
  messiahship
• Luke
• Written to
• John
• Written to

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Gospel Literature

• The Master Teachers use of literary style
• Hyperbole in Matthew 529-30
• Was Jesus really telling people to gouge out an
  offending eye or cut off an offending arm?
• Metaphors in Matthew 513
• Irony in Matthew 162-3
• Questions in Matthew 1725

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Gospel Literature

• When reading the gospels one needs to think both
  horizontally and vertically
• Horizontal
• Look at other gospel accounts not to synthesize
  the story but to see the differences
• Differences of context in the early church
• Mainly Gentile
• Mainly Jewish
• Farmers
• Living in the city of Rome

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Gospel Literature

• When reading the gospels one needs to think both
  horizontally and vertically
• Think Vertically
• Think about how Jesus was using his teaching and
  then how the gospel writer was using it
• Matthew 201-15 Jesus talks about the last being
  first and implies Gods grace but Matthew focuses
  on the area of discipleship and that those who
  give much in this life (and are considered in
  last place) will be in first place in heave

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Kingdom of God

• What is the Kingdom of God?
• Some say it is heaven and sing the song this
  world is not my home and Im just a passing
  through
• Gods Kingdom refers more to power than to a
  place, more to a reign than to a realm
• Gods Kingdom was inaugurated at the first coming
  of Christ

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Kingdom of God

• Some look at the Kingdom of God in an Already,
  Not Yet construct
• Consider the following examples
• We have salvation but sin still exists
• God heals the sick but disease still exists
• Peace is possible but conflict is present
• Spirit is present but not in complete fullness
• At the second coming of Christ all the not yets
  will be realized in totality

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Kingdom of God

• Implications for Today
• Always remember both side of the Already, Not
  Yet construct
• Should Christians be active in politics to help
  change the world? Yes, but we dont know how
  positive the effect will be this side of heaven
• Should Christians pray for healing from physical
  sickness? Yes, but sin still has a hold on
  creation
• Can Christians expect victory over sin? Yes, but
  painful relapses may recur until our glorification