The Mission of God:
Understanding the Kingdom of God from
The Old Testament to the New Testament
           400 Level Course
                Al Soto




                                   Page 1
Some Facts About Al Soto
        •   Married to his lovely wife Valerie for 30 years in which he
            acknowledges he married way above his pay-grade.
        •   Has five son’s: David (23), Matthew (22), Michael (20), Jonathan
            (18), and Aaron (16).
        •   Two Dogs: Millie a Blue Nose Pit Bull who is afraid of her
            shadow and thinks she is a lap dog. Cassie a demonic
            Terrier /Mix who the Soto family wants Monster -Quest to come
            and verify if she is the elchupacabra.
        •   Planted a church in 1987 and Pastored in San Jose, CA for
            twenty years. The church planted four other congregations.
        •   District Supervisor for five years acting as an overseer in the
            South Bay Area for the Foursquare Denomination.
        •   Was a Church Planting Leadership Coach and Trainer for ten
            years.
        •   Owned an Consulting Company that assisted organizations in
            creating efficiency in their management systems.
        •   Has coached football for 25 years and is a certified trainer with
            the CIF.
        •   Enjoys Old School Motown and R&B.
        •   Deeply grateful for 28 years of sobriety in Jesus Christ.
        •   Life Quote: “Real Success is Helping Other’s to Succeed!”



                                                                Page 2
Class Description:
• This class examines in a survey methodology the “Mission of
  God” from, biblical, theological and historical perspectives.
  This interdisciplinary study, integrating biblical theology and
  practice, is designed to move each student toward a holistic
  understanding of mission in relation to the transformation of
  individuals, cultures and communities. There will be emphasis
  and focus on the profile and overall influence of selected
  biblical characters (great figures of the Old and New
  Testament). Throughout the class there will be application of
  the meaning of the Kingdom of God as it relates to spiritual
  formation of each believer as an empowered citizen of the
  kingdom of God as well as the relationship of the Church as an
  agency of the Kingdom of God as a force of Unleashing
  Compassion both locally and globally.


                                                         Page 3
Course Objectives
•   This class provides an excellent opportunity to examine the role of the
    Bible in formulating a dynamic theological reflection on the Mission of
    God being developed through the progressive revelation of Scripture
    (From the Old Testament to the New Testament) and it’s formation of
    the Church and its Mission within contemporary cultural contexts. In
    light of this aim, the course objectives are as follows:
•   •     Explore themes of mission within the biblical text;
•   •     Discern the influential cultural forces shaping the world in which
•         the ministry toward the future;
•   •     Apply biblical concepts to mission practice in specific global
•         contexts;
•   •     Define mission dei in view of various theoretical perspectives
•         and explain why it is a contested concept



                                                                   Page 4
Continuation Course Objectives

•   From the progressive revelation of Scripture develop the
    understanding of the Kingdom of God from the Hebrew mindset into
    the New Testament concept of the Kingdom being both a present
    reality and an eschatological event.
•   Begin to understand how a Trinitarian Perspective of God becomes
    the perfect system for developing a balanced mission for the local
    church.
•   To present the development of God being one who is the ultimate
    champion for such matters as social justice.
•   Discuss the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom of God
    in light of classic and recent literature with some discussion on the
    danger of the emergent church’s perspective of reframing the
    historical Jesus.
•   Ultimately, for the student to appreciate and bend a knee to authority
    and veracity of the Scripture being the Word of God!



                                                                 Page 5
Recommended Reading




                  Page 6
Abstract John Bright's Book
•   John Bright’s book arises out of a concern to find a unity between the
    Old Testament and the New Testament (p. 10) which will save the
    Bible, especially the Old Testament, from disuse and misuse (p. 9).
    The aim of his book is to show that such a unity exists. As the title of
    Bright’s book shows, he believes “that the biblical doctrine of the
    Kingdom of God … is the unifying theme of the Bible” (p. 244). “The
    Bible is one book. Had we to give that book a title we might with
    justice call it The Book of the Coming Kingdom of God. That is indeed
    its central theme everywhere” (p. 197). “The two Testaments are
    organically linked to each other. The relationship between them is
    neither one of upward development nor of contrast; it is one of
    beginning and completion, of hope and fulfillment. And the bond that
    binds them together is the dynamic concept of the rule of God” (p.
    196ff).




                                                                   Page 7
Howard Snyder’s Premises

• The entire premise of the book centers
  around the question, “does the Church
  bring the Kingdom?” and if so, how
  so?
• “The church is seen as the community of God’s
  people — a people called to serve God and called to
  live together in true Christian community as a
  witness to the character and virtues of God’s reign
  (13). “


                                               Page 8
Community of the King
          Howard Snyder
• Must Read!




                               Page 9
Continuation of Premises
• Howard Snyder sees the church as the
  primary agent of God’s mission on the earth.
   The mission (purpose) of God is to bring “all
  things and, supremely, all people under the
  dominion and headship of Jesus Christ” (13).
   Therefore, the Church, that is, the people of
  God, is the agent, or the means by which
  God’s mission is accomplished in this world.



                                          Page 10
Presuppositions

Presupposition #1: We begin with a very
high view of Scripture.
Verbal-Plenary Inspiration
Verbal Means Every Word
Verbal means that every word of Scripture is God-given. The idea is that
every single word in the Bible is there because God wanted it there.

Plenary Means Fully Authoritative
Plenary means that all parts of the Bible are equally authoritative. This
includes such things as the genealogies of the Old Testament. All parts
of the Bible are of divine origin.



                                                                  Page 11
(Romans 15:4)

• Paul wrote.

• “For whatever was written in earlier
  times was written for our instruction,
  so that through perseverance and the
  encouragement of the Scriptures we
  might have hope.”


                                     Page 12
What does Inspiration Mean?

• Inspiration Means God Guided The
  Process
• The idea behind the word
  inspiration is that God
  supernaturally guided the biblical
  authors to write the exact things
  that He wanted expressed. The
  result is Holy Scripture.
                                Page 13
Premise #2

• All of us are theologians and must
  approach this topic theologically.

• “Thinking Theologically is thinking
  about God.”




                                        Page 14
Two Areas To Think Theologically

• Natural Attributes:
 Omnipotence
 Omnipresence

• Moral Attributes:
 All Loving
 > All Forgiving

                              Page 15
Systematic Theology

• In systematic theology one attempts to
  summarize biblical doctrine,
  addressing theological topics one by
  one in order to summarize all biblical
  teaching on a particular subject.




                                    Page 16
Areas of Systematic Theology

•   Prolegomena: Introduction
•   Ecclesiology – the study of the Church
•   Eschatology – the study of last things
•   Soteriology – the Study of Salvation
•   Anthropology – the study of humanity.




                                      Page 17
Our Approach for this Class is
         Biblical Theology
• “That discipline which sets forth the
  message of the books of the Bible in
  their historical setting.”
• Donald Hagnar




                                     Page 18
Progressive Revelation
• Progressive revelation may be defined as the
  process of God's own disclosure of Himself
  and His plan given to man throughout history
  by means of nature (Rom. 1:18-21; Ps. 19),
  providential dealings (Rom. 8:28),
  preservation of the universe (Col. 1:17),
  miracles (John 2:11), direct communication
  (Acts 22:17-21), Christ Himself (John 1:14)
  and through the Bible (1 John 5:39).


                                        Page 19
The Progressive Revelation Principle

• The Word of God is to be understood from the Old Testament
  to the New Testament as a flower unfolding its pedals to the
  morning sun. God initiated revelation, but He did not reveal His
  truths all at one time. It was a long and progressive process.
  Therefore, we must take into account the then-current state of
  revelation to properly understand a particular passage. For
  example, an interpretation of a passage in Genesis which
  assumed a fully delineated view of the "new Covenant" would
  not be sound. As the saying goes, "The Old Testament is the
  New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old
  Testament revealed."




                                                          Page 20
Premise #3

• God chooses to reveal Himself and it is
  our method of Hermeneutic
  (Interpretation) that defines where we
  land.




                                    Page 21
Protestant Two Pillar

• The Word
• The Holy Spirit Illuminates
• Grammatical/Historical Exegesis




                                    Page 22
Three Pillar Approach

•   The Word
•   The Spirit
•   Creeds and Church Fathers
•   Approach Allegorical
•   Three Pillars of Inspiration




                                   Page 23
Theological Considerations
     of our Interpretative Praxis
• All Truth’s must be held in tension in
  order to avoid extremes.
• God has a redemptive plan that will be
  consummated in History.
• We must always take a humble posture
  as finite humanity in regards to the
  interpretation of an infinite God’s
  redemptive plan. (Our Response – Worship –
  Infinite Reality – Mystery)
                                       Page 24
The Tension between Theological
   and Philosophical Realities




                            Page 25
Setting the stage for Imago Dei

• He states that for our salvation it is necessary to have
  knowledge revealed by God, in addition to ordinary knowledge
  built upon human reason. Even though man is naturally
  directed to God, he needs revelation because God is beyond
  the grasp of reason. Although some truths about God can be
  discovered by reason alone, even here revelation serves a
  useful purpose. Only a few people have the time or skill to
  reach knowledge of God by reason. It would take them a very
  long time, and their conclusions might be mixed with human
  errors. Hence, sacred doctrine derives its principles not from
  any human knowledge but from divine truth. Since theology is
  based upon revelation, whatever is found in other sciences
  contrary to the truth of this sacred science must be condemned
  as false. (Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica)


                                                        Page 26
Genesis First Look at God is Trinity
         Genesis 1:26-27
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in
Our image, according to Our likeness;
and let them rule over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the sky and over
the cattle and over all the earth, and over
every creeping thing that creeps on the
earth.” God created man in His own
image, in the image of God He created
him; male and female He created them.”
                                      Page 27
Moses Uses a Key Word

• Elohim – Only used in the Hebrew
  Language. (Masculine Plural Ending)
  Does not translate to mean many God’s
• Hebrew language is used to define
  function not essence. This rendering
  allows for a Plurality in the Godhead.
  Denoting that God is Creator and the
  First Perfect System for all effects.
• H
                                   Page 28
Perochoresis
The Circle Dance




                   Page 29
The Main Point of the “Image of
          God” language
“The Image of God language in scripture
is not about some ability or trait we share
with God, its about the mission He has
given us.”
(Ray Ortberg)




                                      Page 30
Imago Dei: Justice Cannot be
     Separated from the Gospel
“Surely I will require your lifeblood; from
every beast I will require it. And from
every man, from every man’s brother I
will require the life of man.
Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his
blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God He made man.”
(Gen. 9:5-6, NASB)

                                      Page 31
N.T. Wright

‘So God has placed his own image,
human beings, into his world so that the
world can see who its ruler is.'




                                    Page 32
Our Destiny
• Your job, your destiny, is to reflect the holy
  reign of God down on to the earth-to care for
  all of creation and particularly human beings
  the way God would want you to;
• The Bibles' language for this is: you will be a
  king; you will be a priest. And this is not a
  solo act. We are to do this in community. To
  be a KINGDOM of PRIESTS.



                                            Page 33
What Imago Dei is NOT

• Man as created beings is at the same
  deified status as God. (Some refer little
  god’s – This is Heresy)
• Cannot ever redact God as Creator to
  be at the same status as creation.
• Cannot Ignore the fallen state of man
  and create a false “Perfection.”


                                      Page 34
Genesis 3:15, NASB
 Protoevangelium- The First Gospel
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.”




                                    Page 35
Implications to Leadership

• If I am to lead in a way that honors the
  Imago Dei in each person, I must value
  the formation of their character above
  the usefulness of their gifts.
• I must value the integrity of our
  community as well as its visible
  fruitfulness.


                                      Page 36
Continuation of Implications to our
       Personal Leadership
• I must fear the rise of sin more than I
   do the loss of productivity.
• I live a life of Honor. (God – Myself –
   Others) Living this way breaks a victim
   Mindset.
* I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God.



                                     Page 37
As a Citizen of the Kingdom Worship
  is a Lifestyle- Rev. 22:3-5 NASB
“There will no longer be any curse; and the
throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and
His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see
His face, and His name will be on their
foreheads. And there will no longer be any
night; and they will not have need of the light
of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the
Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign
forever and ever.”


                                          Page 38
The Kingdom of God is the
   Unifying Theme of the Bible
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand; repent, and believe the
gospel.” (Mk. 1:14-15)

•Jesus used the term as if assured it
would be understood. The Kingdom of
God was embedded in the vocabulary of
every Jew.

                                     Page 39
Old Testament and New Testament
               View
“The Kingdom of God involves the whole
notion of the rule of God over his people,
and particularly the vindication of that
rule and people in glory at the end of
history.”
John Bright




                                     Page 40
Comparison of Four Systems

•   Dispensationalism
•   Covenant Theology
•   New Covenant
•   Epochal - Lasor




                        Page 41
Page 42
Page 43

The Mission of God Part One

  • 1.
    The Mission ofGod: Understanding the Kingdom of God from The Old Testament to the New Testament 400 Level Course Al Soto Page 1
  • 2.
    Some Facts AboutAl Soto • Married to his lovely wife Valerie for 30 years in which he acknowledges he married way above his pay-grade. • Has five son’s: David (23), Matthew (22), Michael (20), Jonathan (18), and Aaron (16). • Two Dogs: Millie a Blue Nose Pit Bull who is afraid of her shadow and thinks she is a lap dog. Cassie a demonic Terrier /Mix who the Soto family wants Monster -Quest to come and verify if she is the elchupacabra. • Planted a church in 1987 and Pastored in San Jose, CA for twenty years. The church planted four other congregations. • District Supervisor for five years acting as an overseer in the South Bay Area for the Foursquare Denomination. • Was a Church Planting Leadership Coach and Trainer for ten years. • Owned an Consulting Company that assisted organizations in creating efficiency in their management systems. • Has coached football for 25 years and is a certified trainer with the CIF. • Enjoys Old School Motown and R&B. • Deeply grateful for 28 years of sobriety in Jesus Christ. • Life Quote: “Real Success is Helping Other’s to Succeed!” Page 2
  • 3.
    Class Description: • Thisclass examines in a survey methodology the “Mission of God” from, biblical, theological and historical perspectives. This interdisciplinary study, integrating biblical theology and practice, is designed to move each student toward a holistic understanding of mission in relation to the transformation of individuals, cultures and communities. There will be emphasis and focus on the profile and overall influence of selected biblical characters (great figures of the Old and New Testament). Throughout the class there will be application of the meaning of the Kingdom of God as it relates to spiritual formation of each believer as an empowered citizen of the kingdom of God as well as the relationship of the Church as an agency of the Kingdom of God as a force of Unleashing Compassion both locally and globally. Page 3
  • 4.
    Course Objectives • This class provides an excellent opportunity to examine the role of the Bible in formulating a dynamic theological reflection on the Mission of God being developed through the progressive revelation of Scripture (From the Old Testament to the New Testament) and it’s formation of the Church and its Mission within contemporary cultural contexts. In light of this aim, the course objectives are as follows: • • Explore themes of mission within the biblical text; • • Discern the influential cultural forces shaping the world in which • the ministry toward the future; • • Apply biblical concepts to mission practice in specific global • contexts; • • Define mission dei in view of various theoretical perspectives • and explain why it is a contested concept Page 4
  • 5.
    Continuation Course Objectives • From the progressive revelation of Scripture develop the understanding of the Kingdom of God from the Hebrew mindset into the New Testament concept of the Kingdom being both a present reality and an eschatological event. • Begin to understand how a Trinitarian Perspective of God becomes the perfect system for developing a balanced mission for the local church. • To present the development of God being one who is the ultimate champion for such matters as social justice. • Discuss the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom of God in light of classic and recent literature with some discussion on the danger of the emergent church’s perspective of reframing the historical Jesus. • Ultimately, for the student to appreciate and bend a knee to authority and veracity of the Scripture being the Word of God! Page 5
  • 6.
  • 7.
    Abstract John Bright'sBook • John Bright’s book arises out of a concern to find a unity between the Old Testament and the New Testament (p. 10) which will save the Bible, especially the Old Testament, from disuse and misuse (p. 9). The aim of his book is to show that such a unity exists. As the title of Bright’s book shows, he believes “that the biblical doctrine of the Kingdom of God … is the unifying theme of the Bible” (p. 244). “The Bible is one book. Had we to give that book a title we might with justice call it The Book of the Coming Kingdom of God. That is indeed its central theme everywhere” (p. 197). “The two Testaments are organically linked to each other. The relationship between them is neither one of upward development nor of contrast; it is one of beginning and completion, of hope and fulfillment. And the bond that binds them together is the dynamic concept of the rule of God” (p. 196ff). Page 7
  • 8.
    Howard Snyder’s Premises •The entire premise of the book centers around the question, “does the Church bring the Kingdom?” and if so, how so? • “The church is seen as the community of God’s people — a people called to serve God and called to live together in true Christian community as a witness to the character and virtues of God’s reign (13). “ Page 8
  • 9.
    Community of theKing Howard Snyder • Must Read! Page 9
  • 10.
    Continuation of Premises •Howard Snyder sees the church as the primary agent of God’s mission on the earth. The mission (purpose) of God is to bring “all things and, supremely, all people under the dominion and headship of Jesus Christ” (13). Therefore, the Church, that is, the people of God, is the agent, or the means by which God’s mission is accomplished in this world. Page 10
  • 11.
    Presuppositions Presupposition #1: Webegin with a very high view of Scripture. Verbal-Plenary Inspiration Verbal Means Every Word Verbal means that every word of Scripture is God-given. The idea is that every single word in the Bible is there because God wanted it there. Plenary Means Fully Authoritative Plenary means that all parts of the Bible are equally authoritative. This includes such things as the genealogies of the Old Testament. All parts of the Bible are of divine origin. Page 11
  • 12.
    (Romans 15:4) • Paulwrote. • “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Page 12
  • 13.
    What does InspirationMean? • Inspiration Means God Guided The Process • The idea behind the word inspiration is that God supernaturally guided the biblical authors to write the exact things that He wanted expressed. The result is Holy Scripture. Page 13
  • 14.
    Premise #2 • Allof us are theologians and must approach this topic theologically. • “Thinking Theologically is thinking about God.” Page 14
  • 15.
    Two Areas ToThink Theologically • Natural Attributes:  Omnipotence  Omnipresence • Moral Attributes:  All Loving  > All Forgiving Page 15
  • 16.
    Systematic Theology • Insystematic theology one attempts to summarize biblical doctrine, addressing theological topics one by one in order to summarize all biblical teaching on a particular subject. Page 16
  • 17.
    Areas of SystematicTheology • Prolegomena: Introduction • Ecclesiology – the study of the Church • Eschatology – the study of last things • Soteriology – the Study of Salvation • Anthropology – the study of humanity. Page 17
  • 18.
    Our Approach forthis Class is Biblical Theology • “That discipline which sets forth the message of the books of the Bible in their historical setting.” • Donald Hagnar Page 18
  • 19.
    Progressive Revelation • Progressiverevelation may be defined as the process of God's own disclosure of Himself and His plan given to man throughout history by means of nature (Rom. 1:18-21; Ps. 19), providential dealings (Rom. 8:28), preservation of the universe (Col. 1:17), miracles (John 2:11), direct communication (Acts 22:17-21), Christ Himself (John 1:14) and through the Bible (1 John 5:39). Page 19
  • 20.
    The Progressive RevelationPrinciple • The Word of God is to be understood from the Old Testament to the New Testament as a flower unfolding its pedals to the morning sun. God initiated revelation, but He did not reveal His truths all at one time. It was a long and progressive process. Therefore, we must take into account the then-current state of revelation to properly understand a particular passage. For example, an interpretation of a passage in Genesis which assumed a fully delineated view of the "new Covenant" would not be sound. As the saying goes, "The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed." Page 20
  • 21.
    Premise #3 • Godchooses to reveal Himself and it is our method of Hermeneutic (Interpretation) that defines where we land. Page 21
  • 22.
    Protestant Two Pillar •The Word • The Holy Spirit Illuminates • Grammatical/Historical Exegesis Page 22
  • 23.
    Three Pillar Approach • The Word • The Spirit • Creeds and Church Fathers • Approach Allegorical • Three Pillars of Inspiration Page 23
  • 24.
    Theological Considerations of our Interpretative Praxis • All Truth’s must be held in tension in order to avoid extremes. • God has a redemptive plan that will be consummated in History. • We must always take a humble posture as finite humanity in regards to the interpretation of an infinite God’s redemptive plan. (Our Response – Worship – Infinite Reality – Mystery) Page 24
  • 25.
    The Tension betweenTheological and Philosophical Realities Page 25
  • 26.
    Setting the stagefor Imago Dei • He states that for our salvation it is necessary to have knowledge revealed by God, in addition to ordinary knowledge built upon human reason. Even though man is naturally directed to God, he needs revelation because God is beyond the grasp of reason. Although some truths about God can be discovered by reason alone, even here revelation serves a useful purpose. Only a few people have the time or skill to reach knowledge of God by reason. It would take them a very long time, and their conclusions might be mixed with human errors. Hence, sacred doctrine derives its principles not from any human knowledge but from divine truth. Since theology is based upon revelation, whatever is found in other sciences contrary to the truth of this sacred science must be condemned as false. (Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica) Page 26
  • 27.
    Genesis First Lookat God is Trinity Genesis 1:26-27 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Page 27
  • 28.
    Moses Uses aKey Word • Elohim – Only used in the Hebrew Language. (Masculine Plural Ending) Does not translate to mean many God’s • Hebrew language is used to define function not essence. This rendering allows for a Plurality in the Godhead. Denoting that God is Creator and the First Perfect System for all effects. • H Page 28
  • 29.
  • 30.
    The Main Pointof the “Image of God” language “The Image of God language in scripture is not about some ability or trait we share with God, its about the mission He has given us.” (Ray Ortberg) Page 30
  • 31.
    Imago Dei: JusticeCannot be Separated from the Gospel “Surely I will require your lifeblood; from every beast I will require it. And from every man, from every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.” (Gen. 9:5-6, NASB) Page 31
  • 32.
    N.T. Wright ‘So Godhas placed his own image, human beings, into his world so that the world can see who its ruler is.' Page 32
  • 33.
    Our Destiny • Yourjob, your destiny, is to reflect the holy reign of God down on to the earth-to care for all of creation and particularly human beings the way God would want you to; • The Bibles' language for this is: you will be a king; you will be a priest. And this is not a solo act. We are to do this in community. To be a KINGDOM of PRIESTS. Page 33
  • 34.
    What Imago Deiis NOT • Man as created beings is at the same deified status as God. (Some refer little god’s – This is Heresy) • Cannot ever redact God as Creator to be at the same status as creation. • Cannot Ignore the fallen state of man and create a false “Perfection.” Page 34
  • 35.
    Genesis 3:15, NASB Protoevangelium- The First Gospel “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Page 35
  • 36.
    Implications to Leadership •If I am to lead in a way that honors the Imago Dei in each person, I must value the formation of their character above the usefulness of their gifts. • I must value the integrity of our community as well as its visible fruitfulness. Page 36
  • 37.
    Continuation of Implicationsto our Personal Leadership • I must fear the rise of sin more than I do the loss of productivity. • I live a life of Honor. (God – Myself – Others) Living this way breaks a victim Mindset. * I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Page 37
  • 38.
    As a Citizenof the Kingdom Worship is a Lifestyle- Rev. 22:3-5 NASB “There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.” Page 38
  • 39.
    The Kingdom ofGod is the Unifying Theme of the Bible “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel.” (Mk. 1:14-15) •Jesus used the term as if assured it would be understood. The Kingdom of God was embedded in the vocabulary of every Jew. Page 39
  • 40.
    Old Testament andNew Testament View “The Kingdom of God involves the whole notion of the rule of God over his people, and particularly the vindication of that rule and people in glory at the end of history.” John Bright Page 40
  • 41.
    Comparison of FourSystems • Dispensationalism • Covenant Theology • New Covenant • Epochal - Lasor Page 41
  • 42.
  • 43.

Editor's Notes

  • #31 There is an old definition of leadership that says leading people means getting them to want to do what you want them to do. That's actually much more like herding than leading. The reason we love leadership so much, but often end up resenting actual leaders, is that its very hard to lead someone without violating their dominion. In ancient Mesopotamian culture, only kings were made in the image of a powerful god; peasants were actually thought to be made by inferior Gods. This is what the writer of Genesis challenges: God is working on a model of leadership that unleashes universal dominion. The reason we love leadership so much, but often end up resenting actual leaders, is that its very hard to lead someone without violating their dominion.
  • #33 The fact that you were made in the image of God tells you not just about your worth, but also about your destiny