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{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Kingdom of God |
subtopics = [[Synoptic Gospels]], [[Parables of Jesus]]
* [[Eschatology]], [[Consistent eschatology]], [[Realised eschatology]], [[Inaugurated eschatology]]
* [[Eternal life]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}
The Kingdom of God (also called the Kingdom of Heaven) is a foundational concept in [[Christianity]], and can be viewed as the central theme of [[Jesus]]' message in the [[synoptic Gospels]]. The phrase occurs in the New Testament more than 100 times, and is defined almost entirely by [[parables]]. According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is within people and entered through acceptance like a child and doing the will of God. It is a kingdom peopled by the righteous; and it is a Kingdom that is spoken about by Jesus, paradoxically, as being a present reality as well as a future hope.
===Usage and translation===
The Kingdom of God is translated from the Greek "Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ" (Basileia tou Theou). In the [[Gospel of Matthew]] it is synonymous with the "Kingdom of Heaven", and in the [[Gospel of John]] it is similar to the concept of "eternal life".
The phrase occurs in the [[New Testament]] more than 100 times.
===Meaning===
There are different views about what Jesus meant by the term "Kingdom of God". These views include the views of:
* [[Consistent eschatology]] - the Kingdom is purely future
* [[Realised eschatology]] - the Kingdom has come
* [[Inaugurated eschatology]] - the Kingdom is both a future hope and a present reality
====Inaugurated eschatology - The Kingdom as both a present reality and a future hope====
Inaugurated eschatology refers to the understanding that Jesus spoke about the Kingdom in both a present sense and in a future sense. On the surface this understanding appears paradoxical. In this understanding, the Kingdom is not a geographical kingdom, but instead it involves
* People repenting and believing in Jesus - something that can be now
* The world coming under Christ's authority - something that will be completely fulfilled in the future
[[Luke 13]] talks about the Kingdom like it is a growing tree - it is here now, but it is also growing or coming.
Biblical evidence that is consistent with this understanding is shown
* Kingdom is Near
** Jesus began by announcing that the Kingdom was near in [[Mark 1]]
* Kingdom is Among People
** In [[Luke 17]], Jesus states that "The Kingdom of God is within you"
* The Kingdom has already begun
** In [[Matthew 21:31]] Jesus states to the Pharisees that "Prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you"
* Miracles and Healing
** Miracles and healings are offered as evidence that the Kingdom has arrived in [[Matthew 12]]
* Future when all will be fulfilled and judgement will occur
** Jesus speaks of a future where he will come again in [[Mark 13]]
* The [[Lord's Supper]] speaks of a coming kingdom
** In [[Mark 14]] Jesus says "I will not drink the fruit of the vine until I come into my kingdom"
* Prayer for the coming kingdom
** Jesus encourages us to pray for the kingdom to come in [[Matthew 6]]
==Quotes==
==Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_God Wikipedia - Kingdom of God]
{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Christian doctrine and debates]] -> [[Theology]]
[[Category:Christian doctrine and debates]]
