Comments on Disciple's Diary: Kingdom Theology

I understand your point now. You alluded to Resid...

2009-07-27T10:22:07.335-04:00

I understand your point now.

You alluded to Resident Aliens. I think Hauerwas and Willimon said it best when they stated that Christians are to be faithful rather than effective.

Many ethical mishaps are the result of applying human cause-effect logic for the purpose of shaping an outcome. Though that particular reasoning skill is important, Jesus' disciples are called to faithfulness first, trusting God for the intended outcome. I, at least, think this is the gist of Luke 12:22-34.

Thank you for your time with this article. God bless!

Hi Tim, Point taken. The major concern I have wit...

2009-07-27T09:28:49.594-04:00

Hi Tim,

Point taken. The major concern I have with articles like this is that they reduce the NT tension to the temporal alone (already/not yet) while ignoring the unambiguous and ubiquitous NT emphasis on the spatial tension to which I alluded. In the NT, the kingdom of God is not merely an earthly reality "whose time has not yet come;" it is another world that can't be achieved merely by "fixing" this one.

Thanks for your comment and for keeping the conversation going about things that matter!

Pax Christi,

wayne

Dr. Stacy, When I re-read Gushee's article, I...

2009-07-26T17:17:09.537-04:00

Dr. Stacy,

When I re-read Gushee's article, I don't think that you and he are as far apart as your article indicates. Further down from your quotation of Gushee, Gushee acknowledges the already/not-yet tension that you allude to. However, you seem to emphasize the not-yet more than the already, whereas he does the opposite.

Both articles are excellent contributions to a discussion that must move from academia to the church. And,both move the discussion from an either/or in terms of missions as evangelism or social justice.

However, I do agree with your assessment over Gushee's in that the NT is more 'not-yet' than 'already' in its eschatology.

Too, you have whetted my appetite to read Dr. Beasley-Murray's work. Thank you!