The Kingdom Of God Flashcards
Briefly explain the Jewish notion of God as a king
The Jews believed that God was king over all, because he created all, and the Law was God’s way of ruling.
Why did the ancient Jews believe the Messiah would be a great warrior who would establish the Kingdom through military conquest?
King David, who was the greatest king was known for his military conquest, and after a century being under the Romans, the Jews thought that God’s kingdom would be created when they were overthrown via a military maneuver
What ideas about the Kingdom of God did Jesus clearly reject?
The idea that he was king (or any sort of political ruler)
The idea that the kingdom would be started with a military takedown - he hated violence
The idea that the Kingdom would definitely be at Israel – the Kingdom has no boundaries, no geographical area
With what Aramaic word did Jesus address God? Why did this shock the people, of Jesus’ time?
“Abba”. It was like calling God: “Dad” or “Daddy”. It shocked the Jews because it was considered to be an intimate title. It was also shocking to hear Jesus use such a childlike term
According to Jesus, what is the meaning if the word conversion?
Its a change of heart- turning from selfishness to openness and to God and a call to love
What does it mean to say that Jesus understood the kingdom of God as being communal in nature?
It means that the Kingdom of God is not only a relationship between God and people, but among the people themselves as well
Name in briefly describe that you problems that developed among the Jews and conflicted with their following the command to love one another
Nationalism
The Jews felt separated from other cultures, so when told things like love your neighbor, they thought it only referred to
Jewish neighbors
Some thought loving your neighbor meant hating your enemy
Legalism
The laws were growing to extreme, and impeded on the preaching of the scripture
Their laws became more oppressive, rather than freeing
When does Jesus’ Dream of the Kingdom of God become realized?
When there is peace joy and love for all
Define sin, both personal and communal
Personal
Chosen actions which negatively affect the sinner & those around them
Communal
Social evil” that affect everyone in the community. The actions of a few people accumulate into a communal sin - which
affects those born into it
In what sense are Sin and Evil different realities? What kind of evil is not caused by sin?
Sin
Is a personal responsibility in regards to an evil act
Evil
Something that isn’t right in the world
What unique role did Jesus claim for himself in the Kingdom of God?
He claimed to be part of God’s plan to save the world from sin
Name two examples of how Jesus exercised his claim to divine authority
Him calling God “My Father”
Forgiving sins
What does it mean to say that the Kingdom of God is “right now, but not yet”
The fullness of the Kingdom of God is in Jesus - so it’s “right now”, but it’s “not yet” because we continue to sin
