When Donald B. Kraybill wrote the Upside Down Kingdom 38 years ago, he created a book and shares a unique perspective on things about Jesus and his disciples from an angel most of us aren’t used to exploring. The main point (thesis) that Kraybill develops in his book is that kingdom of God demonstrated by Jesus through his teachings the importance of practicing religious principles. Jesus focused on serving others and considered those his winnings. It’s admirable to know that even though Jesus reached glories victories through his teachings and devotion to God, he never allowed anything to shift him into a different direction. Everything he did served a purpose, and though it was questionable by many, ultimately he always reveled his reasoning …show more content…
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God: Luke 3:4-6.” John the Baptist was forewarning every one of the coming kingdom; which was paving the way for Jesus. The Baptist describes the coming kingdom as full valleys, flat mountains, straight curves, and level bumps. This is an example of how things are realistically when they are turned upside down in our lives. John also warns us that the new order, the upside-down kingdom, will transform social patters. In flesh we will see the salvation of God; however, we will find the salvation through active compassion …show more content…
Jesus is not only Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of the oral tradition; he is also Lord of the temple. Kraybill also used several verses in this chapter to prove Jesus irreverence to the civil, social and religious law of the day. Jesus was a rebel to a certain point because he didn’t follow certain rules he didn’t think was serving a purpose. Furthermore, he didn’t see eye to eye with several religious leaders, and was not afraid of challenging them. “The Spirit of the Jesus who violated Sabbath rules, avoided purity rituals, ate with sinners, and purged the temple is Lord of our structures also. He judges them, critiques them, and makes them pliable of the new wine” (Kraybill 2011). This chapter was one of my favorites to read
Gerhard Lohfink, in his book, “Jesus of Nazareth” believes that Jesus’ person and ministry are intertwined, or actually one and of the same. After Lohfink clarifies the difference between the "reign of God" as distinct from the “Kingdom of God,” he asserts that in Jesus, there is this active, ongoing reign which is not only revealed, but is manifested in all He says and does. Lohfink states, that Jesus is “not just preaching about the reign of God, but He is announcing it,” going on to indicating that Jesus is manifesting this reign in His own self disclosure and the actions of His ministry. Jesus ways of teaching and interactions with others, is shown as compassionate, gentle, direct and personal, as well as definitive and bold. As we also find in Ch. 3, “All that is happening before everyone’s eyes. The reign of God is breaking forth in the midst of the world and not only within people.” (51) And for Lohfink, this is taking place in the actual preaching, actions and life of Jesus Christ. Simply, we are personally and collectively and actively a part of establishing this “reign” right here, right now. A “reign” of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, self-giving, sacrificial love, as well as of justice and peace.
On the Sabbath Master Ford "would gather all his slaves about him, and read and expound the Scriptures" (Northup 97). Much as a father, during the era, woul...
Kingdom education is a process that begins with a child accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior and continues with the goal of that child reaching maturity in Christ. As such, evangelism and discipleship are part of a kingdom education that will train children to know God and have a biblical worldview. This worldview is taught through Bible stories, but is also incorporated into every subject and into educational methods that reflect a biblical philosophy.
The first portion of Jesus teachings were made up of blessings known as beatitudes. Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus. The word beatitude stimulates from a Latin adjective beatitudo which means happiness, fortunate, and blissful. The beatitudes are mainly located in versus 3 to 6. According to Wilkins, “They apply in an almost, “upside down” reality and this vision that should be adhered to life in operating the kingdom life among God’s people.” If an individual decided to disobey or decided to not follow the rules of the pattern of this world, God would considered that type of behavior as an upside down life style. If you are an authentic discipline you would follow the guidelines of the beatitudes. “Jesus was looking to set goals in the beatitudes and the whole Sermon on the Mount. These goals should not be seen as impossible ideals, rather a new kind of life that strives,permeats and change lives”(Robinson, et al.).
"We cannot indeed overestimate the importance of the fact that Jesus' redeeming influence on the world-all that has induced men to call Him Lord and Savior-owes to His humanity at once its individual and its social power, and is complete with the com...
The book consists of three parts. The first part has five chapters of which focuses on explaining what the key questions are and why we find them difficult to answer. The second part has nine chapters explaining in detail what N.T. Wright considers Jesus’ public career and the approach he had in first century Palestine. The third part of the book, the last chapter, challenges readers to wrestle with the questions of Jesus’ life and ministry.
God, the creator, made everything possible in the world. It through Him that I am understanding more about myself than before. I believe that God’s kingdom is endless and profound. Paul talked about the Kingdom of God in his letter to the church in Rome: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." In his book Gospel and Kingdom: A Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament, Graeme Goldsworthy uses the definition God's people in God's place under God's rule” and in the book The Bible and the Future, Anthony Hoekema defines God’s Kingdom as the reign of God and sovereignty in human history through Jesus Christ. God’s purpose is the redemption of his people from sin
The gospels explain Jesus’ life and death including His identity but also his activities, works, leadership and his suffering. Jesus is seen as a manifestation of God’s relationship with humans. An important fact about Jesus is the humility and modesty associated with his birth, upbringing and death. The fact that such a person ...
The Kingdom of God defined by the Israelites as a physical place here on earth. The Kingdom of God is also called the “Kingdom of Heaven.” It means God’s rule in the lives of His chosen people and His Creation. In the Old Testament, the people in God’s kingdom were the Israelites. In the New Testament and now, the people in God’s kingdom are those who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes again, then God’s kingdom will become visible to all people. The term “Kingdom” according to (Kingdom of God,2011) means the rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy. It can also be used in the context of a divine kingdom, the term Kingdom appears 13 times in Matthews, 7 times in Luke and 2 times in John.
Jesus however, has much different beliefs. He believes there is a certain way to live in order to achieve the greater things in the after life. For doing the right thing for god is the way we all need to live. At times in the story “Sermon on the mount,” it can sound very radical. Saying things such as "Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery," and "If you say, 'You fool, ' you will be liable to the hell of
Loving people unconditionally was another aspect of Jesus’ worship lifestyle. The Gospels depict countless examples of Jesus interacting with people. Every interaction was filled with love. He met people’s needs when he healed the sick and the blind and the dumb. He met the needs of the hungry thousands. The marginalized of society were always on His mind. From the women to the children, the aliens and the outcasts, He was a...
When Jesus called His disciples, His invitation was simple. He invited them to follow Him. The same is true today. In Matthew 28, Jesus gave His last charge to His disciples, and the charge was simple. He called his followers to go and make disciples. Much effort has been placed by Christians to fulfill this charge, commonly referred to as the Great Commission. Jesus chose to fulfill the implementation of the New Covenant through 12 men who He called, appointed, and commissioned, and he only had a few short years to prepare them for the task (Willson, 1990). His methods were unconventional and were revolutionary for that time. His disciples were to be trained extensively by Jesus, living with Him for three years prior to His ascension. He taught about servant leadership and its meaning for both the leader and follower Matt. 20:25-28). From the beginning, Jesus put in place a careful plan, and an examination of His actions in the Gospels showed that Jesus left behind the pattern to be replicated. His methods, which included the incorporation of three different levels of discipleship, included His interaction with Peter, His closest three (Peter, James, and John), and finally the group of 12. This paper identified and analyzed the three levels of discipleship Jesus modeled, these discipleship methods were then measured against modern leadership theories, and Jesus’s level of involvement and interaction with his disciples were critiqued in light of these modern theories in an effort to determine the effectiveness of this approach.
The Messiah left the people hopeful by explaining how easy it is to enter the kingdom of Heaven. According to Matthew 5:3-12, the people with righteous hearts will definitely inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus inspires everyone to be humble, merciful, peaceful, and kind to one another, and he also mentions the importance of forgiveness and love several times, portraying his loving nature. Christ warns the nations to not fear persecution, because their reward in heaven will be great. Jesus mentions that Christians are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. However, salt without saltiness is worthless; hence, Christians without spiritual knowledge won’t get far in life. Christ motivates Christians to stand out by being loving, kind, compassionate; a reflection of Jesus so that unbelievers are eager to become Christians as well (New International Version, Matt.5:13-17). Additionally, he mentions the consequences of murder, adultery, and divorce. He talks about the sincerity of oaths and the importance of loving your enemies and giving to the poor. Jesus preaches about the importance of prayer because it is the way of communicating with the Lord. The Lord favors intimate and personal prayers over hypocritical prayers in public (New International Version, Matt.5.21-33,43, 6.1-5,25). Christ mentions the
...ware of his kingdom. Following the truth sometimes may be challenging, but using these parables makes it easier. It shows us that we were meant to be here, and to still follow this religion. Jesus came to spread the message about the truth, and to inform us about the kingdom of god. Jesus applied all these rules in his own life during his time, and this makes it possible for us to do the same in ours. Following these aspects and virtues of life is the only way to create a connection with god. These qualities are made for and are to be instilled in the average Christian. Religion is not based on level of religiosity in man, but man is made to live simply with god’s word in his heart. This is what the gospel by Mathew teaches us. This inspires all of us to strive in the path of god, because we know that at the end of time, it is only his pleasure we need to attain.
Like many people of today those in Jesus' time viewed Gods' kingdom as a place above them yet unlike people today thought more literal terms actually believing that God was above them and was looking down on them. Even now, when in prayer, one may have a tendency to look up at the heaven in reverence since next to God it is the most endless, unexplainable thing in the world. Yet people are still able to know that as they look up they see God just the same as if they shut their eyes in prayer were to the people of Jesus' time God was seen as truly sitting above them in his kingdom in which only those who follow the laws exactly would ever see.To truly understand the kingdom of God people have to have ways to describe it. One type of description used is the Kingdom as the redemptive or saving presents of God. By this one would say that the kingdom is seen through the natural love, kindness, and common curtsy people show each other ever day. Through these acts Gods redemptive prussic and the grow...