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The Church as the Manifestation of the Kingdom of God The Already/Not Yet Tension and the African Church Today

Christian Life & Ministry

By Bernard Kimani, PhD

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  1. Introduction
  2. Conclusion
  3. References

Abstract

The kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus’ teaching and a thread that runs through the whole of Scripture. This paper traces the theme from God’s purpose in Eden and his dealings with Israel to its fullest expression in the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus. It explores the tension between the kingdom that has already broken into the present age and the kingdom that is not yet consummated, and it sets out the relationship between the church and the kingdom: the church is not the kingdom, but it is the community, the agent, the fruit and the showpiece of the kingdom. It then identifies ways in which God’s dynamic reign is manifested today. In its reflections and applications the paper argues that a vision of the kingdom can give direction to the church in Africa by grounding congregations in kingdom values, renewing the proclamation of the gospel, holding together the present and future dimensions of the kingdom, modelling servant leadership and good governance, and overcoming ethnic division through a multi-ethnic, cross-cultural witness

Who this is for

Believers studying the present and future kingdom of God; Preachers considering how to proclaim the kingdom; Church leaders reflecting on servant leadership and governance

What this resource helps you explore

Understand the Church and the Kingdom

Resource details

Format
Paper · PDF
Subject
Christian Life & Ministry
Learning level
Multi-level

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