I do sometimes wonder if evangelicals tend to read Scripture lopsidedly, if we have erred in using a "Pauline perspective" in our readings of the gospels and the Bible as a whole. Was justification by the cross really what Jesus taught?
This video teased out some of these questions. The discussion is a good introduction to the topic of what do we make of kingdom language in the synoptic gospels? (Mark, Matthew and Luke). Especially when the tone does not seem to fit (apparently) with other parts of Scripture, such as the gospel of John and Paul's epistles.
I would have loved for the panelists to delve more into what "kingdom" means in the synoptic gospels, Mark, Matthew, and Luke, and really tease out how kingdom is to be perceived and lived out in our current Christian context. Nonetheless, the speakers' point about taking Scripture as a whole rather than having a "canon within a canon" is an important on, especially Tim Keller and DA Carson's point about John's gospel.
That was the mistake of the disciples - the mistake of misconstruing Jesus' mission as establishing a political, bodily kingdom. And it was a mistake that was presented consistently in all four gospels. The desire to usher in God's future kingdom in the now can actually detract from the gospel. And what a shame that is, for it is such a beautiful gospel.
Winning line: (1:00:45)
I've seen a lot of people say 'Here's the gospel presentation: Jesus Christ came here and established his kingdom, it's not completely here but it's really a people of God who are carrying out His kingdom program to renew the world and to work for peace and justice, and you need to join it.' I have to say 'If that's the gospel, I don't know why you'd ever sing "My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed thee." Where's the release, where's the joy, where's the transformation?
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