While studying the Kingdom of God from the perspectives of Derek Morphew in Breakthrough and Charles H. Kraft in Christianity with Power, it has opened my mind up to completely new and interesting discoveries when considering the power that has already been given to God’s children while here on earth. It is utterly mind blowing realizing that many Christians, including myself, have not tapped into their full potential of unleashing the expectations of the risen Savior. Christians have come to believe that they are helpless and powerless against any of Satan’s attacks; however, that belief is not the reality that Christ intended when He laid down His life on the cross. When Jesus came to live on earth and walk among His people, He came not only with a goal to unleash His Kingdom, but He also came with the supernatural ability to unleash His Kingdom and thereby impressing upon His children the victorious ability to daily live in supernatural abundance. He came for so that those who believe in Him would be set free and no longer held bondage. Kraft stated in Christianity with Power, “But Jesus acted as if healings and other uses of spiritual power to overcome natural, human, or spiritual conditions ought to be the normal occurrences” (Kraft, 1989, p. 102). Derek Morphew stated it this way in Breakthrough, “the mysterious nature of the kingdom consists of the fact that it is always here, almost here, delayed and future” (Morphew, 1991, p. 66).
Morphew shares the fact that this present time that we all live in on earth is actually two ages that currently coexist at the same time within each other. In other words, the space and time which is presently occupying this universe, is the known as the Interim. The time before Christ was manifested in the flesh is defined as the Present Age. Therefore, the time when Jesus Christ returns, also known as His second coming
The continuous reading of Cornelius Plantinga Jr.’s book Engaging God’s World: A Christian Vision of Faith, Learning, and Living, has left me lingering on a lot of thoughts towards my relationship with God. In the conclusion of his book, Plantinga focuses on the redemptive qualities of God as well the the redemptive possibilities of mankind. Another main subject is the vocation in the Kingdom of God, correspondingly the Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Plantinga (2002) states clearly, “given Jesus’ summons, his followers have always understood that to be a ‘Christ person’
As we know, the Lord provided his people with many miracles throughout the Old Testament. These miracles date back to Moses, where God granted his people the ability to perform miracles and also interact with them. By interact, this means things like the parting of the Red Sea, or the tunnel of fire that allowed the Israelites to travel safely through the ni...
ABSTRACT: I give reasons to believe that our present situation is not as bleak as some would have it. I show how the historical process can be understood in terms of a Premodernity (Aquinas), Modernity (Hegel), and Postmodernity (Nietzsche) division of human history. I argue that both Hegel and Nietzsche were fully aware that Modernity was over and that a negative Postmodern condition was to necessarily precede a consummatory positive one. Also since history may be taken to have reached its goal at the end of Modernity (with Reasons grasp of Christianity’s principle), Postmodernity can best be understood in terms of its central task of elevating all humanity into absolute knowing (the knowing of the God within)—an elevation via Reason and Faith achievable only by the abolition of the God outside, i.e., by a negative followed by a positive period of history, which Schelling refers to as the Church of John, a synthesis of Catholicism and Protestantism, the perfected Church.
...f the kingdom will and should be realized in the Gospel. There needs to be concrete ministries of the church to show that God cares for the lost individuals as well as the total wellbeing of a culture and society.
God’s glory is can be seen in how he illustrates His grace. He gives grace and compassion in the face of those who would oppose him. In John 8:7-11 the Pharisees had been questioning him about the woman who was caught in adultery. The law at that time allowed them to stone her to death but, God said “Let anyone who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Holy Bible) Knowing that all men are born sinful everyone dropped their rocks and walked away. To have biblical grace we need supernatural help as this is not a virtue that humans are often quick to give. It is more in us to condemn those who harm us than to give them grace and recognize they are human and will sin
Brooks and A.J Gordon (Balmer 34). Dispensationalism has been gaining followers for many years and its popularity can be seen in many places, such as in the Left Behind series which has captured the minds of many people around the world (Pagels 1). Now with historical context in mind, it is time to see what Dispensationalism teaches. Dispensationalism has three distinct characteristics: Rapture of Christians, Millennium Rule of Christ, and the Unfulfilled Prophecies of the Bible. For the purpose of this paper they will all be examined separately. The Rapture is the belief that Christians will be brought up and not have to endure the Tribulation (Robinson). The term “rapture” does not occur in the Bible but instead comes from a Latinized version of the word arpadzo which comes from “caught up” (Witherington 94). The belief in the Rapture for Dispensationalists is based on 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 which they claim describes an event where living Christians return to heaven with Christ (Robinson). Secondly, the Millennium Rule is the belief that Jesus Christ will literally rule over earth for 1,000 years after the Tribulation (Robinson). The key here is that (as opposed to the Post-Millennial views) the believers have no part in setting up his reign
he Bible teaches us regarding the incredible mystery of Jesus Christ that arrived on earth to convey immense ‘beloved knowledge’ concerning God and among this conceivably exists our Godly sexual presence within humanity. The following occurs as an “attempt” to describe the greatest happening the world has ever experienced; appropriately, I profess this endeavor has instigated a humbling, for there are no words on earth that could ever come close to the power that Jesus Christ engulfed humanity with. Truthfully, it grieves me to think of how the majority of people, lack the intelligence and clarity (including myself) to accomplish such a feat; for no amount of terminology, vocabulary, or skills expressing His true existence could ever come
God uses Jesus to help the population in all different ways. Jesus helps the blind see, he clothes the poor, and overall, can cure anyone who is worthy. God shows his presence through Jesus so the people of earth have someone to follow. Even today we see God work his wonders even without the presence of Jesus. God shows miracles which no one would believe if they were not reality. God’s presence in the world is mediated through nature and reality as seen in the readings of The Gospel of Matthew and The Book of Exodus.
In the Christian religion, like many others, the belief in a single, ultimate, powerful being is upheld and practiced. However, unlike other monotheistic religions, the Christian belief in God is expressed in three parts: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This aspect of Christianity is very unique and is part of what defines it. Although some people may think so, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate beings. They are united as one in the Trinity, the same all-powerful God. God is the creator of all and the reason for our salvation as humans. “On the Incarnation” by St. Athanasius is a book explaining the Trinity and the process by which our Savior, Jesus Christ the Son, was revealed to us and how he redeemed us.
God and the Bible’s teachings are used as a framework to find meaning in life and purpose of human presence. Purpose resides in every human’s potential to strive for peace, seek equality, nurture relationships and the environment to achieve harmony with the earth (Valk, 2012). “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior and my hope is in you all day long” (Ps 25:5). The Holy Spirit, known as God’s active force and His power in action (Lk 1:35), is used as a guide by Christians to ascertain and determine what is right. “We choose to act based on good thinking, scripture and prayer, and the Holy Spirit helps us discern the right alternatives” (Shelly & Miller, 2006, p. 89). In seeing others as the image of God, choosing what is right from wrong is influenced by beliefs cultural background and respect for one another. In this religious culture, the tendency to do wrong is seen as sinfulness. However, it is the admission of sin that leads Christians to Jesus Christ to find and experience God’s forgiveness (Shelly & Miller, 2006). The recognition of sin and eventual redemption strengthens the relationship with God which directs a life of service to humanity (Shelly & Miller,
There is considerable debate about the extent to which Humankind has received the Revelation of God. The term revelation deals with how God has revealed himself to humanity or in other words, how he made himself known to that which he has created. Theologians generally distinguish God’s revelation in two ways General, and Special revelation. Many theologians agree that something can be learned from the study of human nature. However, most evident is the moral and spiritual qualities found within humankind that reflect the character of God. One could argue the point that the nature of revelation depends on whether revelation is given or understood through experience, proposition, culture, scripture or all four. Numerous studies show that revelation has been received by humankind through scripture. The influence of scripture has allowed humankind to find out not only about God, but themselves as well. Therefore many people believe that scripture is the one and true way that God have made himself known. Research indicates that through scripture God has inspired, communicate, and revealed himself to humankind through the elements of the world. Through these studies humankind has come to believe and understand that there is a greater source that can give and take away that which he has created. R.C.Sproul states “for whoever or whatever God may be he is altogether beyond our knowledge. Being limited in our ability to think as God does, one must believe and trust through the faith which has be built through the very word that has been written. With that being said, the writer Timothy share with his readers that all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (Ti...
Throughout not only the Synoptic Gospels but also John’s variation of the life of Jesus he is shown performing many miracles. We were able to decide on ones we thought impact us most. From his healing miracles to raising the dead and showing his extreme power over nature we learn Jesus is nothing but the prophesized Messiah.
A casual look at the world today reveals the evidence that Jesus’s efforts were effective. Christianity is currently throughout most parts of the world, and ...
The Kingdom of God is a process that has not reached completion. The presence of the Kingdom of God exist on Earth, but it is still a future reality, because the day still has not arrived where the world is both praising and worshipping God, and Jesus Christ. Therefore, the presence of the Kingdom will remain hidden until God feels like the world is ready, but He has left us a companion in the Holy Spirit (Powell, 2008, pp. 193).
As Christians, we hopefully know, that Christ works in our life. Christians know it is through the grace of God that they are saved and forgiven. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV) “And Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” instructs us on what we are being called to do by Jesus Christ. This passage allows us to understand it to be Jesus’ transfer of authority from himself to the disciples and also to us.”