Kingdom of God
key feature of the message presented by Jesus according to the gospels. It derives from his background in the Jewish prophetic tradition which drew attention to the difference between the order and rule of God and that which prevailed in Israel and the wider world. Some have tried to ‘spiritualise’ it and suggest that Jesus was primarily concerned with inward transformation of individuals. Others have attempted an exclusively political agenda, after the fashion of first century Zealots. The background language of both the Old and New Testaments indicate that this is a false polarisation. The signs of God’s rule include peace and justice, healing and reconciliation, joy and forgiveness. God’s politics are transformative on every front.