Kingdom - Not of This World

A lot of focus is placed in progressive circles on the "here and now" implications of the "kingdom of God".  A number of themes emerge, most of which made me vaguely uneasy.

One theme seems to be positing the Kingdom of God as a counter to the "Constantinian" view of the church, in essence to say that Christians (read conservatives) shouldn't be on a quest for political power.  (This misses the point of conservatism altogether which is largely a quest for the limitation of power.)

Another theme suggests that the Kingdom of God means the church is its own political force in exemplifying a nonviolent society committed to social justice and radical equality.

But what exactly is the Kingdom?   (More)


The references to the Kingdom abound in the New Testament, mostly proclaiming that the Kingdom "is at hand".   Children find it easier to get in than rich folks.  Take that as a political statement if you must.  But Nicodemas is told he had to be "born from above" to see the kingdom.   

Odd thing is, Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).  Hard to make a single verse stand up to various viewpoints.  But there isn't just one verse.

I Corinthians 15:50 says:  "I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable."

If this is true then how can the Kingdom be realized in this world?   

I don't mean it has no implications for this world.  Of course there are supposed to be glimpses of the future Kingdom in the church, because the church is supposed to be made up of people who have been "born from above" who have a new nature living alongside the old one.

But if flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom, then would it not be foolish to think we can build a heavenly kingdom here through political activism?  The kingdom will not be realized until we die, until the physical bodies are unmade - certainly they will be remade.  

But the "kingdom" at its heart refers to a future kingdom, a kingdom "not of this world" so utopias will not be found here and now.  And to seek them may in fact be dangerous.  To put false hope in temporal and corrupt things under the banner of a "gospel kingdom" contradicts 1 Cor 15:50, because the Kingdom of god cannot be seen by flesh and blood - first the imperishable must be put on.

So the conservatives are right.  Humanity is corrupted by rebellion.  Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  There will be no earthly kingdom of radical justice and equality where the swords will be beaten into plowshares, at least not one accomplished by political activism.    

What we are left with is attempts to limit the effects of the "kingdom of this world", and since power corrupts, government is merely a necessary evil.  Government must be limited, laws must exist that apply to private citizen and government power broker alike.  

We will not see the lion lie down with the lamb until there is an eternal King who establishes His own Kingdom by His own incorruptible power.