Musings of the Hedonese
"Return of the King" sounds very much like a theme from Revelations. I found the LOTR a great story of providence, people making choices that overlap and affect one another... culminating in their appointed destiny, not unlike the book of Esther.
I have been challenged by some reflections on the Kingdom which was proclaimed by Jesus and John the Baptist. Over time, I've been tempted to think of it as "heaven" complete with clouds, halo and harps.
But Tom Wright, an Anglican bishop, shook those assumptions of mine. To the Jews, the Kingdom is very earthy... it is Yahweh Himself coming into history to vindicate His people, establish His rule over and against all forms of tyranny and oppressions. The Kingdom's Messiah is bringing in a 'New World Order' of being God's community
in the created world. Perhaps that is a needed correction for us, Malaysian Christians, who tend to think of social transformation as an optional add-on to the Kingdom, not as part and parcel of the Kingdom.
"Return of the King" sounds very much like a theme from Revelations. I found the LOTR a great story of providence, people making choices that overlap and affect one another... culminating in their appointed destiny, not unlike the book of Esther.
I have been challenged by some reflections on the Kingdom which was proclaimed by Jesus and John the Baptist. Over time, I've been tempted to think of it as "heaven" complete with clouds, halo and harps.
But Tom Wright, an Anglican bishop, shook those assumptions of mine. To the Jews, the Kingdom is very earthy... it is Yahweh Himself coming into history to vindicate His people, establish His rule over and against all forms of tyranny and oppressions. The Kingdom's Messiah is bringing in a 'New World Order' of being God's community
in the created world. Perhaps that is a needed correction for us, Malaysian Christians, who tend to think of social transformation as an optional add-on to the Kingdom, not as part and parcel of the Kingdom.
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