What Is the Nature of the Kingdom of God? Keller, Piper, Carson, DeYoung

Many contemporary Many contemporary discussions discussions discussions talk a lot about the talk a lot about the talk a lot about the ethics of the Kingdom. Well, ethics of the Kingdom. Well, ethics of the Kingdom. Well, Kingdom this, Kingdom that Kingdom this, Kingdom that Kingdom this, Kingdom that , where "Kingdom" , where "Kingdom" , where "Kingdom" is essentially an is essentially an is essentially an adjective. Although adjective. Although adjective. Although in reality it is in reality it is in reality it is not an adjective at all. I not an adjective at all. I not an adjective at all. I mean, is it a noun, mean, is it a noun, mean, is it a noun, or is it a verb—God or is it a verb—God or is it a verb—God reigns. Ahem. Is it appropriate to reigns. Ahem. Is it appropriate to reigns. Ahem. Is it appropriate to talk about talk about talk about Kingdom ethics, Kingdom ethics, Kingdom ethics, Kingdom self-denial Kingdom self-denial , Kingdom generosity, and , Kingdom generosity, and , Kingdom generosity, and so on, or does it so on, or does it so on, or does it just lead us astray just lead us astray just lead us astray ? ? Well, I'm talking too much Well, I'm talking too much , but I would say, , but I would say, if you take the analogy if you take the analogy if you take the analogy of an outpost of the Kingdom, a kind of of an outpost of the Kingdom, a kind of embassy from another embassy from another world. If you have world. If you have world. If you have an embassy of your an embassy of your an embassy of your country in another country country in another country , , , Mgm. Mgm. Mgm. you are there to you are there to you are there to advance the goals of a advance the goals of a advance the goals of a particular foreign particular foreign particular foreign state. And so you state. And so you state. And so you live by the rules of live by the rules of live by the rules of this foreign this foreign this foreign country. You are there to country. You are there to country. You are there to contribute to its mission. So, contribute to its mission. So, contribute to its mission. So, in that sense, I think you in that sense, I think you could say that we, could say that we, could say that we, as Christians and in the as Christians and in the as Christians and in the church, are an outpost, an church, are an outpost, an church, are an outpost, an embassy of another embassy of another embassy of another Kingdom Kingdom Kingdom breaking through here. And breaking through here. And breaking through here. And in this sense, we in this sense, we in this sense, we will live by the will live by the will live by the rules of that rules of that rules of that Kingdom, advance the Kingdom, advance the Kingdom, advance the mission of that Kingdom, mission of that Kingdom, mission of that Kingdom, because we are here, in this because we are here, in this because we are here, in this world, but our world, but our world, but our loyalty is first and foremost to loyalty is first and foremost to loyalty is first and foremost to another; and in this another; and in this another; and in this sense, I think, we can sense, I think, we can sense, I think, we can talk about the ethics of talk about the ethics of talk about the ethics of the Kingdom.

the Kingdom. So, uh, our So, uh, our citizenship is in citizenship is in citizenship is in heaven, so I heaven, so I heaven, so I always found it always found it always found it intriguing, you know, intriguing, you know, intriguing, you know, because if you're an ambassador, because if you're an ambassador, because if you're an ambassador, that is, if you're a that is, if you're a that is, if you're a citizen of another citizen of another citizen of another country, but you country, but you country, but you come to a new come to a new come to a new country, you country, you country, you represent the represent the represent the country that you country that you country that you came from. You are not just came from. You are not just came from. You are not just an immigrant. And yet, at the same time, an immigrant. And yet, at the same time, an immigrant. And yet, at the same time, you you you have to live here, have to live here, have to live here, show great show great show great respect, and know the language. respect, and know the language. Um, I think the idea of ​​the Um, I think the idea of ​​the ambassador is not only a ambassador is not only a ambassador is not only a great topic to great topic to great topic to preach on, it has preach on, it has preach on, it has so many aspects. so many aspects. so many aspects. The more you The more you The more you think about this, think about this, think about this, the more it gives you the more it gives you the more it gives you insight into what it insight into what it insight into what it means to be a means to be a means to be a Christian in Christian in Christian in today's world. I today's world. I today's world. I think in that sense I think in that sense I think in that sense I also agree with also agree with also agree with Kevin that you could Kevin that you could Kevin that you could say: the idea of ​​a say: the idea of ​​a say: the idea of ​​a Kingdom ethic means that Kingdom ethic means that Kingdom ethic means that you come from a place where you come from a place where you come from a place where the values ​​are very the values ​​are very the values ​​are very different. Well, different. Well, different. Well, I think Michael I think Michael I think Michael Wilcock has a great Wilcock has a great Wilcock has a great point in his point in his point in his little little little interpretation of Luke where interpretation of Luke where interpretation of Luke where he talks about the he talks about the he talks about the inverted values ​​of inverted values ​​of inverted values ​​of the Kingdom in the Kingdom in the Kingdom in Luke 6, where Jesus is essentially Luke 6, where Jesus is essentially Luke 6, where Jesus is essentially saying that the things the saying that the things the saying that the things the world loves the Kingdom does world loves the Kingdom does world loves the Kingdom does not love, and the things the not love, and the things the not love, and the things the Kingdom loves the world does Kingdom loves the world does Kingdom loves the world does not love. So, not love. So, not love. So, you know, he said: you know, he said: you know, he said: recognition, power, recognition, power, recognition, power, fame—all the things that fame—all the things that fame—all the things that are the are the are the currency of the currency of the currency of the kingdom in this world. Um, in the Kingdom, kingdom in this world. Um, in the Kingdom, kingdom in this world. Um, in the Kingdom, these things have no these things have no these things have no value. In fact, value. In fact, value. In fact, almost almost almost opposite things are valued.

opposite things are valued. opposite things are valued. Humility is what is Humility is what is Humility is what is valuable. In that valuable. In that valuable. In that sense, yes, I would sense, yes, I would sense, yes, I would absolutely say that absolutely say that absolutely say that there is a way to talk about there is a way to talk about there is a way to talk about the values ​​of my the values ​​of my the values ​​of my homeland that I homeland that I homeland that I want to represent and want to represent and want to represent and according to which I want to according to which I want to according to which I want to live in this foreign land. In live in this foreign land. In live in this foreign land. In this sense, yes, we this sense, yes, we this sense, yes, we can talk about the can talk about the can talk about the ethics of the Kingdom. I ethics of the Kingdom. I ethics of the Kingdom. I think so. Have you ever heard think so. Have you ever heard think so. Have you ever heard this term this term this term used in a way that you don't used in a way that you don't used in a way that you don't like, Don or like, Don or like, Don or John? John? John? Yes. Yes. Yes. OK. OK. OK. Um, I, I, I don't Um, I, I, I don't Um, I, I, I don't like that like that like that term. term. term. I felt like it would be I felt like it would be , so... , so... , so... I, I wouldn't, you know I, I wouldn't, you know , if someone used it , if someone used it , I would just ask: , I would just ask: , I would just ask: what do you mean? what do you mean? what do you mean? And then I would decide And then I would decide And then I would decide whether I agree or not. But whether I agree or not. But whether I agree or not. But for me, this term, for me, this term, for me, this term, um, drives away um, drives away um, drives away resistance to the resistance to the resistance to the general general general direction of the New direction of the New direction of the New Testament. Because if I were to Testament. Because if I were to Testament. Because if I were to use that use that use that term, what I could term, what I could term, what I could do is, um, since do is, um, since do is, um, since the Kingdom has come, I the Kingdom has come, I the Kingdom has come, I live in it, I have a live in it, I have a live in it, I have a king, and I am his ambassador, and king, and I am his ambassador, and king, and I am his ambassador, and I have to behave in a I have to behave in a I have to behave in a certain way because of that certain way because of that , and you could call , and you could call , and you could call it the ethics of the Kingdom. I could it the ethics of the Kingdom. I could it the ethics of the Kingdom. I could use that use that . Paul, in my opinion, . Paul, in my opinion, . Paul, in my opinion, never never never comes close to comes close to comes close to such a usage.

such a usage. such a usage. Mhm. Well, maybe he Mhm. Well, maybe he Mhm. Well, maybe he comes close to comes close to comes close to that in that in that in Colossians. We have Colossians. We have Colossians. We have been transferred from the kingdom of been transferred from the kingdom of been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the darkness into the kingdom of the darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son, and this beloved Son, and this beloved Son, and this has moral has moral has moral implications in Colossians implications in Colossians implications in Colossians . But I . But I . But I would like to know: when would like to know: when would like to know: when you say “ you say “ you say “ Kingdom ethics,” do you Kingdom ethics,” do you Kingdom ethics,” do you mean that you have gone mean that you have gone mean that you have gone through the life of Jesus, through the life of Jesus, through the life of Jesus, His death, His His death, His His death, His resurrection, the outpouring of the resurrection, the outpouring of the resurrection, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and you Holy Spirit, and you Holy Spirit, and you take the example of the take the example of the take the example of the authoritative authoritative authoritative apostles who apostles who apostles who show us how to show us how to show us how to build and nurture build and nurture build and nurture the church? If so, are the church? If so, are the church? If so, are you referring you referring you referring to to to Romans chapter 6? Are you Romans chapter 6? Are you Romans chapter 6? Are you referring to Romans chapter 12 referring to Romans chapter 12 referring to Romans chapter 12 ? Are ? Are ? Are you referring to you referring to you referring to chapters 4 through 6 of chapters 4 through 6 of chapters 4 through 6 of Ephesians? Are Ephesians? Are Ephesians? Are you referring to the 2nd you referring to the 2nd chapter of 1 chapter of 1 chapter of 1 Peter? And Peter? And Peter? And if they answered, if they answered, if they answered, "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. " I would say: " " I would say: " No problem." But I don't No problem." But I don't No problem." But I don't think that's what they usually think that's what they usually think that's what they usually mean mean mean . I don't think so. I . I don't think so. I . I don't think so. I think this is think this is think this is used by people used by people used by people who are a little who are a little who are a little disappointed in the disappointed in the disappointed in the talks about the fruits of the talks about the fruits of the talks about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Or in Holy Spirit. Or in Holy Spirit. Or in talks about, talks about, talks about, um, being um, being um, being transformed by the transformed by the transformed by the renewing of your renewing of your renewing of your mind in view of the mind in view of the mind in view of the mercy of God. All mercy of God. All mercy of God. All these, all these messages these, all these messages these, all these messages about how to move toward about how to move toward about how to move toward holiness—that's kind of holiness—that's kind of where they, they don't where they, they don't where they, they don't want to go. They want to go. They want to go. They want to go back, want to go back, want to go back, you know, 50 years you know, 50 years you know, 50 years and settle down and settle down and settle down in the Sermon on the Mount in the Sermon on the Mount in the Sermon on the Mount or somewhere, and or somewhere, and or somewhere, and distance themselves. And I distance themselves. And I distance themselves. And I do exactly the do exactly the do exactly the opposite. I, I am willing to opposite. I, I am willing to opposite. I, I am willing to stake my life, what is stake my life, what is left of it, on what the left of it, on what the New Testament and the New Testament and the New Testament and the apostles apostles apostles represent as what represent as what represent as what should be done with Jesus should be done with Jesus should be done with Jesus for the church.

for the church. for the church. The Epistle to The Epistle to The Epistle to the Romans should be done. The the Romans should be done. The the Romans should be done. The First Epistle to the First Epistle to the First Epistle to the Corinthians should be done. Corinthians should be done. Corinthians should be done. The Epistles to the The Epistles to the The Epistles to the Colossians and Galatians should be done. This is how Colossians and Galatians should be done. This is how Colossians and Galatians should be done. This is how the apostles the apostles the apostles represented Jesus represented Jesus represented Jesus to the church. They didn't to the church. They didn't to the church. They didn't go back to go back to go back to try to try to try to reformulate it. reformulate it. reformulate it. Interesting appeal to Interesting appeal to Interesting appeal to Donnie. I remember when Donnie. I remember when Donnie. I remember when we were working on my we were working on my we were working on my degree, the Scandinavians degree, the Scandinavians degree, the Scandinavians had this feeling had this feeling had this feeling that the tradition, the oral that the tradition, the oral that the tradition, the oral tradition that tradition that tradition that was preserved about was preserved about was preserved about the sayings and the sayings and the sayings and deeds of Jesus, deeds of Jesus, deeds of Jesus, developed in developed in developed in parallel with its parallel with its parallel with its use in use in use in epistolary language, because epistolary language, because epistolary language, because they said that there was almost they said that there was almost they said that there was almost no doubt that the no doubt that the early early early Christians Christians Christians were told what were told what were told what Jesus did and Jesus did and Jesus did and said, and all the scholars said, and all the scholars said, and all the scholars scratch their heads: scratch their heads: scratch their heads: why isn't this why isn't this why isn't this reflected reflected reflected more in the epistles? And more in the epistles? And more in the epistles? And the answer was the answer was the answer was that it was almost like a that it was almost like a that it was almost like a sacred tradition that sacred tradition that sacred tradition that had Jewish had Jewish had Jewish counterparts, and that's how it was counterparts, and that's how it was counterparts, and that's how it was practiced, and that's what has been practiced, and that's what has been practiced, and that's what has been preserved for preserved for preserved for us. So, regardless us. So, regardless us. So, regardless of whether this is an of whether this is an of whether this is an accurate explanation, we accurate explanation, we accurate explanation, we know that we have know that we have know that we have Paul, Peter, and James, and Paul, Peter, and James, and Paul, Peter, and James, and they are authoritative they are authoritative they are authoritative for us in how to for us in how to for us in how to nurture and care for the nurture and care for the nurture and care for the church. But I church. But I church. But I completely agree with completely agree with completely agree with your point: "Don't your point: "Don't your point: "Don't all the parts all the parts contribute significantly?" And I would say they contribute significantly?" And I would say they definitely do.

definitely do. definitely do. And if you ask And if you ask And if you ask Paul then, or Paul then, or Paul then, or someone who someone who someone who is trying is trying is trying to read Romans 12 or 6 to read Romans 12 or 6 to read Romans 12 or 6 from an from an from an ethical perspective, ethical perspective, whether whether any emphasis can be brought there any emphasis can be brought there any emphasis can be brought there from the kingly from the kingly from the kingly subtext of the epistles, subtext of the epistles, subtext of the epistles, the answer is yes. There would the answer is yes. There would be a wonderful light be a wonderful light that would show that “ that would show that “ He is King,” and “ He is King,” and “ Look what He Look what He Look what He has done for the kingdom.” has done for the kingdom.” has done for the kingdom.” Yes. He, but you Yes. He, but you Yes. He, but you know, even when know, even when know, even when Paul says, uh, in Paul says, uh, in Paul says, uh, in Romans 14, Romans 14, Romans 14, dealing with very dealing with very dealing with very practical practical practical issues about, uh, issues about, uh, issues about, uh, different groups in different groups in different groups in the church, about the church, about the church, about being merciful being merciful being merciful to one another and to one another and to one another and respecting one respecting one respecting one another's consciences and all that, another's consciences and all that, another's consciences and all that, he says, "For he says, "For he says, "For the kingdom of God is not the kingdom of God is not the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but, you know, eating and drinking, but, you know, eating and drinking, but, you know, righteousness and joy righteousness and joy righteousness and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit." and peace in the Holy Spirit." This is a very clear This is a very clear ethical message, but ethical message, but ethical message, but it doesn't just say that it doesn't just say that it doesn't just say that these are, say, ethical these are, say, ethical these are, say, ethical principles of behavior. principles of behavior. He's trying to He's trying to say something about the say something about the say something about the fact that... But he says fact that... But he says : in the Kingdom of God, : in the Kingdom of God, : in the Kingdom of God, he's actually in the he's actually in the he's actually in the Kingdom of God, we Kingdom of God, we Kingdom of God, we shouldn't behave shouldn't behave shouldn't behave like that. So there's like that. So there's like that. So there's , you know, an ethical , you know, an ethical , you know, an ethical message here, and yet it's not message here, and yet it's not message here, and yet it's not just a set of ethical just a set of ethical just a set of ethical norms.

norms. norms. I would say absolutely I would say absolutely I would say absolutely correct. I would say that this is correct. I would say that this is correct. I would say that this is exactly what this sentence exactly what this sentence exactly what this sentence does: The kingdom of God is does: The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but not food and drink, but not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and righteousness, peace, and righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy joy in the Holy joy in the Holy Spirit. He was saying, in effect, Spirit. He was saying, in effect, Spirit. He was saying, in effect, “I am showing you how to “I am showing you how to “I am showing you how to talk about talk about talk about the Kingdom now.” the Kingdom now.” the Kingdom now.” Well, this is the Well, this is the Well, this is the most interesting thing, because he most interesting thing, because he most interesting thing, because he really identifies really identifies really identifies life in the Spirit with the life in the Spirit with the life in the Spirit with the Kingdom of God. And there is Kingdom of God. And there is Kingdom of God. And there is no no no problem with that here. He problem with that here. He problem with that here. He has no problem with that. He does has no problem with that. He does has no problem with that. He does not contrast them with not contrast them with not contrast them with each other. each other. each other. So, if I So, if I understand you correctly, John, your understand you correctly, John, your concern is that concern is that when “Kingdom” when “Kingdom” is made an adjective is made an adjective , then people who , then people who , then people who are trying to get to what are trying to get to what are trying to get to what they they they think is the ethics of think is the ethics of think is the ethics of Jesus don’t want to Jesus don’t want to Jesus don’t want to go through the go through the go through the doctrines; they don't doctrines; they don't doctrines; they don't want to go want to go want to go through any other through any other through any other similar categories. And similar categories. And similar categories. And this is what you see this is what you see this is what you see sometimes in a graceful sometimes in a graceful sometimes in a graceful form, sometimes in a form, sometimes in a form, sometimes in a clumsy one. In this clumsy one. In this clumsy one. In this wonderful thing: we have Jesus wonderful thing: we have Jesus wonderful thing: we have Jesus and we have the Kingdom. Like and we have the Kingdom. Like and we have the Kingdom. Like one evangelist who one evangelist who one evangelist who was at the was at the University of Michigan once, and his University of Michigan once, and his climax was climax was climax was to hold up a red to hold up a red to hold up a red pencil and ask, " pencil and ask, " Who wants to go Who wants to go Who wants to go paint the world paint the world paint the world red for red for red for Jesus?" It was like Jesus?" It was like Jesus?" It was like changing the world by following in changing the world by following in changing the world by following in the footsteps of Jesus. And, the footsteps of Jesus. And, the footsteps of Jesus. And, of course, they of course, they of course, they missed the missed the missed the most important step—the most important step—the cross. And you cross. And you cross. And you have said many times that we have said many times that we have said many times that we should read should read should read the Gospels in the Gospels in the Gospels in reverse order. I reverse order. I reverse order. I mean, I mean, I mean, I learned it from learned it from learned it from you, Matthew 1:21.

you, Matthew 1:21. you, Matthew 1:21. Right. Reading Right. Reading Right. Reading the Gospels in the Gospels in the Gospels in reverse order reverse order reverse order means that in order for means that in order for means that in order for me to understand me to understand me to understand what Luke is trying to what Luke is trying to what Luke is trying to do in chapters 1 and 2 do in chapters 1 and 2 do in chapters 1 and 2 . I . I . I really need really need really need to know exactly how the to know exactly how the to know exactly how the forgiveness of forgiveness of forgiveness of sins will be accomplished. And Luke, of course sins will be accomplished. And Luke, of course , didn't mean for , didn't mean for , didn't mean for me to read chapters 1 and 2 me to read chapters 1 and 2 me to read chapters 1 and 2 , close the book, , close the book, , close the book, and go try to and go try to and go try to live like that. He wanted the live like that. He wanted the live like that. He wanted the entire book to entire book to entire book to convey its full convey its full convey its full message. And I would add: message. And I would add: message. And I would add: everything is New Testament. And, everything is New Testament. And, everything is New Testament. And, actually, all 66 books. actually, all 66 books. actually, all 66 books. Amen. Amen. So I Amen. Amen. So I Amen. Amen. So I really don't like really don't like really don't like the talk about "canon within the talk about "canon within the talk about "canon within canon" or canon" or canon" or "start here and it'll "start here and it'll "start here and it'll change everything." I want change everything." I want change everything." I want us to be people who us to be people who us to be people who take everything take everything take everything seriously and ask seriously and ask seriously and ask questions at any questions at any questions at any point when we point when we point when we interpret a passage of interpret a passage of interpret a passage of Paul or a passage of Paul or a passage of Paul or a passage of Jesus. Is there anything in Jesus. Is there anything in Jesus. Is there anything in Paul that would make this Paul that would make this Paul that would make this interpretation of Jesus interpretation of Jesus interpretation of Jesus look wrong look wrong ? If that's true, then I ? If that's true, then I ? If that's true, then I must have been wrong. Is there must have been wrong. Is there must have been wrong. Is there anything in my anything in my anything in my interpretation of Paul that interpretation of Paul that interpretation of Paul that contradicts how contradicts how contradicts how it looks in Jesus?

it looks in Jesus? it looks in Jesus? If so, then I must have If so, then I must have If so, then I must have been mistaken. So I am been mistaken. So I am been mistaken. So I am constantly helped constantly helped , corrected, and , corrected, and , corrected, and improved in my improved in my improved in my theology when I theology when I theology when I take everything take everything take everything seriously, no matter where I seriously, no matter where I seriously, no matter where I start.