The thing that resonates with me is the fact that God’s kingdom is reigning now. It’s mentally tricky because of the difficulties we experience now and balancing that with the reality that God‘s kingdom reigning why are hardships happening. As I move through my own current hardship, the fact that God‘s kingdom reigns now gives me hope in the mist of my darkness.
Such a rich exposition. Love all these videos. I think there are struggles for many (myself included) with envisioning the present reign of Christ - due to so much darkness. Including evil often perpetrated by ‘Christians’ in the name of Christ. I have friends who have turned to agnosticism, partly for that reason. I am reminded of your observation that Jesus’ reign as king is for the purpose of conquering his enemies - not just basque in the glory of perfect peace. So he reigns “for the church” (Eph. 1:20-21). To bring victory. Recently, I began a series of classes, “Resurrected Lives In A Dying World,” where it appears death reigns, but Christ has won the victory over death. That by faith we are called to live in the resurrection (as if it is already ours - “your lives are hidden with Christ in God”). But it is in a world still fraught with suffering and death. Yet it appears the reign of Christ in the present through his people is not to conquer materially, militarily, etc. but by walking as Christ walked on earth - as a sacrificial offering for others in suffering. And this becomes a sign of the reign of Christ. But this is so counterintuitive that on the surface it makes no sense. And it greatly and profoundly challenges one’s faith. It does mine. To live in relative obscurity and suffering, with trust, is very difficult and I often fail. Yet it is a deeply profound idea. May God give me/us strength to live in his reign and remain faithful.
We enjoy your thoughtful comments and humble reflections.Yes, indeed, to live within the myriad tensions of suffering and at the same time seeking wisdom to act and bring justice requires God's strength. Most of us will know the struggle to strike a balance to live in weakness-- one way the world is changed--and living fully as more than conquerors. This space and community offers encouragement and perhaps even opportunities for accountability. We're so glad you're here.
Thank you for your kind words. We're delighted that N.T. Wright's explanation connected with you, offering clarity on the "now and not yet." May this concept continue to bring comfort and understanding to our present and hope for the future.
I live in a place where I can watch an analogy to this happening in real time. In the mid 19th century the landscape was covered with old growth pine trees. These were clear cut for lumber leaving hundreds of thousands of acres available for agriculture. The led to an influx of settlers, each of whom were given 40 acres to call their own provided they 'improved' the land. As time has passed these little farmsteads have disappeared and the forest is reclaiming them bit by bit. The process involves a number of species with the earliest being gradually replaced by others. The point is the land is returning, albeit slowly, to its original state. I'm living in the already and not yet of this process. Jesus resurrection is the tipping point where the entire world changed direction, moving forward toward its original telos. Yes, it is taking time. And the process is not uniform. Some areas progress while others regress. But the net effect for over two thousand years has been a growth of Messiah's physical kingdom, embodied in the Church, across the globe. Jesus did after all liken the process to the growth of a mustard plant-- starting tiny and steadily growing until the nations (birds) take shelter within it.
Thanks for sharing your reflections. A good reminder of the nurture, shelter, and safety the kingdom is meant to bring to God's creation and that its unfolding is timeful.
Bit harsh CP! It's just something speakers say on this platform. It's more about what NT Wright says and how he says it. Absolutely love listening to him.
Josephus, like any author, will have some bias in perspective, but his observations are considered to be extremely credible and consistent with historians' understanding of the events of his day.
A "little" tweak in translation and you present a totally different idea.... For He "has to go on ruling" as if Jesus has been ruling but the original does not say that. It actually says "For He must reign" and the Scripture is plenty clear that He will become to rule at the last great trumpet... Psalm 47, Revelation 11. This hasn't happened yet.
Dr Wright, you make sense of the scriptures.
Thank you
i think a lot of Christians are waiting for this Kingdom in the future when its alive, right hear and now and will continue for everlasting.
Keep lowering your expectations, and you will never be disappointed 😂
@@billbuyers8683 you actually got it backwards.
The thing that resonates with me is the fact that God’s kingdom is reigning now. It’s mentally tricky because of the difficulties we experience now and balancing that with the reality that God‘s kingdom reigning why are hardships happening. As I move through my own current hardship, the fact that God‘s kingdom reigns now gives me hope in the mist of my darkness.
Such a rich exposition. Love all these videos. I think there are struggles for many (myself included) with envisioning the present reign of Christ - due to so much darkness. Including evil often perpetrated by ‘Christians’ in the name of Christ. I have friends who have turned to agnosticism, partly for that reason. I am reminded of your observation that Jesus’ reign as king is for the purpose of conquering his enemies - not just basque in the glory of perfect peace. So he reigns “for the church” (Eph. 1:20-21). To bring victory. Recently, I began a series of classes, “Resurrected Lives In A Dying World,” where it appears death reigns, but Christ has won the victory over death. That by faith we are called to live in the resurrection (as if it is already ours - “your lives are hidden with Christ in God”). But it is in a world still fraught with suffering and death. Yet it appears the reign of Christ in the present through his people is not to conquer materially, militarily, etc. but by walking as Christ walked on earth - as a sacrificial offering for others in suffering. And this becomes a sign of the reign of Christ. But this is so counterintuitive that on the surface it makes no sense. And it greatly and profoundly challenges one’s faith. It does mine. To live in relative obscurity and suffering, with trust, is very difficult and I often fail. Yet it is a deeply profound idea. May God give me/us strength to live in his reign and remain faithful.
We enjoy your thoughtful comments and humble reflections.Yes, indeed, to live within the myriad tensions of suffering and at the same time seeking wisdom to act and bring justice requires God's strength. Most of us will know the struggle to strike a balance to live in weakness-- one way the world is changed--and living fully as more than conquerors. This space and community offers encouragement and perhaps even opportunities for accountability. We're so glad you're here.
Thank you so much again, prof Wright. Now, and not yet, indeed. Hallelujah.
After listening to this video, I am more aware of some misconceptions of the kingdom of Jesus. Thank you Bishop Tom!
This passage convinced me that my theology in Oneness (modalism) was wrong.
Thank you. I never associated Psalm 8 with Jesus in that way.
Thank you for this I've held the now and not yet for some time, it was good to have it explained like this.
Thank you for your kind words. We're delighted that N.T. Wright's explanation connected with you, offering clarity on the "now and not yet." May this concept continue to bring comfort and understanding to our present and hope for the future.
I live in a place where I can watch an analogy to this happening in real time. In the mid 19th century the landscape was covered with old growth pine trees. These were clear cut for lumber leaving hundreds of thousands of acres available for agriculture. The led to an influx of settlers, each of whom were given 40 acres to call their own provided they 'improved' the land. As time has passed these little farmsteads have disappeared and the forest is reclaiming them bit by bit. The process involves a number of species with the earliest being gradually replaced by others. The point is the land is returning, albeit slowly, to its original state. I'm living in the already and not yet of this process.
Jesus resurrection is the tipping point where the entire world changed direction, moving forward toward its original telos. Yes, it is taking time. And the process is not uniform. Some areas progress while others regress. But the net effect for over two thousand years has been a growth of Messiah's physical kingdom, embodied in the Church, across the globe. Jesus did after all liken the process to the growth of a mustard plant-- starting tiny and steadily growing until the nations (birds) take shelter within it.
Thanks for sharing your reflections. A good reminder of the nurture, shelter, and safety the kingdom is meant to bring to God's creation and that its unfolding is timeful.
Thank you Bishop Tom I will use these reflections for my Ascension message in a couple of weeks
I see a need and desire for me to be in awe of God.
Step 1 crush; step N 'Order ab chao.'
Love these little videos, but I still can't stand N.T. Wright telling me to "like/share/subscribe". He's just better than that!😂
Our team might have had a little something to do with that!
Bit harsh CP! It's just something speakers say on this platform. It's more about what NT Wright says and how he says it. Absolutely love listening to him.
@@NTWrightOnline I figured!🤣
@@paulabenson8089 I apologize. I didn't mean to come across harsh if I did.
Go forth and preach the Gospel. Spread the Good News!
What of gods work outside of israel?
How credible is Josephus’ testimony of what he witnessed in 70 a.d.?
I tend to think Christ did return in a way to destroy the temple.
Josephus, like any author, will have some bias in perspective, but his observations are considered to be extremely credible and consistent with historians' understanding of the events of his day.
A "little" tweak in translation and you present a totally different idea.... For He "has to go on ruling" as if Jesus has been ruling but the original does not say that. It actually says "For He must reign" and the Scripture is plenty clear that He will become to rule at the last great trumpet... Psalm 47, Revelation 11. This hasn't happened yet.
Playing with words...N.T Wrong