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The meaning + purpose of life, The qualities of God's kingdom - Coggle…
The meaning + purpose of life
Glorify God + personal relationship
Purpose = to represent + spread God's glory, to glorify God.
Actions, spreading word, God-like lives, looking at God's qualities, worship
Matthew 5:16
'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven'
God's relationship with Jesus = example for human relationships with God
Intimacy in their relationship
'you are in me and I am in you'
John 17:23
Christians imitate: prayer, Bible study, follow Jesus' teachings, model lives on Jesus
The 2 creation stories: Genesis 1:1-2:4a + Genesis 2:4b - 3:24
Prepare for judgement
Developed from creation story
Consequence of the Fall = broken relationship with God. Conflict with purpose of creation: humans to spend eternity in God's presence
Jesus atones + reconciles relationship for humans to be 'at one' with God
2 Corinthians 5:19 -
'God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself'
Judgement allows completion of God's plan - e.g. Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Life on earth ends. All dead raised + judged. The compassionate + just - eternal life with God. Poor treatment of others - eternal exclusion
Liberal Christians
Reject dramatic narrative as factually accurate
Story reflects important truth about purpose of human existence
For some: judgement happens in this life
Soul-making Theodicy: Hick
Evil = not a flaw. Part of God's plan for creation
Potential for 'likeness', evil allows growth
Genuine moral goodness needs choice
Bring about God's Kingdom on Earth
More holistic - humans part of fabric of creation
Purpose of everything = complete God's work by bringing about Kingdom
Originally God's kingship corresponded to creation of all but transferred to Messiah by time of Jesus - earthly king + spiritual leader
Jesus' reference to KoG = as past (kingship of God over creation) + future (created order will follow God's laws)
Matthew 6:10
'Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in Heaven'
Eschatological: Jesus will return in glory, removing sin + death
Now: our purpose to work for perfection on Earth
Relationship with God
God-like virtues
Bring conditions of perfect heaven to places in world
How: coming of Jesus made it possible to imagine KoG on Earth
Mark 1:15
'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel'
The qualities of God's kingdom
From OT texts - prophets, Book of Psalms
Peace
Justice
Freedom from want
Not just sought for individual, but victims of conflict, injustice + poverty
As God's stewards they focus on bringing about these qualities