*Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
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Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence (Contents)
Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence in Biblical Theology Heaven and Ethical Living – Shaping Character through Eternal Perspective Kingdom Ethics – Living Justly under God’s Rule Practising God’s Presence – Daily Discipleship and Moral Formation Early Christian Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence Medieval Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence…
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Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence in Biblical Theology
1. Introduction In biblical theology, the themes of heaven, the Kingdom of God, and God’s presence are conceptually distinct yet deeply interwoven. These motifs lie at the heart of Christian doctrine, shaping understandings of divine sovereignty, eschatological hope, and the relational dynamics between God and humanity. While heaven is portrayed as the transcendent realm of…
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Heaven and Ethical Living – Shaping Character through Eternal Perspective
1. Introduction The doctrine of heaven has long served as a beacon of hope within Christian theology, portraying the final state of redeemed humanity in eternal communion with God. However, heaven is not merely a future destination but also a transformative vision that informs and shapes moral conduct in the present. When rightly understood, the…
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Kingdom Ethics – Living Justly under God’s Rule
1. Introduction The proclamation of the Kingdom of God lies at the heart of Jesus’ message and mission. Far from being a mere eschatological ideal, the Kingdom is a present and active reality, inviting believers to participate in a new way of life marked by justice, mercy, and righteousness. Kingdom ethics therefore demand not only…
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Practising God’s Presence – Daily Discipleship and Moral Formation
1. Introduction The biblical affirmation of God’s presence is foundational to both Old and New Testament faith. From the Garden of Eden to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God is presented not as distant, but as imminently near and relational. This theological truth has profound ethical implications: living in awareness of God’s presence reshapes…
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Early Christian Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
1. Introduction The early Church Fathers laid the foundations for Christian theological reflection on heaven, the Kingdom of God, and God’s presence. Drawing on Scripture, Greek philosophical traditions, and ecclesial experience, figures such as Augustine of Hippo, Origen of Alexandria, and Gregory of Nyssa offered interpretations that shaped Christian thought for centuries. This article explores…
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Medieval Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
1. Introduction The medieval period (c. 500–1500 AD) represents a pivotal era in the development of systematic theology, marked by the synthesis of biblical doctrine, patristic legacy, and classical philosophy, particularly Aristotelian and Neoplatonic frameworks. During this era, theologians such as Thomas Aquinas, Anselm of Canterbury, and Hildegard of Bingen significantly deepened Christian understandings of…
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Reformation Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
1. Introduction The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century marked a watershed in Christian theology, reorienting the Church’s understanding of heaven, the Kingdom of God, and God’s presence. Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli dismantled aspects of medieval scholasticism, advancing doctrines grounded in Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone),…
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Modern Theologians on Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
1. Introduction Modern theology, emerging in dialogue with historical criticism, philosophical modernity, and socio-political concerns, presents a nuanced engagement with the doctrines of heaven, the Kingdom of God, and divine presence. Influenced by biblical scholarship, ecological awareness, and the traumas of history, theologians such as N.T. Wright, Jürgen Moltmann, and Stanley Hauerwas have reinterpreted these…
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Biblical Ethics in Daily Life: Applying Heaven, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Presence
1. Introduction Biblical ethics serve as a moral compass for Christian living, rooted not in abstract rules but in the dynamic relationship between theological truth and daily practice. The doctrines of heaven, God’s kingdom, and His presence are not merely eschatological or metaphysical; they profoundly influence how believers live, relate to others, and engage society.…