There has been a continued stream of Christian theology that views Christ's work on the cross as being kingdom oriented towards cosmic reconciliation and societal renewal through Christian life and work. It is based heavily on the following verses:
(i) "Your kingdom come..." Matt 6:10
(ii) "...behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you..." Luke 17:21
(iii) "that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Roman 8:21
(iv) "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" Colossians 1:21
The perspective that these verses could create is that God's kingdom is brought to this world through individual regeneration and Christian community affecting creation, creative work and all aspects of human enterprise. As Peter writes to the Church in I Peter 2:11, he uses language that might seem contradicting to this kingdom perspective.
I Petr 2:11 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."
Peter uses the adjectives sojourners (παροίκους) and exiles (παρεπιδήμους) in relation to the Church. This is a recurring theme in I Peter (1:1 παρεπιδήμοις, 1:17 παροικίας) and has a clear correlation to Hebrews 11. In a kingdom oriented perspective where Christian life and work affects all aspects of human enterprise, it is possible to look at I Peter 2:11 as being in tension with such a perspective. But is it?
Other scriptural references to being aliens: Early Christian sermons in the Acts of the Apostles have clear reference to being sojourners and so do the words of the Lord Jesus and Paul's writings. A couple of examples are:
(i) In the words of the Lord Jesus: "...the world has hated them because they are not of the world" John 17:14
(ii) In the words of Paul: "But our citizenship is in heaven..." Philippians 3:20
Being an exile and a sojourner in a world being redeemed: How is it possible that the Bible talks about Christian life and work permeating society and yet calls Christians sojourners and exiles. The key and model seems to be in a word spoken by God through the prophet Jeremiah.
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7
It seems like God calls His people to seek for the welfare of the world through personal regeneration and community outreach while considering themselves travelers and exiles from their real kingdom where Christ is the King and people are full of joy.
(i) "Your kingdom come..." Matt 6:10
(ii) "...behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you..." Luke 17:21
(iii) "that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Roman 8:21
(iv) "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" Colossians 1:21
The perspective that these verses could create is that God's kingdom is brought to this world through individual regeneration and Christian community affecting creation, creative work and all aspects of human enterprise. As Peter writes to the Church in I Peter 2:11, he uses language that might seem contradicting to this kingdom perspective.
I Petr 2:11 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul."
Peter uses the adjectives sojourners (παροίκους) and exiles (παρεπιδήμους) in relation to the Church. This is a recurring theme in I Peter (1:1 παρεπιδήμοις, 1:17 παροικίας) and has a clear correlation to Hebrews 11. In a kingdom oriented perspective where Christian life and work affects all aspects of human enterprise, it is possible to look at I Peter 2:11 as being in tension with such a perspective. But is it?
Other scriptural references to being aliens: Early Christian sermons in the Acts of the Apostles have clear reference to being sojourners and so do the words of the Lord Jesus and Paul's writings. A couple of examples are:
(i) In the words of the Lord Jesus: "...the world has hated them because they are not of the world" John 17:14
(ii) In the words of Paul: "But our citizenship is in heaven..." Philippians 3:20
Being an exile and a sojourner in a world being redeemed: How is it possible that the Bible talks about Christian life and work permeating society and yet calls Christians sojourners and exiles. The key and model seems to be in a word spoken by God through the prophet Jeremiah.
"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7
It seems like God calls His people to seek for the welfare of the world through personal regeneration and community outreach while considering themselves travelers and exiles from their real kingdom where Christ is the King and people are full of joy.
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