The Gospel, the Kingdom of God, and the Theological Theory of Everything: Part 1

Mat 24:14 NASB  "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."

I want to begin a series of posts on the gospel of the kingdom and the theological theory of everything. Progressive revelation is the process that God has used throughout the history of redemption. As people progress, more light is given to God's redemptive plan. This is very similar to science, especially astro-physics and astronomy. I like to use the history of astronomy as an illustration of God's progressive revelation. Astronomy began with the concept that the earth was the center of the universe. That moved on to the idea that the sun was the center of the universe. As astronomy developed it became apparent that there were, many stars, galaxies, and at the center of the universe was a primordial big bang. My point is that additional information gave additional light and understanding and the same is true about the ever unfolding story of redemption.

Recent developments in physics has encouraged physicists to look for a theory of everything that would harmonize relativity and quantum mechanics. I believe that the time is ripe, that is to use a Greek term, the kiros, is now, the present...  to look for a theological theory of everything that encompasses the gospel, the kingdom, prosperity, and the future of spirituality. Currently, within the thousands of denominations there is a wide variety of ways to look at each of those facets of Christianity. As is obvious, many do not agree, and in fact, many contradict one another. It is so confusing that millennials will likely not participate in church as have previous generations. There are many studies that show that millennials are disenchanted with religion and especially so with organized religion and denominations.

One thing that would go a long way toward dealing with this approaching crisis is the development of a unified theory of theology that reasonably explains and unifies the biblical record in such a way that the heretofore disparities that various denominations and groups have promoted would find a unified solution. After all Paul said: Eph 4:3-6 NRSV "making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  (4)  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,  (5)  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  (6)  one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." Oh? One would not know that by the current state of Christianity, and more specifically, about evangelical orthodoxy. The reason is simple. There IS NO unified theology in Christianity!

Why is that? This is a great question to ask, and I believe there is a reasonable answer. Let's examine a warning from the apostle Paul: 2Th 2:9-11 NRSV  "The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders,  (10)  and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  (11)  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false," The obvious answer is that evangelical/orthodoxy is the powerful delusion. It is also the result of the leaven of the Pharisees and it is the fulfillment of Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:29-30. The ravaging wolves who did not spare the flock did so to gain and maintain control. Instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to operate among the saints, these wolves took over so that they could further their selfish agenda's and control the saints.

It must be stated now and often through out this series, that the gospel of grace, and the gospel of the kingdom are the same gospel. There is only one gospel. It is the good news of redemption. It is the good news of peace with a loving Father. It is the good news that through the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Satan was once for all time defeated. He may go about like a roaring lion but he is a toothless lion. Christ's victory over Satan was the victory over death and separation from God. The atonement made Jesus victorious over Satan. 1Jn 3:8 NRSV "Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." It was Jesus victory over Satan that destroyed the devil's works.

It was the gospel of grace that destroyed the works of the devil. The beginning and foundation of the theological theory of everything is the gospel of grace. The reason is that the gospel is synonymous with the word of God, and Jesus of Nazareth is the gospel incarnate. The incarnate word is the incarnate gospel. The gospel became flesh and dwelt among humanity. There is much more to say on this topic, and if time and God permits it will be said and written down so stay tuned.