tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post5733406207836646129..comments2024-01-31T15:10:55.111+00:00Comments on Transition Quaker: The KingdomCraig Barnetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16201061939693242954noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post-48662732427832043072017-09-29T17:28:39.972+01:002017-09-29T17:28:39.972+01:00A minor point but there's nothing especially m...A minor point but there's nothing especially modern about the problematic translation of Lk 17:20-21. Edmund Harvey discusses it in a footnote on p.30 of his Swarthmore Lecture of 1921, The Long Pilgrimage.Mark Frankelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04240476821058582804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post-20584625469161054322017-09-18T08:58:01.450+01:002017-09-18T08:58:01.450+01:00Thank you for this post. The early Quakers were al...Thank you for this post. The early Quakers were also well aware that the 'Kingdom' was the central focus of Jesus of Nazareth. Likewise, it features directly or indirectly in almost all their tracts--most certainly those written between 1652 and 1663. They had about 40 different names for the 'Kingdom' inc. the Seed, God, the Light and at times dependent on the context, Jesus.<br /><br />I believe that the 'Kingdom'--I call it 'The Way' in my "What Love Can Do", which is about the 'Kingdom' in the present day--can be the common language that modern Friends seek. It is unifying and inclusive, and gives birth to peace, justice and compassion---not merely peace and justice, for these on their own can lead to Auschwitz (Hitler, after all, believed passionately in peace and justice--his own warped brand). Peace and justice need compassion. I've learned in my own life to add the word 'compassion' when I speak of justice and peace.<br /><br />Early Quaker understandings of the 'Kingdom' and its peace, justice and compassion gave rise to their Lamb's War and thus our Testimonies. This wonderful trinity continues to underpin our Testimonies and, with them, our outer witness to the world.<br /><br />Modern theology tells us that in Lk. 17: 20-21, the Greek 'entos' is more accurately translated as 'inside', although it does carry understandings of 'within' and 'among' as you know.<br /><br />So, thanks again for the post. Great to see a modern Quaker inviting fellow Quakers to think more deeply of the 'Kingdom'/Way. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08959881534542495592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post-58928260423931537152017-09-15T10:46:27.049+01:002017-09-15T10:46:27.049+01:00Thank you for your thoughts. Helpful. Jesus is nea...Thank you for your thoughts. Helpful. Jesus is near. The good news is also in Gospel of St.John 3rd chapter verses 16 and 17.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post-49199791965672930842017-09-12T09:42:08.227+01:002017-09-12T09:42:08.227+01:00This is really helpful, thank you.This is really helpful, thank you.Craig Barnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16201061939693242954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497531321890746707.post-7041232260656212562017-09-12T02:38:29.541+01:002017-09-12T02:38:29.541+01:00Unlike you, I can't remember a time when I was...Unlike you, I can't remember a time when I was not familiar with the Bible. I have noticed the distinction you refer to. Jesus promised those who will hear the voice of the Son will be raised to life (John 5) and he stated "The words I am speaking/have spoken to you these are spirit, these are life." (John 6:63) These passages from John build upon Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones, which ends with the assertion "Then you will know I am the Lord when I have opened your graves and brought you up out of your graves." The context of both the Ezekiel passage and the John passages refer to an event that happens now when we turn to hear the voice of Christ.<br /><br />One other thing. I was surprised when I looked up the meaning of the Greek word we translate "forgive". There is more to it than mere pardon. Forgiving also involves fixing the problem that caused the offense in the first place. So when Jesus proclaims that he has the power to forgive sin, he is stating that not only can he pardon, but he remakes the forgiven in the image of God, a living being. Then not only is the kingdom of God at hand, it is within you. While it does not come with observation, "Lo here, lo there," once come it does not remain hidden but explodes upon the scene in similar fashion as demonstrated by the apostles and the early Quakers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com