What Is the Kingdom of God? Kingdom E1

In this episode of God and Other Small Stuff, Trevor, Taylor, and Tyler begin a multi-part exploration of one of the Bible's most central yet often misunderstood themes: The Kingdom of God. This foundational episode lays the groundwork for understanding what "the Kingdom" means and examines the profound implications of God's kingship throughout Scripture.

Episode Overview

The concept of God's Kingdom isn't just a New Testament idea but a thread woven through the entire biblical narrative. This episode traces the Kingdom theme from creation in Genesis 1, through humanity's fall, and concludes with Abraham's calling as God's vice-regent—showing how the Kingdom of God has always been central to God's redemptive plan.

Key Points Explored:

• God as Creator-King establishing His rule and realm in Genesis 1
• Humans as image-bearers created to represent God's rule on earth
• How sin disrupted but didn't destroy God's Kingdom purposes
• The significance of the "cultural mandate" (Gen 1:28) in Kingdom theology
• Abraham's selection as God's representative and the beginning of God's redemptive Kingdom plan
• The pattern of covenant relationship as the foundation for God's Kingdom

Scripture References:

• Genesis 1:26-28 - Humans created in God's image to rule and subdue the earth
• Genesis 3:1-24 - The fall and its impact on God's Kingdom purposes
• Genesis 12:1-3 - God's covenant with Abraham and the Kingdom promise
• Genesis 17:1-8 - Abraham as vice-regent in God's Kingdom program
• Psalm 8:4-8 - Reflection on humanity's royal position in creation

Theological Connections:

• How the Kingdom of God provides a cohesive framework for understanding the entire biblical narrative
• The relationship between covenant and Kingdom throughout Scripture
• Why Genesis establishes patterns that find their fulfillment in Christ's Kingdom

Recommended Resources:

• "Kingdom Through Covenant" by Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum
• "Lifting the Veil: Imagination and the Kingdom of God" by Malcolm Guite

Questions to Consider:

• How does understanding God as King change the way you read familiar Bible passages?
• What does it mean for you personally to be an image-bearer representing God's rule?
• How does Humanity's role as vice-regent inform our understanding of what it means to follow God today?

Join the Conversation:

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God and Other Small Stuff features in-depth conversations about faith, theology, the Bible, and the Christian life. This podcast aims to make theological concepts accessible to everyday believers seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture.

More from Us

• Check out our other podcasts: The Classical Mind for the Classical Life, Pilgrim Faith
• Check out Tyler's Substack: The Classical Thinkery

#ChristianTheology #BibleStudy #KingdomOfGod #Genesis #CovenantTheology #BiblicalNarrative