As I’ve said before, in print and on this blog, I don’t think the talk of “building the kingdom” or our role in “ushering in the kingdom” is language that can be supported by Scripture. God already reigns, and he doesn’t need our help to get on the throne!). The kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. We should live out the ethics of the kingdom, pray for the kingdom, and by faith we can receive the kingdom. But we do not bring about God’s reign.
Along these lines, here’s John Goldingay in his soon to be released Old Testament Theology: Israel’s Life:
We would do well to expect less of the “already” in the world, and expect to see more of it in our worship. I encourage you to read the Goldingay excerpt a second time.
