random question... is the christian concept of kingdom of heaven on earth roughly the same as the islamic concept of the global islamic state ruled by a true caliph?
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Depends on the Xian you ask - but I don’t think so. Jesus’ teaching were anti-imperialist. A moderate to progressive interpretation is “kingdom of heaven on earth” is a reality where the values of the faith govern our lives experience on earth vs. authoritarian rule.
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One view is that the role of the Xian is not to escape earth for heaven, but to participate in creating heaven on earth through love, kindness, grace, hospitality, etc.
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It’s sometimes seen as an extension of the Jewish concept of shalom - wholeness, completeness, harmony - the idea being that Gods work is about bringing about shalom on earth.
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But of course, there are lots of Xians who believe a much more imperialist approach - eg, a coming kingdom ruled by a king who will separate good and evil, believers and non believers. Pretty tough sell in light of Jesus life, teaching, and sacrifice IMO
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If Jesus is the son of God and his aims were to establish a kingdom on earth in the righteous imperialist sense, he wouldn’t have given his life up the way he did. I think that’s the fair reading.
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Isn't the second coming concept more of a warrior-king mode where he is supposed to switch from pacifist to conquerer? Or is that unrelated
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It is, but that is based on a particular and literal(ish) reading of Revelation. And also a pretty self-serving interpretation of the what Jesus professed to be up to in the world. Bad theology and eschatology IMO.
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