Moore is spot on when he says we are to join Jesus in His life rather than His into ours. Inviting Jesus to join us in our life is a different religion, not Christianity. Great article! A couple of things I had a hard time swallowing. For example he says, "That tension seeks to avoid bringing the kingdom too near (in utopianism or political gospels) or keeping it too far (in prophecy-chart fixations or withdrawal from society)." Is the only way to avoid a threatening utopia accomplished by maintaining some sort of tension? I agree with Moore that the kingdom is now in effect. But, there is some disagreement amongst Christians is as to how much of the kingdom has been initiated. Do we imagine some sort of utopia? Even those doing God's will face trials. Perhaps it would be safe to say the kingdom has fully come, but it is one that functions in the midst of this world--a spiritual one. Jesus never meant to change the Father's creation, but the thwarted creation of our spirits.

"How can I value the corporate CEO or the celebrity pastor over the hotel maid, since she, if in Christ, is a future queen over the universe?" What a great, thought-provoking question! One of the things that I most look forward to, as we live with Jesus in the new earth, will be the absence of my own narcissism - a condition common to all men. The best amongst us never truly shake it's tentacles, and it has much to do with why Christians aren't more spiritually minded. We so often are thinking only about what is best for ourselves.

Thank you Dr. Moore. You were inspired when you wrote this. I hear the sound of God is in your words. As we build on George Eldon Ladd and others, God has given us a common understanding of the in-breaking kingdom and the mission of the church. This United Methodist is honored to make common cause with you and all who share your vision of the kingdom.

“The moment you burst through the mud above your grave, you will begin an exciting new mission.” Why don’t all ministers preach our bodily resurrection? It is far more biblically prominent than going to heaven. Jesus’ body resurrection first, then ours at the appointed time, beginning the “not yet” part of God’s kingdom, with saints fresh from their graves, ruling ON EARTH as priests and kings. Christians with other views could at least entertain this orthodoxy. A majority of Christians before Constantine did. It has wonderful promise for earthly humanity’s future. Has anyone seriously pictured this planet with national leaders traveling to Jerusalem, the mountain of the Lord, where Jesus will teach them His ways, and them returning home to tell their countrymen, “Start beating our tanks into tractors and artillery into reapers? We’re not going to learn war anymore.” Fantastic future. I wish Moore would have taken his thoughts, his “exciting new mission,” a step or two further.

Close. But I hope the world doesn’t judge us by “congregational decision-making meetings”! How are people brought to repentance in this in-between age? “If the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes...if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day.” Matt. 11. and “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” 1 Cor 14. When listing gifts of the Spirit, Moore conveniently omits 3 of the most significant in Acts, the gospels and our era, the gifts of Prophecy, Healing and Miracles in 1st Cor 12. Jesus released the 12 into a miracle ministry, then the 70, then gave the great commission to us all and said it would be validated by miracles (Mark 16).