Michael Vlach’s large-scale biblical theological study of the kingdom begins with an outline of what Vlach calls “a new creationist perspective.”
He outlines this perspective in six points (14-16):
“1. A new creationist approach affirms the importance of the material realm in God’s purposes.
2. A new creationist approach affirms that physical promises in the Bible will be fulfilled just as the Bible writers expected.
3. A new creationist approach affirms that the coming new earth will be this present earth purged and restored.
4. A new creationist approach affirms the importance of individuals, Israel, and nations in God’s plans. God works with various groups.
5. A new creationist approach affirms the importance of particular and universal entities.
6. A new creationist approach affirms God’s kingdom will involve social, political, geographical, agricultural, architectural, artistic, technological, and animal elements.”
Vlach also opposes false dichotomies (16):
- “The kingdom is not physical; it is spiritual.”
- “The kingdom is no longer about nations; it is about individuals.”
- “The kingdom is no longer about Israel; it is about Jesus.”
- “The kingdom is no longer national; it is international.”
I agree with Vlach’s new creationist perspective, with his opposition to false dichotomies, and with his opposition to transforming or transcending the Old Testament promise and storyline.
However, in the introduction he also says that the coming of the kingdom is contingent upon “Israel’s acceptance of the Messiah.” On this point I think he is wrong. The passages he cites speak to the restoration of Israel, but none of them prevent an establishment of the kingdom before that restoration. At least at this point, Vlach is not touching countervailing biblical evidence.
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