The Kingdom Lens: Reframing Our Biblical Perspective

Sep 11

I was recently asked to pre-read a new Study Bible published by Zondervan. The NIV Upside-Down Kingdom Study Bible.

Preston Sprinkle was the general editor, and the study notes cover topics like: Abortion and Reproduction • Art and Worship • Baptism • Creation Care • Death and Afterlife • Divorce • Family and Kinship • Festivals, Food, and Drink • Grace • Holiness • Lament and Grief • Leadership and Power • Mental Health • Migration • Politics • Race and Ethnicity • Sabbath • Satan, Demons, Angels, and Giants • Science • Sexuality and Gender • Singleness and Friendship • Slavery • Social Justice • Technology and Media • Trauma and Resilience • Violence and Warfare • Wealth and Poverty • Witchcraft and Magic • Women

Some of us have shelves of different Bibles, and while I’m not saying you should rush out and buy this one, I did want to share what I thought was helpful and how it challenged me.

Following are my reflections on it:

In the heart of our faith lies the Bible, a sacred text that has guided and inspired believers for millennia. Yet, in today's world, where the lines between faith and politics often blur, it's increasingly important to approach the Bible with a lens that prioritizes the Kingdom of God over the ever-shifting landscape of American politics. The Bible, at its core, is a story about God's Kingdom, a realm of justice, compassion, and radical love. This stands in stark contrast to the power struggles and partisan divides that characterize modern political discourse.

The tendency to interpret the Bible through the lens of American politics can lead to a distorted understanding of its message. It can reduce complex theological concepts to partisan talking points, and it can obscure the radical, counter-cultural nature of God's Kingdom. The Bible calls us to a higher standard, one that transcends the limitations of human political systems. It invites us to view the world through the lens of God's Kingdom, a lens that challenges our assumptions, expands our compassion, and calls us to work towards a more just and equitable world.

Reading the Upside-Down Kingdom Bible forced me to explore the dangers of reading the Bible through the lens of American politics and the transformative power of embracing a Kingdom lens. In this reflection, I want to dive into specific examples from the Old and New Testaments to see how a Kingdom-focused reading can lead to a deeper understanding of God's will.

The Dangers of the Political Lens

The allure of interpreting the Bible through the lens of American politics is understandable. We live in a society where political discourse dominates the news cycle and social media feeds. If you follow the news, all the crazy narratives can take over our thoughts and imaginations. In that context, it's natural to seek God’s guidance to navigate the complexities of our political landscape. We definitely should take our political and social cues from the Bible. As we do that, we must be careful of a few common pitfalls.

Reductionism: Viewing the Bible through a political lens can lead to a reductionist interpretation of its message. Complex theological concepts can be simplified and shoehorned into partisan talking points. The Bible's rich tapestry of narratives, poetry, and wisdom literature is flattened into a series of proof texts used to support pre-existing political positions.
Partisan Divides: Interpreting the Bible through a political lens can further divide the church. Some say that America is going through a “Great Separation” where Republicans and Democrats live in different states, go to different churches, and shop from different merchants. An overly American reading of the Bible can create an environment where believers feel pressured to conform to a particular political ideology in order to be considered faithful. This can lead to alienation and exclusion, undermining the unity that Christ calls us to.
Obscuring the Kingdom: Perhaps the most significant danger of a political lens is that it can obscure the central message of the Bible: the Kingdom of God. The Bible is not primarily a political manifesto; it's a story about God's redemptive plan for the world. It's about a Kingdom that operates according to a different set of values, one that prioritizes justice, compassion, and the flourishing of all creation.

Embracing the Kingdom Lens

A Higher Standard: The Kingdom lens calls us to a higher standard than the partisan politics of our day. It challenges us to prioritize the values of God's Kingdom over the shifting sands of political ideologies. It invites us to measure our actions and decisions not by their political expediency, but by their alignment with the principles of justice, compassion, and love that characterize God's reign.
Expanding Compassion: The Kingdom lens expands our compassion beyond the boundaries of our own political tribe. It reminds us that we are called to love our neighbors, even those who hold different political views. It challenges us to see the image of God in every person, regardless of their political affiliation, and to work towards the flourishing of all.
Challenging the Status Quo: The Kingdom lens challenges the status quo. It calls us to question systems and structures that perpetuate injustice and inequality. It invites us to work towards a world where the values of God's Kingdom are reflected in our political, economic, and social systems.
A Vision of Hope: The Kingdom lens offers a vision of hope in a world often marked by division and despair. It reminds us that God's Kingdom is not a distant utopia; it's a reality that is breaking into our world even now. It calls us to participate in this Kingdom work, to be agents of reconciliation, justice, and healing in our communities and in the world.

Biblical Examples: A Kingdom Perspective

Here are a few specific examples from both the Old and New Testaments that illustrate how a Kingdom-focused reading can lead to a deeper understanding of God's will for our lives.

Old Testament

Migration and the Foreigner: The Old Testament is replete with stories and laws that emphasize God's concern for the foreigner and the migrant. From Abraham's journey to a new land to the laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that mandate the protection and inclusion of foreigners, the Bible paints a picture of a God who cares deeply for those who are displaced and vulnerable. A Kingdom lens reminds us that we are called to extend the same welcome and hospitality to migrants and refugees in our own communities, regardless of their political or social status. Notice that the Bible doesn’t talk about American border policy; its focus is on how we can love the foreigner in our midst. Whatever your stance on border policy, the call to love the migrate remains.
Science and Creation: The Bible's account of creation in Genesis is a powerful testament to God's creative power and the inherent goodness of the natural world. A Kingdom lens invites us to approach scientific inquiry with curiosity and wonder, recognizing that all truth is God's truth. It challenges us to care for creation as stewards of God's handiwork, working towards a world where all of creation flourishes.

New Testament

Jesus and Politics: Jesus' ministry was marked by a radical challenge to the political and religious powers of his day. He consistently prioritized the needs of the marginalized and oppressed, calling his followers to a life of service and sacrifice. A Kingdom lens reminds us that our allegiance is ultimately to Christ and his Kingdom, not to any political party or ideology. It calls us to follow Jesus' example of challenging injustice and working towards a more just and equitable world.
Revelation and Social Justice: The book of Revelation offers a powerful vision of God's ultimate triumph over evil and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. It paints a picture of a world where justice reigns, where tears are wiped away, and where all creation is restored to its original goodness. A Kingdom lens reminds us that we are called to participate in this Kingdom work, to be agents of reconciliation, justice, and healing in our communities and in the world.

Conclusion

In a world where political discourse often dominates our conversations and shapes our perspectives, it's crucial to approach the Bible with a lens that prioritizes the Kingdom of God over the ever-shifting landscape of American politics. The Bible is not a political manifesto; it's a story about God's redemptive plan for the world. It's about a Kingdom that operates according to a different set of values, one that prioritizes justice, compassion, and the flourishing of all creation.

Reading the Bible through a Kingdom lens is a transformative experience. It allows us to see the world as God sees it, to understand our role as citizens of a heavenly Kingdom, and to live out our faith in a way that challenges the status quo and works towards a more just and equitable world. It calls us to a higher standard, one that transcends the limitations of human political systems. It expands our compassion beyond the boundaries of our own political tribe, and it challenges us to question systems and structures that perpetuate injustice and inequality.

While I can’t give a blanket endorsement of every note and comment in this study Bible, its overall direction is helpful. Reading it helped me remember that my ultimate allegiance is to Christ and his Kingdom.

Let us approach the Bible with a Kingdom lens, seeking to understand its message in light of God's redemptive plan for the world. And let us live out our faith in a way that reflects the values of God's Kingdom, working towards a world where justice, compassion, and love reign supreme.

With You;
Pastor Tim

Tim Schaaf