The Community of the King

Rating:
Summary: Kingdom Consciousness
Review: This book dawns with some definitions and clarifications. First Mr. Snyder contrasts the church as an "institution" marked by the characteristics of status, status quo, principles of human organization, etc. versus the divinely led "kingdom of God." This is a place that is both promised in our future (heaven) and present in our world today (the Church) offering redemption and reconciliation of people to God. He calls this understanding "kingdom consciousness." An excellent example of this contrast is summarized in this quote from Easum's book, "The Church too can be merely smooth-running machinery with a veneer of personalism. Or it can be a radically biblical, caring community of believers totally sold out to Jesus Christ."
Snyder approaches the problems of today's protestant church from two fronts. He addresses the change in our world society that marks the end of the Modern Age. Like Easum (discussed later) Snyder challenges the Church to examine our paradigms and discover what prevents us from being relative to this generation.
The second front is really a different perspective of the first. First churches must separate what is the Biblically sound, mandated mission, values, and strategy of the Church (Kingdom of God) from the "sacrelized" institutions made by man. Then institutions, which serve a purpose for the church, may be created and maintained so long as they are relevant and useful. Since we understand the difference between them and the truly sacred "kingdom of God," when they cease to be useful, they may be eliminated.