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The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down  /  Chapter 23, Was God Changing the Rules  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 3
The proposed “fairly easy way” to know is “continue doing things the kingdom way” and “not deviate one iota from Christ’s teachings”; what does this assume about the clarity and stability of Jesus’ commands (“the same today, yesterday, and forever”) in contrast to changing historical circumstances?
Another way to ask: What does it assume to say the “easy way” is to keep doing things Jesus’ way without changing anything? Are Jesus’ commands clear and steady even when times and cultures change?

Direct Answer Bercot assumes Jesus’ kingdom commands are clear enough to be followed and stable enough that history does not rewrite them. Changing circumstances may change our situation, but they do not change “the way His kingdom is run” or His laws.

Support from Transcript:

  • He calls the discernment method “fairly easy”: “continue doing things the kingdom way.”
  • He defines that as not deviating “one iota from Christ’s teachings.”
  • The basis is Jesus’ unchanging nature: “Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.”
  • The conclusion is explicit: “Until He returns, there are not going to be any changes in the way His kingdom is run. And there won’t be any changes in His laws.”
  • Therefore, if Constantine was truly a blessing, “the church didn’t have to compromise in any way… [or] water down its message.”
Discussion Follow-ups Which commands feel most “clear” and which feel most “costly” in a new political moment? How do we avoid confusing a new opportunity with a new set of rules?

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