What is the great commission?

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InJesusItrust

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I always though the good news was that we can return from our exile from the Garden of Eden and can now become the children of God and that the commission from the Lord was to prepare the world for the coming kingdom of heaven. I used to think that the being the light of the world serves two purposes: to get more people to voluntarily accept the coming kingdom and to perfect ourselves for life in heaven. But now I see that some people do not look forward to the return of Jesus and the kingdom. Some people act as though the goal is to ESTABLISH the kingdom of heaven and do social good. But how is that any different from what communists or humanists want to do? I always looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the renewal of all things, which means the destruction of the current world. But I’ve been called unchristian for desiring the return of Jesus, and that I told should contribute more to improving the world (as if getting more people to accept Christ is not the ultimate goal of why the Church does social good). Is our goal to establish the kingdom or to prepare people for the return of Jesus and establishment of the kingdom? What is the great commission? When I read the Pope’s comments or about saints like Mother Theresa they seem to claim it is more important to prepare a man for his eternal destiny than to meet his temporal needs.
 
I accidentally posted this here. Can a mod move this to social justice?
 
That is a really important question. I have my thoughts, but I will let the Catholics answer the question, because, as usual, they probably have better answers (more complete, historical, and authentic) than mine.

Dan
 
InJesusItrust said:
I always though the good news was that we can return from our exile from the Garden of Eden and can now become the children of God and that the commission from the Lord was to prepare the world for the coming kingdom of heaven. I used to think that the being the light of the world serves two purposes: to get more people to voluntarily accept the coming kingdom and to perfect ourselves for life in heaven. But now I see that some people do not look forward to the return of Jesus and the kingdom. Some people act as though the goal is to ESTABLISH the kingdom of heaven and do social good. But how is that any different from what communists or humanists want to do? I always looked forward to the coming of Jesus and the renewal of all things, which means the destruction of the current world. But I’ve been called unchristian for desiring the return of Jesus, and that I told should contribute more to improving the world (as if getting more people to accept Christ is not the ultimate goal of why the Church does social good). Is our goal to establish the kingdom or to prepare people for the return of Jesus and establishment of the kingdom? What is the great commission? When I read the Pope’s comments or about saints like Mother Theresa they seem to claim it is more important to prepare a man for his eternal destiny than to meet his temporal needs.
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The Great Commission is described in the Gospel of Matthew:

[BIBLEDRB]Mt 28:18-19[/BIBLEDRB]
But now I see that some people do not look forward to the return of Jesus and the kingdom.** Some people** act as though the goal is to ESTABLISH the kingdom of heaven and do social good.
Click to expand...
Who are you referring to?
When I read the Pope’s comments or about saints like Mother Theresa they seem to claim it is more important to prepare a man for his eternal destiny than to meet his temporal needs.
Click to expand...
Do you have any quotes, or sources?
 
stewstew03 said:
The Great Commission is described in the Gospel of Matthew:

[BIBLEDRB]Mt 28:18-19[/BIBLEDRB]

Who are you referring to?

Do you have any quotes, or sources?
Click to expand...
I dont want to name names to offend my brother. But Christopher Hitchens attacked Mother Theresa for that reason and the pope said the Church is not just a social institution. I am away from my PC. Will post links later
 
InJesusItrust said:
Is our goal to establish the kingdom or to prepare people for the return of Jesus and establishment of the kingdom?
Click to expand...
I am not sure that the two things are opposed to one another. Not that it is our responsibility to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, but in making the world a more humane and caring place (as Christ commanded) we are bringing people closer to accepting Christ.

I don’t think its a matter of Faith vs. Works. We need to do both.
 
stewstew03 said:
The Great Commission is described in the Gospel of Matthew:

[BIBLEDRB]Mt 28:18-19[/BIBLEDRB]

Who are you referring to?

Do you have any quotes, or sources?
Click to expand...
I dont want to name names to offend my brother. But Christopher Hitchens attacked Mother Theresa for that reason and the pope said the Church is not just a social institution. I am away from my PC. Will post links later
 
InJesusItrust said:
I am wondering by what perspectives do we see the purpose of good works? To create heaven on earth or to lead people to heaven?
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This is a false dichotomy. If a person is doing good works in an attempt to earn favor in Heaven, so to speak, then that person does not understand the Gospel. As Christians, we respond in faithful obedience to God. The evidence of our faith is the fruit of the Holy Spirit:

[BIBLEDRB]Galatians 5:22-23[/BIBLEDRB]

I think the question regarding the “purpose” of good works is legalistic in nature because it presupposes a motivation of the flesh - i.e., how will I benefit by performing acts of charity and love?
 
But like I said before, someone does not look forward to the return of Jesus and the end of the world but I do look forward to it because then the kingdom will finally come. Has the kingdom come, are we creating the kingdom, or is Jesus coming to establish the kingdom? Do we want to create utopia or expect it to only come with the Lord?
 
I guess I don’t understand the discrepancy. We will never have a utopia here on earth. It is simply not possible for fallen man to create a perfect world.

However, that does not mean we do not do our best to make the world better and to try to make it closer and closer to the heavenly Kingdom. We will never be 100% successful prior to the Second Coming, but we can make positive steps in the right direction.

“Has the kingdom come, are we creating the kingdom, or is Jesus coming to establish the kingdom?”

I think the answer to all three of these questions is “Yes”. We are part of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. Thus, we cooperate in building up the Kingdom. I highly recommend Benedict XVI’s book “Jesus of Nazareth”. Volume 1 has a chapter on the Kingdom of God and what that means. It also has a chapter on the “Our Father” where it discusses such lines as “Thy Kingom Come”.

I think the fact that some people do not look forward to the Second Coming is a separate issue. The idea of the Final Judgment is a scary concept for many people.
 
Joe_5859 said:
I guess I don’t understand the discrepancy. We will never have a utopia here on earth. It is simply not possible for fallen man to create a perfect world.

However, that does not mean we do not do our best to make the world better and to try to make it closer and closer to the heavenly Kingdom. We will never be 100% successful prior to the Second Coming, but we can make positive steps in the right direction.

“Has the kingdom come, are we creating the kingdom, or is Jesus coming to establish the kingdom?”

I think the answer to all three of these questions is “Yes”. We are part of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. Thus, we cooperate in building up the Kingdom. I highly recommend Benedict XVI’s book “Jesus of Nazareth”. Volume 1 has a chapter on the Kingdom of God and what that means. It also has a chapter on the “Our Father” where it discusses such lines as “Thy Kingom Come”.

I think the fact that some people do not look forward to the Second Coming is a separate issue. The idea of the Final Judgment is a scary concept for many people.
Click to expand...
👍 I agree. The most important thing for us, in my view is what lasts eternally: to attain salvation. But part of the process is caring for your fellow people on Earth, building up the Kingdom in this world so that you also build up the Kingdom in your heart, and are able to accept heaven. And, also, spreading the Gospel so that others can benefit from it. All of these work together.

Of course, a given person will be oriented more towards one or the other. Nobody can do it all. However, the good news here is that we are members of a Church, the Body of Christ, and we share in the work. I do not need to do everything, but I should do my part. Which may be very different from your part. Which is why, say, Pope John Paul II, Mother Theresa, St. Therese de Liseaux, St. Elizabeth of Hungary all had very different vocations, but are all part of the Body of Christ.
 
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