The Body of Jesus: A Spatial Analysis of the Kingdom in Matthew (Library of New Testament Studies | LNTS)
Digital Logos Edition
Little attention is usually given to the space or place of the kingdom. Yet Matthew employs the distinctive phrase “kingdom of heaven” and also portrays Jesus as Immanuel (God with us). In this volume Patrick Schreiner argues that by expanding one’s view of space one can see that Jesus’ purpose is to reorder the space of the earth in Matthew as the heavenly king.
Jesus pierces the barrier between the two realms in his incarnation, and the spaces of heaven and earth begin to collide in his ministry. Therefore, in Matthew, Jesus does not just promise a temporal or ethereal kingdom, but one that is located, one that has a sense of rootedness. Jesus is granted authority over this space and inspires people to follow him in this construction project. The spatial kingdom begins in his body, and he extends it to his church by promising his presence.
- Examines implications of the spatial reality of the kingdom
- Combines aspects of multiple disciplines including exegesis, systematic theology, and biblical studies
- Explores the attributes of the kingdom of God in Matthew’s Gospel
Part 1: Space: The Final Frontier
- The Eclipse of Space
- The Presence of Jesus and the Spatial Kingdom
- Spatial Theory
Part 2: Jesus vs. Beelzebul
- Lord of Heaven and Earth
- If By the Spirit: The Spirit, The Spatial Kingdom and the New Exodus
Part 3: World-Building with Words
- Salt, Light, Dust, and Fields
- The Meek Community and the Temple
Part 4: People, Presence, and Place
- A New World and the Community
- The Kingdom as Thirdspace
Top Highlights
“Jesus’ body is a microcosm of the two realms and the kingdom is a thirdspace” (Page 20)
“with humans, either good seeds (sons of the kingdom)” (Page 113)
“ the kingdom has been defined as God’s dynamic rule” (Page 4)
“Matthew, by choosing ‘kingdom of heaven,’ is communicating that God’s reign logically necessitates a spatial territory and people over which he reigns. Hence, to understand the kingdom as primarily the rule/reign of God does not fit with Matthew’s language he chooses to modify the kingdom.” (Page 36)
“Jesus’ household was contesting the seed of the serpent’s household in firstspace and secondspace terms. By doing so, Jesus was rejecting the household of Satan, and creating his own imagined place (thirdspace).” (Page 71)
What makes this volume satisfying is that, so to speak, everything is there... There are reflections on philosophy, anthropology, systematic theology, sociology, and geography. This type of cross-study is certainly commendable, as he digs through an impressively wide range of materials... Schreiner has done a service by bringing a neglected topic to notice. His work deserves attention as a call to examine the “where” or “space” of the “kingdom of heaven,” and broaden our understanding of the space.
—Bulletin for Biblical Research
Reopens questions surrounding the Matthaean ‘kingdom of God/heaven’ in new and engaging ways... This study clearly confirms the vital place for spatial readings of NT texts.
—Journal for the Study of the New Testament
Insightful and instructive for the interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel... I would recommend this work to any student of Scripture who has wrestled with questions regarding the kingdom of God, questions which have been asked throughout church history. Schreiner’s spatial inquiry into Matthew’s story of the kingdom provides new (yet also ancient) answers to these questions which move the conversation forward in a unique and most helpful way.
—Books at a Glance
Patrick Shreiner is Assistant Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon, USA.