The question of Heaven, the question of what happens after death, is one which a lot of people in our culture try to put off as long as they can, but sooner or later it suddenly swings round and looks them in the eye.

If you believe in the Bible, you've got to do business with it and not just screen it out.

I have met many Roman Catholic theologians who will emphasize as much as any good Protestant preacher that everything comes from the love and grace of God.

Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project.

Paul's vision, though, is starting small, with actual communities in which reconciliation and justice has to be practiced - like the rich/poor distinction in the Corinthian church, for instance, or the projected reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus. But he clearly believes (Ephesians 3) that communities like this send a signal to the wider world that Jesus is Lord - which is aimed at then the whole world coming into line.

To pray 'your kingdom come' at Jesus' bidding meant to align oneself with his kingdom movement.

What many people today assume Christianity to be is basically Plutarch plus Jesus.