John Calvin's view of the Kingdom of God
This thesis examines John Calvin's concept of the Kingdom of God. There are four basic terms for this concept: regnum Dei, regnum Christi, regnum caelorum and regnum caeleste. All of these terms are more or less interchangeable. With the Christian church Calvin recognizes that one aspect of the Kingdom of God is its transcendent, heavenly, eternal dimension. This is the unique meaning of regnum caeleste. Yet most of Calvin's discourse on the Kingdom refers to the presence of God's Kingdom or rule on earth. The term regnum can mean either kingdom or reign. Regnum Dei therefore refers to God's reign or his Kingdom, or in many cases both aspects together. There are two dimensions to his reign: the general rule over the world and the special redemptive rule through his Word and Spirit. In the broader sense, the regnum Dei is basically equivalent to God's providence. The special, redemptive dimension of God's reign is the Kingdom of Christ or the regnum Christi. The regnum Christi is the rule of Christ from the time of his ascension up to the time of the Last Judgement, at which time Christ will hand back the reign to the Father. The product of Christ's reign is the church, which is Christ's Kingdom. Calvin uses
Palmer, Timothy Pavitt
Calvin, John - theology
John Calvin's view of the Kingdom of God. This thesis examines John Calvin's concept of the Kingdom of God. There are four basic terms for this concept: regnum Dei, regnum Christi, regnum caelorum and regnum caeleste. All of these terms are more or less interchangeable. With the Christian church Calvin recognizes that one aspect of the Kingdom of God is its transcendent, heavenly, eternal dimension. This is the unique meaning of regnum caeleste. Yet most of Calvin's discourse on the Kingdom refers to the presence of God's Kingdom or rule on earth. The term regnum can mean either kingdom or reign. Regnum Dei therefore refers to God's reign or his Kingdom, or in many cases both aspects together. There are two dimensions to his reign: the general rule over the world and the special redemptive rule through his Word and Spirit. In the broader sense, the regnum Dei is basically equivalent to God's providence. The special, redemptive dimension of God's reign is the Kingdom of Christ or the regnum Christi. The regnum Christi is the rule of Christ from the time of his ascension up to the time of the Last Judgement, at which time Christ will hand back the reign to the Father. The product of Christ's reign is the church, which is Christ's Kingdom. Calvin uses
john_calvin view kingdom_god examines john_calvin concept kingdom_god basic term concept dei term less christian_church calvin recognize one_aspect kingdom_god transcendent heavenly eternal dimension unique mean yet calvin discourse kingdom refers presence_god kingdom rule earth term mean either kingdom reign dei therefore refers god reign kingdom many_case aspects together dimension reign general rule world special rule word spirit broad_sense dei basically equivalent god providence special dimension god reign kingdom christ rule christ time ascension time last judgement time christ hand back reign father product christ reign church christ kingdom calvin