Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

Jerusalem is specially significant for the prophets as the religious center of the restored holy land (Ezek. 45.1–6). Yahweh has placed his name on Mount Zion, and it shall receive the gifts and adoration of many peoples (Isa. 18.7; Zech. 8.22–23). In this way Jerusalem represents the people of God, who will enjoy the salvation of God after a period of punishment for their sins. The word of God issues forth from Jerusalem (Isa. 2.3); peoples gather to honor him (Jer. 3.17); and the messianic king will appear victoriously (Zech. 9.9–10). It is not always clear within what time-frame these oracles of salvation are to be fulfilled; some promises refer to the distant future. In the age to come, Yahweh’s rule will be firmly established in Jerusalem (Isa. 24.23; 65.18–19). Jerusalem will finally become a holy city and will never again be conquered by foreign nations (Joel 3.17). In these prophetic passages, Jerusalem has become more than a political center. It now serves as a symbol of the final and ultimate consummation of Yahweh’s plan of salvation [emphasis mine]. The manner, scope, and purpose of this transformation of the city from city of rebellion to symbol of final consummation of God’s plan of salvation is the purpose of this lesson and devotion. The fact that God transforms his own sense of the city has profound implications for us today, especially given the fact that more people live in cities today than anywhere else in the world, that they now represent the centers of power, commerce, government, and the military for all the great nations on earth, and millions of the poorest human beings alive today are migrating to them in numbers that have never been seen before. Truly, it is time for enlightened and biblically informed Christians to reevaluate what the Scriptures teach on the city, and to align ourselves with the mission of God regarding it. ~ B. T. Arnold. “City.” The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology . T. D. Alexander, ed. (electronic ed.). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Notice at the end of the questions below an extended quote from Professor Ryken on the implications of a theology of the city for the Christian life. Make sure that you read through this material with the students, and facilitate a discussion on the meaning of the city for believers. In a sense, Ryken establishes that whether or not a person lives in the city, they still are connected fundamentally to the notion of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, and this has for him direct implications for our 3 Page 140 Student Questions and Response