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[Newbie]

Being of fan of NT Wright, I have read a lot about the Kingdom of God and it being established through Jesus. After reading John Walton’s book, "The Lost World of Genesis One", it seems that this is what God was doing in Genesis 1. Am I wrong to say that this kingdom theme runs through the entire Bible, starting with Genesis1 through the Old Testament to time of Jesus, and God finally ruling his Kingdom on earth in Revelation 21? Is John 19:30, an echo of Genesis 2:1? Then Genesis 2:1, God rested, which is seen as language for God finally ruling as a king after pushing the chaos aside and setting up his kingdom, can this be said about Jesus? Jesus came, healed the sick, cast out demons (pushing the chaos aside), setting up the Kingdom of God, then was crucified, rose, and now sets at the right hand of God.

[jimwalton]

I would agree with you, and guess that John Walton would also, that the kingdom of God teachings of Jesus find a source in Gn. 1-2. There are a number of rivers that run through all of Scripture: The Eden problem (the problem of sin), the Babel Problem (deity falsely construed), God’s presence (temple), God’s covenant, revelation, redemption, and the kingdom of God. These are mighty Amazons that course through all of Scripture, and almost every text contains almost all of them. It makes for a fascinating study. Interestingly enough, if you take Gn. 1-2 as a manufacturing text, it almost has to stand by itself. If you take it as a temple text, you find embedded in it all of these themes that tie it into the rest of the entire Bible. Genesis 1-3, if it is about function, not structure, speaks to sin, revelation, temple, covenant, redemption, and the Kingdom of God. Fascinating! (And credence, in my opinion, that John is onto something here.)

As far as John 19.30, I can’t ride with you on that one. The kingdom of God is NOT a strong emphasis in John’s writing. (He only mentions it 3 times.) John’s concern is more to show Jesus as the immanent God: God who is with us, the fulfiller of the Messianic prophecy (which certainly relate to kingdom, but John never emphasizes that), and the one who brings life and truth. Now, it is also true that John brings out these “rivers” that surge through all of Scripture: Jesus as the new Moses, Jesus as the new temple, Jesus as the revelation of God, Jesus dealing with sin, Jesus as redeemer, Jesus bringing new creation. The creation story pulses through all of John’s gospel:

1.1-5: Light and darkness (also Jn. 3.19)
1.14: tabernacle, presence (and temple)
2.12-22: temple
4.19-26: present, temple
17 - temple, God’s presence and glory-filled temple

I would say that John 19.30 is the statement that Jesus is God himself who has done the work he came to do (cf. Jn. 5.36)—give life:

His temple is now destroyed to be raised up again (Jn. 2.19)
His death enables the coming of the Spirit to engender spiritual life (Jn. 3.5-6; 16.7)
His death allows belief and new life (Jn. 3.15; 5.21, 25-26)

Life, not kingdom, is John’s emphasis. John uses the word “kingdom” three times, but the word “life” 41 times. I wouldn’t agree that it’s an echo of Gn. 2.1. While I believe that Jesus is establishing his kingdom—a kingdom grounded in his death and resurrection—I can’t find myself agreeing with your proposition. Gn. 2.1 is certainly about God ruling as king after ordering chaos, but you’ll notice that chaos is still in the system. There is still darkness; there is still sea—two things that go away in Rev. 21.2; 22.4. God orders the chaos, but doesn’t destroy it. It is not destroyed in the crucifixion/resurrection, but in the eschaton.

Hope that helps. Feel free to talk more.