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{{Short description|Concept in Abrahamic religions}}
{{Short description|Concept in Abrahamic religions}}
{{Other uses|Kingdom of Heaven (disambiguation)}}
{{Other uses|Kingdom of Heaven (disambiguation)}}
{{technical|date=January 2024}}
[[File:St Peter's 2.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Stained glass]] by [[Reginald Hallward|Hallward]] depicting [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Matthew#5:10|Matt 5:10]]: "[[Beatitudes|Blessed are the poor in spirit: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven]]".]]
[[File:St Peter's 2.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Stained glass]] by [[Reginald Hallward|Hallward]] depicting [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Matthew#5:10|Matt 5:10]]: "[[Beatitudes|Blessed are the poor in spirit: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven]]".]]
{{Utopia}}
{{Utopia}}
The concept of the '''kingship of God''' appears in all [[Abrahamic religions]], where in some cases the terms '''Kingdom of God''' and '''Kingdom of Heaven''' are also used. The notion of [[God]]'s kingship goes back to the [[Hebrew Bible]], which refers to "his kingdom" but does not include the term "Kingdom of God".<ref>"Abrahamic Faiths, Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts" (Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change. Series I, Culture and Values, Vol. 7) by Paul Peachey, George F. McLean and John Kromkowski (Jun 1997) {{ISBN|1565181042}} p. 315</ref><ref name=Wright/>
The concept of the '''kingship of God''' appears in all [[Abrahamic religions]], where in some cases the terms '''kingdom of God''' and '''kingdom of Heaven''' are also used. The notion of [[God]]'s kingship goes back to the [[Hebrew Bible]], which refers to "his kingdom" but does not include the term "Kingdom of God".<ref>"Abrahamic Faiths, Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts" (Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change. Series I, Culture and Values, Vol. 7) by Paul Peachey, George F. McLean and John Kromkowski (Jun 1997) {{ISBN|1565181042}} p. 315</ref><ref name=Wright/>


The "Kingdom of God" and its equivalent form "[[Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew)|Kingdom of Heaven]]" in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] is one of the key elements of the teachings of [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]]. The Gospel of Mark indicates that the gospel is the good news about the Kingdom of God. The term pertains to the [[Christ the King|kingship of Christ]] over all creation. Kingdom of "heaven" appears in Matthew's gospel due primarily to Jewish sensibilities about uttering the "name" (God). Jesus did not teach the kingdom of God per se so much as the ''return'' of that kingdom. The notion of God's kingdom (as it had been under Moses) returning became an agitation in "knaan," modern [[Levant|Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon]], 60 years before Jesus was born, and continued to be a force for nearly a hundred years after his death.<ref name=France101>''The Gospel of Matthew'' by R.T. France (21 Aug 2007) {{ISBN|080282501X}} pp. 101–103</ref> Drawing on [[Old Testament]] teachings, the Christian characterization of the [[God in Christianity|relationship between God and humanity]] inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".<ref name=Mercer490/><ref name=Image478/>
The "Kingdom of God" and its equivalent form "[[Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew)|Kingdom of Heaven]]" in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] is one of the key elements of the teachings of [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]]. The [[Gospel of Mark]] indicates that the gospel is the good news about the Kingdom of God. The term pertains to the [[Christ the King|kingship of Christ]] over all creation. Kingdom of "heaven" appears in Matthew's gospel due primarily to Jewish sensibilities about uttering the "name" (God). Jesus did not teach the kingdom of God per se so much as the ''return'' of that kingdom. The notion of God's kingdom (as it had been under Moses) returning became an agitation in "knaan," modern [[Levant|Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon]], 60 years before Jesus was born, and continued to be a force for nearly a hundred years after his death.<ref name=France101>''The Gospel of Matthew'' by R.T. France (21 Aug 2007) {{ISBN|080282501X}} pp. 101–103</ref> Drawing on [[Old Testament]] teachings, the Christian characterization of the [[God in Christianity|relationship between God and humanity]] inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".<ref name=Mercer490/><ref name=Image478/>


The [[Quran]] does not include the term "kingdom of God", but includes [[Al-Baqara 255|the Throne Verse]] which talks about the throne of [[Allah]] encompassing the heavens and the Earth. The [[Quran]] also refers to [[Abraham]] seeing the "Kingdom of the heavens".<ref name=Prophet27/> Writings of the [[Baháʼí Faith]] also use the term "kingdom of God".<ref name=BGems/>
The [[Quran]] does not include the term "kingdom of God", but includes [[Al-Baqara 255|the Throne Verse]] which talks about the throne of [[Allah|God]] encompassing the heavens and the Earth. The [[Quran]] also refers to [[Abraham]] seeing the "Kingdom of the heavens".<ref name=Prophet27/> Writings of the [[Baháʼí Faith]] also use the term "kingdom of God".<ref name=BGems/>


==Hebrew Bible==
==Hebrew Bible==
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The "enthronement psalms" ([[Psalms]] [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#45|45]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#93|93]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#96|96]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#97|97–99]]) provide a background for this view with the exclamation "The Lord is King".<ref name=Image478>''Dictionary of Biblical Imagery'' by Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit and Tremper Longman III (11 November 1998) {{ISBN|0830814515}} pp. 478–479</ref>
The "enthronement psalms" ([[Psalms]] [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#45|45]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#93|93]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#96|96]], [[wikisource:Bible (American Standard)/Psalms#97|97–99]]) provide a background for this view with the exclamation "The Lord is King".<ref name=Image478>''Dictionary of Biblical Imagery'' by Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit and Tremper Longman III (11 November 1998) {{ISBN|0830814515}} pp. 478–479</ref>


{{bibleverse|1|Kings|22:19|HE}}, [[Isaiah 6]], [[Ezekiel 1]] and {{bibleverse|Daniel|7:9|HE}} all speak of the [[Throne of God]], although some philosophers such as [[Saadia Gaon]] and [[Maimonides]] interpreted such mention of a "throne" as allegory.<ref name= "Bowker pp. Throne of God">{{harvnb|Bowker|2005|pp=''Throne of God'' entry}}</ref>
{{bibleverse|1|Kings|22:19|HE}}, [[Isaiah 6]], [[Ezekiel 1]] and {{bibleverse|Daniel|7:9|HE}} all speak of the [[Throne of God]], although some philosophers such as [[Saadia Gaon]] and [[Maimonides]] interpreted such mention of a "throne" as allegory.<ref name= "Bowker pp. Throne of God">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Bowker |first=John |title=Throne of God |encyclopedia=The concise Oxford dictionary of world religions |edition=2005 |year=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-861053-X |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-ThroneofGod.html}}</ref>


==Intertestamental period==
==Intertestamental period==
{{See also|Intertestamental period}}
{{See also|Intertestamental period}}
The phrase ''the Kingdom of God'' is not common in intertestamental literature. Where it does occur, such as in the [[Psalms of Solomon]] and the [[Wisdom of Solomon]], it usually refers "to God's reign, not to the realm over which he reigns, nor to the new age, [nor to ...] the messianic order to be established by the Lord's Anointed."<ref>George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 130.</ref>
The phrase ''the Kingdom of God'' is not common in intertestamental literature. Where it does occur, such as in the [[Psalms of Solomon]] and the [[Wisdom of Solomon]], it usually refers to "God's reign, not to the realm over which he reigns, nor to the new age, [nor to ...] the messianic order to be established by the Lord's Anointed".<ref>George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 130.</ref>


The term does occasionally, however, denote "an eschatological event," such as in the [[Assumption of Moses]] and the [[Sibylline Oracles]]. In these cases, "God's Kingdom is not the new age but the effective manifestation of his rule in all the world so that the eschatological order is established."<ref>George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 131.</ref> Along these lines was the more "national" view in which the awaited [[messiah]] was seen as a liberator and the founder of a new state of Israel.<ref>''Encyclopedia of Theology: A Concise Sacramentum Mundi'' by Karl Rahner (2004) {{ISBN|0860120066}} p. 1351</ref>
The term does occasionally, however, denote "an eschatological event", such as in the [[Assumption of Moses]] and the [[Sibylline Oracles]]. In these works, "God's Kingdom is not the new age but the effective manifestation of his rule in all the world so that the eschatological order is established."<ref>George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 131.</ref> Along these lines was the more "national" view in which the awaited [[messiah]] was seen as a liberator and the founder of a new state of Israel.<ref>''Encyclopedia of Theology: A Concise Sacramentum Mundi'' by Karl Rahner (2004) {{ISBN|0860120066}} p. 1351</ref>


==Gospels==
==New Testament==
The [[Gospel of Luke]] records Jesus' description of the Kingdom of God, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|17:20|NKJV}} NKJV</ref> neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|17:21|KJV}} [[King James Version|KJV]]</ref>
The [[Gospel of Luke]] records Jesus' description of the Kingdom of God, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;<ref>{{bibleref2|Luke|17:20|NKJV}} NKJV</ref> neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."<ref>{{bibleverse|Luke|17:21|KJV}} [[King James Version|KJV]]</ref>


In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], Jesus speaks frequently of God's kingdom. However within the [[New Testament]], nowhere does Jesus appear to clearly define the concept.<ref name="Ladd_45">George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 45.</ref> Within the Synoptic Gospel accounts, the assumption appears to have been made that, "this was a concept so familiar that it did not require definition."<ref name="Ladd_45"/> Karen Wenell wrote, "Mark's Gospel provides for us a significant place of transformation for the space of the Kingdom of God, precisely because it can be understood as a kind of birthplace for the Kingdom of God, the beginning of its construction ...".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wenell|first1=Karen|title=A Markan 'Context' Kingdom? Examining Biblical and Social Models in Spatial Interpretation|journal=Biblical Theology Bulletin|date=August 2014|volume=44|issue=3|page=126}}</ref>
In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], Jesus speaks frequently of God's kingdom. However within the [[New Testament]], nowhere does Jesus appear to clearly define the concept.<ref name="Ladd_45">George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 45.</ref> Within the Synoptic Gospel accounts, the assumption appears to have been made that, "this was a concept so familiar that it did not require definition."<ref name="Ladd_45"/> Karen Wenell wrote, "Mark's Gospel provides for us a significant place of transformation for the space of the Kingdom of God, precisely because it can be understood as a kind of birthplace for the Kingdom of God, the beginning of its construction ...".<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wenell|first1=Karen|title=A Markan 'Context' Kingdom? Examining Biblical and Social Models in Spatial Interpretation|journal=Biblical Theology Bulletin|date=August 2014|volume=44|issue=3|page=126|doi=10.1177/0146107914540487 |s2cid=144390379 |doi-access=free}}</ref>


[[John's Gospel]] refers to the Kingdom of God in Jesus' dialogue with [[Nicodemus]] in [[John 3|chapter 3]].<ref>{{bibleverse|John|3:3-5|NKJV}}</ref> [[Constantin von Tischendorf]]'s text is exceptional in referring to "the kingdom of heaven" in John 3:5, on evidence which [[Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer|Heinrich Meyer]] describes as "ancient but yet inadequate".<ref>Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/meyer/john/3.htm Meyer's NT Commentary] on John 3, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 8 January 2024</ref>
⚫
Within the non-canonical, yet contemporary [[Gnostic Gospel]] of [[Gospel of Thomas|Thomas]], Jesus is quoted as saying, "If those who lead you say to you: ‘Look, the kingdom is in the sky!’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you: ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fishes will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you and outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the children of the living Father."<ref name="gnostic-thomas">[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-versions-and-translations/the-gospel-of-thomas-114-sayings-of-jesus/ Gospel of Thomas’s 114 Sayings of Jesus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905000650/https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-versions-and-translations/the-gospel-of-thomas-114-sayings-of-jesus/ |date=5 September 2017 }} Biblical Archaeological Society. 4 June 2017. Downloaded 4 September 2017.</ref> This same Gospel of Thomas further describes Jesus as implying that the Kingdom of God is already present, saying, "The kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it.”<ref name="gnostic-thomas"/>


⚫
Within the non-canonical, yet contemporary [[Gnostic Gospel]] of [[Gospel of Thomas|Thomas]], Jesus is quoted as saying, "If those who lead you say to you: ‘Look, the kingdom is in the sky!’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you: ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fishes will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you and outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the children of the living Father."<ref name="gnostic-thomas">[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-versions-and-translations/the-gospel-of-thomas-114-sayings-of-jesus/ Gospel of Thomas’s 114 Sayings of Jesus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905000650/https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-versions-and-translations/the-gospel-of-thomas-114-sayings-of-jesus/ |date=5 September 2017 }} Biblical Archaeological Society. 4 June 2017. Downloaded 4 September 2017.</ref> This same Gospel of Thomas further describes Jesus as implying that the Kingdom of God is already present, saying, "The kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it.”<ref name="gnostic-thomas"/>
⚫
The Apostle Paul defined the Kingdom of God in his letter to the church in Rome: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."<ref>Romans 14:17 NIV</ref>

⚫
The [[Apostle Paul]] described the Kingdom of God in his letter to the church in Rome: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."<ref>Romans 14:17 NIV</ref>
The Kingdom of God (and its possibly equivalent form [[Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew)|Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew]]) is one of the key elements of the teachings of [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]].<ref name="France101"/> Drawing on Old Testament teachings, the Christian characterization of the relationship between God and humanity inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".<ref name=Mercer490>''Mercer Dictionary of the Bible'' by Watson E. Mills, Edgar V. McKnight and Roger A. Bullard (2001) {{ISBN|0865543739}} p. 490</ref><ref name=Image478/>
The Kingdom of God (and its possibly equivalent form [[Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew)|Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew]]) is one of the key elements of the teachings of [[Jesus]] in the [[New Testament]].<ref name="France101"/> Drawing on Old Testament teachings, the Christian characterization of the relationship between God and humanity inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".<ref name=Mercer490>''Mercer Dictionary of the Bible'' by Watson E. Mills, Edgar V. McKnight and Roger A. Bullard (2001) {{ISBN|0865543739}} p. 490</ref><ref name=Image478/>
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==Christianity==
==Christianity==
{{Attributes of God in Christianity}}
{{Main|Kingdom of God (Christianity)}}
{{Main|Kingdom of God (Christianity)}}
[[File:Gottvater thronend Westfalen 15 Jh.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[God the Father]] on a [[Throne of God|throne]], [[Westphalia]], Germany, late 15th century.]]
[[File:Gottvater thronend Westfalen 15 Jh.jpg|thumb|left|150px|[[God the Father]] on a [[Throne of God|throne]], [[Westphalia]], Germany, late 15th century]]


The [[Old Testament]] refers to "God the Judge of all" and the notion that all humans will eventually "[[Last judgment|be judged]]" is an essential element of Christian teachings.<ref name="Millard391">''Introducing Christian Doctrine'' (2nd Edition) by Millard J. Erickson (2001) {{ISBN|0801022509}} pp. 391–392</ref> Building on a number of New Testament passages, the [[Nicene Creed]] indicates that the task of judgment is assigned to Jesus.<ref name="Millard391" /><ref name="Pann390">''Systematic Theology'' Vol 2 by Wolfhart Pannenberg (2004) {{ISBN|0567084663}} pp. 390–391</ref>
The [[Old Testament]] refers to "God the Judge of all" and the notion that all humans will eventually [[Last judgment|be judged]] is an essential element of Christian teachings.<ref name="Millard391">''Introducing Christian Doctrine'' (2nd Edition) by Millard J. Erickson (2001) {{ISBN|0801022509}} pp. 391–392</ref> Building on a number of New Testament passages, the [[Nicene Creed]] indicates that the task of judgment is assigned to Jesus.<ref name="Millard391" /><ref name="Pann390">''Systematic Theology'' Vol 2 by Wolfhart Pannenberg (2004) {{ISBN|0567084663}} pp. 390–391</ref>


No overall agreement on the theological interpretation of "Kingdom of God" has emerged among scholars. While a number of theological interpretations of the term Kingdom of God have appeared in its [[Eschatology|eschatological]] context, e.g. [[apocalypticism|apocalyptic]], [[realized eschatology|realized]] or [[Inaugurated eschatology|Inaugurated]] eschatologies, no consensus has emerged among scholars.<ref name=familiar77>''Familiar Stranger: An Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth'' by Michael James McClymond (2004) {{ISBN|0802826806}} pp. 77–79</ref><ref name=Chil255>''Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research'' by Bruce Chilton and Craig A. Evans (1998) {{ISBN|9004111425}} p. 255–257</ref>
No overall agreement on the theological interpretation of "Kingdom of God" has emerged among scholars. While a number of theological interpretations of the term Kingdom of God have appeared in its [[Eschatology|eschatological]] context, e.g. [[apocalypticism|apocalyptic]], [[realized eschatology|realized]] or [[Inaugurated eschatology|Inaugurated]] eschatologies, no consensus has emerged among scholars.<ref name=familiar77>''Familiar Stranger: An Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth'' by Michael James McClymond (2004) {{ISBN|0802826806}} pp. 77–79</ref><ref name=Chil255>''Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research'' by Bruce Chilton and Craig A. Evans (1998) {{ISBN|9004111425}} p. 255–257</ref>
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[[R. T. France]] points out that while the concept of "Kingdom of God" has an intuitive meaning to lay Christians, there is hardly any agreement among scholars about its meaning in the New Testament.<ref name=FranceK1>''Divine Government: God's Kingship in the Gospel of Mark'' by R.T. France (2003) {{ISBN|1573832448}} pp. 1–3</ref> Some scholars see it as a Christian lifestyle, some as a method of world evangelization, some as the rediscovery of charismatic gifts, others relate it to no present or future situation, but the [[world to come]].<ref name=FranceK1/> France states that the phrase Kingdom of God is often interpreted in many ways to fit the theological agenda of those interpreting it.<ref name=FranceK1/>
[[R. T. France]] points out that while the concept of "Kingdom of God" has an intuitive meaning to lay Christians, there is hardly any agreement among scholars about its meaning in the New Testament.<ref name=FranceK1>''Divine Government: God's Kingship in the Gospel of Mark'' by R.T. France (2003) {{ISBN|1573832448}} pp. 1–3</ref> Some scholars see it as a Christian lifestyle, some as a method of world evangelization, some as the rediscovery of charismatic gifts, others relate it to no present or future situation, but the [[world to come]].<ref name=FranceK1/> France states that the phrase Kingdom of God is often interpreted in many ways to fit the theological agenda of those interpreting it.<ref name=FranceK1/>


In the [[New Testament]], the [[Throne of God]] is alluded to in several forms.<ref name= "Kittel p. 164-166">{{harvnb|Kittel|1966| pp=164–166}}</ref> Among these are [[Heaven (Christianity)|Heaven]] as the Throne of God, The Throne of [[David]], The Throne of Glory, The Throne of [[Grace (Christianity)|Grace]] and many more.<ref name= "Kittel p. 164-166"/> The New Testament continues Jewish identification of heaven itself as the "throne of God",<ref>William Barclay ''The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 11–28 '' p. 340 Matthew 23:22 "And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it."</ref> but also locates the throne of God as "in heaven" and having a second subordinate seat at the [[Right Hand of God]] for the [[Session of Christ]].<ref>[[Philip Edgecumbe Hughes]] ''A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews'' p. 401 1988 "The theme of [[Session of Christ|Christ's heavenly session]], announced here by the statement he sat down at the [[right hand of God]], .. Hebrews 8:1 "we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven"</ref>
In the [[New Testament]], the [[Throne of God]] is alluded to in several forms.<ref name= "Kittel p. 164-166">{{cite book |last=Kittel |first=Gerhard |title=Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Volumes 3-4 |year=1966 |publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |isbn=0-8028-2245-2 |pages=164–166}}</ref> Among these are [[Heaven (Christianity)|Heaven]] as the Throne of God, The Throne of [[David]], The Throne of Glory, The Throne of [[Grace (Christianity)|Grace]] and many more.<ref name= "Kittel p. 164-166"/> The New Testament continues Jewish identification of heaven itself as the "throne of God",<ref>William Barclay ''The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 11–28 '' p. 340 Matthew 23:22 "And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it."</ref> but also locates the throne of God as "in heaven" and having a second subordinate seat at the [[Right Hand of God]] for the [[Session of Christ]].<ref>[[Philip Edgecumbe Hughes]] ''A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews'' p. 401 1988 "The theme of [[Session of Christ|Christ's heavenly session]], announced here by the statement he sat down at the [[right hand of God]], .. Hebrews 8:1 "we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven"</ref>


==Islam==
==Islam==
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==Bahá'í Faith==
==Bahá'í Faith==
{{seealso|Bahá'í cosmology}}
The term "kingdom of God" appears in the writings of the [[Baháʼí Faith]], including the religious works of [[Bahá'u'lláh]], the founder of the religion, and his son [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]].<ref name=BGems>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |year = 2002 |title = Gems of Divine Mysteries |publisher = Baháʼí World Centre |location = Haifa, Israel |isbn = 0-85398-975-3 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GDM/ |page = 9 |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 6 June 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190606124511/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GDM/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |year = 1976 |title = Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois |isbn = 0-87743-187-6 |url = https://archive.org/details/gleaningsfromwri0000baha_w8j0/page/86 |page = [https://archive.org/details/gleaningsfromwri0000baha_w8j0/page/86 86] }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |orig-year = 1873 |year = 1992 |title = The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois |isbn = 0-85398-999-0 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 14 May 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190514100418/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = `Abdu'l-Bahá |author-link = `Abdu'l-Bahá |year = 1908 |publication-date = 1990 |title = Some Answered Questions |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |place = Wilmette, Illinois |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/ |isbn = 0-87743-162-0 |page = 58 |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 22 May 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190522140517/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In the [[Baháʼí teachings]], the kingdom of God is seen both as a state of individual being, and the state of the world. Bahá'u'lláh claimed that the scriptures of the world's religions foretell a coming messianic figure that will bring a [[New world order (Baháʼí)|golden age of humanity]], the kingdom of God on earth. He claimed to be that figure, and that his teachings would bring about the kingdom of God; he also noted that the prophecies relating to the end times and the arrival of the kingdom of God were symbolic and referred to spiritual upheaval and renewal.<ref name="momen">{{cite book | last = Momen | first = Moojan | year = 2004 | title = Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia | editor-first = Phyllis G. | editor-last = Jestice | publisher = ABC-CLIO | isbn = 1-57607-355-6 | chapter = Baha'i Faith and Holy People | place = Santa Barbara, CA}}</ref> The Baháʼí teachings also state as people worship and serve humanity they become closer to God and develop spiritually, so that they can attain eternal life and enter the kingdom of God while alive.<ref>{{cite book | last = Smith | first = Peter | year = 2008 | title = An Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith | publisher = Cambridge University Press | place = Cambridge | isbn=0-521-86251-5 | pages = 118–119}}</ref>
The term "kingdom of God" appears in the writings of the [[Baháʼí Faith]], including the religious works of [[Bahá'u'lláh]], the founder of the religion, and his son [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]].<ref name=BGems>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |year = 2002 |title = Gems of Divine Mysteries |publisher = Baháʼí World Centre |location = Haifa, Israel |isbn = 0-85398-975-3 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GDM/ |page = 9 |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 6 June 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190606124511/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GDM/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |year = 1976 |title = Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois |isbn = 0-87743-187-6 |url = https://archive.org/details/gleaningsfromwri0000baha_w8j0/page/86 |page = [https://archive.org/details/gleaningsfromwri0000baha_w8j0/page/86 86] }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author = Bahá'u'lláh |author-link = Bahá'u'lláh |orig-year = 1873 |year = 1992 |title = The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois |isbn = 0-85398-999-0 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 14 May 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190514100418/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = `Abdu'l-Bahá |author-link = `Abdu'l-Bahá |year = 1908 |publication-date = 1990 |title = Some Answered Questions |publisher = Baháʼí Publishing Trust |place = Wilmette, Illinois |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/ |isbn = 0-87743-162-0 |page = 58 |access-date = 30 October 2010 |archive-date = 22 May 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190522140517/http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In the [[Baháʼí teachings]], the kingdom of God is seen both as a state of individual being, and the state of the world. Bahá'u'lláh claimed that the scriptures of the world's religions foretell a coming messianic figure that will bring a [[New world order (Baháʼí)|golden age of humanity]], the kingdom of God on earth. He claimed to be that figure, and that his teachings would bring about the kingdom of God; he also noted that the prophecies relating to the end times and the arrival of the kingdom of God were symbolic and referred to spiritual upheaval and renewal.<ref name="momen">{{cite book | last = Momen | first = Moojan | year = 2004 | title = Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia | editor-first = Phyllis G. | editor-last = Jestice | publisher = ABC-CLIO | isbn = 1-57607-355-6 | chapter = Baha'i Faith and Holy People | place = Santa Barbara, CA}}</ref> The Baháʼí teachings also state as people worship and serve humanity they become closer to God and develop spiritually, so that they can attain eternal life and enter the kingdom of God while alive.<ref>{{cite book | last = Smith | first = Peter | year = 2008 | title = An Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith | publisher = Cambridge University Press | place = Cambridge | isbn=978-0-521-86251-6 | pages = 118–119}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 65: Line 70:
* [[Christ the King]]
* [[Christ the King]]
* [[Divine presence]]
* [[Divine presence]]
*[[Emperor of Heaven]]
* [[Qaddish]]
* [[Qaddish]]
* [[Queen of Heaven]]
* [[Queen of Heaven]]
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{{Wikiquote|Kingdom of God}}
{{Wikiquote|Kingdom of God}}


* [https://www.lordmessage.co/2020/03/what-is-the-Kingdom-of-God.html Lord Message Kingdom Of God]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08646a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Kingdom of God]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08646a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Kingdom of God]
* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=225&letter=K Jewish Encyclopedia: Kingdom of God]
* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=225&letter=K Jewish Encyclopedia: Kingdom of God]
* [http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/STRGRK9.htm Strong’s Greek Dictionary]
* [http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/STRGRK9.htm Strong’s Greek Dictionary]
*{{cite journal|first=Martin J. |last=Selman |title=The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament |journal=Tyndale Bulletin |volume=40 |issue=2 |year=1989 |pages=161–83 |url=http://www.tyndalehouse.com/tynbul/library/TynBull_1989B_40_01_Selman_KingdomOfGodInOT.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126012806/http://www.tyndalehouse.com/TynBul/Library/TynBull_1989B_40_01_Selman_KingdomOfGodInOT.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2012 }}
*{{cite journal|first=Martin J. |last=Selman |title=The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament |journal=Tyndale Bulletin |volume=40 |issue=2 |year=1989 |pages=161–83 |doi=10.53751/001c.30539 |s2cid=26571026 |url=http://www.tyndalehouse.com/tynbul/library/TynBull_1989B_40_01_Selman_KingdomOfGodInOT.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126012806/http://www.tyndalehouse.com/TynBul/Library/TynBull_1989B_40_01_Selman_KingdomOfGodInOT.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2012 }}
* [http://zrylw.com/united-faith-church/ Life in God's Kingdom] A Christian Viewpoint


{{Catholic Church footer}}
{{Catholic Church footer}}

Latest revision as of 05:13, 19 May 2024

For other uses, see Kingdom of Heaven (disambiguation).
Stained glass by Hallward depicting Matt 5:10: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven".
Part of a series on
Utopias
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The concept of the kingship of God appears in all Abrahamic religions, where in some cases the terms kingdom of God and kingdom of Heaven are also used. The notion of God's kingship goes back to the Hebrew Bible, which refers to "his kingdom" but does not include the term "Kingdom of God".[1][2]

The "Kingdom of God" and its equivalent form "Kingdom of Heaven" in the Gospel of Matthew is one of the key elements of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. The Gospel of Mark indicates that the gospel is the good news about the Kingdom of God. The term pertains to the kingship of Christ over all creation. Kingdom of "heaven" appears in Matthew's gospel due primarily to Jewish sensibilities about uttering the "name" (God). Jesus did not teach the kingdom of God per se so much as the return of that kingdom. The notion of God's kingdom (as it had been under Moses) returning became an agitation in "knaan," modern Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon, 60 years before Jesus was born, and continued to be a force for nearly a hundred years after his death.[3] Drawing on Old Testament teachings, the Christian characterization of the relationship between God and humanity inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".[4][5]

The Quran does not include the term "kingdom of God", but includes the Throne Verse which talks about the throne of God encompassing the heavens and the Earth. The Quran also refers to Abraham seeing the "Kingdom of the heavens".[6] Writings of the Baháʼí Faith also use the term "kingdom of God".[7]

Hebrew Bible

[edit]
Main article: Kingship of God (Judaism)

The term "kingdom of the LORD" appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Chronicles 28:5 and 2 Chronicles 13:8. In addition, "his kingdom" and "your kingdom" are sometimes used when referring to God.[2] "Yours is the kingdom, O Lord" is used in 1 Chronicles 29:10–12 and "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom" in Daniel 3:33 (Daniel 4:3 in the verse numbering used in Christian Bibles) for example.[8] There are also verses like Exodus 19:6 that show how Israel, as God's chosen people, are considered to be a kingdom, mirroring some Christian interpretations that view God's kingdom as Christendom.

"The Hebrew word malkuth [...] refers first to a reign, dominion, or rule and only secondarily to the realm over which a reign is exercised. [...] When malkuth is used of God, it almost always refers to his authority or to his rule as the heavenly King."[9] The "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 45, 93, 96, 97–99) provide a background for this view with the exclamation "The Lord is King".[5]

1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1 and Daniel 7:9 all speak of the Throne of God, although some philosophers such as Saadia Gaon and Maimonides interpreted such mention of a "throne" as allegory.[10]

Intertestamental period

[edit]
See also: Intertestamental period

The phrase the Kingdom of God is not common in intertestamental literature. Where it does occur, such as in the Psalms of Solomon and the Wisdom of Solomon, it usually refers to "God's reign, not to the realm over which he reigns, nor to the new age, [nor to ...] the messianic order to be established by the Lord's Anointed".[11]

The term does occasionally, however, denote "an eschatological event", such as in the Assumption of Moses and the Sibylline Oracles. In these works, "God's Kingdom is not the new age but the effective manifestation of his rule in all the world so that the eschatological order is established."[12] Along these lines was the more "national" view in which the awaited messiah was seen as a liberator and the founder of a new state of Israel.[13]

New Testament

[edit]

The Gospel of Luke records Jesus' description of the Kingdom of God, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;[14] neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."[15]

In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus speaks frequently of God's kingdom. However within the New Testament, nowhere does Jesus appear to clearly define the concept.[16] Within the Synoptic Gospel accounts, the assumption appears to have been made that, "this was a concept so familiar that it did not require definition."[16] Karen Wenell wrote, "Mark's Gospel provides for us a significant place of transformation for the space of the Kingdom of God, precisely because it can be understood as a kind of birthplace for the Kingdom of God, the beginning of its construction ...".[17]

John's Gospel refers to the Kingdom of God in Jesus' dialogue with Nicodemus in chapter 3.[18] Constantin von Tischendorf's text is exceptional in referring to "the kingdom of heaven" in John 3:5, on evidence which Heinrich Meyer describes as "ancient but yet inadequate".[19]

Within the non-canonical, yet contemporary Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Jesus is quoted as saying, "If those who lead you say to you: ‘Look, the kingdom is in the sky!’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you: ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fishes will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you and outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the children of the living Father."[20] This same Gospel of Thomas further describes Jesus as implying that the Kingdom of God is already present, saying, "The kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and people do not see it.”[20]

The Apostle Paul described the Kingdom of God in his letter to the church in Rome: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."[21]

The Kingdom of God (and its possibly equivalent form Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew) is one of the key elements of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.[3] Drawing on Old Testament teachings, the Christian characterization of the relationship between God and humanity inherently involves the notion of the "Kingship of God".[4][5]

Most of the uses of the Greek word, basileia (kingdom), in the New Testament involve Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven).[22] Matthew is likely to have instead used the term heaven because the background of his Jewish audience imposed restrictions on the frequent use of the name of God.[23] However, Dr. Chuck Missler asserts that Matthew intentionally differentiated between the kingdoms of God and Heaven: "Most commentators presume that these terms are synonymous. However, Matthew uses Kingdom of Heaven 33 times, but also uses Kingdom of God five times, even in adjacent verses, which indicates that these are not synonymous: he is using a more denotative term."[24] Kingdom of God is translated to Latin as Regnum Dei and Kingdom of Heaven as Regnum caelorum.[25]

Christianity

[edit]
Part of a series on the
Attributes of God
in Christianity
Core attributes
Overarching attributes
Miscellaneous
Emotions expressed by God
Main article: Kingdom of God (Christianity)
God the Father on a throne, Westphalia, Germany, late 15th century

The Old Testament refers to "God the Judge of all" and the notion that all humans will eventually be judged is an essential element of Christian teachings.[26] Building on a number of New Testament passages, the Nicene Creed indicates that the task of judgment is assigned to Jesus.[26][27]

No overall agreement on the theological interpretation of "Kingdom of God" has emerged among scholars. While a number of theological interpretations of the term Kingdom of God have appeared in its eschatological context, e.g. apocalyptic, realized or Inaugurated eschatologies, no consensus has emerged among scholars.[28][29]

R. T. France points out that while the concept of "Kingdom of God" has an intuitive meaning to lay Christians, there is hardly any agreement among scholars about its meaning in the New Testament.[30] Some scholars see it as a Christian lifestyle, some as a method of world evangelization, some as the rediscovery of charismatic gifts, others relate it to no present or future situation, but the world to come.[30] France states that the phrase Kingdom of God is often interpreted in many ways to fit the theological agenda of those interpreting it.[30]

In the New Testament, the Throne of God is alluded to in several forms.[31] Among these are Heaven as the Throne of God, The Throne of David, The Throne of Glory, The Throne of Grace and many more.[31] The New Testament continues Jewish identification of heaven itself as the "throne of God",[32] but also locates the throne of God as "in heaven" and having a second subordinate seat at the Right Hand of God for the Session of Christ.[33]

Islam

[edit]
Further information: Divisions of the world in Islam

The term "kingdom of God" does not occur in the Quran. The modern Arabic word for kingdom is mamlaka (المملكة), but in the Quran mul'kan (مُّلْكًا), refers to Heaven, e.g. in 4:54 "Or do they envy mankind for what Allah hath given them of his bounty? but We had already given the people of Abraham the Book and Wisdom, and conferred upon them a great kingdom" and 6:75 "Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth."[6] The variant Maalik (Owner, etmologically similar to Malik (king)) occurs in 1:4 "[Allah is] The owner of the Day of Judgement".[34]

Bahá'í Faith

[edit]
See also: Bahá'í cosmology

The term "kingdom of God" appears in the writings of the Baháʼí Faith, including the religious works of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the religion, and his son `Abdu'l-Bahá.[7][35][36][37] In the Baháʼí teachings, the kingdom of God is seen both as a state of individual being, and the state of the world. Bahá'u'lláh claimed that the scriptures of the world's religions foretell a coming messianic figure that will bring a golden age of humanity, the kingdom of God on earth. He claimed to be that figure, and that his teachings would bring about the kingdom of God; he also noted that the prophecies relating to the end times and the arrival of the kingdom of God were symbolic and referred to spiritual upheaval and renewal.[38] The Baháʼí teachings also state as people worship and serve humanity they become closer to God and develop spiritually, so that they can attain eternal life and enter the kingdom of God while alive.[39]

See also

[edit]

References and notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Abrahamic Faiths, Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts" (Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change. Series I, Culture and Values, Vol. 7) by Paul Peachey, George F. McLean and John Kromkowski (Jun 1997) ISBN 1565181042 p. 315
  2. ^ a b France, R. T. (2005). "Kingdom of God". In Vanhoozer, Kevin J.; Bartholomew, Craig G.; Treier, Daniel J.; Wright, Nicholas Thomas (eds.). Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. pp. 420–422. ISBN 978-0-8010-2694-2. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b The Gospel of Matthew by R.T. France (21 Aug 2007) ISBN 080282501X pp. 101–103
  4. ^ a b Mercer Dictionary of the Bible by Watson E. Mills, Edgar V. McKnight and Roger A. Bullard (2001) ISBN 0865543739 p. 490
  5. ^ a b c Dictionary of Biblical Imagery by Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit and Tremper Longman III (11 November 1998) ISBN 0830814515 pp. 478–479
  6. ^ a b Biblical Prophets in the Qur'an and Muslim Literature by Roberto Tottoli (2001) ISBN 0700713948 p. 27
  7. ^ a b Bahá'u'lláh (2002). Gems of Divine Mysteries. Haifa, Israel: Baháʼí World Centre. p. 9. ISBN 0-85398-975-3. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  8. ^ Psalms: Interpretation by James Mays 2011 ISBN 0664234399 pp. 438–439
  9. ^ George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 46–47.
  10. ^ Bowker, John (2005). "Throne of God". The concise Oxford dictionary of world religions (2005 ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-861053-X.
  11. ^ George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 130.
  12. ^ George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 131.
  13. ^ Encyclopedia of Theology: A Concise Sacramentum Mundi by Karl Rahner (2004) ISBN 0860120066 p. 1351
  14. ^ Luke 17:20 NKJV
  15. ^ Luke 17:21 KJV
  16. ^ a b George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future: The Eschatology of Biblical Realism, Eerdmans (Grand Rapids: 1974), 45.
  17. ^ Wenell, Karen (August 2014). "A Markan 'Context' Kingdom? Examining Biblical and Social Models in Spatial Interpretation". Biblical Theology Bulletin. 44 (3): 126. doi:10.1177/0146107914540487. S2CID 144390379.
  18. ^ John 3:3–5
  19. ^ Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), Meyer's NT Commentary on John 3, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 8 January 2024
  20. ^ a b Gospel of Thomas’s 114 Sayings of Jesus Archived 5 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Biblical Archaeological Society. 4 June 2017. Downloaded 4 September 2017.
  21. ^ Romans 14:17 NIV
  22. ^ Theology for the Community of God by Stanley J. Grenz (2000) ISBN 0802847552 p. 473
  23. ^ Matthew by David L. Turner (2008) ISBN 0801026849 p. 41
  24. ^ Missler, Chuck. A Kingdom Perspective http://www.khouse.org/articles/2013/1117/ Archived 20 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin by John F. Collins (1985) ISBN 0813206677 p. 176
  26. ^ a b Introducing Christian Doctrine (2nd Edition) by Millard J. Erickson (2001) ISBN 0801022509 pp. 391–392
  27. ^ Systematic Theology Vol 2 by Wolfhart Pannenberg (2004) ISBN 0567084663 pp. 390–391
  28. ^ Familiar Stranger: An Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth by Michael James McClymond (2004) ISBN 0802826806 pp. 77–79
  29. ^ Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research by Bruce Chilton and Craig A. Evans (1998) ISBN 9004111425 p. 255–257
  30. ^ a b c Divine Government: God's Kingship in the Gospel of Mark by R.T. France (2003) ISBN 1573832448 pp. 1–3
  31. ^ a b Kittel, Gerhard (1966). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Volumes 3-4. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. pp. 164–166. ISBN 0-8028-2245-2.
  32. ^ William Barclay The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 11–28 p. 340 Matthew 23:22 "And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it."
  33. ^ Philip Edgecumbe Hughes A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews p. 401 1988 "The theme of Christ's heavenly session, announced here by the statement he sat down at the right hand of God, .. Hebrews 8:1 "we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven"
  34. ^ Quran 1:4
  35. ^ Bahá'u'lláh (1976). Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. Wilmette, Illinois: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. p. 86. ISBN 0-87743-187-6.
  36. ^ Bahá'u'lláh (1992) [1873]. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Wilmette, Illinois: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-85398-999-0. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  37. ^ `Abdu'l-Bahá (1908). Some Answered Questions. Wilmette, Illinois: Baháʼí Publishing Trust (published 1990). p. 58. ISBN 0-87743-162-0. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  38. ^ Momen, Moojan (2004). "Baha'i Faith and Holy People". In Jestice, Phyllis G. (ed.). Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1-57607-355-6.
  39. ^ Smith, Peter (2008). An Introduction to the Baháʼí Faith. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 118–119. ISBN 978-0-521-86251-6.
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