Kingdom and Spirit

This unit (MTG237.7 / MTG237.9) explores the relationship between the kingdom of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the Vineyard tradition, with Douglas Erickson’s Living the Future as the prescribed text. The core lectures are by Dr Doug Erickson, whose doctoral research was the first formal study of John Wimber’s theology. They trace Wimber’s formation, the twentieth-century debate about the kingdom, Ladd’s ‘already and not yet’, inaugurated and enacted eschatology, contemporary pneumatologies, Spirit-baptism and empowerment, charismatic experience, discernment, safeguarding, and the extension of kingdom theology into church life and justice.

Each session has Dr Erickson’s lecture videos (short topic parts of about 11–22 minutes, numbered by lecture, e.g. 3.a, 3.b), the lecture transcript, readings, further viewing, study notes, reflection questions and a self-check quiz. Readings marked Core are the priority; Further reading and Further viewing take you deeper and support your assessments. Postgraduate students should engage the further and critical readings more fully. Check your unit outline for assessment requirements and due dates (Week 5, Week 9, Weeks 12–13).