Eschatological tension in Mark 1:14-15: Its implication for the 21^st century church in Africa

Olugbenga Olagunju

P. O. Box 30, Ogbomoso or PMB 4008, Ogbomoso.

E-mail: samuel200607@yahoo.com

Accepted 01 September, 2012

Abstract

This paper focuses on eschatological tension in Mark 1:14-15.The two parallel eschatological tensions were identified in this pericope. This tension deals with the arrival that has taken place. The purpose of this essay is to detect a strain of eschatological tension in the Markan sayings tradition of 1:14-15, and to elucidate various implications of the inauguration of the kingdom for the Church in the 21^st century. The methodological procedure used is historical- critical and grammatical investigation of the text in question in order to confirm the present reality of the kingdom of God in the Markan text. The linguistic argument points to the fact that an arrival has taken place thus the kingdom has been inaugurated in the person of Jesus Christ. The implication of this arrival is spelt out in this essay, thereby making exegesis practical to life and ministry.

Keywords: Eschatology, kingdom, tension, implications.