Ever since I accidently ran across your blog, I have been a huge fan. Although I get a little glimpse of what you are responding to, your comments are engaging nonetheless. I tend to agree with you. Even though there are definite problems with individualism, and there are extremities of securalism that are harmful, I think the seperation of church and state is something to be aspired to. Most, if not all, of the historical examples of a marraige of church and state has been disasterous. The reformation was a bloody mess exactly because of this marraige of church and state. The examples we have today, Islam and politics so tied together, shows another aspect of such a marraige. Whenever we make faith an obligation and enforce it by the state, a tyranny that God did not intend takes place.

aline, I really think you are heading in a good direction with your paper. Regarding the intro. – The first one you had was more gripping, but commenting on the books is also good. Maybe there is a way you can creatively interweave the two. Right not you context and activities sections seem to be the strongest. You should mention your specific case study in the thesis itself. It might be good to make use of the books and class discussions in the Kingdom visions section. This would enable you to say – here’s what my case study is like – here’s what we have been learning about the idea of the Kingdom of God – here’s how I think they mesh. Make sense? You are a good writer, I think if you figure out how to lay things out you’ll be in great shape.

Aline, looks like you are off to a solid start here. I think your intro needs to be tightened up and accented with a solid thesis statement which encompasses what you intend to dhow, how you intend to show it, and why you think it’s important, but past that it looks like you have some great material and direction with regard to contextual fators and how your kingdom vision bridges the gap. you’re on a good track.