Exploring the Emergence of “Kin-dom” in Progressive Christianity
A novel term, “Kin-dom,” has made its way into discussions among progressive Christians in the United States, offering an alternative depiction of the traditional “Kingdom of God.” This linguistic shift aims to evoke a sense of community and familial bonds.
The term “Kin-dom” was notably mentioned at a recent United Methodist Church General Conference by Bishop Karen Oliveto, who referenced it during her sermon to the assembly. Similarly, the Presbyterian News Service featured a pastor’s remarks on aligning with the “kin-dom side of history” in an article last month.
First introduced by Catholic modernist theologian Ada Maria Isasi Diaz in her 1996 book, Mujerista Theology: A Theology for the Twenty-first Century, “Kin-dom” was conceived to portray a less patriarchal vision of divine governance. Diaz attributed her inspiration for the term to Georgene Wilson, a Franciscan nun who described her motivation as teaching about “a relational God in the here and now, amongst us.”
Wilson elaborated, “It is how we related to God and one another as kin,” emphasizing relationships as taught by Jesus. She expressed surprise at the term’s growing acceptance among Mainline Protestant denominations, noting its focus on kinship and community.
Reta Halteman Finger, a retired seminary professor, supports the use of “Kin-dom” and discussed its implications in an opinion piece for Christian Feminism Today. She stated that while both “kin-dom” and “kingdom” fit within the New Testament context, the former “better reflects the kind of society Jesus envisions — as a shared community of equals who serve each other.”
Lē Isaac Weaver from Christian Feminism Today observed a growing interest in the concept on their website, suggesting a slow but steady rise in curiosity about the term.
Yet, “Kin-dom” has its critics. Detractors argue that it fails to capture Jesus Christ’s authoritative role as an eternal king. Wyatt Flicker of the Institute on Religion & Democracy expressed his concerns in an article, stating, “Kin-dom is a sentimental and inaccurate rendering of basileia, the Greek term for kingdom in the New Testament,” emphasizing its original imperial connotations.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
