Abstract:
Preaching on the kingdom of God: A challenge in a new context of poverty. The question addressed by this article has to do with the content of preaching in the context of
laws about affirmative action affecting white South Africans. This question results from the findings
of previous research by the author regarding the experience of God by people negatively
affected by these laws. The article argues that preaching of the parables on the kingdom of God
can help people to find hope and a meaningful existence as followers of Jesus. The contemporary
understanding by New Testament scholars of how the parables should be interpreted is discussed.
Most of the authentic versions of the parables of Jesus are diaphoric metaphors. The kingdom message
of Jesus to the subculture of the disreputable poor creates an alternative life world in contrast
to the violence, injustice and discrimination of worldly states. The eschatology of the parables in
Matthew should be interpreted as ethical eschatology real in nature. Interpreting these parables
ethically helps pastors to preach Jesus’ kingdom message anew.
