Podcast Summary: North Point Community Church – "The Last Kingdom, Part 1: Lost in Translation" with Andy Stanley
Introduction
In the January 19, 2025 episode of the North Point Community Church podcast titled "The Last Kingdom, Part 1: Lost in Translation," Pastor Andy Stanley embarks on a transformative journey to reframe the understanding of Jesus Christ's role within Christianity. Drawing inspiration from Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction series The Last Kingdom and its Netflix adaptation, Stanley introduces a new series aimed at deepening listeners' relationship with Jesus by shifting focus from salvation alone to recognizing Jesus as God's final king and the cornerstone of the everlasting kingdom.
Launching "The Last Kingdom" Series
Stanley opens the episode by expressing excitement about launching the new series, highlighting its culmination from years of thoughtful discussion within the church community. He acknowledges the familiar cultural references to The Last Kingdom series but pivots to a theological exploration, asserting that the true "last kingdom" extends beyond the fictional England depicted in Cornwell's work. Instead, Stanley emphasizes that the authors of the New Testament present a compelling case for an eternal kingdom established by Jesus Christ.
"The authors of the New Testament make a compelling case that the last kingdom will actually last forever." (00:04)
Challenging the Traditional Faith Framework
Stanley delves into the foundational framework many Christians grow up with—a simplistic belief system centered on salvation. He outlines this traditional template:
- Creation and Goodness: God created everything, and it was inherently good.
- The Fall: Humanity sinned, introducing sin and disorder into the world.
- Redemption: God sent Jesus to pay for humanity's sins.
- Salvation: Belief in Jesus grants access to heaven, while rejection leads to hell.
Stanley critiques this narrowly focused narrative, sharing his personal struggles with the "sinner's prayer" and the ensuing uncertainty about salvation despite repeated affirmations of faith.
"We have no assurance of our salvation is the bottom line. Okay, that's okay." (00:20)
Jesus: Beyond the Savior
While acknowledging the traditional role of Jesus as Savior, Stanley argues that this is only one facet of His identity. He stresses that the primary title and role of Jesus, as depicted in the New Testament, is that of a king—God's final monarch who establishes an everlasting kingdom.
"Savior is not the primary title or even the primary role Jesus claimed for himself." (00:40)
Stanley challenges listeners to re-examine the New Testament, suggesting that every mention of Jesus as "Christ" (the Greek term Christos) signifies His kingship rather than merely His role in salvation.
"Jesus is God's final king, to establish God's kingdom on earth." (01:10)
The Misinterpretation of "Christ"
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to unraveling the translation and interpretation issues surrounding the term "Christ." Stanley explains that Christos in Greek originally means "Anointed One" or "King," akin to "Messiah" in Hebrew. However, over time, the term was transliterated into "Christ," losing its original connotation and becoming merely a name rather than a title denoting kingship.
"Christ is not a translation of the term Christos. Christ is simply taking these letters and coming up with English letters and they created a word Christ, which means whatever the church wants it to mean." (02:30)
This linguistic shift, Stanley argues, has led to a diluted understanding of Jesus' role, causing believers to focus predominantly on salvation narratives while overlooking the broader, kingdom-centered message of the New Testament.
Revisiting the Gospel of Luke
To illustrate his point, Stanley revisits the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing that its narrative is foundational to understanding Jesus' kingship rather than just His role as Savior. He contrasts the familiar Christmas story with Luke's portrayal of Jesus as a reigning king whose kingdom endures forever, urging listeners to transcend seasonal interpretations and recognize the perpetual significance of Jesus' kingship.
"His kingdom will never end." (04:00)
Stanley invites listeners to see beyond traditional teachings and engage with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the central figure in an eternal kingdom, urging a paradigm shift in their faith perspective.
Implications for Personal and Communal Faith
Stanley posits that embracing Jesus as King reorients one's faith from a future-oriented salvation to an immediate, participatory relationship within God's everlasting kingdom. This shift not only transforms individual belief systems but also impacts communal practices and the broader Christian narrative.
"If you recenter your faith around the arrival of a king and the establishment of a kingdom rather than a ticket to heaven, you will discover why everyone who knew Jesus considered his message 100% good news for all people." (05:15)
Conclusion and Prayer
Wrapping up the episode, Stanley urges listeners to actively seek and recognize the kingdom-centric message of the New Testament in their daily lives. He emphasizes that this understanding is not merely academic but should influence everyday actions and interactions. The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer, asking for divine guidance to open listeners' eyes to the profound truth of Jesus' kingship and its transformative impact.
"Father, open our eyes to the reality of who Jesus is, what he represents in our lives... There's no other king like that. And to follow that kind of king makes me want to be more like that." (06:45)
Key Takeaways
- Reframing Jesus' Role: Move beyond viewing Jesus solely as Savior to recognizing Him as God's eternal king.
- Understanding "Christ": Acknowledge the original meaning of Christos as "Anointed One" or "King" to grasp Jesus' full identity.
- New Testament Focus: Engage with the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus' kingship to fully comprehend the Christian faith narrative.
- Paradigm Shift in Faith: Embrace a kingdom-centered faith that emphasizes immediate participation in God's eternal reign rather than solely future salvation.
- Transformative Impact: Recognize that this shift can profoundly affect personal beliefs, community practices, and the broader understanding of Christianity.
Closing Thoughts
Andy Stanley's "The Last Kingdom, Part 1: Lost in Translation" challenges conventional Christian frameworks by advocating for a deeper, kingdom-focused understanding of Jesus Christ. By re-examining biblical texts and linguistic interpretations, Stanley invites believers to rediscover the foundational narrative of Jesus as the eternal king, offering a transformative perspective that promises to enrich their faith journey.