The concept of the Kingdom of God is one of the most controversial terms in the New Testament: Does the term exist in continuity or discontinuity with the early Jewish-apocalyptic understanding? Should the term be understood dynamically in the sense of an active reign of God, or rather as a space or time of salvation? Are we dealing with a present or future concept? Can this kingdom be realized only by God, or can it also be realized by humans? What is the relationship of the Kingdom of God to the rest of Jesus' proclamation, to his messianic work, to his death on the cross, and to his resurrection? What is the relationship of the church to this kingdom? Why does this central theme of Jesus' message have only a marginal existence in the rest of the New Testament? New Testament research and the theology of the 20th century, in general, have represented various views on these questions.