Description:
In the article related terms are deconstructively compared with each other, such as oikodome (encouragement), dioikesis theia (divine administration) and oikoumene (inhabited world). The article aims to identify the positive roots of the term oikoumene beyond the pejorative referencing in the New Testament as imperial power'. It demonstrates that the notion basileiatou theou (kingdom of God) provides a key to discover the gift of love as the heart of ecodomy. The article concludes with a critical discussion of forms of inauthentic love in order to outline what kind of love is conveyed in Jesus' kingdom ethics. The article consists of four sections:(1) When children rule the oikoumene', (2) When power rules the oikoumene', (3) When love rules the oikoumene', and finally (4) Différance' - when love is not love.