Living in the Kingdom of God: A Biblical Theology for the Life of the Church
Overview
This brief, accessible book offers a unique approach to the theme of the kingdom of God and to biblical theology. Sigurd Grindheim explains the whole Bible's teaching on the kingdom of God, discussing its implications for the Christian, the church, and politics. As he traces the theme of the kingdom through the Old and New Testaments, he shows how Jesus' preaching of the imminent incursion of the kingdom fulfilled and also challenged the messianic expectations of the antecedent Judaism. He explains that the theme of the kingdom is the unifying theme of Scripture and that any account of the theology of the Bible must begin and end with the coming of the kingdom.
Living in the Kingdom of God shows what it means that God rules on earth, how his rule is established through the work of Christ, and how this rule is embodied by the church today, offering a new vision for the church's role in the kingdom: putting God's gifts to work. It will appeal to professors and students of the New Testament, biblical theology, and systematic theology as well as pastors.
Key Features
- Illustrates what it means for God to rule on earth and how that rule is established in Christ
- Argues that Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom fulfilled messianic prophecy
- Lays out major implications of the Kingdom of God for contemporary living
Contents
- The Dream of Utopia: The Kingly Rule of God in the Old Testament
- The Surprising Fulfillment: Jesus Establishes the Kingly Rule of God
- Different King: Christ's Kingship
- A Different Border Control: Entrance into the Kingdom
- A Different Community: The People of the Kingdom
- A Different Government: The Role of Christ's Disciples in the Kingdom
- Transforming Society: How God's Reign Affects Politics
- Paradoxical Victory: The Future of the Kingdom
Top Highlights
“These words refer not to a piece of land or to a territory but to the rule of the king.” (Pages 4–5)
“present, he also lets us know that he will come with judgment in the future.” (Page 28)
“But if he was talking about the people’s kingdom, why didn’t he say ‘their kingdom’? Why is this kingdom said to be ‘his’? Who is the person hiding behind this personal pronoun? The person can be none other than the human that Daniel had seen in his vision, the ‘one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven’ (Dan. 7:13).” (Page 18)
“Thus when Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God, it would be better translated as ‘the kingly rule of God.’1” (Page 24)
“To be a bearer of God’s image means to be God’s vice-regent; it means to govern on God’s behalf” (Page 6)
Praise for the Print Edition
In this remarkably fresh treatment of the kingdom of God, Grindheim steers a wise course through the debates over what the kingdom is, who is in it, when it comes, how it is governed, and much more. No one will agree with every detail of Grindheim's interpretation, but any thoughtful Christian will come away from this book having gained new insight, not to mention attractive and faithful ways of thinking about old texts. Highly recommended.
—D. A. Carson, research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Grindheim presents a vision of the kingdom of God that is at once heavenly and richly earthly. His sensitive reading of the Scriptures is joined to stories of human events and experiences--large and small, personal and social--that communicate the hope of the kingdom in practical ways. From his own experience, Grindheim is able to lift our eyes to a horizon broader than our usual Western perspective. In a remarkable way, this work speaks Christian faith and its implications for the world.
—Mark A. Seifrid, professor of exegetical theology, Concordia Seminary
Grindheim's book on the kingdom is biblical theology at its best. It is well-researched, theologically perceptive, and sprinkled with engaging illustrations from the author's own experiences as a missionary in Ethiopia and from Christian life around the world. Anyone wanting to know what the Bible says about the rule of God will benefit from this book, but it will be especially helpful to pastors, teachers, and students as they think through how the church can live as a faithful subject of its King.
—Frank Thielman, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School
Product Details
- Title: Living in the Kingdom of God: A Biblical Theology for the Life of the Church
- Author: Sigurd Grindheim
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 192
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Biblical Theology