The Upside-Down Kingdom, updated ed.
Overview
Challenging the passive, “meek-and-mild” perception of Jesus still taught in many churches today, The Upside-Down Kingdom brings us back to Jesus’ teachings as perceived in his culture and context. Revealing a kingdom ruled by God where death brings life, the last are first, and victory is attained only by giving oneself up, Donald Kraybill presents Christ’s “Kingdom of God” as a social impetus meant to overturn the world as we know it. Kraybill’s evident love for Scripture and his enjoyable, relaxed style make The Upside-Down Kingdom just as fun to read as it is spiritually engaging. And when we realize that the right-side-up kingdoms and worldly authorities around us are not the kingdoms God intended, we find ourselves left with the question: What kind of kingdom are we called to live in?
The Logos edition of this volume gives you amazing features that take your study to a whole new level. Search through and see what Donald Kraybill has to say about “authority,” or mouse-over his mention of Matthew 6:33 and instantly see what it says in your favorite translation.
The Upside-Down Kingdom is the winner of the 1979 National Religious Book Award.
- Approaches Jesus’ teachings from the perspective of his culture
- Presents clear, logical arguments that show how Jesus’ message is still relevant in our culture
- Contains three new essays from people whose lives have been changed by this book
- Chapter 1: Down Is Up
- Chapter 2: Mountain Politics
- Chapter 3: Temple Piety
- Chapter 4: Wilderness Bread
- Chapter 5: Free Slaves
- Chapter 6: Luxurious Poverty
- Chapter 7: Right-Side-Up Detours
- Chapter 8: Impious Piety
- Chapter 9: Lovable Enemies
- Chapter 10: Inside Outsiders
- Chapter 11: Low Is High
- Chapter 12: Successful Failures
Top Highlights
“Is the culture of the church driven by the larger society or by kingdom values and priorities?” (Page 162)
“The dramatic pictures portray a revolutionary new kingdom. Paving the way for Jesus, the Baptist describes four surprises of the coming kingdom: full valleys, flat mountains, straight curves, and level bumps. He expects radical shake-ups in the new kingdom. Old ways will shatter beyond recognition. John warns us that the new order, the upside-down kingdom, will transform social patterns but amid the ferment, all flesh will see the salvation of God.” (Page 15)
“Jesus does not portray the kingdom on the margins of society. He doesn’t plead for social avoidance or withdrawal. Nor does he assume that the kingdom and the world split neatly into separate realms. Kingdom action takes place in the world in the middle of the societal ballpark. But it’s a different game.” (Page 17)
“First, can we really grasp Jesus’ mission and message from our far-away perch?” (Page 21)
“Kingdom people are not sectarians protesting the larger society just for the sake of being different. Kingdom values, rooted in the deep Love and abiding Grace of God, seed news ways of thinking and living.” (Page 17)
Whenever I find myself becoming too comfortable in this right-side-up world of ours, I return to Kraybill’s book in the hope that it will inspire me to take a spiritual somersault. It always does.
—Kerry Walters, author of The Art of Dying and Living and professor of philosophy, Gettysburg College
My students respond very well to The Upside-Down Kingdom’s sustained challenge to examine familiar realities in a completely new way. It is a wonderful tool to stimulate the sociological imagination.
—Joao Monteiro, professor of sociology, Eastern University
The Upside-Down Kingdom overturns many of our sacred tables, beginning with our own temples, continuing on through the global marketplace, and landing squarely in the middle of the war on terror.
—Michael G. Long, associate professor of religious studies and peace and conflict studies, Elizabethtown College
Kraybill’s book was my first exposure to the fact that in Scripture the phrase “kingdom of God” is so much more than someplace to go when I die.
—Mike Clawson, leader in the emerging church movement
- Title: The Upside-Down Kingdom
- Author: Donald B. Kraybill
- Edition: Updated Edition
- Publisher: Herald Press
- Publication Date: 2011
- Pages: 319
