Ebook
Is there real help for the hurting people in our world? We think of the children in war, refugees adrift, patients without medicine, and those dying in droughts and floods. Lest we despair, Jesus announces that the Kingdom of God is near. This book defines the Kingdom anew and shows how it brings us hope even in the worst of circumstances.
The Kingdom of God is bigger than we thought. When God was King there was liberation and enough to survive and thrive. Promises of the Kingdom's blessings kept hope alive through defeat and devastation. While forgiving, healing, feeding, raising the dead, and praising the enemy, Jesus announced the Kingdom was at hand even before he wept over the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
As a political scientist, Robert Schmidt demonstrates the political importance of the Kingdom through the centuries. He also shows how Christ continues to work through churches, organizations, and governments to bring hope through what he calls "God's New World Society." As a pastor he reaches out to those who have left the church. Might God still use them in Jesus' Kingdom work? With hope in their hearts there is a lot to be done.
“In The Last Kingdom Standing, Robert Schmidt presents a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the kingdom of God and its significance in our world today. Schmidt’s focus on the kingdom as the central theme of the Christian faith and mission is both refreshing and inspiring. By emphasizing the providence of God and Christ’s work in history, he offers a profound perspective that is both relevant and necessary for our times. This book is a must-read for those who are looking to deepen their understanding of the kingdom and its implications for our lives and communities.”
—Samuel Deressa, associate professor of theology and the Global South, Concordia University
“Through a masterful blend of Scripture and a trove of historical and current examples—all while holding a lens of hope before us—Robert Schmidt offers a new understanding of the kingdom of God, one that both challenges and inspires the church and God’s people to see the kingdom as not only near, but within.”
—Mary Todd, retired professor of religious studies
Robert Schmidt began his career teaching at a seminary in Nigeria. In America he served as campus pastor at several universities. He studied political science with special attention to problems and conflicts in poor nations. After receiving a PhD, he became a professor of theology and political science at Concordia University in Portland. He has lectured in Zimbabwe, Germany, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, and India. He has also participated in gatherings in Mexico, Russia, and Ukraine.