Gospel of the Kingdom

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: In the Gospel of Mark - perhaps the earliest Gospel - the first words of Jesus reported are the following: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." The concept of the Kingdom of God (or the "Kingdom of Heaven," Matthew's circumlocution) is central to the New Testament. But if you asked the average Christian what the central teachings of the New Testament are, I wonder if "the Kingdom of God" would be one of the responses.

One of the most important Evangelical writers on this topic was the late George Eldon Ladd, long-time professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. Perhaps more than any writer, it was Ladd who was instrumental in moving evangelical Protestantism in the US away from dispensationalism to historic premillenialism.

This little work contains a number of addresses that Ladd gave in the late 1950s on the Kingdom of God in the Bible. He discusses the Kingdom in terms of the parables, the millennium, Israel, and the Church, among other topics. I was particularly impressed with the discussion of the demands of the Kingdom on the life of the believer. It is quite a contrast from much of the touchy-feely Christianity that gets preached today.

Rating:
Summary: A book every Christian should read.
Review: The Gospel of the Kingdom is a terrific book which every Christian should read. A curious fact is that it was written in 1959, well ahead of its time. We are subjected to various views of the Kingdom of God and how it relates to the Church, Israel and the end times. There is much confusion as to what the Kingdom is, and when and where will it be. Ladd answers these critical questions. The chapters deal with 1. What is the Kingdom of God. 2. The Kingdom is tomorrow 3. The Kingdom is today. In addition he gives a good exposition of how to understand the parables of Kingdom and an excellent section on how to understand the Sermon on the Mount. He takes the difficult passages of Jesus' sermon and answers the questions what does Jesus mean that one should "cut off your hand" or "gouge out your eye" if necessary to enter the Kingdom.

It is a practical book as well which calls Christians to commit all to the advancement of the Kingdom of God and the role that God wants all of us to play in its institution. It is easy to read and extremely informative. I could not reccommend it more highly.

Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction to the Gospel of the Kingdom
Review: This book should be read by all those wanting a good understanding of the Kingdom of God and the contents of the Gospel. Ladd's thesis is that the coming of Christ was the fulfillment of Israel's hopes for a Kingdom of power and glory. Jesus himself was the hope that the Israelites were looking for. The Kingdom wasn't a socio-political entity to put on earth during the first century but the spiritual reformation of those who became members of the Kingdom. The only problem I have with this book is that Ladd's view of the Gospel borders on works-salvation since he puts a lot of emphasis on the judgment theme. Overall, though, a good book for those trying to get a good understanding of the Kingdom of God.