Customer Reviews

Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

Ladd's work on the Kingdom is so important because it sets out a Biblical framework for understanding a reality that was at the heart of Jesus life and teaching: the Kingdom of God. He does here with great brevity what he does more thoroughly in his Theol. of the NT. This little book will get your heart pumping with excitment about the glorious Kingdom which has come and yet is still to come! But beware! This book has HUGE practical implications...the ideas should inspire love for and active obedience to Jesus, not simply more esoteric knowledge.

The phrase "Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of Heaven" is in the gospels some 84 times; compared to the word "cross", which only appears 17 times, and "gospel" or "good news", which only appears 23 times. The Kingdom of God was the central message of Jesus. This book brings the message to life through it's examination of the topic, and--even though it's a theology book--presents the material in a very clear, readable way. I can honestly say that this book has brought a fresh understanding of God's will and purposes to my Christian walk. Of all the Christian books I've read, this one definitely makes my top 10 list.

This book is an easy read and gives a great overview the Kingdom of God. Terms like Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, and Gospel of the Kingdom have been interpreted differently by many different theologians, but Dr. Ladd unifies these terms and gives a wonderful explanation of what it meant back in the time of Christ and what the ramifications are today. While he is a little more literal in his interpretation than I might be (today he probably would fall into a progressive dispensationalist framework), the book overall is a wonderful summary of what it means to be part of the kingdom of God.

The chapter on kingdom righteousness was both informative and exhortational. His breakdown of Matthew 5-8, although short, was direct and really helped me to understand what Christ was saying in a way that much longer books haven't.

The last chapter on "When will the kingdom come in fullness?" is a great challenge to evangelism.

Overall, I'd give this book a 4 out of 5. The only detractors are a) he's a little to literal and b) some of his statements aren't explained and proven to the extent that I'd like. But those are both just personal preferences. Great book - a great primer on the kingdom of God.

Ladd's book is a must read for most American/Western Christians who look at their individual faith as the benchmark for what God is doing in the world today. As believers we need to wrestle with the Kingdom idea of God calling us into His reign that is already here on earth, but at the same time is not yet fully realized as it will be when Christ returns. We need more people writing and thinking through these issues.

I enjoyed the book, theologically there were some differences I had with Ladd but these eschatological, Covenant Theology vs. Dispensational differences do not change the Kingdom ideas presented.

Though short for its subject matter, George Eldon Ladd's book goes a long way toward helping Christians focus on what really matters. Very readable and filled with Scripture, Ladd reminds us that Christ came preaching "the gospel of the Kingdom." The apostles continued to do the same. Why is it we almost never hear preaching on the Kingdom these days? Rather, we just try to get people "saved" with little mention of the Kingdom that, while future in its fullness, is "tasted" in the present age.

The final chapter uses as its primary text Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come." As Ladd so ably demonstrates as he exegetes this passage, here we find our message, our mission, and our motive. Now, that will preach!

In recent years, the phrase "Already/Not Yet" as a description of our understanding of the kingdom of God in its present and future state has become very familiar. I took it for granted that this understanding had long been the dominant one in evangelicalism.

It was not until recently that I discovered the gridlock that existed between Dispensationalist and Covenant theologians in the 1950's and 1960's. Scholars and pastors within the evangelical world had a difficult time coming to an agreement on what the kingdom is, much less the timing of its arrival.

The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God by George Eldon Ladd (Wm. B. Eerdmans) was first released back in 1959 and is still in print today. In this short book, Ladd leads us through the relevant Bible passages about the kingdom in order to bring scholars and teachers to a consensus.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is a ground-breaking work. Ladd is able to take truths from both the Dispensationalist side and the Covenant side and fit them together in a way that makes the best sense of the biblical picture.

First, Ladd explains what the kingdom of God is. It is a rule, not a realm. The kingdom can be defined as the "reign of God."

After defining the kingdom as "God's reign," Ladd then explains the timing of the kingdom of God. Specifically, he shows how the kingdom of God can be both present and future. The kingdom has been inaugurated, but not yet consummated.

Also helpful is Ladd's description of the role of the church:

"Love is that gift of the spirit, above all others, which will characterize our perfected fellowship in the age to come. This love we now enjoy, and the church on earth will be a colony of heaven, enjoying in advance the life of the age to come." (74)

The Gospel of the Kingdom is illuminating, clarifying and (thankfully) brief. It is amazing that Ladd manages to fit all of this great theological teaching into 140 pages.

There is a reason this book is still in print. It is unmatched in its clarification of what the kingdom of God is, and how the kingdom of God can be already present but not yet here in its fullness.

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.

Ladd's book is essential to understanding the Kingdom of God. I love this little book!

For an older book... the read is superb! I recommend this book to all those who want to understand the power of the Kingdom that is already, but not yet! The book will disuss the kingdoms of the world vs. the Kingdom of God. Many Christians today have failed not only to seperate the two kingdoms, but failed to simply recognize them at all. Jesus spoke more on the Kingdom of God than any other subject in the Gospels. You will need Ladd's book if you wish to study in order that you might live for this Kingdom.

Ladd's book has been influential in my theology and living. I will read it many times throughout my life, no doubt.

I also want to suggest you read The Upside-Down Kingdom

So often, words like "Gospel" and "Kingdom" become so familiar to us that their full meaning escapes us. I found George Ladd's book to be a wonderfully insightful, inspiring and helpful look at the Gospel of the Kingdom. The book deepened and enriched my understanding and appreciation not only of the "Gospel" and the "Kingdom," but also of the Lord of all!