Greatness of the Kingdom [Hardcover]

Alva J. McClain (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0884690113 | ISBN-13: 978-0884690115

This classic penetrating analysis of the Kingdom of God as taught in both the Old and New Testaments has been republished in a handsome hardback dust jacket edition. Throughout The Greatness of the Kingdom, Alva McClain builds a substantial exegetical argument for a premillenial understanding of the Kingdom of God. The 556-page masterwork was written by the founding president of Grace Theological Seminary, who was a member of the Scofield Reference Bible Revision Committee as well as a charter member of the Evangelical Theological Society.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 556 pages
• Publisher: BMH Books (January 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884690113
• ISBN-13: 978-0884690115
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book--Must Read, December 30, 1999

By 

J. Lukowski (San Antonio, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Greatness of the Kingdom (Hardcover)

I am currently reading this book for the second time. McClain discusses in easy-to-understand language God's unraveling plan of kingdom rule on earth. This book is definite reading to gain an understanding of the Old Testament covenants and their relation to Jesus Christ as "Mediatorial" King. In addition, McClain sheds light on the unique post-Pentecost era as a time of a reoffer to Israel of her promised Old Testament kingdom blessings through repentance and faith in Christ. This rejected, the Gentiles become members of the "ekklesia" or church. The Pauline epistles become, then, the outlaying of God's gradual revelation of the "mystery" or Church Age... which is closed at the "rapture." Israel's promised blessings, then, await a period of tribulation after which Christ will forcefully reenter history and take world power in a "Second Advent." McClain closes the book with an appendix on "Spirituality in the Kingdom" wherein he identifies Platonic Dualism as the main reason many Christians reject a literal millenial kingdom in the future. McClain convincingly shows that such Greek concepts are not found in scripture. Interesting, fun reading that makes you think throughout the day what you have read.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich, satisfying study of the kingdom of God in the Bible, December 15, 2003

By 

Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Greatness of the Kingdom (Hardcover)

McClain wrote this book back in 1959. He was hoping that it would be volume 5 of a seven volume systematic theology series, but it never materialized. McClain died before he could complete the project. This volume is all we have, but boy, is it a good one! McClain goes from Genesis to Revelation, discussing the kingdom of God as it appears on the pages of scripture. The first half of the book deals with the kingdom in the Old Testament. He asserts that there is a universal kingdom where God rules over everyone, and there is a mediatorial kingdom, experienced either in the form of the Old Testament Israelite Theocracy, or in the life of the individual believer. He points out that even though we are experiencing some of the benefits of kingdom life on earth if we are Christians, we still need to look forward to the day when God installs Christ as head of the future 1000 year messianic kingdom on earth so that God's rule may be experienced by one and all (at least those who survive the judgment at the second coming of Christ).

The book was well written, and was very practical. My only quibble was that in a 531 page book, McClain devoted just 12 pages to the kingdom in Paul's writings. His reasoning for this is that Paul concentrated more on the church than on the kingdom. But Paul still had some important things to say about it (Romans 14:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 1, et al), and I would have liked to have seen McClain compare Paul's kingdom concept with that of Jesus and the Old Testament and the book of Revelation. With over a hundred pages devoted to the book of Revelation alone, and only 12 pages for all 13 Pauline epistles, I feel that the book didn't satisfy my desire for proportion.

But having said that, what the book does contain is excellent, and I highly recommned it, if you can find it.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive look at the Kingdom of God in the Bible, September 26, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Newbury Park, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatness of the Kingdom (Hardcover)

This book gives a wonderful, comprehensive picture of the plan of God throughout Scripture. Rather than being a stuffy book on Theology, this book excites as Mclain takes the reader on a tour through the Bible showing God's action in and through history. It will excite you to see God's plan in bringing His Kingdom. It will make you long to be a part of God's coming Kingdom.