Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World [Paperback]

Allen M. Wakabayashi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2003

God is up to something! And his plans are far greater than you might imagine. Christianity is not merely about isolated individuals going to heaven. It's about God transforming the entire world and making things right. Sicknesses will be healed, sins will be forgiven, injustice will be eradicated, and all creation will be redeemed. But this is not merely a distant future. It's happening now through what Jesus came to establish--the kingdom of God. Allen Wakabayashi reawakens you to the world-changing reality of the kingdom of God. With clear, biblical insight, he unpacks what Jesus proclaimed about the good news of the kingdom and spells out the implications for you today. Focusing on the kingdom of God will revolutionize how you live out your faith, how you think about your world and how you explain the good news about Jesus. Ultimately, understanding yourself as a citizen of the kingdom will empower you to be one of God's change agents in the world. God is at work to restore everything to be the way he intended it to be, and you can be a part of what he is doing! Get a glimpse of the kingdom coming, and experience his will being done--on earth as it is in heaven.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Though it is a central assertion of the New Testament and the storm center of much serious historical and theological scholarship, the claim that with Jesus the kingdom of God has been inaugurated has still too little captured the popular imagination of Christians. Instead, far too often 'kingdom of God' language serves as a kind of code for various agendas only partially overlapping with the grand vision standing at the center of the New Testament witness. Allen Wakabayashi, himself well apprised of the scholarly discussion, has performed a tremendous service by exploring the revolutionary implications of this crucial theme for the way we carry on our lives and our mission as followers of Jesus. This is an engaging, hopeful and refreshingly honest guide to life in the already-and-not-yet reign of God." (Garwood P. Anderson, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando )

"Allen Wakabayashi makes the case that God's kingdom has come and signs of it are everywhere. We often miss it, though, because it is too radical, full of sacrifice and delight. Allen wants you to see the signs, take up your cross and join the parade." (Alec Hill, President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA )

"Kingdom Come is a welcome challenge to believers awaiting the consummation of the kingdom in its fullness to be shaping present society according to God-honoring kingdom principles. The Westminster Confession has taught us that the chief end of man is to glorify God; Wakabayashi reminds us that the chief end of the kingdom itself is the glory of God. Unsatisfied with pie-in-the-sky escapism, Wakabayashi calls the evangelical community to fulfill its role as salt and light, pursuing justice, righteousness--even the glory of God--in all aspects of life in a fallen world." (Richard M. Weber, Assistant Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute )

"Confronting the pervasive individualism of our culture, Allen Wakabayashi calls us to work out the implications of God's kingdom for our lives, communities and mission into the world. His commitment to see God change the world, and especially the university world, is contagious." (Rick Richardson, national evangelist with IVCF and author of Evangelism Outside the Box )

"Reading Kingdom Come was an invigorating reminder that the Bride of Christ has plenty to do to get ready for the wedding! And plenty to think about too. This book is an all-too-rare place where ministry and scholarship serve each other not only well, but with joy!" (Robbie F. Castleman, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, John Brown University )

About the Author

Allen M. Wakabayashi has an M.A. in missions/intercultural studies from Wheaton College Graduate School and a master's degree in theology/biblical studies from Loyola University (Chicago, Illinois). He has served on various campuses with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 1989. Currently, he serves as Great Lakes West Regional Theological Coordinator and Associate Area Director for Northwestern University InterVarsity Fellowship. He is based in Evanston, Illinois.

Product Details

• Paperback: 179 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (November 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823638
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823635
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Popular Level Introduction to Kingdom Theology, March 25, 2004

By 

J. F Foster - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World (Paperback)

Wakabayashi has produced a rather unique contribution to the field of Kingdom theology - an introductory, mostly non-technical, reader friendly, and unintimidating look at the coming of the Kingdom. Unlike the important classics in the field by Vos and Ridderbos, this book has the potential of making Kingdom theology accessible and understandable on the average layperson level. I, for one, think this is a good thing and mostly applaud this book's appearance on the market.

Wakabayashi is not a decorated theologian, but he is seminary trained and for the most part, his theological views are sound. He writes this book with a passion to demonstrate that Jesus wants to change the world, and he laments what he rightly believes is the lack of global and personal transformation that has become the hallmark of the Christian church in our day. Wakabayashi believes that a renewed focus on the Christian's place in the Kingdom has the potential to positively address this enormous problem.

Wakabayashi presents the standard 'already/not yet' Kingdom theology that has come to dominate New Testament Biblical theology over the last several decades. But his exposition of Kingdom eschatology is not really the thrust of the book, though it does provide the basis for much of what he says. Instead, Wakabayashi seems intent on showing how this theological understanding manifests itself in the world and in our lives. His contention that Jesus wants to change the world is really an appeal to renewal and transformation on a cosmic scale. For Wakabayashi, this means cultural transformation in terms of Christians becoming involved in politics and policy, as well as articulately advocating Christian ideas in higher education, the media, and every other legitimate secular discipline. This mentality has echoes of Kuyper in it, but unlike Kuyper, Wakabayashi makes very specific appeals that evangelicals are not always comfortable with. His appeal for Christians to make the Kingdom made manifest by working against social injustice and environmental degradation, among other things, is mostly welcome.

I found Wakabayashi's application of Kingdom theology to the topic of evangelism to be quite insightful. In a day where evangelism is chalked up to handing out a tract or inviting someone to a movie, and when conversion is defined as praying a prayer or walking down an aisle, Wakabayashi presents something far more substantive. If the Kingdom of God has come, and if the nature of the Kingdom is for the citizens of the Kingdom to be loyal and obedient to their King, this leaves no room for a lukewarm Christianity that does not exhibit life change or a desire to be obedient. While the imperial language is probably not the greatest evangelistic tool, Wakabayashi should be applauded for insisting that Kingdom evangelism must emphasize loyalty to God and His character in the lives we live. We are not saved by our works, but we are judged by our works. Evangelicals too often bathe in the former and forget the latter, but both are essential. That's what it means to be a Christian - a true citizen of God's Kingdom. If the Kingdom of God was inaugurated by Jesus mainly through obedience and suffering (which it was), Kingdom living for us today should be reflective of our perfect Model - King Jesus. We should joyfully long to be obedient to the One who has saved us, and we should not be surprised when we are called to suffer for His sake, just as He predicted so long ago. Kingdom living will not sell many books, but it will result in a purposeful, substantive, and joyous life in Christ for those willing to embrace it - not to mention that it will make people see the world around them with new eyes in ways that will make the world we live in today more understandable.

I'm giving the book 4 stars because even on an introductory level, Wakabayashi's interaction with Scripture is not the greatest. Introductory works are not designed to present meticulous and rigorous exegesis. Yet too often, in their desire to be overly accessible at an introductory level, these books tend to stress personal testimonies and stories to such a degree that Scripture gets put on the sideline. There is a balance that should be struck in a work like this, but in my opinion, the book is slanted too far to the personal testimony side.

But overall, this is a fine introduction to Kingdom theology, and as previously stated, its accessibility, while not flawless, is a welcome addition to this important field of theology.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenges simplistic evangelicalism, February 18, 2005

By 

Patrick C. Conley (Falcon Heights, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World (Paperback)

Being an evangelical myself, I'm grateful for Allen Wakabayashi's insight and challenge to go beyond a short-sighted, formulaic approach of sharing the faith. Moreover, Allen calls us to consider a broader, more comprehensive view of God's redemptive plan for the earth that is more faithful to Biblical texts. This is a very accessible book, but very potent in pushing the edges of what we evangelicals all too often settle for...a rather simplistic, manageable approach to faith, Scripture, God, and being kingdom agents in the world today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down, Allen pulls it off., July 7, 2011

By 

Joshua Hopping - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World (Paperback)

This is a book that seeks to "bridge the gap from the scholarly literature about the kingdom to the normal Christian who is not familiar with the academic material."

Hands down, Allen pulls it off.

"Kingdom Come" is a great introduction book to Kingdom Theology - i.e. the theology of that Jesus is King of everything (created and uncreated; spiritual and physical) and He is in activity involved in the world today, bring the future Age into our world today.

Interesting enough, Allen credit George Ladd as an influence - which is pretty cool seeing the influence Ladd has made on me. :)

Going back to the book, it is separated into six sections along with an intro and a conclusion:

* Introduction (ch 1) - Everyone reads the Bible through a lens or a worldview. The sad part is that we tend to read our culture and definitions into the Bible; as such, we need to stop and try to understand what the Bible - or the Gospels in particular - meant to the people of first century.
* The Gospel of the Kingdom (ch 2-4) - Allen does a great job explaining the meaning of Jesus' phrase "kingdom of God" and how that changes the definition of the `gospel'.
* Living in the Tension of the Kingdom (ch 5-7) - A beautiful look at the struggle of the Christian life. We are victorious saints and sinful sinners, both at the same time.
* The Mission of the Kingdom (ch 8-9) - The mission of Jesus is bigger then salvation alone. It is about "seeing his reign fleshed out wherever we set foot in our world."
* The Kingdom and Evangelism (ch 10-11) - In today's world, evangelism is usually reduced to one's personal sin and Christ's forgiveness. While this is good and true, it is only part of the picture as Jesus came to destroy evil/sin in all its forms and restore all of creation to Himself. ** This big picture evangelism is not only biblical; it also resonates better with the postmodern culture. **
* The Community of the Kingdom (ch 12-13) - Christians are called to be the people of God, meaning that we are called to be in community and not lone-ranger believers trying to live the `good life' by ourselves.
* The Way of the Kingdom (ch 14-15) - The path of the Kingdom means taking up our cross and following Jesus; it means victory in the midst of suffering; live in death.
* Conclusion - A short one page summary of the Allen's heart and hope for this book. It is here that I found one of the best quotes of the book:

"I am convinced that Jesus is the hope of the world and the lover of humanity. I am convinced that Jesus came to call us back home and that one day he will come to make all things new. I am convinced that even now Jesus is at work, through the Holy Spirit, changing the world and letting people in on the wonderful reality of the kingdom of God."

One last item before I end this review - while "Kingdom Come" is a great introduction book into the central teaching of Jesus (i.e. the kingdom of God), I think Allen stops short of the fullness of the "here and not yet."

In other words, Allen does not deal with the spiritual warfare that rages around us nor the spiritual gifts presented to us by our loving Father. Allen seems content to stay within the parameters of conservative evangelism and focus on prayer, Bible study and living a life devoted to Jesus. (Granted, Allen's view of "living a life devoted to Jesus" is way BIGGER then most evangelicals.)

This may be a petty critique, but I can not get away from the reality of this warfare we are living. The inaugurated eschatology of Kingdom Theology opens the door for a better understand of this warfare, if one is willing to go there...