The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God

One of the best theological books I’ve read!

This is a MUST READ book for any Christian. Its not a huge book though he comments on every book of the Bible, and not a difficult read either. But the insights gained in the Scripture from Genesis--Revelation is incredible. Alva McClain is the founder of Grace Seminary and its no wonder why he was called to that. His ability to make connections across chapters and books is matched only by the world class linguists I've read, but in this case for the sake of a theological outlook that unifies the entire Scripture. Again--a MUST READ for every Christian!

Christians who find the "Kingdom of God" to be more than a little confusing will be very pleased with this informative, well-researched book that uses scripture itself to illuminate a difficult topic. Author Alva McClain was a founder of Grace Theological Seminary and served as as a professor and the seminary's president for many years. This book, published in 1959, feels very "current" in its language and discussions of the various schools of thought. Lay readers will welcome the book's easy-to-read language, yet "The Greatness of the Kingdom" is thorough enough for academics who want a detailed understanding of the subject.

As a dispensationalist, I’d been living in a theological world full of discussion pertaining to the Kingdom and its true Biblical distinctives for decades. Strangely, while owning this book for much of that time I’d never made time to read it. Having finally done so, the first impression I would convey is its foundational importance in understanding this doctrine and indeed the Biblical narrative itself. Ultimately this book is a product of the literal grammatical-historical interpretive method used in classic dispensationalism. For my money, that is the foundational key to any biblical doctrine and makes this work a Christian library essential.

This classic work on the Kingdom of God by Alva McClain, the founding president of Grace Theological Seminary, was recommended to me by a friend who is a retired chaplain and instructor at a local Bible college. McClain provides a powerful analysis of the Kingdom of God as taught in both the Old and New Testaments, while building a compelling exegetical argument for a premillenial understanding of the Kingdom of God. McClain addresses the paradoxes related to the kingdom, including the “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom. In the book, he distinguishes between the “universal” kingdom of God and the “mediatorial” kingdom of God. The focus of the book is on the mediatorial kingdom. McClain carefully constructs a plausible theology of the kingdom that takes into account all of the available biblical data about the kingdom. While I may not accept everything he contends, I would agree with others that there is no more valuable book addressing the Kingdom of God from a dispensational point of view.

Deep, and very thorough. This was my second exposure to Alva McClain, and his bible knowledge is wonderful. I have only read a small portion so far, therefore, I am not one very qualified to review this book as far as doctrine. I am told he can be trusted with his theology, but I have not really read very much. I did read and reciew his booklet on Masons, and I saw very sound doctrine there. I would also like to recommend Arnold Fruchtenbaum's wonderful book, "Footsteps of the Messiah," however. Clear, detailed teaching from the Jewish perspective from a completed Jew (one who has received Christ as his savior). We have to be so careful not to be influenced by the Emerging Church's false and watered-down doctrine. My former review was not supposed to be on this particular book, but somehow it got switched.

Very nice!

This is the definitive book for understanding all aspects of the Kingdom of God. Not only does Dr. McClain treat the Old Testament teaching about the Kingdom in both its historical and prophetic sense, he does a superlative job on a dispensational view of the Kingdom in the New Testament. The Millenial Kingdom is not the same as the Eternal Kingdom and both are still future. This distinction is clear when a dispensational - literal, historical, grammatical - approach to the Scriptures is taken. If the Kingdom of God is made to be allegorical or figurative it leads to doctrinal error and confusion. We are not living in the Kingdom today. Christians are not charged to create or develop God's Kingdom on earth in this age of Grace. Anyone reading this book in its entirity will gain a full understanding of why God's glorious Kingdom is to be anticipated with great expectation. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Ótimo Livro, o melhor livro sobre o assunto do reino, pra quem é pré milenista esse livro é leitura obrigatória

For such a large work that does not stint on substance and detail, this is a remarkably readable work. All credit to the author for building such a clear picture of what can be a daunting subject that weaves through most of the books of the Bible. The four introductory chapters are vital, giving definitions and background to various interpretive models and explaining why the subject is complex and open to misunderstanding. The "Universal" Kingdom of God is dealt with in a single chapter.The meat of the book then traces the concept of the "Mediatorial" Kingdom through the Bible. It stretches right back to the garden of Eden where Adam was given a degree of dominion over the natural world, but the fall meant that God was now working with and through mankind in a state of sinful rebellion. Moses is seen as the first mediatorial ruler in Israel, then the judges and the kings, all seen as part of the development of the same thread. There is an especially helpful chapter on the spiritual, political, ecclesiastical, economic, physical and moral aspects of the Kingdom teaching in the days before the prophets. The prophets themselves (and types and shadows before) all point towards the mediator to come - the Messiah who would be Prophet, Priest and the one true King. Meanwhile the brief highlight of David and Solomon is traced and then the decline of the nation and the departure of the Shekinah glory (speaking of the reality of the presence of God). Meanwhile the prophets continue to share a message of future hope.The third section goes into great detail about the prophecies concerning the coming King and His Kingdom. The writer clearly shows that there are many prophecies still to be literally fulfilled concerning Christ and His rule on earth. It will be ushered in by a time of judgement for the nations and for Israel before the dawn of an age of blessing - the millennium which is such a subject of controversy for many Christians but so clearly portrayed through Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah and on into New Testament teaching. The threads are brought together marvellously, and thoroughly convincingly to a reader like me already assured of the basics of the teaching. So many parts of the picture are brought into closer focus and meaning by the gifted writer and student of Scripture.The Gospels show the King in His first coming where His Kingship and Kingdom was announced but rejected, leading to the cross. Many important issues are dealt with in how the Christian should read and understand the life and teaching of Christ in its Jewish context. The transition to the birth of the Church is ably explained, showing how it stands largely outside the concept of the mediatorial Kingdom as a special vessel - the body and bride of Christ. There is some excellent material on the Book of Acts, explaining the transition period of the early Church most helpfully. For example, the sign miracles associated with the early church were really directed at the Jews and are tied more in to Kingdom teaching than the church, hence explaining the correct teaching that such dramatic miraculous signs have by and large ceased in the church era, and should not be sought.The climax of the book is the excellent material on Revelation, showing how it links in with the Old Testament and with Christ's own teachings. First there are the seven years of tribulation after the Church is taken from the earth. The case is made utterly convincingly for this teaching about the church's destiny and its distinction from Israel. Then the 1,000 years of millennial rule are ushered in, giving the Lord Jesus His rightful place in the world that rejected Him. The blessings for the Jews and the nations, and yet the need still for a rule of righteousness where sin is latent and still not eradicated, even with Satan defeated and bound, is carefully unfolded in splendid writing.The book is true to the Word of God and honouring to the Person of Christ, the one Mediator between God and man, whose right it will be to reign on the earth as well as be Head of His Church in glory. An altogether inspiring read, most strongly recommended to all thoughtful Christians, even from other traditions concerning eschatology. I am straight into a re-reading, which is a rare event for me.

This is a detailed study of the Biblical doctrine of the Kingdom of God/Heaven. This is the most comprehensive work I have found on the subject and I found it very helpful as it resolved a number of questions I had had for quite some time. Although it is a long book (530 pages) it is not difficult reading and is supported throughout with copious Scripture references. There is a lot to take in owing to the sheer volume of information. So, I have decided that I will carefuly re-read and study it again in order get the maximum benefit out of what I consider to be a first-class work. Highly recommended.