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The Kingdom of God: A Biblical Theology (Biblical Theology for Life) Paperback – February 26, 2019
What does the Bible say about God's Kingdom and what Kingdom living looks like?
In the last hundred and fifty years the concept of the kingdom of God has emerged as one of the most important topics in theology, New Testament studies, and the life of the church.
In The Kingdom of God, Nicholas Perrin explores this dominant biblical metaphor, one that is paradoxically the meta-center and the mystery in Jesus' proclamation. After survey interpretations by figures from Ritschl to N. T. Wright, Perrin examines questions such as:
- What exactly is the kingdom of God?
- What do different Christian traditions mean when they talk about “the Kingdom”?
- How should we interpret Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom?
- What does it mean for the people of God and what does it mean for how they live in the world?
Perrin contends that the kingdom is inaugurated in Jesus' earthly ministry, but its final development awaits later events in history. In between the times, however, the people of God are called to participate in the reign of God by living out the distinctly kingdom-ethic through hope, forgiveness, love, and prayer.
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Part of the Biblical Theology for Life series, this practical and robust book will help you ground your understanding of the Kingdom of God on the solid foundation of biblical exegesis and reflection.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherZondervan Academic
- Publication dateFebruary 26, 2019
- Dimensions7.4 x 0.85 x 9.15 inches
- ISBN-100310499852
- ISBN-13978-0310499855
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Zondervan Academic serves the needs of Christian scholars, pastors, and students. Since 1931, we have been privileged to partner with the scholarly community to develop Christ-honoring resources in service of the academy and the church worldwide.
Together we produce works in various areas of biblical-theological studies that exhibit faithfulness to historic Christian faith, cultural relevance, excellence, and innovation.
From the Publisher
From the Publisher

Sections in the Biblical Theology for Life Series include:
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Queuing the QuestionsIntroduces the main questions being addressed in the book. Raising these questions enables readers to see clearly from the outset what each book will be pursuing, inviting them to participate in the process of discovery along the way. |
Arriving at AnswersDevelops the biblical theology of the topic, focusing on specific biblical texts and constructing answers to the questions introduced in section one. |
Reflecting on RelevanceContextualizes the biblical-theological insights, discussing specific ways in which the theology presented addresses contemporary situations and issues, giving readers the opportunity to consider how they might live out that theology in the world today. |
A Note from the Editor

Also Available from the Biblical Theology for Life Series...
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The Kingdom of God | The Mission of God's People | Creation Care | Following Jesus, the Servant King | Christians in an Age of Wealth | Known by God | |
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Customer Reviews |
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Price | — | $22.99$22.99 | $15.06$15.06 | $19.94$19.94 | $24.99$24.99 | $23.16$23.16 |
Subject | God's Kingdom | The Church's Mission | The Natural World | Discipleship | Stewardship | Personal Identity |
Author(s) | Nicholas Perrin | Christopher J.H. Wright | Douglas J. Moo and Jonathan A. Moo | Jonathan Lunde | Craig L. Blomberg | Brian S. Rosner |
Format | Softcover | Softcover | Softcover | Softcover | Softcover | Softcover |
Length | 272 pages | 304 pages | 256 pages | 320 pages | 272 pages | 272 pages |
eBook Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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The Kingdom of God Video Lectures | The Mission of God's People Video Lectures | Creation Care Video Lectures | |
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Customer Reviews |
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Price | $21.35$21.35 | $24.99$24.99 | $27.42$27.42 |
Subject | God's Kingdom | The Church's Mission | The Natural World |
Author(s) | Nicholas Perrin | Christopher J.H. Wright | Douglas J. Moo and Jonathan A. Moo |
Format | DVD | DVD | DVD |
Length | 4.25 hours | 5.75 hours | 5 hours |
Editorial Reviews
Review
Few academics have the ability to explain a complex topic in terms that lay audiences will both understand and enjoy, but Nicholas Perrin has done just that. He patiently and skillfully walks the reader through one of the central themes of the Bible, elucidating the story (and the reality) of God’s kingdom---past, present, and future---as it is revealed in the Old and New Testaments. We are left not only with a clear and awe-inspiring view of the kingdom of God, but Perrin gives us “practical stepping-stones” to take us “from biblical theology to real life.” Thank you, Nick Perrin. You have done us a tremendous service in writing this book. -- Catherine McDowell, associate professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
In this in-depth but very readable book, Nicholas Perrin offers compelling insight after compelling insight into the nature of the kingdom of God, King Jesus, and the people of the kingdom. Perrin enriches our understanding of the kingdom, especially concerning its deep Old Testament roots, but he also calls us to greater kingdom living---even if that entails suffering. -- Michael J. Gorman, Raymond E. Brown Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, St. Mary’s Seminary & University
Perrin does a great job in tracing the theology of the kingdom of God from its beginning in Genesis, through the Old Testament, to its proclamation in the Gospels. His insight on the relationship between the “I am” sayings in John’s Gospel and the kingdom is intriguing, spurring readers to rethink the significance of familiar scriptural passages. Most importantly, Perrin guides his readers to reflect on the relevance of the kingdom in their lives and how to live out the core values of the kingdom today. -- Chee-Chiew Lee, associate professor of New Testament, Singapore Bible College
While Christians everywhere dedicate themselves to inviting others into the kingdom of God, countless many (if they’re honest with themselves) find themselves mildly confused by the concept. Taking aim at today’s confusion, Perrin’s book offers a fresh, compelling, and biblically rooted vision of the kingdom, giving us new eyes on not just the what, who, when, where, and how of the kingdom, but also why the kingdom matters for everyone. -- Ed Stetzer, executive director, Billy Graham Center
About the Author
Nicholas Perrin PhD, Marquette University, is Franklin S. Dryness Professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Between 2000 and 2003 he was Research Assistant to Nicholas T. Wright. He is author of numerous books, including Thomas: The Other Gospel, Lost in Transmission, and Jesus the Temple.
Jonathan Lunde (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Talbot School of Theology of Biola University. He is coeditor (with Kenneth Berding) of Three Views on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and has contributed articles to The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Jon and his wife, Pamela, have three children and reside in Brea, California.
Product details
- Publisher : Zondervan Academic (February 26, 2019)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0310499852
- ISBN-13 : 978-0310499855
- Item Weight : 16 ounces
- Dimensions : 7.4 x 0.85 x 9.15 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,080,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,237 in Christian Bible Exegesis & Hermeneutics
- #2,127 in Jesus, the Gospels & Acts (Books)
- #4,687 in Christian Bible Study Guides (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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This book is well written, clear, and thorough. I found the writing to be a great fit for an introduction to the subject: it appeared to be aimed at the college undergraduate level. Perrin also makes very effective use of illustrations in his chapters to make theological concepts clearer.
I also appreciated the many sidebars and footnotes pointing to more weighty books on the same and related topics. This was just what I was hoping for: an introduction that pointed toward more substantive engagement with the issue.
My one complaint is that Perrin seems to want to make All the Arguments. At the same time as I read this, I read the other single volume book. That book began with a very clear thesis, and relentlessly pursued it, chapter after chapter.
Perrin starts with a slightly more complex thesis (that of finding answers to the "what," "who," "when," "where," "why," and "how" of the kingdom of God). This is good, but ambitious. In the chapters answering these questions, though, Perrin stacks argument on argument, case upon case, and example upon example. It was very difficult to follow the through line of his thinking because there is simply too much there to keep in mind all at once.
I do hold out the possibility that I am simply not bright enough for the book--but since I have been reading academic-level philosophy and theology for the past 15 years, this seems unlikely to me.
Similarly, it could be that Perrin's everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach is simply not to my taste, and that another reader would appreciate the wealth of material. I leave that to other readers to decide.
Suffice it to say that I enjoyed and profited from this book, but found it to be over-full, in terms of its purpose.
He has a lively writing style. He’s a little heavy on pop culture. I mean he named several popular modern musicians that I couldn’t identify in a police lineup, but it’s not really a detriment to the book. He writes in a vein that is happily catching fire in biblical theology these days where the main themes of the Bible are held on to no matter the subject at hand. That’s a richer track to travel in my book.
The beginning is a bit clanky as he discusses scholarly background stuff, but he reaches cruising altitude by the second chapter and maintains it to the end. Only chapter 8 on the signs of the Kingdom had me scratching my head AND never quite putting it together. The fault, though, may be mine. Mostly you get nuggets dug out and laid before you.
My only slight criticism would be occasional exegesis that seemed a little overwrought. He did like sometimes an obscure linguistic choice that you wonder if hardly anyone else would agree and then make it key to interpreting the passage. I’m not saying he was wrong, but you might need more proof to really accept it. Overall, however, the work is provocative in a meaningful way.
This book with its scriptural index is a treasure trove where you go could go seeking specific insights; but more importantly, it really contributes something tangible to the often nebulous topic of the Kingdom of God.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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