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The Kingdom of God
This book traces the history of the biblical idea of the Kingdom of God and suggests its contemporary relevance. “To grasp what is meant by the Kingdom of God is to come very close to the heart of the Bible’s gospel of salvation.”—from the Preface
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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274 people want to read
About the author
John Bright
123 books9 followersJohn Bright was an American biblical scholar, the author of several important books including the influential A History of Israel, currently in its fourth edition. He was closely associated with the American school of Biblical criticism pioneered by William F. Albright, which sought to marry archaeology to a defence of the reliability of the Bible, especially the earlier books of the Old Testament.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 15, 2024
I have often thought that our western mode of thinking leads us to lift up the idea of individual salvation above all other concepts. A country in which individual rights are the prime value is going to tend to lean in the direction of theology that reflects that individualistic bent.
And while the "kingdom of God" as a primary emphasis does not diminish the value of Christ's sacrifice–in fact, it hinges on that very same sacrificial act– it does diminish the idea that Christ's main goal was perhaps not my salvation (the individualistic theology). Not that He does not want me with Him, but that His wanting me has less to do with my value to Him and more to do with God's Kingdom, a kingdom for which the people of God have always truly longed, since the first covenant, where He called His children to be His children, and He promised He would be their God.
February 10, 2014
John Bright's writing style is interesting and animated, which makes this book an easy page turner. Most of the book is an excellent analysis of Israel's history and the progress of Israel's understanding of the kingdom of God. I found this very helpful and well thought through. For this alone it is well worth the read.
However, the book disappoints in the last few chapters when Bright begins discussing the kingdom of God in New Testament. It is not that I don't agree with him in his conclusion that the kingdom of God is "already" and "not yet": his discussion of the tension between the kingdom already come and the kingdom still coming is undoubtedly excellent. But it is that Bright wholly sidesteps the issue of the land of Israel, not even mentioning it, as if it was a non-issue. This is remarkable because the entire Old Testament is building up this theme, only for Bright it falls flat in the New Testament. This is a colossal oversight (or better, error) made by many Christian scholars. We fail to see the significance of the land of Israel, as well as the kingly motif of the son of David, even though the land and the coming king is writ large all over the Scriptures!
In the latter part of the book Bright also repeatedly uses the unBiblical and almost blasphemous (though certainly unintentional) phrase "new Israel", even though the Bible never once uses this phrase and never conceives the Church of Christ as the "new Israel". In fact Bright contradicts himself, for in the course of the book he explains how the Church saw itself as the righteous remnant WITHIN Israel (a point well made). Here was an unfortunate and sloppy oversight.
The problems with Bright's book are similar to the problems with Graeme Goldsworthy's book "Gospel and Kingdom", written on the same subject. Both authors do a masterful job of analyzing the Old Testament and tracing the concept of the kingdom of God in Israel's thinking. Their books are pure gold on this point. But then when they both get to the New Testament everything changes and they absolutely fail to connect the dynamic theme, which they had so wonderfully been following in the Old Testament, with the New Testament. Everything falls flat; concepts are redefined; and we are left with an entirely different conception in the New Testament than what we were getting so excited about in the Old Testament. In my opinion this is due to a sloppy Christian systematic way of thinking that gets forced upon the New Testament. This way of thinking doesn't know how to connect with Israel's historical hope. The result is a very Gentilish and non-Biblical idea of the kingdom which is foreign to the Biblical authors themselves. What amazes me most of all is how Christian scholars can make this jarring maneuver without hardly noticing nor even making mention of the land of Israel and the son of David, those enormous Old Testament themes they discard.
Nonetheless the book is full of priceless gems and insights and is greatly worth reading. I simply hope to help future readings of this book (and other books on the same subject) to notice the glaring omissions made by many Christian scholars, and to take special care in seeing the continuity between both Testaments. The lack that exists in Christian scholarship on this point needs serious remedy.
However, the book disappoints in the last few chapters when Bright begins discussing the kingdom of God in New Testament. It is not that I don't agree with him in his conclusion that the kingdom of God is "already" and "not yet": his discussion of the tension between the kingdom already come and the kingdom still coming is undoubtedly excellent. But it is that Bright wholly sidesteps the issue of the land of Israel, not even mentioning it, as if it was a non-issue. This is remarkable because the entire Old Testament is building up this theme, only for Bright it falls flat in the New Testament. This is a colossal oversight (or better, error) made by many Christian scholars. We fail to see the significance of the land of Israel, as well as the kingly motif of the son of David, even though the land and the coming king is writ large all over the Scriptures!
In the latter part of the book Bright also repeatedly uses the unBiblical and almost blasphemous (though certainly unintentional) phrase "new Israel", even though the Bible never once uses this phrase and never conceives the Church of Christ as the "new Israel". In fact Bright contradicts himself, for in the course of the book he explains how the Church saw itself as the righteous remnant WITHIN Israel (a point well made). Here was an unfortunate and sloppy oversight.
The problems with Bright's book are similar to the problems with Graeme Goldsworthy's book "Gospel and Kingdom", written on the same subject. Both authors do a masterful job of analyzing the Old Testament and tracing the concept of the kingdom of God in Israel's thinking. Their books are pure gold on this point. But then when they both get to the New Testament everything changes and they absolutely fail to connect the dynamic theme, which they had so wonderfully been following in the Old Testament, with the New Testament. Everything falls flat; concepts are redefined; and we are left with an entirely different conception in the New Testament than what we were getting so excited about in the Old Testament. In my opinion this is due to a sloppy Christian systematic way of thinking that gets forced upon the New Testament. This way of thinking doesn't know how to connect with Israel's historical hope. The result is a very Gentilish and non-Biblical idea of the kingdom which is foreign to the Biblical authors themselves. What amazes me most of all is how Christian scholars can make this jarring maneuver without hardly noticing nor even making mention of the land of Israel and the son of David, those enormous Old Testament themes they discard.
Nonetheless the book is full of priceless gems and insights and is greatly worth reading. I simply hope to help future readings of this book (and other books on the same subject) to notice the glaring omissions made by many Christian scholars, and to take special care in seeing the continuity between both Testaments. The lack that exists in Christian scholarship on this point needs serious remedy.
October 26, 2019
My friend Dave R told me, "this is a five star book" and he was right. Bright gives us a survey of the history of Israel, both political and theological, then connects that with the Christ of the New Testament and the modern Church Universal. I was particularly struck by his favorable interpretation of how Israel functioned in the time of the Judges, without a centralized government and depending on God to raise up a charismatic Judge to unite the tribes against a common enemy. But the people were not content with this loose structure and insisted on a king like those of other nations, to which God gives a grudging approval. What severe consequences came from that turning point!
Although published in 1953, Bright's insights still ring true today, especially his parallels between the failings of ancient Israel and those of modern Christianity. The hope is that, like Israel's faith, the Christian faith can endure repeated disappointments and the corruption of our institutions.
Highly recommended.
Although published in 1953, Bright's insights still ring true today, especially his parallels between the failings of ancient Israel and those of modern Christianity. The hope is that, like Israel's faith, the Christian faith can endure repeated disappointments and the corruption of our institutions.
Highly recommended.
June 1, 2019
Assigned reading for a religion course I took in college, this book looks at the theme of the Kingdom of God as it develops historically in ancient Israel, in the Old Testament, and also how Jesus preached the Kingdom of God, his calling us to it. Some discussion of what it means for us today (remembering that this work was published in the 1950's).
October 10, 2009
Clear statement and explanation of the unifying theme of the entire Bible. Biblical theology is greatly simplified and unified as Bright traces the concept from Genesis to Revelation.
May 18, 2018
Dr. Bright, a disciple of Wm. Foxwell Albright, was professor of Hebrew and the Interpretation of the Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA.
March 9, 2024
Reading Bright’s classic on the Kingdom of God fulfills a commitment I made to myself forty years ago. My all-time favorite church history professor, Ruth Breusch, extolled the scholarship of this book. True to form, she was not wrong.
Bright was a biblical scholar in the more conservative tradition. In this work he journeys chronologically through the Bible and Church history, tracing the evolving comprehension of God’s kingdom. The notations, references and observation points are excellent. Furthermore, his style of scholarly analysis has allowed the book to retain resonance after all these years.
The express goal of the book is to arguevfor the kingdom as the unifying principle of the Bible. There are many pungent reasons given as the author marches through epochs and prophets. He closely aligns God’s rule to His redemptive plan. Therefore, even if you hold to another biblical motif as being pre-eminent, you would benefit from observing the hand of God in human history as He reclaims His rightful rule according to Bright’s rendition.
Bright was a biblical scholar in the more conservative tradition. In this work he journeys chronologically through the Bible and Church history, tracing the evolving comprehension of God’s kingdom. The notations, references and observation points are excellent. Furthermore, his style of scholarly analysis has allowed the book to retain resonance after all these years.
The express goal of the book is to arguevfor the kingdom as the unifying principle of the Bible. There are many pungent reasons given as the author marches through epochs and prophets. He closely aligns God’s rule to His redemptive plan. Therefore, even if you hold to another biblical motif as being pre-eminent, you would benefit from observing the hand of God in human history as He reclaims His rightful rule according to Bright’s rendition.
March 24, 2025
Wow! The fact that John Bright's book on the KoG is still in print after 70 years tells you how seminal and valuable it is. Bright canvases the topic from it's conception in the consciousness of Israel, through the changing understanding and emphases in the books of Kings, Chronicles, the Prophets, the post-exilic period, into the New Testament and the Church era. But this is no study in history only. Bright frequently draws our attention to pitfalls we should avoid. He calls us to play close attention to what the KoG is and what it is not; and sets forth a clear vision of what it means to be God's faithful people in the world today. A truly remarkable read.
January 9, 2024
This book by John Bright not only showcases his outstanding scholarship and remarkable insight into Israel's history but also stands out for its practicality, applicability to real life, and challenging nature. Unlike other works on the kingdom of God, it has a strong historical focus. Bright skillfully traces the roots of the biblical concept of God's people and its connection to God's kingdom. Pairing it with a more theological book on the same theme would offer a comprehensive frame of reference.
January 18, 2018
Stating the “Kingdom of God” is not only the good news Jesus preached, but also the Bible’s overall theme is one thing.
Specifically demonstrating how the many fine historical, cultural, literary, and theological details of the Old Testament weave this theme together and then continue transitioning to how Jesus fulfills this theme in the New Testament is quite another.
John Bright manages to do this with great thoughtfulness and care. While he brings the Old Testament’s narrative and theology to life in a detailed way some may think tedious, it doesn’t necessarily have to be seen that way. The content he shares is indispensable and would greatly benefit any Christian by connecting the Bible story’s dots in ways they’ve never known. For anyone who has ever flipped through the pages of the Bible while wondering why and how it matters (especially the Major/Minor Prophet literature), this book provides that much needed insight.
He demonstrates how God’s promise to Abram to make his descendants into a great people through whom the world will come to be blessed finds the start of its fulfillment in the covenant God made with Israel to make them into a “kingdom of priests”. He recounts how their failure to keep that covenant and its mission incited God’s promise to establish his righteousness and rule through a servant whose suffering and sacrifice would ordain a new covenant his true kingdom people would embody. In addition, by focusing on the intertestamental period of post-exile, the Hellenization of the world, the Jews’ emphasis and fencing of the Law, the Maccabean revolt, and the subsequent Roman occupation, he sheds much needed light on that so-called “silent period” to show how God was yet working His will within often ignored historical moments to set up the context of the Messiah’s eventual appearing. His splendid discussion of Jesus’ ministry is mostly spent examining how the Church’s mission, as God’s Kingdom people, is to proclaim and embody his rule and righteousness as both a present and eschatological hope.
If any drawback to the book could be named, it would be that Bright doesn’t spend much time discussing precisely how the Church is supposed to do that, save for “Be the Church”, which he acknowledges is playing with words. That can be forgiven, however, since Bright’s purpose here is only to offer a detailed overview clarifying the Bible’s overall theme. How we might specifically “Be the Church” is a challenge Bright leaves with the reader to discern through Scriptural-shaped convictions how to answer Christ’s call to embody the life of the Kingdom citizen.
One aspect that continually amused me throughout the book was that, despite being first published in 1953, much of what he wrote seems as pertinent today as it did then. Regardless of how archaic we deem it, history still keeps coming back around. While that may be a point of dread for many, for those who might understand how Christ’s Kingdom rule is God’s consummating will moving with and towards history, that may indeed be good news.
Specifically demonstrating how the many fine historical, cultural, literary, and theological details of the Old Testament weave this theme together and then continue transitioning to how Jesus fulfills this theme in the New Testament is quite another.
John Bright manages to do this with great thoughtfulness and care. While he brings the Old Testament’s narrative and theology to life in a detailed way some may think tedious, it doesn’t necessarily have to be seen that way. The content he shares is indispensable and would greatly benefit any Christian by connecting the Bible story’s dots in ways they’ve never known. For anyone who has ever flipped through the pages of the Bible while wondering why and how it matters (especially the Major/Minor Prophet literature), this book provides that much needed insight.
He demonstrates how God’s promise to Abram to make his descendants into a great people through whom the world will come to be blessed finds the start of its fulfillment in the covenant God made with Israel to make them into a “kingdom of priests”. He recounts how their failure to keep that covenant and its mission incited God’s promise to establish his righteousness and rule through a servant whose suffering and sacrifice would ordain a new covenant his true kingdom people would embody. In addition, by focusing on the intertestamental period of post-exile, the Hellenization of the world, the Jews’ emphasis and fencing of the Law, the Maccabean revolt, and the subsequent Roman occupation, he sheds much needed light on that so-called “silent period” to show how God was yet working His will within often ignored historical moments to set up the context of the Messiah’s eventual appearing. His splendid discussion of Jesus’ ministry is mostly spent examining how the Church’s mission, as God’s Kingdom people, is to proclaim and embody his rule and righteousness as both a present and eschatological hope.
If any drawback to the book could be named, it would be that Bright doesn’t spend much time discussing precisely how the Church is supposed to do that, save for “Be the Church”, which he acknowledges is playing with words. That can be forgiven, however, since Bright’s purpose here is only to offer a detailed overview clarifying the Bible’s overall theme. How we might specifically “Be the Church” is a challenge Bright leaves with the reader to discern through Scriptural-shaped convictions how to answer Christ’s call to embody the life of the Kingdom citizen.
One aspect that continually amused me throughout the book was that, despite being first published in 1953, much of what he wrote seems as pertinent today as it did then. Regardless of how archaic we deem it, history still keeps coming back around. While that may be a point of dread for many, for those who might understand how Christ’s Kingdom rule is God’s consummating will moving with and towards history, that may indeed be good news.
May 24, 2021
I might have been a bit hard on John Bright with my review of his 'A History of Israel'. Here he gives another history of Israel for most of the book and what he shows is a general acceptance of the overall biblical narrative, albeit tempered by the academic critique of his era. Bright uses this history to build a theology of what it means to be a Kingdom of God. All the way through he relates this to his contemporary America (1953) and in particular the American church - the kingdom is not the national church, let alone synonymous with the nation, then neither is it the faithful remnant with or without an apocalypse. Really he sees the kingdom ultimately in Isaiah's 'suffering servant'.
But what exactly does this mean? Two problems. Firstly does that mean the whole Old Testament is just wrong and therefore a waste of time - clearly not sustainable in any Christian sense. Clearly other images of what the Kingdom means are also relevant. Secondly Bright never really can pin down what that suffering servant actually means for individual or church - is he really just pointing to a new morality as encapsulated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount? Yet this teaching of Jesus is not the whole of scripture either, having nothing about salvation/redemption in this early part of Jesus' ministry.
The sad thing is that Bright in this book truly seems to be seeking a deeper truth of what it means to be a sanctified Christian (if it is appropriate to use that term), but it is all about 'the man' and nothing about a living God. God has no part except as a distant guiding light. This is perhaps the mainstream/establishment position of the era, coming before God became real, personable and we started to speak of 'a relationship with God' in the Billy Graham revival and charismatic renewal movements just about to break forth. It is kind of sad that the later editions of worthwhile and thoughtful search might not have been able to say, 'aha, but of course it doesn't depend on us changing but on Christ living in us' or something of that sort.
There is still a good amount of value to what is said here, however it does feel that the style here is a transcript of a series of spoken sermons (of that era too!), rather than written text. There is a vast difference between good spoken English and written English and this book really does not read well at all. Also it is rather too apparent how Bright fawns over his academic mentor, William Albright
But what exactly does this mean? Two problems. Firstly does that mean the whole Old Testament is just wrong and therefore a waste of time - clearly not sustainable in any Christian sense. Clearly other images of what the Kingdom means are also relevant. Secondly Bright never really can pin down what that suffering servant actually means for individual or church - is he really just pointing to a new morality as encapsulated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount? Yet this teaching of Jesus is not the whole of scripture either, having nothing about salvation/redemption in this early part of Jesus' ministry.
The sad thing is that Bright in this book truly seems to be seeking a deeper truth of what it means to be a sanctified Christian (if it is appropriate to use that term), but it is all about 'the man' and nothing about a living God. God has no part except as a distant guiding light. This is perhaps the mainstream/establishment position of the era, coming before God became real, personable and we started to speak of 'a relationship with God' in the Billy Graham revival and charismatic renewal movements just about to break forth. It is kind of sad that the later editions of worthwhile and thoughtful search might not have been able to say, 'aha, but of course it doesn't depend on us changing but on Christ living in us' or something of that sort.
There is still a good amount of value to what is said here, however it does feel that the style here is a transcript of a series of spoken sermons (of that era too!), rather than written text. There is a vast difference between good spoken English and written English and this book really does not read well at all. Also it is rather too apparent how Bright fawns over his academic mentor, William Albright
July 27, 2018
Dallas Willard has this book among the top five that most impacted his spiritual formation. Given that Willard's concept of the kingdom of God is original to me yet at home in the Bible, I sought this book to discover what lay at the root of his understanding of the kingdom. What I found was not what I expected. The author tells the story of the Bible in historical terms drawing from modern archeology, all the while tying it into the theme of God's people and His kingdom. It's helpful, especially as the author makes application to today's (well, 1950's American, but close enough) church and culture. My favorite quote of Bright's is "the kingdom of God comes only for those who will be His people and obey Him. It can have no other citizens. Truly, the gate is narrow (Matt. 7:14)." This is powerful, like fresh water to my thirsty soul, and both my head and heart know it is so. It is Biblical. It is the dominion of God, in which Jesus Christ rules, and it is available to anyone, including me, in this very moment.
February 4, 2019
An awesome read. Covering the sweep of the Bible in getting to grips with the Kingdom of God. The analysis of the Old Testament was superb. I was hoping for a little more on Jesus Kingdom manifesto from the Sermon on the Mount, but this wasn't touched upon. Also the role of the resurrection as the seal on the future Kingdom thus giving confidence in our present and future Kingdom. This is such a vital topic, and Brights call to be a Kingdom people with a missionary heart is vital. He also struck a healthy balance in recognising on one hand withdrawing from the world is a denial of the reality of praying 'Your kingdom come on earth' but also the realism that we cannot usher in God's Kingdom through our works. We can build it and labour for it. But its ultimate fulfillment will always break in from the outside at the return of Jesus in the the final resurrection. Yet the reality is the King has come, and calls us to be His kingdom people spreading His kingdom values right here right now in the confidence of His Kingship of the universe
February 28, 2015
I read this Book for my Mission and Culture in Theological Perspective class at Vanguard University! What an amazing book that develops the whole idea of the Progressive Revelation of Scripture on the basis of "The Mission of God." John Bright has such a command of the Old Testament concept of the "Kingdom." and the whole notion of a people of God, called to live under the rule of God, begins in the Old Testament with the idea of the Kingdom of God. Before you read any of George Eldon Ladd's works on the "Kingdom of God" allow yourself to reflectively read through the pages of the "Suffering Servant." It will impact your theological contemplation in ways that you will have a deepened awareness of what Jesus Christ came to embody as well as what we were created to be as the Church. I highly recommend this book.
November 13, 2014
This is a very densely written treatise on the title's subject. I think it really does cover "The Biblical Concept" part of the subject. I am less sure that the part, ".., Its Meaning for the Church" is as well done. The Kingdom of God would seem to entail all of His creation, properly understood. Humankind will always want to know more, I suppose. This book, accompanying a good Bible, will further anyone's understanding of the divine realm as described in the sacred texts. What is seems not to do is help nurture the seed that might grow in the heart of the believer. Overall I would term Bright an excellent scholar, but lousy storyteller. It probably needs better be owned in its searchable PDF form for the wealth of biblical knowledge contained therein. It is not the material of a bedtime page turner.
February 6, 2008
John Bright gives a compelling explanation of the Kingdom of God. Through a comprehensive biblical theology he explains the role of both Israel and the Church in that kingdom. I thought his work in the Old Testament was excellent, while his work in the New Testament was good but not as thorough as his treatment of the Old. He deals more with the problems of the church not truly being the church in the end than with New Testament texts.
All in all, this is an excellent read and a great look at a Biblical theology of the Kingdom of God. I would recommend this to all Christians for a good understanding of this topic.
All in all, this is an excellent read and a great look at a Biblical theology of the Kingdom of God. I would recommend this to all Christians for a good understanding of this topic.
November 26, 2013
Surprisingly well written. I do not expect theology books to use such dramatic metaphors. The author keeps us tuned in by frequently writing from the viewpoint of antagonists in scripture and does a remarkable job of bringing out social and political movements (from the Old Testament in particular). Bright's theology of the kingdom has a few holes, but stands strong as a whole, especially considering it was published 60 years ago. This might have been a five star review had the author not found it necessary to take a divisive stand on the old arguments between our Covenant and Dispensational systems of theology in the latter half of the book.
November 11, 2013
The author states that he wants to make this book available to all readers, but it is still quite academic. I did appreciate the extra notes as I looked at a portion of them. I learned a lot. It wasn't quite what I was hoping for; yet, I thought it was a worthwhile read (and it was an assigned book for me :D)
February 1, 2017
I read this book because it made Dallas Willard's list of Top 5 books. It's a historical survey of the concept of the kingdom of God ... from the Old Testament to the New. While it's dated (written in the 50s), the applications are still relevant to today's church. I learned much!
December 1, 2011
Reading this one by an Old Testament professor for a course I'm doing through my church. Not light reading, but really well written.
August 22, 2014
Wonderful overview over the Bible investigating the theme of the Kingdom of God. Particularly insightful work on the prophets in connection with this theme.
June 8, 2013
An Historical look at the Unfolding and Coming of The Kingdom that demonstrates continuity and single purpose between the Old Testament and the New. Gleaned much from its closing chapters.
CLASSIC!
CLASSIC!
August 27, 2017
Impressive scholarship. It really helped me to follow the changing of the idea of the Kingdom of God through the Old Testament into the New Testament.
January 30, 2019
This book had some good insights but it was hard for me to get a rhythm in it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews