Heaven on Earth: Experiencing the Kingdom of God in the Here and Now

by R. Alan Streett

The future hope of heaven is pulled into the here-and-now in this illuminating description of the kingdom of God. Popular teacher and author R. Alan Streett exposes half-truths about the kingdom that many believers have unwittingly accepted. He contrasts these with the testimony of Readers will find hope and direction in this fresh presentation of the historic teaching on the kingdom.

Genres: Theology, Church, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Bret Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has done his research. He makes an excellent case for the communal meals of the first-century church being Roman-style banquets but anti-Roman at heart. His thesis holds together through many scriptural examples as well as some broad scriptural application.

One of my favorite chapters was chapter 5 on Jesus’ Lukas Meals. I was probably drawn to that one, as I’m currently preaching through Luke, giving particular focus to the meals that Jesus shares (sure could have used this book two weeks ago!).

By the way, chapter 5 makes an excellent companion to Tim Chester’s “A Meal with Jesus,” one of my favorite reads from this year.

I also enjoyed chapter 7, “The Anti-Imperial Nature of Christian Meals.” I especially enjoyed the attention Streett gives to the early Christian hymns we have recorded in Paul’s letters. He provides some much-needed context for hearing those songs as the original audience must have heard them.

This is a big book! It’s a lot to take in. There were a few spots where I felt I was in over my head. As a supplement, I listened to Streett’s interview on the August 26, 2020 episode of the OnScript podcast. Listening to the one hour interview was a great way to re-center the book in my mind and keep from getting lost in the weeds.

I was definitely left with a question of “what do I do with this information?” Does it inform how I do communion every week, or does it inform how I consider politics and government every day? For me, it was a reminder that if I’m praying, as Jesus taught us, “YOUR kingdom come,” I’m not going to be looking for my hope and salvation in an earthly kingdom.

With less than two months to go until Election Day, 2020, that’s a message I needed to hear again.

[Alex Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting perspective for certain into how the people of God have participated in fellowship together under various domination systems over them. Shows how being one of the people of God means that first we submit to King Jesus as our Geopolitical ruler first and what His ethics are for us to follow.

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book that breaks much new ground in Biblical studies and early church history. As far as the author (and I) can tell, this is the first book to study dining habits in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ and connect this with the mainly scanty evidence in the New Testament as to how what came to be the Eucharist was most likely originally practiced. Streett stresses the political dimensions of the Roman meal and thus stresses the political implications of the Jewish Passover and the breaking of bread among the first Christians.

A former meal in Greco-Roman culture is the symposium, most famously described in Plato’s great dialogue. Streett explains the ritual meal in some detail: the preparation, seating arrangements (reclining around a low table), blessing of wine in the name of a god or gods and of the emperor, long conversation with speeches. The invocation of deities and the increasingly deified emperor shows the inextricable relationship of religion and politics.

Streett argues that by the time of Jesus, the Passover celebration among Jews had evolved to using the symposium structure while steering it to their own tradition so that the blessing of the cup was addressed to Yahweh & the deliverance from the Egypt was the topic of remembrance and discussion. The political dimension of this Jewish adaptation is obvious enough. Street goes on to argue that the Last Supper was such a symposium and early Christians celebrations of what came to be called the Eucharist who also sympsia which Christ being the center of remembrance and discussion as well as worship. Again, this redirection toward Christ celebrated as the true bringer of peace was both politically and religiously loaded.

Street discusses many instances of Jesus’ subversion of symposia customs, mainly in Luke’s Gospel, such as the story of the Woman Who Was a Sinner crashing the symposium hosted by Simon. These stories suggest that the hierarchical and class-based structures of the symposia should be dismantled in favor of an egalitarian model, which was also socially and politically subversive.

Streett’s thesis gains plausibility in that it seems a natural progression for both Jews and Christians to use the existing social norms while moving them into a new direction. Actual evidence that such is the case is scanty however. The biggest piece in scripture is in 1 Corinthians where it does appear that Paul is berating the Corinthians for holding on to hierarchical customs. It would indeed be the rich members of the church who could come early and hog all the food since slaves and other workers would not be free to come until later. Paul’s letter here and the complaints in the Epistle of James of undue deference to the rich and powerful suggest that shifting to an egalitarian model was very difficult and maybe never really happened.

The stress on the political dimensions of worship and theology runs the risk of being reductionistic, but then much Christian scholarship and theology has been reductionistic in the “spiritual” direction. In the main, I feel that Streett is adding political dimensions to early church history rather than diminishing the “spiritual. Actually, what he demonstrates is that spirituality and politics are inseparable in the early church with the implication that the same is true today, or it should be. If Jesus is Lord, then Caesar isn’t.

This book covers only the earliest Christian movement and so does not even begin to trace the evolution of practice leading to what is recognizable as Eucharistic practice today. The latter seems to have been quite established by the fourth century. A long look at the Dicache and Justin Martyr would be valuable in this regard. (I realize that this would be beyond the scope of this book.)

A most valuable contribution to early Christian studies.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, this book supports the thesis that Jesus's ministry pointed to his kingship in opposition to the Roman empire and other subsequent ages' sovereignties. I enjoyed how the author explains the significance of various events during Jesus's ministry as showing his royalty. However, there were times when it felt like the author was pressing too hard or making a biblical narrative fit his hypothesis when such was not the case. I would've appreciated the author explaining Jesus's parables about the kingdom of God, but he really didn't go there. This was a disappointment as the title of the book suggests the Kingdom of God as the theme, and Jesus's parables about the kingdom of God are central to one's proper understanding of it.

[Daniel Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Clear. Straightforward and thought provoking. Streett gives a clear view of Jesus' meaning when he said the Kingdom of Heaven was present on the earth.
Beginning with Adam and Eve, Streett clearly traces the power and work done through the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Powerful and life-changing as we view ourselves as being intimately involved in the work of God on earth. A reminder that the power and authority of God do not exist somewhere out 'there' but rather they are present with each believer.
A must read for a person serious about following Jesus.

[Stephen Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would hate to be in this guy's class

Long winded and repetitive, this book shows what is so wrong with scholastic authors/ books today.

The author takes forever to get to his point, gives way too much background that takes tens of pages that could have been done in one page. Did the editors not give him a minimum word count, or did they just have some weird quota they had to get to and decided to let him fill it?

Also, who was this written for? Given all the historical, political, cultural, and economic background to Greco-Roman and Jewish culture, one would assume it's for the non-scholastic populous. And yet there is so much packed in, it would go over most of their heads.

In such a case, it seems to be more for the scholastic students in seminaries or masters programs. And yet, if so, why waste all of our time putting things in context that most already know?

The author definitely knows his stuff, and has done a lot of reading and thinking on this subject. But this piece could have easily been cut in half and done the same job.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presents an informative and interesting study of the Graeco-Roman background of the first century churches' communal meals, including the Lord's Supper. It would have been good to have had some treatment of the Jewish background and influence on the early ekklesiai, and especially that of the synagogues. This approach to the New Testament suffers from a similar problem some have with Old Testament interpretation and the precise role of ANE mythopoeia. We certainly cannot ignore the Graeco-Roman milieu of the first century churches, but neither should we politicize the New Testament as though it were written entirely to subvert the Roman Empire. Egalitarian theology, two-age theology, and continuationism are a few problem theologies for the biblical interpretation in the book. With all that said, the Roman banquets and the extent of their influence on early churches hasn't received enough attention.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched, scholarly, fascinating, and provocative book drawing out evidence for the Eucharist as part of an anti-Imperial event echoing and pastiching the Roman banquets of the time.

I do think that the book might have benefitted from judicious editing and I wish that it had concentrated on the meal itself, rather than moving into prophecy in its second half, but it remains an important offering for those of us who want to draw out the subversive message of Jesus and his ministry. I am very grateful for this book.

[Justin Heap · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was grateful to receive a free copy of this book directly from Dr. Streett, himself, via Twitter (@7Streett11) —I was glad to take my time with this book, and hope the review is helpful.

Here is an entirely approachable text from Dr. Alan Streett of Criswell College that surveys the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven and, specifically, it's present consequences on Earth; if you are familiar with the likes of N.T. Wright, Scot McKnight, or Dallas Willard, you will find a comfortable amount of familiarity around this theme. Ultimately, Streett’s hope is that we each would surely experience the abundant life that Jesus came to bring.

Dr. Streett begins with a rich, almost Cahilll-tone right from the start —five bold chapters where he spends significant time exploring the historical world of Israel as it relates to creation, life, and salvation —beautifully avoiding the falsehood of limiting salvation to “spiritual deliverance or personal sin,” noting that, “It [salvation] includes rescue from political forces and structures that have aligned with Satan” (p. 34).

Chapter three, specifically, The Kingdom In The Old Testament Era is an expert, albeit high, overview of the connections between The Exodus, The Monarchy, The Fall of Israel, and Messianic Hopes. He is really showing that, “From the beginning of creation, God planned for his people to be ruled by a divinely sanctioned leader who listens to and obeys God’s voice. Through this process of faithful rule and unwavering obedience, the knowledge of God will spread throughout the world."

Streett’s work on what it means to explore God’s Appointed And Anointed King (ch 5), is outstanding. The hinge which the reader feels naturally led to, and from which he will begin to move from. To summarize, he writes, “Through his birth, Jesus is appointed God’s King. At his baptism, Jesus is anointed by the Spirit to be Gods King” (p. 76).

For me, as I moved through the middle of this book, I saw a deviation both in tone and in provoking thought: it makes sense that he would consider this vast world of “Christian Living,” but it simultaneously just didn’t “feel right.” Of note, in chapter eight, Kingdom Responsibilities. Streett outright says, “We get to enjoy the benefits of the kingdom, but we also are expected to abide by its moral code” (p. 127). Firstly, this calls into question much of the Identity of who we are, as we are found in the scandal of Grace and Unconditional Love. Additionally, he follows this up with “Action Points” which painted a predictable landscape of bulleted helps.

Chapters nine through thirteen felt rushed, but are traced with bright spots, to be sure! And, if you are unaware of much of the Kingdom or Jesus’ gospel, then it will likely read as a “new” and eye-opening experience. These are good chapters that remind us of the Kingdom Jesus has/had in mind.

Streett returns to a powerful concept as he concludes his final chapters —The Church As a Colony And Embassy. This is the sort of writing that catches fire; it’s tone is passionate and the content has massive implication. He dives into an oft-overlooked facet of “church” which is our citizenship in heaven. The conclusion wraps up with a brief, fast-paced eschatological scene showing the reality of the abundant life and the presence of the Kingdom of God today.

Though I do not share all of this author’s convictions as they relate specifically to eschatology or identity in Christ, that is not the primary focus of this text; this work is well-founded, gracious, and often compelling. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to explore the Kingdom of Heaven, the reign of Christ, and themes relating to Salvation. I believe it is evident from his cadence and careful dedication that this book reflects a generous and Kingdom-minded person who is helping create a beautiful, abundant future we can be thankful for.

[Naum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read in 2014 to date ("but you say that about every good book you read!" :))

Scholarly gaze into the Roman banquet practice and cultural milieu that permeated the practice and how the early Christians/church flipped it upside down. But first, the author explores Roman culture and how those that separate church and state in Scripture error by imposing a modernist imprint upon that age -- a time when everything was *political* and the one of the most *political* of customs was sharing a meal together -- from who was invited, to seating arrangements, to the benedictions and libations offered to political overlords (with "Lord Caesar" arched above all), favor exchanges and reciprocity driven status seekers.

Then, the Christian practice of "communion service" is studied -- where Christians ape the Roman practice, with the deipnon (sharing of a meal similar to a potluck today), then the symposium (a time of worship, prayer, ministry, thoughtful discussion) with libation and bread/drink offered up in remembrance of Jesus. But the Christian practice was a "subversive" twist on the Roman custom -- fellowship (koinonia), friendship (philia) and equality (isonomia), preached by Paul in NT was the model -- male, female, master, slave, Jew, Gentile, all equals at the table, and believers urged to kill their egos, and serve each other.

The penultimate chapter is ostensibly about prophecy, but I discovered the bits (author covers some bible passages from Acts, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Revelation) about 1 Cor 13, sandwiched (pun!) between 1 Cor 12 and 1 Cor 14 awe inducing in that I'll never be able to hear 1 Cor 13 (the famous "love" passage) again without seeing what the author reveals -- the moorings to Christian banquet, and conduct of Christians to self-sacrifice -- Between his treatment of the superiority of love (vv. 1–3) and the temporality of gifts (vv. 8–13), Paul lists the attributes of love, which serve as the antithesis of the way the Corinthians have behaved at mealtime. The manifestation of these virtues during the symposium will assure civility, and serve to regulate the gifts for the benefit of all. Love acts as a template against which the Corinthians can judge their behavior during the second course of the dinner.

The book ends on a question: How should an understanding of the Lord’s Supper in the first century impact communion services in the twenty-first century? -- It makes the whole cracker wafer and thimble of grape juice look so silly. But then these times aren't those times either, and to sit down at a meal just doesn't carry the same gravitas it once did (we're such a drive-through culture). Or does it? That debate and/or answer is not entertained in the book, however.

[Matt Dillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a challenging book to read. As I read, I appreciated more and more that the author was seeking to draw conclusions based on the text of scripture, rather than letting our traditions dictate interpretation. There were some conclusions with which I think I disagree, such as the extreme pacifism, the emphasis on baptism's role in today's church, and the continued application of the sign gifts, but even those areas forced me to examine why I believe what I do.

For most of the book, Streett brought to light the Jewish and Roman customs that influenced the writings. That was quite helpful in understanding passages that are otherwise difficult to interpret. There were a few odd places where Streett's proposed application of scripture seemed _not_ to take into consideration the cultural context, however. He regularly held up the dinner meetings of the early church in a way that seemed prescriptive, even after having just explained that this way of meeting was simply how the early church adapted to the culture of the times.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

We Have Missed Out!

Finally, an accessible yet well researched book that helps us to make better sense of first century Christian worship. For those of us who think that worship is rooted in more than spiritual exuberance, here is evidence that the meal at which all were practicing life as Jesus described in the Kingdom threatened the system of patronage and privilege ubiquitous in the Roman Empire. No wonder the meal was subversive! The implications for a post-modern Church are enormous. The reinterpretation of Scripture is refreshing. Only wish this was available sooner.

[Rick]

good

[Peggy]

Thoughtful and provocative. Spurs readers to be intentional about how they are living right here, right now, and contributing (or not) to bringing Christ's kingdom on earth to fruition.