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The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God
This classic, penetrating analysis of the Kingdom of God as taught in both the Old and New Testaments has been republished in a handsome hardback dust jacket edition. This masterwork was written by the founding president of Grace Theological Seminary, who was a member of the Scofield Reference Bible Revision Committee and a charter member of the Evangelical Theological Society.
556 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2022
I will always feel that Michael Vlach's book "He Will Reign Forever" is the most accessible book on the subject of the Kingdom. A lay person could read that book and learn far more than many pastors know on the subject.
McClain is deeper and wordier. He covers far more ground and leaves fewer unanswered questions. This book takes a sharp mind and even, perhaps, a cup of coffee and a highlighter. But if you are willing to commit to it, this book will grow you.
Highly recommend.
McClain is deeper and wordier. He covers far more ground and leaves fewer unanswered questions. This book takes a sharp mind and even, perhaps, a cup of coffee and a highlighter. But if you are willing to commit to it, this book will grow you.
Highly recommend.
February 15, 2009
Sometimes I fantasize about what books I would take if I knew I were to be marooned on a desert island. What would be my top 5 or 10 or 20 etc. This book and Language In Thought and Action would both be in my top 5. It's the most important Christian book in my library next to my Bible. Many may disagree with it's dispensational point of view, but for me it made the entire Bible come together
January 25, 2012
Easily the finest book I have ever encountered on the subject. This term "the Kingdom of God" is used in such a sloppy way and it truly cheats the believer out of some of the greatest blessings that we have yet to anticipate. Misquoting Lewis - "Aim at Heaven you get the earth thrown in, but aim at the earth and you get neither." Studying about the Kingdom plan will change the believer's life. Or at least it is changing mine.
February 27, 2024
The book has much to teach us about the Kingdom of Heaven, but is colored by the author’s dispensationalism (a recent development within Christian theology). Dr. McClain fails to recognize the literalism within the historic premillennial view and practically conflates dispensationalism with all forms of premillennialism. The author misses the critical hermeneutical principle that Christ is the focus of all prophesy, for Jesus alone is the truly obedient Israel. The author makes a compelling case for a future literal earthly kingdom, but in my opinion the kingdom he proposes is a retrograde kingdom more in the vein of the Old Covenant than the New Covenant. The future salvation of ethnic Jews separate from the Body of Christ—the temple of the living God—seems odd. If all those in union with Christ are the true descendants of Abraham, why will ethnic differences again become important in the kingdom? How can one separate those Christ has made one? Why re-erect the wall of separation Christ eliminated? How can the church and Israel both be within the one Vine—the only source of salvation—yet separate groups in eschatology? The gospel does NOT erase cultural differences—I’m not advocating whitewashing—but all people approach God through Jesus the only way, truth, and life.
Dr. McClain gives us a millennial kingdom where Christ returns but sin is not totally banished and the curse—while somewhat lifted—is not truly undone. This half-way kingdom seems a far cry from the glories foretold by the Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles. The author exposes significant weaknesses in the Amillennial position and those convinced of premillennial-dispensationalism while find this volume compelling. After working through this lengthy book, I—as one who sees weaknesses in both of those interpretative frameworks—remain unconvinced that the recently developed dispensationalist scheme holds the key to unlocking the future plan of God. Nevertheless, the author is right to admonish us to watch and pray for we do not know the hour our Master will return. Maranatha, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Dr. McClain gives us a millennial kingdom where Christ returns but sin is not totally banished and the curse—while somewhat lifted—is not truly undone. This half-way kingdom seems a far cry from the glories foretold by the Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles. The author exposes significant weaknesses in the Amillennial position and those convinced of premillennial-dispensationalism while find this volume compelling. After working through this lengthy book, I—as one who sees weaknesses in both of those interpretative frameworks—remain unconvinced that the recently developed dispensationalist scheme holds the key to unlocking the future plan of God. Nevertheless, the author is right to admonish us to watch and pray for we do not know the hour our Master will return. Maranatha, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
April 14, 2023
I seem to do almost everything in my study of eschatology backwards. As a very young Christian I read Pentecost's "Things To Come" and thoroughly love it. Years later, I read Paul Lee Tan's "The Interpretation of Prophecy" with great delight. At present I am in volume two of Peters' classic "The Theocratic Kingdom," and have just completed Alva J. McClain's "The Greatness of the Kingdom." My advice to serious-minded young Christians would be to read these great works in the sequence they were written, "The Theocratic Kingdom," "The Greatness Of The Kingdom," "Things To Come," and then "The Interpretation of Prophecy." Such a sequence of books would serve you well.
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December 4, 2014 During my seminary years (1972-1975) I was assigned this book as the text for a class on the Kingdom. I think this one book did more for my understanding of the New Testament, especially the Gospels, than any other book I read during those years. That class on the kingdom was taught by Dr. Rolland McCune who had been a student of McClain’s at Grace Theological Seminary. I used this book as a text myself when teaching in Bible College and have continued to recommend it to anyone looking for a definitive word on the subject of the kingdom. I have recently reread the book and was blessed and encouraged to report on it again.
Alva J. McClain (1888-1968) was the son of Walter Scott McClain who was part of the old division in the Brethren movement (1882) that formed the Brethren Church. Alva McClain was later part of another split in that movement (1939) which formed the Grace Brethren. McClain and Herman Hoyt had already organized Grace Theological Seminary in 1937 and McClain served as its first president and professor of Christian Theology until his retirement. He received a Th.M degree from Xenia Theological Seminary and honorary doctorates from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (where he taught for a while) and Bob Jones University. McClain wrote a commentary on Daniel in 1940 and published this volume in 1957.
McClain’s proposition is that the kingdom of God and its King are the theme of Scripture. Although acknowledging the truth of a universal kingdom of God which God rules from heaven (thought rarely mentioned in Scripture), McClain championed the idea that the kingdom spoken of in almost every other passage of Scripture refers to a literal earthly kingdom, either the Old Testament kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of God offered to Israel in the gospels, or the future kingdom of God spoken of throughout the remainder of the New Testament. If one would consider this idea of the kingdom first when it is mentioned in these texts, the whole picture of the Bible would become clearer. For McClain, this also solidified his belief in premillennial dispensationalism which it will also do for almost anyone reading the Bible with this straightforward, literal hermeneutic.
see my website for over 600 other book reviews, http://aletheiabaptistministries.org/Blog/
Alva J. McClain (1888-1968) was the son of Walter Scott McClain who was part of the old division in the Brethren movement (1882) that formed the Brethren Church. Alva McClain was later part of another split in that movement (1939) which formed the Grace Brethren. McClain and Herman Hoyt had already organized Grace Theological Seminary in 1937 and McClain served as its first president and professor of Christian Theology until his retirement. He received a Th.M degree from Xenia Theological Seminary and honorary doctorates from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (where he taught for a while) and Bob Jones University. McClain wrote a commentary on Daniel in 1940 and published this volume in 1957.
McClain’s proposition is that the kingdom of God and its King are the theme of Scripture. Although acknowledging the truth of a universal kingdom of God which God rules from heaven (thought rarely mentioned in Scripture), McClain championed the idea that the kingdom spoken of in almost every other passage of Scripture refers to a literal earthly kingdom, either the Old Testament kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of God offered to Israel in the gospels, or the future kingdom of God spoken of throughout the remainder of the New Testament. If one would consider this idea of the kingdom first when it is mentioned in these texts, the whole picture of the Bible would become clearer. For McClain, this also solidified his belief in premillennial dispensationalism which it will also do for almost anyone reading the Bible with this straightforward, literal hermeneutic.
see my website for over 600 other book reviews, http://aletheiabaptistministries.org/Blog/
May 21, 2019
My final semester of college, I took an elective by the phenomenal John Master entitled "Theology of the Kingdom." Throughout those fourteen weeks, we traced the theme of the Kingdom of God from Genesis through Revelation; it was a fantastic capstone for a degree in Biblical Studies! Alva McClain, in "The Greatness of the Kingdom," traces that same theme of the Kingdom of God throughout the Word of God, and the result is a tour-de-force that anyone interested in seeing the big picture of the Bible must read.
McClain writes concerning God's mediatorial kingdom. As opposed to His universal rule over all, the mediatorial kingdom is how God rules over the earth through intermediaries, whether those are individuals, a nation (i.e., Israel), the universal Church, or, in the future, directly through His Son.
After some introductory considerations, McClain traces God's mediatorial kingdom program through four parts: (1) Old Testament History, (2) Old Testament Prophecy, (3) the Four Gospels, and (4) Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. Tackling the Word of God from a dispensationalist approach, McClain notes how God has used different mediators through the years, and how they all tie together in one common theme. (Incidentally, it's the only theme that I believe unites all of Scripture. Ryrie gives the glory of God as the unifying theme of the Word of God, and McClain demonstrates why this is woefully inadequate!)
Highlights of this work include insights from the Old Testament prophets on the qualities of the Kingdom of God at the Second Coming of Christ, as well as helpful sections exegeting and dealing with the Sermon on the Mount, the Olivet Discourse, and Revelation; as they relate to the Church (with the first), and eschatological events (with the latter two).
"The Greatness of the Kingdom" should be considered one of the most foundational defenses of dispensational theology,* and its subject matter must be considered by anyone who desires to critique the hermeneutical system. Lord willing, I desire to one day present my own defense of dispensationalism, and McClain's work will certainly be one I turn to for guidance.
*If I had to round out a top five at this point, I'd also include:
+Pentecost's "Thy Kingdom Come"
+Watson's "Dispensationalism Before Darby"
+Ryrie's "Dispensationalism"
+Showers' "There Really Is A Difference"
McClain writes concerning God's mediatorial kingdom. As opposed to His universal rule over all, the mediatorial kingdom is how God rules over the earth through intermediaries, whether those are individuals, a nation (i.e., Israel), the universal Church, or, in the future, directly through His Son.
After some introductory considerations, McClain traces God's mediatorial kingdom program through four parts: (1) Old Testament History, (2) Old Testament Prophecy, (3) the Four Gospels, and (4) Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. Tackling the Word of God from a dispensationalist approach, McClain notes how God has used different mediators through the years, and how they all tie together in one common theme. (Incidentally, it's the only theme that I believe unites all of Scripture. Ryrie gives the glory of God as the unifying theme of the Word of God, and McClain demonstrates why this is woefully inadequate!)
Highlights of this work include insights from the Old Testament prophets on the qualities of the Kingdom of God at the Second Coming of Christ, as well as helpful sections exegeting and dealing with the Sermon on the Mount, the Olivet Discourse, and Revelation; as they relate to the Church (with the first), and eschatological events (with the latter two).
"The Greatness of the Kingdom" should be considered one of the most foundational defenses of dispensational theology,* and its subject matter must be considered by anyone who desires to critique the hermeneutical system. Lord willing, I desire to one day present my own defense of dispensationalism, and McClain's work will certainly be one I turn to for guidance.
*If I had to round out a top five at this point, I'd also include:
+Pentecost's "Thy Kingdom Come"
+Watson's "Dispensationalism Before Darby"
+Ryrie's "Dispensationalism"
+Showers' "There Really Is A Difference"
December 12, 2020
A very long read, and somewhat monotonous. It may serve better as a reference book for a premillennialist Biblical theology than an argument for the merits of that position. I found a lot of his criticisms of other views to be as dated as the book, and he does not really speak to moderns forms of “amillennialism” such as inaugurated eschatology. One thing I appreciated is that he strongly criticized forms of platonic theology which frequently crop up in discussions of eschatology. He was clear in his conviction that the created world is essentially good and not to be despised.
May 15, 2012
A well thought out classic on pre-millennialism. Get it and read it!
September 11, 2017
Like drinking from a fire hose. So much information but an excellent read.
October 8, 2023
When a scholar writes a book that is integral to his particular area of study, then one must take note. In “Greatness of the Kingdom “ Alva McClain provides the fruit from a lifetime of study of the Kingdom if God, as related throughout holy writ, and the result is a stunning achievement.
What is meant by the Kingdom of God? Is the Kingdom of God different from the Kingdom of Heaven? Does the Kingdom change its referent from the Old Testament to the New? Is the Kingdom unique to Israel, or is the Israel of God coextensive with the Jewish nation? All of the questions and many more are covered in this definitive work.
If one is to understand the meta narrative of Scripture, especially as it pertains to eschatology, this work is indispensable, and I highly commend it to you. You may find after reading this book that you have been misreading and misunderstanding the Scripture in a variety of areas. So give this book a read. Happy reading!
What is meant by the Kingdom of God? Is the Kingdom of God different from the Kingdom of Heaven? Does the Kingdom change its referent from the Old Testament to the New? Is the Kingdom unique to Israel, or is the Israel of God coextensive with the Jewish nation? All of the questions and many more are covered in this definitive work.
If one is to understand the meta narrative of Scripture, especially as it pertains to eschatology, this work is indispensable, and I highly commend it to you. You may find after reading this book that you have been misreading and misunderstanding the Scripture in a variety of areas. So give this book a read. Happy reading!
October 25, 2022
will need to re read this one many times before I can comment.
May 29, 2023
One of the best, most thorough writings on The Kingdom I have ever read. Absolutely Biblical and clear through.
May 25, 2013
This is a must have book, a great read & a great resource. I know of no other work that is as comprehensive as this one is on the subject of the Kingdom of God & its meaning.
The first half of the book deals with the kingdom in the Old Testament. The author asserts that there is a universal kingdom where God rules over everyone, & there is a mediatorial kingdom, experienced either in the form of the Old Testament Israelite Theocracy, or in the life of the individual believer. He points out that even though we are experiencing some of the benefits of kingdom life on earth if we are Christians, we still need to look forward to the day when God installs Christ as head of the future 1000 year messianic kingdom on earth so that God's rule may be experienced by one & all (at least those who survive the judgment at the second coming of Christ).
Anyone reading this book in its entirety will gain a full understanding of why God's glorious Kingdom is to be anticipated with great expectation.
I believe that the author’s hermeneutic is consistent, consistent from Genesis through Revelation and is applied consistently as he discusses the Kingdom of God throughout this unique & valuable work.
The first half of the book deals with the kingdom in the Old Testament. The author asserts that there is a universal kingdom where God rules over everyone, & there is a mediatorial kingdom, experienced either in the form of the Old Testament Israelite Theocracy, or in the life of the individual believer. He points out that even though we are experiencing some of the benefits of kingdom life on earth if we are Christians, we still need to look forward to the day when God installs Christ as head of the future 1000 year messianic kingdom on earth so that God's rule may be experienced by one & all (at least those who survive the judgment at the second coming of Christ).
Anyone reading this book in its entirety will gain a full understanding of why God's glorious Kingdom is to be anticipated with great expectation.
I believe that the author’s hermeneutic is consistent, consistent from Genesis through Revelation and is applied consistently as he discusses the Kingdom of God throughout this unique & valuable work.
August 13, 2014
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.
April 25, 2014
Best book ever. Unifies the entire Bible into a seamless plan orchestrated by the King of kings. It is easily the most important book about the Bible I have ever read and, despite its length, deserves multiple readings as well as time for reflection on the implications presented. It is thorough, but everything is important. There is no fluff. I had to keep my Bible close by when I read this book in order to look up many of the passages referenced. If I had one book to recommend to any student of the Bible, this is it.
November 28, 2009
If I had only one book to make a five star this would be it. Alva is my favorite theologian bar none and the Kingdom is a subject that I hungered and thirsted to understand. It was not until I read this book that my thirst was slaked. It is like being caught in a desert and coming accross a true oasis every word drips into the throat like a tantalizing elixer. God is gracious to lead us into His truth so mercifully.
March 12, 2010
I read this book several years ago. Up until then, I had a hard time seeing how the Pentateuch related to the Prophets, how the gospels related to the N.T. Epistles, etc. I read this book and typed up a detailed outline of its contents. God used that study to turn the lights on for me and connect many dots that had remained disjointed until then. I was able to morph my study into a module that I still teach. I would definitely recommend this book.
December 12, 2011
Very, very enjoyable! It's wonderful to read a book and have it affect the way you go back and read Scripture. This is an excellent work that is standing the test of time and provides great insight into Biblical theology. I'm eager to read this one again and hope that I actually own a copy the next time around so I don't have to borrow one!
July 4, 2012
Probably the greatest and most significant work on the nature of the kingdom. Reading this book will help you understand the connection between old and new testaments and will have you walking away with a deep desire for Christ to return! Maranatha, Lord Jesus!
October 16, 2015
A must read for every teacher. You wish every believer would read it. Not only do you get good theology on the kingdom, but the author teaches excellent principles of interpretation.
I hope to go back to this book often. It is so rich in its depths.
I hope to go back to this book often. It is so rich in its depths.
January 6, 2013
very very important book because we don't teach on this central theme of the whole bible
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