The Coming of the Kingdom

by Herman Nicolaas Ridderbos

Publisher:

P&R

, 1962

Overview

This volume is a monumental study of the preaching of Jesus according to the synoptics. It is a treasure house of informative and stimulating exegesis, treating large segments of the synoptic texts. Herman Ridderbos presents a study of the kingdom that is thorough as well as comprehensive, taking into account a broad range of critical scholarship. The Coming of the Kingdom offers readers a better understanding of the kingdom’s nature as well as a helpful discussion of the parables and of the apocalyptic discourse of Mark 13.

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Key Features

• Explores the preaching of Jesus according to the synoptics
• Presents informative and stimulating exegesis
• Includes helpful discussion of the parables and apocalyptic discourse

Contents

• The General Character of the Kingdom of Heaven (The Background)
• The General Character of the Kingdom of Heaven (John the Baptist and Jesus)
• The Kingdom Has Come (Fulfillment)
• The Kingdom Has Come (The Provisional Character)
• The Gospel of the Kingdom (The Basic Motif)
• The Gospel of the Kingdom (Salvation)
• The Gospel of the Kingdom (The Commandments)
• The Coming of the Kingdom and the Church
• The Coming of the Kingdom and the Lord’s Supper
• The Future of the Kingdom of Heaven

Top Highlights

“The central theme of Jesus’ message, as it has come down to us in the synoptic gospels, is the coming of the kingdom of God or, as it is usually expressed in Matthew, of the kingdom of heaven.” (Page xi)

“To summarize what we have found, we can say that in the Old Testament the expression kingdom of God does not yet occur in the same invariable sense as in the New Testament. But the thought of a coming kingdom of God, consisting in the universal divine kingship over the whole world, for the good of his people and for the overthrow of any power that opposes his rule, has from olden times been one of the central motives of Israel’s expectation of salvation. Founded on the confession that God is king (present kingship), the expectation arises that he will become king in an intensified and an eschatological sense (future kingship).” (Page 8)

“The idea of the kingdom of God is more comprehensive exactly because it is not only oriented to the redemption of God’s people, but to the self-assertion of God in all his works. Not only does it place Israel, but also the heathen nations, the world, and even the whole creation, in the wide perspective of the realization of all God’s rights and promises.” (Page 23)

“The expression ‘the time is fulfilled’ will thus have to be understood as the indication that the threshold of the great future has been reached, that the door has been opened, and that the prerequisites of the realization of the divine work of consummation are present; so that now the concluding divine drama can start.” (Page 48)

Praise for the Print Edition

When Ridderbos concludes that the kingdom of God involves both a present and a future aspect, nothing especially startling is disclosed. But the author’s treatment of this subject wins unqualified admiration when one takes account of the manner in which, in the context of a thorough and minute examination of the arguments of the representatives of “consistent eschatology” and “realized eschatology,” he surveys the pertinent data and evaluates the issues with exceptional exegetical ability. No one has approached him in the comprehensiveness of the treatment of this matter. And the discussion in this connection of such subjects as the kingdom in relation to Satan’s defeat and present working, the miracles as present power and as signs of the future, the parables, and the integrations of Jesus’ ministry with the coming of the kingdom is highly rewarding.

—Ned B. Stonehouse, late professor of New Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Coming of the Kingdom
• Author: Herman Ridderbos
• Publisher: P&R
• Publication Date: 1962
• Pages: 588
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Biblical Theologies
• Topic: Biblical Studies

About Herman Nicolaas Ridderbos

Herman N. Ridderbos (1909–2007) was an influential New Testament scholar and theologian. Ridderbos studied at the Theological School of the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands and Free University of Amsterdam. He was a pastor for eight years and a professor for over forty. Ridderbos is most widely known and respected for his work on the history of salvation (Heilsgeschichte) and biblical theology. Many of his books appear in the Herman Ridderbos Collection, including Paul and Jesus.