BOOK REVIEW
Witherington, B. 2009. Imminent Domain: The Story of
the Kingdom of God and Its Celebration. Kindle Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
In this essay I will
review the book Imminent Domain: The
Story of the Kingdom of God and Its
Celebration written by Ben Witherington the 3rd, chapters 1-6. I
will not be discussing the introduction or the appendix. The book is easy to
read and each chapter follows the other in logical sequence. The focus of the
first three chapters of the book is God’s present reign over the hearts of His
people and its implications in terms of the visibility of God’s kingdom on
earth in the present age. The last three chapters focus on the eschatological
return of Christ and the theological implications which should effect the
practice of believers and the church as a whole.
[Chapter 1 location
108-230] In the first chapter Ben establishes that although the kingdom of God has
not yet fully come eschatologically, it is already present through God’s rule
over the hearts of His people. He points out that in Luke 17:20-21 Jesus taught
the Jews that God’s kingdom was not coming with visible signs in the sky at
some future point, as they expected, but rather that it was already in their
midst through His reign over the hearts of believers. Ben refers to Matthew
5:27-28 as well as Mark 7:18-22 and points out that the human heart is the
source of mankind’s sin and so God must deal with the source of sin rather than
the symptoms in order to effect real change in creation. When God rules human
hearts this creates real change in their lives and even effects the social
fabric of society.
[Chapter 2 location
234-344] In chapter 2 Ben continues by building on this concept and argues that
God’s domain is visible through the lives of His people, their pious living and
in their good deeds. He uses Romans 14:17-18 as well as the fruits of the
Spirit mention in Galatians 5:22-23 to argue that God’s kingdom is seen in the
righteousness, joy and peace of God’s people. Furthermore according to 1 John
3:24 the obedience of believers and their love for one another proves that they
abide in God and God in them. Finally Ben elicits the Psalms to prove that God
dwells in the midst of the praises of His people
[Chapter 3 location
349-510] In chapter 3 the focus of the book becomes more personal and Ben
argues that those who live as though Jesus was not their Lord give evidence
that they are not a part of God’s Kingdom. He contrasts the fruit of the Spirit
with the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-23 and draws upon 1 Corinthians
13 as well as Matthew 5-7 to prove that without the fruit of the Spirit no
individual can claim they belong to the kingdom of God.
[Chapter 4 location
515-653] The focus of the fourth chapter of Ben’s book deals with the common
misconception that heaven is the final destination for believers. He points out
that when Jesus returns the dead in Christ will be resurrected, all God’s
people will have their corruptible bodies transformed into incorruptible
bodies, heaven will merge with earth and God will dwell with His creation forever.
To support these points
Ben draws upon the apostles creed, which mentions the resurrection of believers
from the dead, to prove that Christians have always believed they will live on
earth in resurrected bodies. Ben also utilises 1 Corinthians 15:23-28, which
says that the dead in Christ shall be resurrected and those that are alive
shall be changed with them in a twinkling of an eye. The same text says that
believers will have an incorruptible body and will inherit the earth. Ben also argues
that according to Revelation 6:9-10 the saints of God are asking “how long”
until the inhabitants on earth are judged and the intermediate period in heaven
will come to an end.
[Chapter 5 location
658-792] In the fifth chapter Ben discusses the fate of all those who are not
God’s people. He begins with the fate of the Jews who rejected Jesus and seeks
to defend the charge of anti-Semitism by pointing out that the Old Testament
prophets were just as harsh on their own people as the New Testament writers.
Furthermore Paul frequently sought to evangelise the Jews and even wished his
own damnation if it could result in their salvation. Paul also writes to the
church in Rome arguing that God was not finished with natural Israel.
Ben then argues that
Paul’s example of sincere desire towards Israel’s salvation should teach us to
have a similar desire towards people in other faiths. However we should never
deny or apologise for the Christian teaching that salvation is not found in
anyone else except Jesus Christ. Ben ends this chapter by referring to
Revelation 21:8 which teaches that unbelievers and the like will be sent to the
lake of fire.
[Chapter 6 location
796-924] In chapter 6 Ben discusses the implications that a kingdom focused church
has for the environment. He draws upon the imagery and teaching of Isaiah
65:17-25, Isaiah 2:4 and Romans 8:19-24 to show that God cares for the earth as
well as the creatures which inhabit the earth. He argues that if Jesus intends
to end suffering for animals and restore Eden like conditions on earth at His
coming and the consummation of His kingdom then the church should have the same
care and desire for creation. Ben also argues that the river of life mentioned
in Revelation 22:1-5 flows throughout the earth healing the nations and ending
the curse. This is God’s desire and it should also be ours.
The book is informative
from a theological perspective and well worth reading for both theological
insight as well as practical instruction. The use of scripture to reveal the
current presence of the kingdom of God and the future role of Israel provides
good insight into two important topics. The practical implications of the
kingdom of God raised in the book were unexpected and refreshing. The admonition
to examine whether Christ really reigns in our hearts is healthy. The
instructive aspect of chapter 5 relating to the attitude of believers towards
Israel and persons of other faiths as well as to creation itself was also
helpful. I would recommend the book for
any student of theology or laymen seeking to read a well written and
informative book.
