Stephen Dempster’s The Return of the Kingdom (2024) is one of the books I cited in my upcoming massive work The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: Revised and Expanded due out March 2025.
Dempster’s “The Return of the Kingdom” is a compelling exploration of the biblical narrative’s central theme: God’s kingship and the restoration of His kingdom. This volume, part of IVP Academic’s Essential Studies in Biblical Theology series, offers a comprehensive yet accessible examination of how the concept of kingdom permeates Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.
Dempster skillfully traces the arc of God’s kingship throughout the biblical story. He begins with the creation account, where humans are given the royal calling to rule creation on God’s behalf. The author then navigates through humanity’s rebellion, which led to the world’s enslavement under dark powers, and God’s promise to restore rightful rule through a human descendant.
The book’s strength lies in Dempster’s ability to weave together various biblical threads into a cohesive narrative. He demonstrates how the theme of God’s kingdom is not just a New Testament concept but is deeply rooted in the Old Testament as well. This approach provides readers with a holistic understanding of the Bible’s overarching message.
Dempster’s writing style is both scholarly and engaging. He combines exegetical insights with biblical-theological connections, making the book valuable for both beginners and experts in biblical studies. His use of vivid imagery, such as describing the Bible as a “royal garden,” helps readers visualize complex theological concepts.
One of the book’s key contributions is its emphasis on the “upside-down” nature of God’s kingdom compared to worldly kingdoms. Dempster highlights how Jesus, as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise, establishes His reign through servanthood and sacrifice rather than force and domination.
The author also effectively demonstrates how the kingdom theme ties together various biblical narratives and prophecies. From the Davidic covenant to the prophetic visions of Isaiah, Dempster shows how these elements point towards the ultimate return of God’s kingdom in Christ.
While the book is primarily a work of biblical theology, Dempster doesn’t shy away from practical implications. He encourages readers to live in light of the kingdom’s consummation, emphasizing the importance of faith and good works as we await Christ’s return.
“The Return of the Kingdom” is not just an academic exercise; it’s a call to see the Bible’s grand narrative and our place within it. Dempster’s work reminds us that we are part of a story much larger than ourselves – a story of a loving God working to restore His creation and bring all things under His righteous rule.
In conclusion, Stephen Dempster’s “The Return of the Kingdom” is a valuable addition to biblical theology literature. It offers a clear, comprehensive, and inspiring overview of God’s kingdom throughout Scripture, thought it’s a bit academic.
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