The Upside-Down Kingdom by Donald B Kraybill Marshalls, 1978 318 pages
978 0 551 011 885
Donald Kraybill is, in his own words, ‘a theological layman’. His graduate qualifications in sociology become quickly apparent as you read this book for there is a great deal of sociological reference and explanation in this work – too much, perhaps, for the decisive impact clearly intended. The editorial pencil could have been used to some advantage.
Impact there is, however, for the author takes a radical and very literal approach to expounding the teaching of Jesus in the gospels about the Kingdom of God, its values, ethos and principles.
The notes for each chapter bear ready testimony to the wide reading and research of the author who, in 12 chapters, looks at how Kingdom values differ so radically from the accepted values of the world in which Jesus lived and in which we live today.
Beginning with John the Baptist, the herald of a new era, we are told (warned ?) of a revolutionary shake-up, changes which will accompany the public announcement of the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is this Kingdom which is the central, unifying theme in the ministry and teaching of Jesus.
What makes it so distinctive is that this Kingdom is not bound by space or time, that it is ruled by a holy God whose character holds sway over its adherents and that it is dynamic, growing and receding in place and time.
The temptations of Jesus provide the groundwork for what follows. The characteristics of the Kingdom are outlined in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chs 5-7) but are further developed and described in the many gospel accounts of Jesus’ teaching.
At the end of a very long read, one is left with the dilemma – is the programme of Jesus for the church and individual Christian believer, too high and idealistic, or should we, honestly, settle for less ?
Without doubt, all would agree that the aim is worthy but will it be achieved before Jesus comes again to rule ?