Book Review: “Kingdom Journey”
Mr. Finnegan provides a compelling Scriptural case to look forward to the advent of Jesus Christ and the unspeakable beauties of his rule.
Read Time: 3 minutes
Written by Sean P. Finnegan (2023)
Reviewed by Dave Jennings
For many years, Christadelphians have felt quite alone in their understanding of the true teaching of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, we have become aware of a significant group of Bible students who are aligned with our rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity. It is with joy, then, that we see additional content that is very similar to our understanding of the Promises and the coming Kingdom of God.
Mr. Finnegan provides a unique look at the historical factors that have affected Christianity’s view of the coming Kingdom of God on earth. It was very helpful to read his summary of the philosophers and clergy that diverted opinion away from a literal Kingdom on earth and rejected the critical role of Israel as a Kingdom of Priests in the Kingdom. He walks through the writings of the ancient church leaders who exchanged “the church” as the Kingdom and the reward for believers being in Heaven. Often, we aren’t familiar with these ecclesiastical extra-Biblical discussions and their historical developments. I found it very useful to see where these pure and explicit teachings of the Bible became corrupted.
As Mr. Finnegan points out, there has always been a remnant who have believed that Jesus will return to set up a worldwide, everlasting Kingdom of righteousness. Often, that same remnant has been persecuted for its beliefs. Mr. Finnegan provides a compelling Scriptural case to look forward to the advent of Jesus Christ and the unspeakable beauties of his rule.
In the end, Mr. Finnegan reminds us of our great responsibility for correcting error. The vision of the coming Kingdom of God is the core of the Promises and the gospel message. We must proclaim it to all who hear. In November, Mr. Finnegan will also speak at a Unitarian Christian Alliance event sponsored by the Simi Hills, CA Ecclesia. See the back cover and the following article, “Unitarian Christian Alliance,” in this issue for more details.
Dave Jennings
To purchase from Amazon: https://shorturl.at/hFUFV
Book excerpt, provided by Amazon
The more I reflect upon creation, the more I appreciate how spectacular it truly is. For example, plants come from seeds. What is a seed? Is it alive or dead? On the one hand, seeds appear to be dead because they can sit for years in a package and never change a bit: on the other hand, they begin growing into massive trees as soon as they are activated.
How do we unlock the incredible life-generating power of a seed? Do we crush it to pieces and form a paste, hang it on an existing plant, or affix it to the skin of an animal? No: we unleash the mysterious life force of a seed by sticking it in the dirt. Dirt. We put a semi-dead husk in dirt and sprinkle some water on it—which makes mud—and that somehow transforms an inanimate pod into a growing baby plant. The plant feeds on dirt, water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide, four of the most plenteous and non-endangered resources on the planet. It grows taller, produces leaves, emits oxygen, and brings forth many more seeds. This utterly common process is actually spectacular.
What’s more, God’s ingenious seed idea is incredibly resilient. Plants spring up everywhere, from the spaces between sidewalk slabs to the tiny cracks in asphalt parking lots. If someone doesn’t patch and repair the road regularly, weeds will quietly and steadily spread the asphalt apart, bit by bit, until they take over completely. This is just one aspect of God’s creation, but it teaches us something about the inherent goodness of God’s handiwork. When God says, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed” the result is a diverse panoply of robust and stunning organisms that continue their life cycle eon after eon (Genesis 1:11). From massive redwoods to little clovers to colorful roses, creation is replete with grandeur.
To purchase from Amazon: https://shorturl.at/hFUFV