Kingdom Prologue

By Meredith G. Kline

Book Overview

As intimated by the subtitle, Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview, the immediate literary focus of this study is the book of Genesis and its account of the formative ages in the eschatological movement of the kingdom of God from creation to consummation. As also indicated by the subtitle, our biblical-theological commentary on Genesis is designed to uncover the foundations of God's covenantally administered kingdom with its major historical developments and its institutional structures and functions. In this way Kingdom Prologue seeks to provide an introductory sketch of the overall shape of the biblical worldview and the character of biblical religion.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1498248004
• ISBN13: 9781498248006
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers
• Length: 418 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Ponder the significance of theophanic Glory-clouds!

Kline's understanding of biblical theology is top. Get ready for a volume that is packed with helpful insight into the covenantal structure of Genesis - and beyond. Be warned, however, if you are expecting a simple introduction to covenant theology, Kline's vocabulary and grasp are very extensive and specialized. For a wonderful introduction, check out Chris Caughey's "A Tale of Two Adams", which is a great distillation of much of Kline's work. While the subtitle of Kingdom Prologue - "Genesis foundations for a covenantal worldview" - suggests a limited scope of Genesis, the reader will find out that Kline explores the whole canon, from Genesis to Revelation, to help paint the picture of the unity of history and Scripture by God's divinely administered covenants.

Covenantal View by a Hebrew Master

How grateful I am to see that Dr. Kline finally got his works published. I had him as a hermeneutics professor 20 years ago in Seminary, and am extremely gratified to find the manuscript texts I lost some years back (during a move between cities), here. Kline's best work came with the first 6 chapters of Genesis. Even in 1988, he had spent some 30 years of his life studying the first chapters of Genesis in great detail--in the original ancient Hebrew (etc). Though his wording can be thick and "theologically stilted" (ie. tough to wade through and brainy), it also provides an illuminating view of the foundational truths of the one, living, Creator-God, and His dealings with His Creation--especially man. While some have posted negative reviews, it is unlikely that they have spent 30-50 years of their lives studying such texts in their original languages, and teaching in so much depth--as Kline did. Nor have they known his instruction first-hand, as I have. Kline is a true conservative, and strictly orthodox in his approach to Scripture. Some here, have accused him of fitting his interpretation of Scripture to his own mental framework (eisegesis), rather than building a framework from his deep knowledge of the original texts (exegesis). They'd be wrong. [Geerhardus Vos, himself, called Kline: "The Prince of Exegetes" (and that's no small thing), but Kline played such things down, pouring himself, instead, into God's Word.] I can't say that I agree(d) with Dr. Kline in all respects, but I did always respect him. He made me think, and question what I believe in relation to the text--God's words. So, I am glad to purchase this this text, and wade through it again. When I knew him, his best & favorite work (by his own admission) had been through Genesis chapter 6, though his treatment through Abram/Abraham is also thought-provoking. So, if you're up to wading through some thick, but thought-provoking material, have a go at this. Your time won't be wasted. [Oh, and the thought that Kline was not reformed or a Calvinist (or even a heretic, as proposed by some leaving reviews) is laughable. Kline was so reformed/such a Calvinist, he squeeked.]

One of the best books out there on Genesis

As a (starting out) seminary student, I find that there are many books out there on the subject of Genesis...from all kinds of points of views, from the strong 24-hour to theistic evolution. I myself am a literalist, in that I feel the Bible is a literal message of God to us written throughout Genesis through Revelation. But I am humble enough to admit that even I get lost in the shuffle of books that surround me, especially those dealing with the Old Testament. That is why I wish to tell anyone and everyone that if you need one book on Genesis, this book by Kline is the best one out there IMO (I would also suggest How to Read Genesis, which is also an A+ book, but should be read after Kline's). Kline goes into detail not in terms of whether or not it was 24 hours, or whatnot, but instead explores the meaning and the theology and (redemptive) history behind Genesis. You could say that Kline helps one to look at it through the eyes of the entire Bible, along with the culture at the time of Moses' writings of Genesis and the other books that make up the Torah. We must realize that the Bible was not written to battle Evolution, which I believe is false but that is beside the point, nor was it written in the eyes of how we today in the 21st century view historical writing. Instead, you might say, Kline helps you study and understand Genesis in such a way that you are given the understanding (and much much more) of Genesis through the eyes of those that Moses would have read it to, along with later generations of those Jews who would hold faith in God, leading up to Jesus Christ, the very image of God. If you want a better understanding of Genesis, if you want something that will help you through seminary studies and in the long run, you must find this book and keep it and treasure it.

Enriching & Challenging

This book by Kline is a wonderful commentary on the first chanpters of Genesis. Kline's background in Ancient Near Eastern Studies gives him special insight into the meaning of many of the peculiar phrasings in Genesis. Read this book if you want to be edified in your faith, or just want to learn more about the God of the Bible.

Mind blowing

Although this book is available for free online in .pdf format, books are forever. Meredith Kline's understanding of the Bible includes his Fiat/fulfillment theory, which has greatly increased my understanding of many aspects of theology, and not just creation. Buy this book if you want to learn.