God Dwells Among Us: A Biblical Theology of the Temple (Beale & Kim)
The temple has always been a source of rich scholarship and theological reflection, but what does it mean for the church's ongoing mission in the world?
G. K. Beale and Mitchell Kim examine temple theology throughout Scripture, exploring how this theme relates to Christian life and witness today. From Eden to the new Jerusalem, they argue, we are God's temple on the earth, the firstfruits of the new creation.
Now part of the ESBT series, God Dwells Among Us bridges biblical theology and the needs of the church. God has always desired to dwell among us; now the church must follow its missional call to extend the borders of God's kingdom and take his presence to the ends of the earth.
Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd, explore the central or "essential" themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1-3, authors explore the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemption history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an introduction to biblical theology.
Table of Contents:
1. Eden as a Temple: The Context of Genesis 1–2
2. Expanding Eden: The Call in Genesis 1:26-28
3. Eden Lost? The Call to Patriarchs After the Fall
4. Eden Remixed: The Tabernacle in a Context of Sin
5. Eden Restored: The Promise of the Expansion of Eden in the Prophets
6. Eden Rebuilt: Jesus as the New Temple in the Gospels
7. Eden Expanding: The Church as the New Temple
8. Eden's Ministry: Serving as Priests in the New Temple
9. Eden Completely Expanded: The New Heavens and New Earth in Revelation 21:1-4
10. "Why Haven't I Seen This Before?": Seeing the Purpose of God's Dwelling Place in Eden
11. Concluding Practical Reflections: Foundational Convictions for Sacrificial Mission in the Temple
Endorsements
"Gregory Beale's work on the temple in biblical theology remains seminal for understanding the whole Bible. This shorter version will enable an even wider readership to grasp the often-forgotten message that the really important thing is not how we get up to God but how God's design is to come and dwell with us." - N. T. Wright, senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, emeritus professor of New Testament and early Christianity at University of St Andrews
"Beale and Kim show the theme of God's presence among us from Genesis to Revelation. We taste in this book the glory, radiance, comfort, and strength of God's presence. At the same time, we learn how to read the entire Bible as we trace the tabernacle/temple theme throughout the Scriptures. A vital and compelling work for students, pastors, and all who want to delve more deeply into God's Word." - Thomas R. Schreiner, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"The importance of this book lies in . . . its evocative unpacking of the theme of the temple . . .; its modeling of the way biblical theology is to be done; and its capacity to cause readers to perceive fresh and wonderful things in the Scriptures." - D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
"God dwelling in the midst of his people: this staggering vision is the heart of God's covenantal purposes from Genesis to Revelation. God Dwells Among Us brings decades of scholarship on this topic to a wider audience. More than that, it shows how this major biblical theme is the engine of mission in the world today. This clear and compelling study is a real feast." - Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California
"In Scripture, God dwells not only up above the world but also among us, with us, and within us. Our hearts long to hear more of God's presence, his promise to be with us. One important way for us to understand God's presence in Scripture is through its teaching about the temple and of Jesus as the true temple. Greg Beale has developed this theme cogently in scholarly writings. In God Dwells Among Us he and Mitchell Kim have made these ideas accessible to working pastors. It is a valuable aid to preaching and an excellent antidote to the feeling of loneliness that afflicts many today. I recommend it highly." - John Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary