The City of God and the Goal of Creation (Alexander)

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” –Hebrews 13:14

At the very heart of God’s plan for the world stands an extraordinary city. Beginning with the garden of Eden in Genesis and ending with the New Jerusalem in Revelation, the biblical story reveals how God has been working throughout history to establish a city filled with his glorious presence. Tracing the development of the theme of city in both testaments, T. Desmond Alexander draws on his experience as a biblical scholar to show us God’s purpose throughout Scripture to dwell with his redeemed people in a future extraordinary city on a transformed earth.

Read Chapter 1

Author

T. Desmond Alexander (PhD, The Queen’s University of Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast. Alexander is the chairman of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, served as coeditor of The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, and has written many volumes in the area of biblical theology. T. D. is married to Anne, and they have two adult children.

Endorsements

“Marked by T. Desmond Alexander’s typically careful scholarship and sound exegesis, The City of God and the Goal of Creation is a beautiful work of biblical theology that sets forth how the narrative of Scripture culminates with the New Jerusalem, where God’s people will enjoy a life of fellowship with God. Get this book for yourself and get it for others too.”
Michael Morales, Professor of Biblical Studies, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary; author, The Tabernacle Pre-Figured and Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?; editor, Cult and Cosmos: Tilting toward a Temple-Centered Theology

“At a time when worldwide urbanization—the movement of people from country to city—is at full flood, many think of cities not only as centers of jobs, culture, and government, but as sinkholes of iniquity. This interesting book competently introduces us to the theme of city in the Bible, tracing out its trajectory through Scripture and its promise for the future, and takes us finally to the New Jerusalem from which sin and all its effects are forever banished.”
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Cofounder, The Gospel Coalition

“This fascinating short study provides a splendid overview of the Bible’s teaching on the city of God, tracing its early beginnings in the garden of Eden and following it all the way to its culmination in the New Jerusalem. This is biblical theology at its best. A magnificent study!”
Andreas J. Köstenberger, Senior Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Founder, Biblical Foundations