God Dwells Among Us - Essential Studies in Biblical Theology by G K Beale & Mitchell Kim Paperback

About the Book

What does the temple mean for the church's ongoing mission in the world? This ESBT volume examines temple theology throughout Scripture, exploring how this theme relates to Christian life and witness today. 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.

Book Synopsis

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.

About the Series

Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), edited by Benjamin L. Gladd and L. Michael Morales, explore the central or essential themes of the Bible's grand storyline. Taking cues from Genesis 1-3, authors trace the presence of these themes throughout the entire sweep of redemptive history. Written for students, church leaders, and laypeople, the ESBT offers an accessible yet rich introduction to biblical theology.

Review Quotes

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

About the Author

G. K. Beale (PhD, Cambridge) is professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary (Dallas, Texas). He has published many books, including The Temple and the Church's Mission, We Become What We Worship, Handbook on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, and commentaries on 1-2 Thessalonians and Revelation.

Mitchell Kim (PhD, Wheaton College) is senior pastor of Wellspring Alliance Church in the Chicago suburbs.