Reviews

2014 Word Guild Award (Biblical Studies)
Named a 2014 Jesus Creed Book of the Year (Theology)
Best Theology Book of 2014, Englewood Review of Books
Best Book of Biblical Studies for 2014, Hearts & Minds Books

"Theologian Middleton tackles a huge question: is a glorious afterlife the best hope Christianity can offer, or does the promise of a new, redeemed Earth give humans hope for today? His biblically grounded answer is the latter. To make a convincing argument for what he calls 'holistic eschatology,' he goes through both testaments of the Bible, deep down to its Greek- and Hebrew-language roots, and also takes on the received wisdom of many a Christian hymn that extols the far-off heavenly shore. . . . The implications for lived faith are bold, and the air this brings into theological discourse about what God intends for human creation is fresh and bracing."

Publishers Weekly

"A thoughtful, thorough, and well-written book on biblical eschatology. . . . Middleton's message concerns, secondarily, Christians' fixation on the rapture and, primarily, virtually all of Christian preaching and teaching that eviscerates the richness of the Bible's eschatology, offering nothing more than the chance to go to heaven after we die and this world has ended. . . . Middleton eloquently lifts up what is entirely plain if you pay attention: 'the Bible consistently anticipates the redemption of the entire created order.' Guiding us on a dazzling tour through the broad range of relevant texts, he makes clear the Bible's emphasis on the material order--on culture, bodies, and buildings--and shows that the Creator's purpose isn't for creation to be swept away, but for it to be entirely redeemed."

James C. Howell,

Christian Century

"The work is well-argued, insightful, and accessible on a topic that interests many people. Middleton offers effective macro- and mirco- analysis, using his big picture analysis to help explain less clear passages. In addition, Middleton writes in a clear style and uses popular Christian hymns and even Little Red Riding Hood to help illustrate his points and ideas. It would seem particularly suited for pastors and educated laypeople, and scholars working on biblical eschatology should also pay attention to it. . . . His work sets a convincing case for abandoning the term heaven in discussions of Christian hope and focusing on the present implications of the new earth."

Brian C. Dennert,

Bulletin for Biblical Research

"Middleton's study is comprehensive, exegetically detailed, engagingly written, and passionately argued. . . . This is an exceptionally fine book, which deserves to be widely read."

Edward Adams,

Journal for the Study of the New Testament

"[This book] presents a robust biblical eschatology based on the premise of 'one comprehensive and ultimately coherent story' while making space for the diversity of eschatological views in scripture. Crucially, Middleton's narrative biblical theology does not flatten into destoried eschatological themes and is a model of how biblical theology can and should be done in a way that respects the complexities of the biblical texts. . . . Middleton closes with an appendix on the subject of how this holistic eschatology came to be lost from view in Christian thought. This historical survey makes instructive reading for anyone who wonders how things might have gone awry. . . . There is much to commend in this book, both in method and content, and I will certainly recommend it to undergraduates and others wishing to explore biblical eschatology."

J. P. Davies,

Review of Biblical Literature

"The book is well-written and well-organized. Several figures and tables break up the prose and provide visuals that help the reader to grasp concepts. The author's passion for the subject infuses every page. The work is exegetically nuanced and theologically mature. . . . I strongly recommend this book. I agree with Donald Hagner, who, endorsing the book, wrote that 'it could serve admirably as a basic textbook on biblical theology.' Yes, and so much more. If every evangelical student from Anchorage to Addis Ababa would pick up and read, it could revolutionize global Christianity."

Christopher A. Beetham,

Themelios

"Middleton's work is much more accessible to an informed lay audience than previous works on the topic. . . . The eschatology one experiences from the pews is often immaterial, lacking in an understanding of its cosmic scope, and many times disconnected from ethics in this life (other than the basic foundation of all Christian ethics, to repent, and to do so before Christ comes). If Middleton's work can right the ship of popular level eschatology, then it will have done the church a great service. . . . Middleton's overall argument that the Bible presents salvation for all of creation and therefore does not present an immaterial afterlife, is a convincing and needed one in today's pews."

Matthew Y. Emerson,

Southeastern Theological Review

"This is a most welcomed text. . . . Middleton has rallied his skillful scholarship to flesh out the most concentrated biblical apologia available for a new heaven and earth (i.e., renewed creation) as the endgame of salvation. . . . I highly endorse its reading and studying--the proof of which is that I am already using it to splendid effect in a variety of theology classes. . . . I consider Middleton's book a must read, an important and timely biblical apologia for a sorely neglected conclusion of the logic and scriptural witness of Judeo-Christian monotheism."

Thomas R. Thompson,

Calvin Theological Journal

"[This book] stands out as a fresh outlook on the subject. . . . [Middleton's] material is well researched and documented. . . . The book contains figures and tables that support comprehension. . . . A New Heaven and a New Earth is a pleasant read which has a healthy approach to biblical eschatology. Middleton's concern for holistic salvation can positively impact the way people live today. . . . Middleton's most significant contribution is his broad view of the canonical story, which, applied to the issues of the bodily resurrection of humans and the restoration of the earth, led to a more convincing scenario than what previous studies had shown. Such an approach will help readers from all traditions to gain fresh perspectives on the biblical text. The book will be valuable to biblical scholars, theologians, pastors, and educated lay members who are interested in the biblical metanarrative, eschatology, and holistic living. I hope it enjoys a wide readership."

Flavio Prestes III,

Andrews University Seminary Studies

"Comprehensive in its scope, this book is an attempt to develop a holistic biblical worldview regarding the teaching of the redemption of creation, including both physical cosmos and human culture and society. Middleton's ethical implications of such a vision are noteworthy. . . . Middleton's endeavor to ground eschatology in the entire biblical story, beginning with God's original intent for earthly flourishing and culminating in his redemptive purpose of restoring earthly life through the work of Christ, is another commendable aspect of this book. . . . While elements of this book, particularly Middleton's disavowal of heavenly afterlife, will be controversial, this book is a welcome reminder of the biblical story of holistic salvation and God's commitment to an integral and comprehensive restoration of the creation."

Sherif Gendy,

Ordained Servant Online

"It may be that [A New Heaven and a New Earth] is the most important book in its field, a magnificent, innovative, lasting contribution to the field of biblical studies. I can hardly understate just how significant this new book is. . . . It is not designed only for the guild, or Bible professors or even clergy, but is offered as a serious gift for anyone who wants to read and study and learn. It is . . . so significant in its research and so fresh in its articulation, that it might be considered definitive. . . . Whether you are at a mainline church or an independent, evangelical one, whether you are highly liturgical or less so, I am convinced some of this material will simply rock your world. You will be made to reconsider shibboleths and sacred cows and you will have 'aha' moments. . . . Richard's passionate insight about the biblical text is matched by his fluency in the most important literature, old and recent, scholarly and popular. . . . With A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology he has become the preeminent scholar who has given us the preeminent work on this vexing, vital subject. It is my hope that every Bible teacher, every pastor and preacher, and every Christian who longs for a more coherent, meaningful, faithful daily discipleship struggles long and hard with the content of this book."

Byron Borger,

Hearts & Minds Books blog

"One of the most impressive and important books of biblical scholarship I've seen in years."

Byron Borger,

Hearts & Minds Books blog

"Enhanced with the inclusion of an informative introduction, figures and tables, an appendix (Whatever Happened to the New Earth?), a thirty page Subject Index, and a fifteen page Scripture Index, A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology is a model of biblical scholarship making it very instructive reading and highly recommended for personal, seminary, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections."

Midwest Book Review