Making All Things New
Inaugurated Eschatology for the Life of the Church
About
Many people think eschatology refers to events occurring at the end of history. In this book, two scholars with expertise in biblical eschatology argue that God's kingdom breaking into this world through Jesus Christ has inaugurated a new creation, a reality that should shape pastoral leadership and be reflected in the life and ministry of the church. Brief and accessibly written, this book articulates the practical implications of G. K. Beale's New Testament Biblical Theology and features an introductory chapter by Beale. Each chapter concludes with practical suggestions and a list of books for further study.
Contents
Part 1: Theological Foundation: Grasping the Already-Not Yet
1. The End Starts at the Beginning, by G. K. Beale
2. The Nature of the End-Time Church
3. Life in the Overlap of the Ages
Part 2: Pastoral Leadership: Leading God's End-Time Flock in the Already-Not Yet
4. Feeding the Flock
5. Guarding the Flock
6. Guiding the Flock
Part 3: End-Time Ministry: Service in the Latter-Day Temple of God
7. Worship: Celebrating the Inaugurated New Covenant
8. Prayer: Pleading for the Consummation of the New-Creational Kingdom
9. Missions: Extending God's Eschatological Presence to the Ends of the Earth
Conclusion
Indexes
Endorsements
"For those who think that biblical theology (especially the teaching about inaugurated and consummated eschatology) doesn't relate to daily life and ministry, Gladd and Harmon demonstrate that eschatology permeates every aspect of ministry, from prayer to preaching to missions. The book is filled with practical suggestions, but what makes it unique and powerful is that the practical implications are rooted in what the Scriptures teach about eschatology. Readers will be instructed, edified, and encouraged."
Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"It's long been repeated that Christians live in the 'now' and the 'not yet.' We stand in the middle of an old world dying and a new creation already born in our midst through Jesus Christ. How does this sense of living between the ages shape our conception of the church, pastoring, and ministry? In this book two younger scholars, with the assistance of Greg Beale, show what it means to be end-time people. They offer some great theological reflections and practical advice on how to lead people who are waiting with patience and purpose for the day when God is all in all."
Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
"Here is where ecclesiology and eschatology meet. Although end-times teaching is woven into the fabric of God's Word, what this teaching says about the church is seldom considered by pastors. A careful look at Scripture shows that the church is a profoundly eschatological community. Gladd and Harmon offer skillful guidance on how a biblical understanding of the end times is crucial to the church's ministry and to its very identity for today. By looking at the entirety of the biblical witness, they demonstrate that God's eschatological design for the church is both a future hope and a present reality."
Daniel M. Gurtner, professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
"In what amounts to a carefully guided tour of biblical theology for the church, Gladd and Harmon offer a biblically thick description of Scripture's redemptive narrative. Writing in careful scholarly detail yet in an accessible manner that never loses sight of the big picture, Gladd and Harmon exhort the church and its pastoral leadership to be the end-time people of God, encouraging them to recognize their place within Scripture's redemptive storyline. A very helpful combination of scholarly precision and pastoral sensitivity."
Darian Lockett, associate professor of biblical and theological studies, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"Making All Things New is a clear and helpful guide that will enable all Christians to understand why inaugurated eschatology is not just something for the seminary classroom but a doctrine to be lived out and rejoiced in. Gladd and Harmon have done us a great service by demonstrating in a compelling way why eschatology matters in the life of the church. Anyone who is serious about understanding one of the most important aspects of the New Testament ought to read and apply this book."
Chris Bruno, author of The Whole Story of the Bible in 16 Verses
"Gladd and Harmon apply to pastoral ministry the inaugurated eschatology they learned from Greg Beale. The book repeatedly moves from sound exegesis to theology to application."
Andy Naselli, assistant professor of New Testament and biblical theology, Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis
"What a marvelous book! Gladd and Harmon team up to explore the interface between inaugurated eschatology and pastoral ministry. This book will serve as an excellent resource not only for those training for ministry but for those slogging it out in ministry and looking to reinvigorate their understanding of ministry as an end-time event among God's people. Gladd and Harmon have achieved the rare feat of writing a book that is both substantive and useful, insightful and practical, scholarly and churchly--a model of what I would call 'ecclesial theology.' I recommend it highly!"
Todd Wilson, senior pastor, Calvary Memorial Church
The Authors
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Courtesy of Reformed Theological Seminary Benjamin L. Gladd
Benjamin L. Gladd (PhD, Wheaton College) is professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including From Adam and Israel to the Church, The Story Retold: A...
Continue reading about Benjamin L. Gladd
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Matthew S. Harmon
Matthew S. Harmon (PhD, Wheaton College) is professor of New Testament studies at Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He is the author of a commentary on Philippians and of forthcoming commentaries on Galatians and 2 Peter and...
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Reviews
"This book reaches its target in demonstrating how eschatology is relevant and practical in the daily life of the church. It guides its readers through some theological concepts and exegetical interpretation of scripture passages to show the continuity of God's message of establishing his kingdom in the OT, in and through Christ, in the empowering Spirit, and through the formation of the eschatological people of God. . . . The book teaches its audience to have good resources and to study, to observe, to evaluate the truths of the scripture for themselves and then thoughtfully to incorporate them in personal and communal ways."
Svetlana Khobnya,
Journal for the Study of the New Testament
"Benjamin Gladd and Matthew Harmon have done the church a great service by exploring the link between inaugurated eschatology and pastoral ministry. . . . Making All Things New [is] an invaluable resource for understanding how God's kingdom-breaking into the world in Christ inaugurates a new creation and, as a result, permeates every aspect of life and ministry. . . . We can be grateful for this work that demonstrates how God's eschatological purposes for the church and the world are both a present reality and also a future hope."
Oren Martin,
The Gospel Coalition