The Restoration of God's Dwelling and Kingdom - by Peter Nyende (Paperback)

About the Book

The church in Africa is thriving, both numerically and in its boldness and fervour. In this introduction to biblical theology, Peter Nyende draws from nearly two decades of experience teaching the next generation of African church leaders.

Book Synopsis

The church in Africa is thriving, both numerically and in its boldness and fervour. Yet the challenge of African folk Christianity - a Christianity shaped more by traditional beliefs than the Bible - continues to loom large, and there remains an acute need for life and faith to be biblically informed.

In this introduction to biblical theology, Prof. Peter Nyende draws from nearly two decades of experience teaching the next generation of African church leaders. Maintaining the vital importance of a holistic understanding of Scripture and its unified nature, he presents the central story of both Old and New Testaments as the restoration of God's dwelling and kingdom in the world. He traces this narrative through its many stages of development - creation and fall, God's covenants with Israel, exile - to its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, the church and the new Jerusalem.

Though written with pastors and theological students in mind, this book is accessible to any who desire to increase their biblical literacy and partner more fully with the work of God and his kingdom.

Review Quotes

Peter Nyende has written here a stimulating, well-researched and clearly developed biblical theology of God's kingdom and dwelling that has captured the heart and breadth of the biblical story. In line with Irenaeus and the early church's first catechisms, Nyende faithfully presents the Christian faith in Scripture as one story of God's purpose to restore his good creation to again be his kingdom where he can dwell among his people. This book will bring new insight but will also draw you to take your place in the biblical story. Highly recommended!

Michael W. Goheen, PhD

Mission Training Centre, Arizona, USA

Written out of passion for the well-being of the church and his students, Peter Nyende carefully unfolds a full Bible theology that shines a light on the central concern of Scripture - the kingdom of God. With clarity and precision, he draws the two testaments together to provide his readers with an overarching view of God's plan for the world. This well-researched contribution to biblical theology centres Scripture and avoids overspecialization and technical jargon. Nyende is a rising star in African biblical studies whose work is a gift to the church around the globe.

Gene Green, PhD

Wheaton College and Graduate School, Illinois, USA

This book is a significant contribution to academic and non-academic debates on the nature of biblical theology. Prof. Peter Nyende makes a painstaking effort to highlight the canonical, symbolic and typological interconnectivity of the Old and New Testaments. This is vividly illustrated through his passionate engagement with the thought-provoking theme of how God's dwelling and kingdom are being restored. The subject of "Restoration of Fortunes" is of vital importance to the African biblical theologizing exercise at both scholarly and non-scholarly levels. Such an exercise takes due cognizance of issues of holistic salvation embracing the material as well as spiritual wellbeing of communities and individuals. The quest for divine intervention is a non-negotiable component of the African existential reality.

Prof. Nyende deserves commendation for guiding us through subject matter that is critically needed in our post-modern and increasingly secularized world. Those training for pastoral ministry will find it a priceless resource material.

John David Kwamena Ekem, PhD

Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana

Peter Nyende embarks on a biblical theology that approaches the written word of God as a single coherent story in which God's dwelling and kingdom constitute the main plot. The book substantiates this view with different types of exegesis, including symbolic, intertextual, typological, literary and canonical readings. This interpretation of the word of God represents a landmark work for evangelical audiences and others.

Jean-Claude Loba Mkole, PhD

United Bible Societies, Kenya

A story is sweeter when told at one sitting than in smaller pieces. Here Professor Nyende tells the Bible story in a unified manner focused on the theme of "the earth, God's dwelling place," and especially on its restoration. Professor Nyende does not limit this to the incarnate Christ but begins with God's first relationship with humankind in Genesis and extends this to the eternal future in Revelation. Careful exegesis is brought alongside simplicity in expression of thought in a manner that means this book will bless both the theological scholar and the believer in the church.

Samuel Ngewa, PhD

Africa International University, Kenya