Heaven on Earth: The Temple in Biblical Theology

by T. Desmond Alexander, Simon Gathercole

Examining the concept of 'Temple' throughout Scripture, HEAVEN ON EARTH explores one of the most interesting, but least appreciated themes in biblical theology. Far from being a building used simply for religious activities, the Temple in biblical literature embodies a rich variety of theological ideas. At the heart of these is the interface provided between a holy God and sinful people. An understanding of the role of the Temple (and its predecessor, the Tabernacle) in biblical history provides a remarkable insight into the redemptive purposes of God. From the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the new creation in Revelation, biblical literature abounds with references and allusions to the Temple, all of which underline its significance as an institution and concept. HEAVEN ON EARTH brings evangelical biblical scholars and theologians together to offer a fresh approach to this often neglected area. The biblical essays cover Old Testament, inter-testamental and New Testament material. From Paternoster Press.

Genres: Christian, Theology

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1969

About the author

T. Desmond Alexander (PhD, The Queen’s University, Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast, Ireland. He is the coeditor of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

Reviews

[Caleb Nedimyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second time working through this collection of essays. The implications for ecclesiology are immense. Often the church today can truncate the implications of the Old Testament or over realize certain aspects, but the authors do a good job of staying close to the texts and drawing their conclusions carefully. It's a bit technical for those who would be interested, but the final essay helps to translate the jargon into understandable applications.