Gospel of the Kingdom Quotes

“The righteousness of the Kingdom is a righteousness which only God Himself can give. Perfect purity, perfect honesty, perfect love, perfect forgiveness: what man is there anywhere in any dispensation who can live such a life?”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

“Love does not mean the abandonment of justice and right; nor is it a sentimental benevolence which does not have the capacity for holy wrath.”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

“The righteousness of God’s Kingdom is the product of God’s reign in the human heart. God must reign in our lives now if we are to enter the Kingdom tomorrow.”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

“The Kingdom of God is His kingship, His rule, His authority. When this is once realized, we can go through the New Testament and find passage after passage where this meaning is evident, where the Kingdom is not a realm or a people but God’s reign. Jesus said that we must “receive the kingdom of God” as little children (Mark 10:15). What is received? The Church? Heaven? What is received is God’s rule. In order to enter the future realm of the Kingdom, one must submit himself in perfect trust to God’s rule here and now. We must also “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6: 33). What is the object of our quest? The Church? Heaven? No; we are to seek God’s righteousness—His sway, His rule, His reign in our lives.”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

“Now I know in part.” This lays a demand upon us that we hold the Word of God both in humility and in charity: in humility towards God and in charity towards our brethren.”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God

“All of this metaphorical language describes the radical character of the decision demanded by the Kingdom of God. The modern man is usually quite casual about his religion. He will often undertake radical measures in the pursuit of wealth, success, power; but he is unwilling to become deeply moved about the concerns of his soul. Jesus says that such a man cannot know the life of the Kingdom. It demands a response, a radical decision, an enthusiastic reception. Nominalism is the curse of modern western Christianity. Jesus’ disciples must be radicals in their unqualified enthusiasm for the life of God’s Kingdom.”
― George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God