Textbooks are traditionally something to be endured, not enjoyed. And I will assure you, I've had plenty of textbooks this semester that had to be endured. But The Upside-Down Kingdom by Donald Kraybill was one that I enjoyed.
Written as if an oral transcript, the book is easy to read and points are told in the fashion of a narrative.
The moment that I decided I liked this book was, within the first 75 pages, when the historical climate of world about the time of Jesus was discussed, putting background that I didn't have the delight of knowing in Bible College on individuals like Herod the Great.
For example, it mentions that "Herod placed a golden eagle, the empire's royal symbol, over the great east gate of the city [of Jerusalem]. This so enraged some forty pious Jews that in defiance they tore the eagle down. Herod retaliated by burning them all alive." (pg 41)
This book enables you to empathize with the Jews. The Jews, who after the exile, finally decided to obey God, who tore down the symbol of Rome that tainted the city of Jerusalem, even when it meant their death. The Jews who repeatedly took their stand, as futile as it may have been, against the Romans to preserve the Temple of the Lord, who wanted to be freed from this pagan reign, who were very disappointed that Jesus wasn't going to be the one who did that. But all their Scriptures say He'll bring a new Kingdom, that He will resume the throne of David. It's no wonder they hated Him. They had expectations and He wasn't it.
This book makes the Jews not the Jesus slayers, but broken and lost people who have cried out to God to save them, with some preconceived notions of what they needed to be saved from. And when Jesus presented Himself as the Messiah, it's no wonder that they thought he was an impostor, a false prophet.
And what do you do with false prophets who invite you away from God? "You must put them to death" Deut 13:9. But Jesus preformed miracles! “Suppose there are prophets among you or those who dream dreams about the future, and they promise you signs or miracles, and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before— do not listen to them. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul." Deut 13:1-3
This book made the good intentions of the Jews clear. Because lets be honest, few people wake up and say, "I think I'm going to be the villain today." The Jews had good intentions, God-fearing intentions. They just weren't willing to admit that their interpretation of Scripture might be wrong.
And how often do we do that?
Great book. No footnotes though! How can I trust that his words are true if there are no footnotes! Facts need footnotes! Footnotes!
Also it said a bunch of other good stuff too.
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