The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down

This book gives you all the facts of how Christianity got to be where it is today. I recommend this book to anyone who is willing to listen to me because I enjoyed it so much and it is so informative! It is filled with historic data, and great metaphors! Really causes you to think. Seriously, read it.

Warning, neither my views nor the views of the author are politically correct.This book tore me apart.It contradicted most of the theological thinking that I had been taught all my life. But it was right. We read this book as a family, one chapter a day. I am thankful we did because some of the chapters take 24 hours or more to digest and accept. Everything the author writes is based on taking the Bible literally. Especially on taking the teachings of Jesus literally. For the last ten years I have always believed that the Bible is absolute truth from cover to cover*. Before reading this book I had been reading through the gospels and they had made me very uncomfortable, and for good reason. What this book explains is that the church today simply does not take Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom literally. We have explained them away to a drastic measure. I think this is really sad since all of the legit criticism of the world toward Christianity might be otherwise averted. This book takes a look at what it is like to actually obey Jesus' commands. It will definitely step on the toes of nearly every Christian who reads it. In light of the corruption in the church today I would label this book a necessary read for anyone and everyone who can accept it. I recently recommended a copy to the pastor of my Bible church and he is loving it. The Author uses the labels Kingdom Christian, Kingdom message, and Kingdom Doctrine to distinguish those who actually take Jesus' teachings literally.My best friend read the book recently, he disagreed with a lot of things but my friends arguments against it are only based on his gut instinct and current church tradition, not on the Bible. He is a speed reader so considering the rate he must have been pummeled by the information I'm glad he accepted as much of it as he did. I have recently re-read the book multiple times.I do not agree with the author when he states that all women should wear head coverings when they pray (based on 1 Corinthians 11). I think Paul was probably talking to women who had very short hair since the apostle lists long hair as a natural head covering.*I believe the Bible can be taken literally, as long as the passage is read in full context and the original purpose and audience of the text is understood. I believe that when the Bible is metaphorical it indicates that it is metaphorical by being careful to label the passage as a vision or parable. I believe that the Psalms are very different from poetry today and that they also can be taken literally, I say this because Jesus used them to argue theology with the pharisees. I believe that any church doctrine, theology, or tradition that contradicts the Bible must be thrown out. I do believe the creation took place in six days less than ten thousand year ago.Watch the Kent Hovind seminars to find out more about how the Bible is absolute truth. The more recent versions of the seminars are a lot more scientifically based and are a lot more careful about the conspiracy theories presented. Some people find him disrespectful but he is definitely still worth watching in order to understand his arguments. The seminars are not copywrited in any way, if you would like me to send you a free Kent Hovind dvd with 14+ hours, mail a request to.Chris Thompson,apt 3 1486 Dewberry Pl NEGrand Rapids, MI USA49505or make a request in a comment.

The primary theme of this book is the charge for Christians to return to original New Testament Christianity, void of modern and social interpretations, nuances, and religious movements. Bercot's point of contention is the intermingling of church and state which is discussed throughout the majority of the book. In most part, this is a fantastic read that will really challenge your faith and challenge most of what modern conservative evangelicals have held on to for so long.Some of Bercot's views seem radical but in light of Scripture, they're not. Although living the Christian life is certainly radical in of itself. Bercot lists out a handful of new laws that Christ taught, gleaned particularly from the Sermon on the Mount, that require a total transformation in the way we think and live in these modern times. These include: marriage/divorce, women in the church, non-resistance/pacifism, materialism/money, honesty/lying, and more.There is something to say for the early church fathers and the early church in general; how they interacted and lived out Scripture. Different from how its lived out in today's modern churches. Bercot argues that we can get a better glimpse of what the Scriptures intended on certain issues by observing the way the early church lived it out. After all, we are 1500 years removed from the canon of New Testament scripture. How much of Scripture has been twisted and distorted by nationalism, patriotism, social movements, modern conveniences, and traditions? For example, have we become desensitized to certain laws regarding women in the church as a result of the feminist movement? Have we watered down the severity of divorce within the church due to the rampant rise of divorce in the past 25 years? Has the pursuit of wealth and prosperity in the American dream caused American Christians to turn a blind eye to what Jesus taught concerning the blessedness of those who are poor in spirit? Many more questions like these are what Bercot explores.Bercot in no way encourages Scripture to be replaced by what the early church fathers said or wrote. Instead, he holds up Scripture as foundational, and sheds light on how the early church lived it out.However, I don't necessarily agree with all of Bercot's theology, especially in regards with works as a means of salvation. But, I do agree we must remain obedient in the Lord. Bercot presupposes that we are never assured of our eternal security, although the Bible is replete with references towards eternal security. Furthermore, Bercot takes issue with two key points in church history: Constantine and Augustine. Both of these men were instrumental in combining the church and state which Bercot argues the church has always faltered during these times. He also believes that much of today's conservative theology is derived from these two men. He calls this Hybrid theology.The book ended with a shameless plug for the Anabaptist movement. This conflicts with Bercot's message of theology being unimportant. If theology is unimportant then how come Bercot felt compelled to promote a specific Christian denomination? Don't denominations exist because of theological and doctrinal differences? Speaking of theology, Bercot is clearly Arminian, and I am not. This has been a point that has caused me to pause and think about what I believe in my own theology. But, the good news as Bercot assures us, is that theology in most part is unimportant. It's how we live out our lives that God is most concerned with. And it is with this that I fully agree we should be living as kingdom Christians.

Very interesting book that challenges and informs.

Excellent product, excellent service!

Did a great job of untangling some complex history. Seems to have a problem with predestination but a really interesting book.

When I got the book I was surprised at the condition it was in. Stains,.many folded and dog eared pages, notes, underlining and even slips of paper. I thought it was going to be new. The book is good but this guy seems to lack grace for others. He talks about easy beleifism, which for sure is an issue, but then preaches hard beleifism. "One mistake and you are outta here". That's not what I see in spripture, yes we have a call to holy living, a result of having the holy spirit and yeilding. But is it a gift if it comes with "I will take it back if"? I found it rather confusing however I take it to heart to want to please the Lord that saved me. I learned a lot to be sure.

...and was afraid that it would either be totally tendentious, or populist to the point of no interest. It is not a book that I will cite as an authority, but I am enjoying it as a stimulant to my thought on an important aspect of New Testament teaching.