Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview

Meredith Kline simply put is America's most important theologian that most people in the pews have never heard of. I don't always agree with him, but he's a brilliant thinker who will change your understanding and appreciation for the bible. He was firmly orthodox. The problem is, he took head on groups such as theonomists. So if you're in that camp, while you should still read him, you're not going to like his conclusions. Put it this way, Westminster Philly, RTS, Westminster California, and I am sure other reformed seminary's have several courses taught where the basis of what they are teaching revolves around Kline's thoughts. I know first hand on these things, and even when the professors have at times disagreed with him, they still are forced to wrestle with his ideas because they are profound and present a solid Hebraic understanding of Covenant theology.

Kline makes new thoughts that go against the brilliance of people like Vos, Bavink, and Calvin (just to name a few). He bases his hermenutical approach on ancient middle eastern archeology (which has been brought into question) rather than on the Bible. He also views God's voluntary condescension to make a covenant with man and reveal Himself personally as a "graceless" act. I do not recommend buying this book unless you have to for seminary.

How grateful I am to see that Dr. Kline finally got his works published. I had him as a hermeneutics professor 20 years ago in Seminary, and am extremely gratified to find the manuscript texts I lost some years back (during a move between cities), here.Kline's best work came with the first 6 chapters of Genesis. Even in 1988, he had spent some 30 years of his life studying the first chapters of Genesis in great detail--in the original ancient Hebrew (etc).Though his wording can be thick and "theologically stilted" (ie. tough to wade through and brainy), it also provides an illuminating view of the foundational truths of the one, living, Creator-God, and His dealings with His Creation--especially man.While some have posted negative reviews, it is unlikely that they have spent 30-50 years of their lives studying such texts in their original languages, and teaching in so much depth--as Kline did. Nor have they known his instruction first-hand, as I have.Kline is a true conservative, and strictly orthodox in his approach to Scripture. Some here, have accused him of fitting his interpretation of Scripture to his own mental framework (eisegesis), rather than building a framework from his deep knowledge of the original texts (exegesis). They'd be wrong.[Geerhardus Vos, himself, called Kline: "The Prince of Exegetes" (and that's no small thing), but Kline played such things down, pouring himself, instead, into God's Word.]I can't say that I agree(d) with Dr. Kline in all respects, but I did always respect him. He made me think, and question what I believe in relation to the text--God's words. So, I am glad to purchase this this text, and wade through it again.When I knew him, his best & favorite work (by his own admission) had been through Genesis chapter 6, though his treatment through Abram/Abraham is also thought-provoking.So, if you're up to wading through some thick, but thought-provoking material, have a go at this. Your time won't be wasted.[Oh, and the thought that Kline was not reformed or a Calvinist (or even a heretic, as proposed by some leaving reviews) is laughable. Kline was so reformed/such a Calvinist, he squeeked.]

Kline's understanding of biblical theology is top. Get ready for a volume that is packed with helpful insight into the covenantal structure of Genesis - and beyond. Be warned, however, if you are expecting a simple introduction to covenant theology, Kline's vocabulary and grasp are very extensive and specialized. For a wonderful introduction, check out Chris Caughey's "A Tale of Two Adams", which is a great distillation of much of Kline's work.While the subtitle of Kingdom Prologue - "Genesis foundations for a covenantal worldview" - suggests a limited scope of Genesis, the reader will find out that Kline explores the whole canon, from Genesis to Revelation, to help paint the picture of the unity of history and Scripture by God's divinely administered covenants.