Restoring the Kingdom

Synopsis:
In the book of Acts divine involvement is everywhere. From the beginning God is responsible for promised action, including the geographic expansion--"in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (1:7)--referenced in Jesus' response to the disciples, clearly related to Luke's purpose in writing the book. Geographic expansion, however, is only the second part of Jesus' reply. Is it possible that the first half of Jesus' reply--"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority"--has even greater bearing on the actions that follow and on Luke's purpose? Is the Father setting times and seasons related to the kingdom's establishment? Does this phrase explain the conspicuous divine involvement throughout the plot? In Restoring the Kingdom, Michael Salmeier answers these questions in the affirmative by exploring Luke's characterization of God in three strands: God as the King who establishes and restores Israel's king, who establishes his people, and who directs events. This unfolds Luke's purpose in assuring the reader concerning the events that have taken place, helping to more fully illuminate Luke's theology concerning God and his kingdom.

Endorsement:

"Michael Salmeier in Restoring the Kingdom brilliantly merges literary characterization with theological analysis of the narrative of Acts to produce a profound spectacle of God as the sovereign King and merciful Savior, who is restoring his reinterpreted kingdom. Salmeier's scholarship is refreshingly impeccable and pastoral, providing a unique and indispensable perspective of God as the ordainer of times and seasons for the kingdom. This is groundbreaking work for the necessary unification of literary and theological studies in Acts."
--Michael J. Wilkins
Distinguished Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
Talbot School of Theology

"In this well-written volume, Michael Salmeier has provided a needed and accurate portrayal of the major actor of the book of Acts--God. The work is replete with helpful insights and gives necessary correction to previous treatments of this theme."
--Clinton E. Arnold
Professor and Chairman, Department of New Testament
Talbot School of Theology

"Refreshingly free of jargon, Dr. Salmeier's close reading of Acts uses character analysis to illuminate the text's portrayal of God. His discussion offers a clear path through the recent debate and invites the attention of a broad readership."
--Robert Morgan
Linacre College, University of Oxford

"Adding to the growing literature on Luke's transformation of God's promises to restore Israel, Salmeier has provided a helpful discussion on the role of God in such a process. Through a discussion of the various motifs embedded in the Acts of the Apostles, he has not only shown the significant presence of God in this narrative, he has also clarified the relationship between Jesus, the Spirit, and God the Father in Luke's program. This meticulo...