Pressing into the Kingdom of God
Rhys S. Bezzant
October 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780197553213.003.0002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Edwards's conversion centered on a new sense of the kingdom of God, experienced while walking in fields near his parents' home, and that his reflections on it repeatedly returned to kingdom themes. Contends that for Edwards the kingdom of God is not merely an ethical vision or political construct but a personal commitment and change of allegiance centered on experiencing Christ the King. |
Abstract
Abstract This chapter provides the existential basis for the book, namely, that Edwards’s own conversion was focused on his new sense of the kingdom of God, which he experienced while walking in the fields near his parents’ home. The biblical text that prompted this new experience included the language of the kingdom, and his prolonged meditation on his conversion involved the kingdom of God at each significant point in the story. For Edwards, the kingdom of God is not merely an ethical vision or a political construct but essentially involves a personal commitment and a change of allegiance, with an experience of Christ the King as its core.