Buying Options
Digital List Price: | CDN$ 20.43 |
Print List Price: | CDN$ 20.41 |
Kindle Price: | CDN$ 12.26 Save CDN$ 8.17 (40%) |
includes free international wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet |

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The City of God and the Goal of Creation: "An Introduction to the Biblical Theology of the City of God" (Short Studies in Biblical Theology) Kindle Edition
Amazon Price | New from | Used from |

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.
View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.
Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.
Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
From the first pages of Genesis to the final words of Revelation, the theme of the city of God is prominent. In fact, at the climax of God’s plan for the world lies an extraordinary city unlike any other. Linking the garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, this new book in the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series traces the development of the theme of city throughout the lives of Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, David, Solomon, and Jesus—instilling hope in readers as they see God’s purpose throughout the Scriptures to dwell with his redeemed people in the greatest city to come.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherCrossway
- Publication dateJan. 16 2018
- File size1203 KB
-
Next 3 for you in this series
CDN$42.80 -
Next 5 for you in this series
CDN$71.59
Product description
Review
“Marked by T. Desmond Alexander’s typically careful scholarship and sound exegesis, The City of God and the Goal of Creation is a beautiful work of biblical theology that sets forth how the narrative of Scripture culminates with the New Jerusalem, where God’s people will enjoy a life of fellowship with God. Get this book for yourself and get it for others too.”
―L. Michael Morales, Professor of Biblical Studies, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary; author, The Tabernacle Pre-Figured and Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?; editor, Cult and Cosmos: Tilting toward a Temple-Centered Theology
“At a time when worldwide urbanization―the movement of people from country to city―is at full flood, many think of cities not only as centers of jobs, culture, and government, but as sinkholes of iniquity. This interesting book competently introduces us to the theme of city in the Bible, tracing out its trajectory through Scripture and its promise for the future, and takes us finally to the New Jerusalem from which sin and all its effects are forever banished.”
―D. A. Carson, Cofounder and Theologian-at-Large, The Gospel Coalition
“This fascinating short study provides a splendid overview of the Bible’s teaching on the city of God, tracing its early beginnings in the garden of Eden and following it all the way to its culmination in the New Jerusalem. This is biblical theology at its best. A magnificent study!”
―Andreas J. Köstenberger, Director, Center for Biblical Studies and Research; Research Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Founder, Biblical Foundations
“Readers are helped to grasp not only the significance of a key biblical topic but also how Scripture contains a coherent storyline and consistent message. Filled with numerous theological insights, this is a must-read for anyone looking for an informed and reliable discussion.”
―Paul Williamson, Lecturer in Old Testament, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia; author, Sealed with an Oath and Death and the Afterlife
“New believers trying to make sense of Scripture for the first time, as well as believers who have studied the Bible for decades, will find insight and encouragement in these pages. The City of God and the Goal of Creation is a feast for those who love the Word of God.”
―Keith A. Mathison, Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformation Bible College; author, From Age to Age; Given for You; and The Shape of Sola Scriptura
“Alexander has achieved something marvelous here: many who study the big picture are skimpy on the details, while many who focus on the details miss out on the big picture―but here we have someone knowledgeable, thoughtful, judicious, and persuasive on the details and the big storyline.”
―C. John Collins, Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
“This book brings together an astonishing number of Bible passages into a clear and coherent overview of the great narrative of the Bible.”
―Douglas J. Moo, Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College; Chair, Committee on Bible Translation (NIV); author, The Epistle to the Romans and An Introduction to the New Testament
“The city of God is a central biblical theme, and T. Desmond Alexander masterfully guides us as he follows the theme from Genesis to Revelation. His study is a marvelous demonstration of the organic coherence of the Bible’s message. I enthusiastically recommend this book to all Christians.”
―Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
“I love this book! It may be short, but it packs a big punch. It is a book to savor―small in size, but bursting with biblical insights.”
―Jason C. Meyer, Lead Pastor, Urban Refuge Church, Minneapolis
“Despite the depressing state of the world, T. Desmond Alexander’s biblical theology of Jerusalem provides a biblical basis for hope for the future. This is an irenic, fair, and easily accessible study of Jerusalem, the city of God.”
―Michael Rydelnik, Professor of Jewish Studies and Bible, Moody Bible Institute; Host and Bible Teacher, Open Line with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Moody Radio
“We are seeking the city that is to come, and there is no one I would rather read on the topic than T. Desmond Alexander. Read this book, then buy a stack of copies to give away.”
―James M. Hamilton Jr., Professor of Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, God’s Glory in Salvation through Judgment
About the Author
T. Desmond Alexander (PhD, The Queen’s University of Belfast) is senior lecturer in biblical studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College in Belfast. Alexander is the chairman of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, served as coeditor of The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, and has written many volumes in the area of biblical theology. T. D. is married to Anne, and they have two adult children.
Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is the author of Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers and Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners. Dane and his wife, Stacey, have five children.
Miles V. Van Pelt (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the Alan Belcher Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, academic dean, and director of the Summer Institute for Biblical Languages at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson. He also serves on the pastoral staff of Grace Reformed Church in Madison, Mississippi. He and his wife, Laurie, have four children.
--This text refers to the paperback edition.Product details
- ASIN : B074ZSVRBN
- Publisher : Crossway (Jan. 16 2018)
- Language : English
- File size : 1203 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 194 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #218,784 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #121 in Eschatology (Kindle Store)
- #242 in Bible & Sacred Texts
- #253 in Christian Criticism & Interpretation (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Dane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) serves as senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. He is an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, and is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Naperville, Illinois.
Dr T. Desmond Alexander is senior lecturer in Biblical Studies and director of postgraduate studies at Union Theological College, Belfast. He is a former chair of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research. Dr Desmond Alexander’s research interests lie primarily in two area: the Pentateuch and Biblical Theology. On the Pentateuch, he has authored and edited a variety of articles and books, most notably, Exodus (Apollos OT Commentary; London, 2017); Exodus (Teach the Text; Baker, 2016); From Paradise to the Promised Land: an Introduction to the Pentateuch (4th edition; Baker, 2022); Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (co-editor) (Inter-Varsity Press, 2003). His commentary in the Teach the Text series (pp. 204; 2016) provides guidance on teaching the book of Exodus, dividing the book into 29 sections. His commentary in the Apollos series (pp. 784; 2017) provides a detailed explanation of the text of Exodus, engaging with contemporary scholarship. Having written explanatory notes on Genesis for the ESV and NIV Biblical Theology Study Bibles, he is currently researching and writing a more detailed commentary on Genesis. In the area of Biblical Theology, Dr Alexander’s expertise is recognized by his appointment as a general editor for the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible and for a new series of biblical commentaries being published by Lexham Press under the general title, Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. He was one of the main co-editors for The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Inter-Varsity Press, 2000), contributed the chapter on Biblical Theology to The Routledge Companion to Modern Christian Thought (London: Routledge, 2013), and has written three introductory books on Biblical Theology: From Eden to the New Jerusalem (Kregel, 2009); The City of God and the Goal of Creation (Crossway, 2018); Face to Face with God: a Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator (IVP, 2022). He is chair of the Biblical Theology Study Group of the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research.
Miles V. Van Pelt (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) is the Alan Belcher Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi where he also serves as the Academic Dean and the Director of the Summer Institute for Biblical Languages. As you can see from the list of publications, Miles is passionate about teaching the biblical languages and providing resources to help students learn. Each summer he directs a series of eight-week intensive language courses which include Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin. Graduate students from around the world show up each summer for this fully accredited program - the ultimate biblical language boot camp!
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Customer reviews
Top reviews from Canada
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
I gladly recommend this book to all Christians as it offers an intriguing perspective of how God’s redemptive plan revolves around the concept of city. In our current culture, there seems to be somewhat of a disdain for urban living which is often characterized by crime, stress, and congestion. However, Alexander points out however that God has always intended to transform the world from a garden to a great city where all who put their faith in Jesus can live with God forever. The author states that our current mission as pilgrims heading home is to diligently build up His kingdom through His church as we prepare to enter the New Jerusalem when Christ returns.
In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations, I was provided a review copy of this book from Crossway.
As with all the contributions to this series, The City of God is written to make the recent scholarly work on biblical theology available to a wider lay-Christian audience. Biblical theology is concerned with the study of the Bible as a cohesive whole, often with a particular interest in the themes that run throughout it and display its unity. Alexander thus tracks the concept of “city” from Genesis to Revelation. He argues that the appearance of cities is by no means incidental, for at the heart of God’s plan for creation is “an extraordinary city,” which “God has graciously and patiently been working to create…, where he will dwell in harmony with humanity” (15-16).2 In the books eight concise chapters, Alexander traces the theme of the City of God and its antithesis, Babel or Babylon, by interacting book-by-book with significant passages that pertain to the theme. This is where the strength of the book is most evident; the engaged reader will walk away from The City of God with a better understanding both of the greater unity of Scripture through one of its key themes and of many individual books and passages. Alexander engages with Scripture proficiently and his treatment of Sinai and the tabernacle should prove particularly illuminating to readers unfamiliar with the Old Testament and its religious system (its “cultus”). There is, however, something missing from Alexander’s treatment.
As with many works on biblical theology, orientated as they are to a description of the bible rather than its application, the reader is often left wondering what the exact significance of an exposition or insight is. This is the biggest deficiency of the book. It could largely have been remedied by providing early on—or anywhere—a definition or explanation of what a city is and why this matters. For a book on “city,” Alexander never actually explains what he or the Bible means by “city” (cf. 15). It is obvious that “city” in English refers, minimally, to a large settlement—a place with a high population density. Yet, it also has further connotations: we juxtapose the city with the country, contrasting urban living with rural living. Contemporary discussion of cities often focuses on their technological nature, and cities have always had significant political connotations. What, though, does a city mean in the Bible? To this question Alexander never gives an answer. Yet to do so would begin to unveil the great significance of “city.”
Though I think that there is something significant missing from The City of God and the Goal of Creation, this does not undermine its value. The theme of the City of God touches upon some of the most beautiful promises in Scripture—living in the presence of God and experiencing joy there forevermore!—and will therefore encourage the reader greatly. Furthermore, it will be useful for anyone looking for a place to start in studying the concept of “city” in the Bible and would be helpful for someone intrigued by the appearance of the New Jerusalem in Revelation and curious about its biblical precedent. This is in addition to what was already observed above. Alexander’s work is not entirely satisfactory, yet I do not hesitate to recommend it to the reader desiring a concise summary of the theme of city in Scripture; I pray that it would whet your appetite for diving further into the treasures of Scripture’s teaching in this regard.
Top reviews from other countries





Very interesting journey. Worth reading.
See also G.K. Beale
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D6IE0B8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1