The Kingdom of God is a Party by Tony Campolo (Word, 1990) is actually the first and only book I’ve read by Campolo. I think I have been a little put off his writing because I’ve seen him on video. I personally don’t like preachers who shout, but that’s ok because he doesn’t shout when I’m reading his book!
We have many pictures or symbols for the Kingdom of God and Campolo adds another one “a party”. He makes the comment that the New Testament begins with a birthday party, where angels sing and wise men bring gifts, and it ends in a wedding feast. In between times there is still much to celebrate despite the dreadful things that are happening in the world. Several of Jesus’ parables regarding the Kingdom of God use the picture of a wedding feast, Jewish weddings are large celebrations lasting a week. It is this idea of celebration or “party” that Campolo uses. I wonder how that fits in with the image of God that we hold. A God who tells his people to stop work and have a party.
Tony Campolo certainly has some radical ideas on the funding of celebrations and the book challenged by thinking. Some of his ideas were new to me and I therefore found it very thought provoking – causing me to go searching through my Bible (not a bad recommendation for any book!). Yet I also found it encouraging to think that God wants us to take some time and money and celebrate His goodness.
ha! let’s see if you find this comment! only a year and a half late.
i never knew you read this. this book is actually one of the “revolutionary” books i read in my life. at the time i read it it was very profound and mind-blowing and really changed my perspective on this life, and the life eternal.
in fact, it still has a large impact today! i think that’s why i love to invite people over and play games and laugh and share and know that while these things are happening, the kingdom is happening too.
(i’ll check back here in a couple of days to see if you found this. i’m curious to see what your thoughts on the book are now having had some time to digest the ideas even more. do they seem more or less true to you now?
Well, yes I did find your comment! It wasn’t hard, my blogger account is set up to send me an email whenever anyone comments on any post!
And yes, this book did profoundly change my thinking. It changed my understanding of God, that He is a God who loves a celebration. Prior to reading this book I think I thought God was a bit of a slave driver. It also changed my thoughts on giving, tithing etc. I’m probably more open to God’s direction in spending money on things I would have thought too frivolous previously.
And yes, The Kingdom of God is a Party still impacts me today. I’m in the process of writing a devotional thought where I mention the wedding of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7) and I’m sure that Campolo’s ideas have influenced it, even if only slightly.