First the Kingdom traces the history and meaning of the disastrous schism in the Christian Church between conservative pentecostal charismatics and the advocates of liberal social justice. The authors illustrate the relationship between the two seemingly diverse groups, and call for repentance by both the conservative pentecostal charismatics for their neglect of the political and social dimensions of Christianity and by liberal social justice advocates for their ignorance of the reality and power of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Contents: Preface; Acknowledgements; The Past, Present and Future of the Charismatic Renewal Movement; An Assessment of the Charismatic Renewal Movement; Weaknesses of Liberals and Conservatives; Repentance and Renewal; One in Mind and Spirit; The Kingdom of God Recovered; The Disgraceful Disunity of the Church: The Root Problem, Critique of the Present Context, Origin of the Rift Between Our Two Factions; The Way Out of Disunity; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author
Stephen A. Graham is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Indianapolis.