“Can anything good come out of 1906?” begins the preface. Kingdom Come explores the theology of David Lipscomb, James Harding and their protégés in the Nashville Bible School Tradition (NBST). The authors, John Mark Hicks and Bobby Valentine, allow the reader to see some of the positives which came out of an era known for division. Kingdom Come is as much inspirational as it is informative.

Hicks and Valentine dissect the NBST into various components. Examination of each facet of this school of thought reveals a very personal God with an active Holy Spirit. Harding and Lipscomb saw the Lord as very thoughtful of his creation and the individuals within. Contrasted with this viewpoint is the Texas Tradition (TT) where God is “hands off” and the Spirit is not involved. The NBST taught and practiced a very involved Holy Spirit. Also, the Nashville school of thought was eschatological in nature, concerning itself with the return of Jesus.

Hicks and Valentine lament the eventual domination of the TT and over reliance on enlightenment philosophy within the Restoration Movement and specifically the church of Christ. The reality of a dynamic Holy Spirit, a “coming soon” Jesus and an involved God is foundational to a well motivated disciple. Reason and proof are certainly good tools to assist with the development of our relationship with God; but they can not replace the personal connection with the Father. Lipscomb and Harding sought God through relationship first and reason second.