The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning Of Jesus' Sayings

I have read, and re-read this book countless times. Each time, I walk away with a clearer understanding of the nature of my inner consciousness, my soul... and then I find myself wandering back months, in the most recent case, several years later to revisit what Sanford has suggested. Each time I do, I gain a more certain awareness of the part of me that seeks to connect with the Son of God. There are times when I can almost "sense" Him...This book, as a companion to my Bible studies, and along with Larry Crabb's "Shattered Dreams" has done more for my understanding of my relationship with God than 40 years of mindless obedience to accepted Christian platitudes ever did for me.If you read it carefully, it will challenge you and perhaps reward you as it has for me.

I have read Sanford's book at least three times over the past ten years. In the cycles of spiritual dryness that come to all of us, the book is like a Spring shower. It becomes a gentle reminder of the reality of the Kingdom and of where we need to direct our search. Sanford's book presents Jesus' wholeness as a state of being that can be ours too. I go to this book frequently not for intellectual stimulation, although it has plenty of that, but with a thirsty heart. I'm not sure that Sanford set out to write a "inspirational" book. But I'm sure he would not object if for some of us, it has become just that.

This book reconnected me with the bible and the teachings of Jesus. Too often throughout history the bible has been given a literal interpretation and this largely moralistic view and concern with outward behaviour does not sit well with many people today. A lot of younger people are attracted to Buddism, Hinduism and "new age" religions because of the focus on the spririt within and the individual personal journey. Traditional christian churches could attract many of these people back if they had a more mystical approach such as the one taken by this excellent book. Jesus speaks to me through these pages and I re-read it many times.

Not a believer of the literal interpretation of the bible, I had a hard time putting religion into my life. This book gave me a new way of looking at Jesus' contribution to this world that made sense. It gave me something to aspire to in a concrete sense.

This is the most difinitive work on the saying of Jesus that I have found. Sanford is an Episcipal Priest and Psychoanalyist who is trying to explain that the Kingdom of God is actually within each of us. It is not a geographical location. He takes many of the sayings of Jesus and shows the inner meaning of these parables for today's world. This book really made a lot of sense and has reconnected me with the Bible. I would consider this book an absolute must for people who tend to have a literal translation of the Bible. It definitely sheds light into the mysticism of Christ.