BOOK REVIEW – GATEWAY TO KINGDOM LIFE

Somebody once told me that this century belongs to Nigerian young fiction and Non-fiction writers. Chima-manda Adichie, Sefi Atta, Gideon Ekere, Helen Oyeyemi and Unoma Azuah, have within the last six years, made eloquent statements in the literary world with their offerings, that we cannot but ask, who’s  next big one? The kingdom Heritage by Ubongabasi inyang, a 22 years Old Nigerian novelist based in Calabar, has all it takes to rub shoulders with these emergent voices.

            A grim book which is compacted and trim, and exquisitely packaged in concept design, quality, layout and print. The kingdom heritage is an instant delight to the reader. The cover has a predominance of sky blue colour with a sprinkling of where and golden yellow, splashed over the skyline of a mythical cosmos, to paint a nostalgi picture of celestial glory and splendour. The  tittle of the book fills the upper third of the cover with a seeming reflection on the lower third which bears the author’s name. the word “kingdom” in the tittle is highlighted in red, possible to underscore the pre-eminent place of the blood of Jesus in kingdom life.

            Numbering 93 pages, the book is divided into 6 chapters, each of them balanced literary meal complete with an appetizer (an operative scripture, displayed conspicuously in a box), the main course (the body of discourse) and a desert. The book is dedicates to the Godhead and to the author is mentor: “My dad an epitome of humility and faithful service”.     

            Setting the tone of discourse in chapter 1, the author whets his reader’s appitite by introducing him to the kingdom Divine with boundless territories, unlimited shores, bottomless depth and unfathomable heights. With the skill of a gifted teacher and using demonstrative symbols and persuasive language, he lays bare before the reader, the priceless treasures of the expensive kingdom and challenges him to “quit complaining; enjoy your father’s boundless heritage”.

            Ubong is not the kind of person that would take you to the storehouse of treasure and hold back the keys from you. Thus in chapter 2, he readily hands you the keys with generous tutorials on how to use them to unlock your heritage. But not before introducing you to the man (Jesus) with whom you must partner to become joint-heirs of the kingdom. The keys according to this young teacher – autor include. The new birth experience (being born again), the wilderness experience, faith, purposeful discipleship  adoption and tenacity.

            In chapter 3 of the book, the author gives a clear insight into the Divine kingdom heritage by spotlighting the rights and priviledges of the Christian Pilgrim. Quoting relevant scriptures, he emphasizes the need for Christians to develop kingdom mindset and lifestyles. This according to him is achieved by devoting quality time to word study and prayer, couple with a lifestyle of humility and obedience, stressing, “the high point of prayer is when you confirm your pronouncement and actions with a step of faith”.

            Kingdom representation forms the meat of discourse in chapter 4. In it, the author, using Jesus Christ as our “diplomatic examples”,  reminds us that we are not citizens of this world but ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven with a clear mandate to “supply Christ to the church (world). Ubong is sorely displeased with most Christians ambassadors in Christendom today, who perform below the benchmark of effective representation. “Lets guit playing church’ and running bills on activities”, he admonishes as the guides the offending ambassadors to the pathway to effective delivery through a barrage of soul-searching questions.

            It is a well known fact that an ambassador even of a poor nation, is forbidden from flirting with a beggarly mentality. Little wonder, therefore, that Ubong views as an abomination, a situation in which we continue to operate the world economic system which does not recognize lack of limitation. He declares: “The world understands the principles of demand and supply but heaven understands the principles of command and supply”.

            Chapter 4 ends with a clarion call on us to remember that as ambassadors, one day we shall be recalled to the base through a joyful transition (rapture) if we did well or to damnation, if we performed below expectation. As he put it, “every embassor on assignment has a specific duration of service after which he is called back home”.

            In chapter 5, the author reverberates with stridency about the reality of heaven and hell. Examining kingdom eternal, he alludes to a reward system in which the words we speak, the choices we make, the places we go and things we do now dovetail into a set of criteria for our elevation and reward ultimately. In other words, the Christian pilgrim is the key player. If not the only player in the determination of his destiny. 

            Lastly, the author in chapter 6 prescribes self-evaluation for us in our day-to-day walk with God using 27 yardsticks, which origin he does not elaborate. For instance. How much of Adam have you lost and how of Christ have you gained? “He probes. He concluded with an “altar call” for those still living in the backwaters of salvation to embrace Jesus as the only connector to kingdom heritage.

            The kingdom heritage has all the makings of a great book. However, there are few errors that must be pointes our and earmarked for correction in subsequent editions. These include: Forward (foreword); and god (God); burrowed (borrowed); articulacy (articulation); fatherone (father one) been (being); natal (natural); it’s grand (it is great); affected (effected); requires (requires); returns (returned); and but (unnecessary).

            In conclusion, I wish to re-echo my shares thought with ken Gott which earlier shared with you: Ubong Abasi Inyang’s book, The kingdom Heritage is not for those who want to know about God; it is for those who want to know God i.e true God chasers who are assuredly strong and exploits-bound. It is not also for the faint-hearted; so if you don’t posses the heart of a lion, don’t touch it let along read it. For it is only lions that can effectively hobnob with the lion of the tribe of Judah, the celebrated character in this book. It is a vade mecum of spiritually-edifying, life-transforming, character-moulding and God – approving menu. Acequire it. Devour it. Saviour it. Assimilate it. And stay eternally blessed.

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