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Eschatology

Eschatology. Introduction. “If you ask me what time is, I know what it is; if you ask me, I do not know.” Saint Augustine, Confessions. A Thief in the Night. Resurgence of Interest in the Future and Eschatology “Secular” World

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Eschatology

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  1. Eschatology Introduction

  2. “If you ask me what time is, I know what it is; if you ask me, I do not know.” Saint Augustine, Confessions

  3. A Thief in the Night

  4. Resurgence of Interest in the Future and Eschatology • “Secular” World • Rising concern for the future • Post world wars, ecological disaster, nuclear weapons proliferation, social unrest, etc., - a crisis of hope from the belief of liberal humanism of progress • Increasing anxiety • Clip The Day After (1983) • Terrorism • Ernst Bloch • Sees his philosophy as heir to apocalyptic hope of Bible • Neo-Marixst interpretation –hope for future that transcends alienation • Influence on Theology of Hope (e.g. Moltmann) • Christianity • Dispensational and Evangelical interest in the Second Coming • Recovery of the centrality of eschatology in the New Testament • “Theology of Hope” movement and “rediscovery” of eschatology in systematic theology • Moltmann • Barth

  5. Meaning of Eschatology • Some Definitions • Grenz, p. 599 • Traditionally understood as discussion on death, judgment, hell and heaven • Whatever the definition, eschatology should take into account what is known of the end: mutual indwelling of God and his people and renewed creation- all work of the triune God • Three main parts (held together, e.g. personal hope linked with community): • Individual • Corporate • Cosmic • Eschatology and Apocalypticism • Prophesy • Richard Mouw’s distinction between foretelling and forthtelling

  6. Challenge of Eschatology as a Theological Doctrine • The problem of speculation • Shirley Guthrie’s Four Safeguards • We must not want to know too much • Biblical language about the future is primarily symbolic • There is no consistent biblical picture of a the future, but a development in tis thought • The best insight we have into what God will do is found in looking at what God ha already done

  7. Place of Eschatology in Systematic Theology • Typical Approach • Barth: Eschatology became “a harmless little chapter at the conclusion of Christian dogmatics.” But for Barth, “If Christianity is not altogether thoroughgoing eschatology, there reminas in it no relationship whatever with Christ.” • Moltmann’s revisionist view • Pannenberg • Relation to other Theological Loci

  8. Eschatology as Hope • History matters • Grenz • “Eschatology as an Insight into the Present • “Eschatology as God’s Call in the Present

  9. Main Point The Present Matters in Light of the Coming Future

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