Eschatology 1

Eschatology is traditionally associated with ideas about the end of time: how will the world end, and what will occur? What will happen at death? Biblically, eschatology is more fundamental than only future contingencies. By the Spirit’s power, we begin to live already in the new life God has brought into being in Jesus Christ. Eschatology

I. Initial Points on Eschatology 1. Eschatology is a larger topic than simply the final consummation of history. It keeps theology from becoming static. We experience a foretaste of our future life in Christ with God through the Holy Spirit. Eschatology has informed and shaped all our theological statements. Eschatology

I. Initial Points on Eschatology 2. Jesus’ work is eschatological by its nature. In Jesus, the end of the world has come, and God’s judgment and sovereign Kingdom are new, present realities. Jesus defeats demons: Matthew 8:29 The ruler of this world is defeated: John 12:31-32 Eschatology

I. Initial Points on Eschatology 3. While God brings the new reality, God has chosen to bring this new life to pass in and through our choices and actions. 4. Eschatology concerns not just my ultimate fate, but others and all of creation. Escha-tology is therefore universal in orientation. 1 Cor. 15:20-28; Revelation 21:1-2 Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology An eschatological orientation has been indispensable for the Christian Gospel from the beginning. Why is eschatology essential for Christian faith and life? How may eschatology inform how we live and act as Christian believers? Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology Etymology:  χ  , “last” or “final”  ó  , “word Literally, discourse or discussion of the last things. When was it first used? 1644 by Philipp Friedlieb Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology Implications: 1) Up to the 17 th -century, the church spoke of these topics but in different contexts. Context of the coming of God’s Kingdom in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology Implications: 2) Eschatology is directly relevant for Christians as speech about God. Sauter: Eschatology is “talk of God which is determined by God’s coming.” Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology Moltmann: “Christian eschatology speaks of Jesus Christ and his future.” Christian eschatology attempts to point to the future, but the present is not devoid of the future since Jesus Christ is a living and present reality through the Holy Spirit. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology The Kingdom of God, fully enacted in Jesus Christ, awaits its full consummation and manifestation, and we hope for this in the present because of its presence among us. The future is to be our future, and we anticipate it in our present lives. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology God’s Kingdom is not one possibility among many, but the very future toward which God is moving history. Hope as faithful assurance in God is thus the essential virtue for eschatological thinking. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology In eschatology, we are seeking to perceive a reality that is present yet not fully realized: the Kingdom of God. Dangers: 1) these are truly future realities we seek to perceive in faith; Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology The Meaning of Eschatology Dangers: 2) differing hermeneutical approaches to the texts; 3) no one biblical passages incorporates all of the aspects of Christian hope; 4) extremism threatens the Church’s views. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology B. The Shape of Eschatology Eschatology covers topics associated with the end of this age and the beginning of the next. Kingdom of God, the biblical vision, death/resurrection of the dead, judgment, eternal life are all interrelated topics. Eschatology

II. The Meaning and Shape of Eschatology B. The Shape of Eschatology The goal is faithfulness to the Gospel, not anthropological issues. Eschatology is grounded in the life of Jesus Christ as the One who continues to live and reign. Eschatology

Eschatology 1

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Eschatology 1