Chapter 18: Last Things: The Christian Hope
18
Last Things
The Christian Hope
In earlier discussions of the resurrection and the doctrine of salvation, we touched upon aspects of eschatology – that is, the Christian understanding of the “last things.” The term “eschatology,” which came into general use in the twentieth century, derives from the Greek term ta eschata, “the last things,” and relates to theological topics such as the Christian expectations of resurrection and judgment. Several aspects of this topic, such as the eschatological dimensions of the Christian doctrine of salvation, have already been touched on elsewhere in this volume (pp. 250–1). In the concluding chapter of this work, we shall deal with this subject in more detail.
In the broadest sense of the term, “eschatology” is “discourse about the end.” The “end” in question may refer to an individual's existence or to the closing of the present age. A characteristic Christian belief, of major importance in this context, is that time is linear, not cyclical. History had a beginning; it will one day come to an end. “Eschatology” deals with a network of beliefs relating to the end of life and history, whether of an individual or of the world in general. It has unquestionably stimulated and contributed extensively to some of the most creative and fantastic movements within Christianity.
In recent years, a distinction has been drawn between the two terms “eschatological” and “apocalyptic.” In the past, these terms had been regarded as meaning more or less the same thing. Since about 1980 there has been an increased awareness of the different meanings of the two terms. “Eschatology” continues to designate the branch of Christian theology concerned with the “last things,” such as resurrection from the dead, heaven, and hell. The term “apocalyptic” is now used to refer to a particular genre or type of literature which generally has an interest in the “last things” but is not specifically identified by this interest. To make this difficult point clearer, we may explore the matter in more detail.
The term “apocalyptic” (deriving from the Greek word apocalypsis, meaning “unveiling,” “disclosure,” or “revelation”) is now used to refer to a particular type of writing found within sections of Judaism during the period extending from about two hundred years before Christ to about two hundred years after his coming. During this period, sections of Judaism produced writings which reflected a distinctive worldview and style of writing. Apocalyptic writings generally focus on the expectation of God's imminent intervention in the affairs of the world, in which God's people will be delivered and their enemies destroyed, with the present world order being overthrown and replaced with a restored creation.
Particular emphasis is often placed on the role of visions and dreams, through which the writers learned of the secret plans of God. It will therefore be clear that, while apocalyptic writings have an interest in the “last things,” the term “apocalyptic” is better used to refer to a type of theology and a style of writing.