John E. Phelan Jr. - Essential Eschatology: Our Present and Future Hope

Eschatology, or the study of last things, is often considered the periphery of the Christian faith. Some consider it the esoteric purview of fanatics or, more charitably, scholars. Others, of course, are utterly fascinated by the interpretive puzzles of Daniels prophecy and Johns Revelation. By rearranging the pieces they hope to discover a coherent road map to the futurein spite of the fact that history is littered with discarded and discredited maps. Few seem discouraged by this. However, neither indifference nor obsession do justice to the importance of eschatology in Christian faith and life. Far from being at the periphery of the faith, it is no exaggeration to say that eschatology is the heart of Christianity.

The Bible is a narrative that begins in creation and ends in new creation. Israels prophets anticipated a time when their God would rule over all the earth. Jesus came proclaiming the presence of the kingdom of God and called his followers to live out of the values of that kingdom. Paul insisted that the resurrection of Jesus was the initiation of the great and final resurrection, and that through Jesus death and resurrection the enslaving powers had been defeated. John called on the churches of Asia Minor to remain faithful in the face of cultural pressures and outright persecution, confident that Gods final purposes would be accomplished. Every part of the Bible is written with the end in view that, as Paul would put it, God would be all in all (1 Cor 15:28).

Eschatology is no more peripheral to Christianity than an engine is peripheral to a car. Without eschatology Christian faith goes nowhere. Without an engine a car may look good. It may be comfortable. But lacking an engine it is at best an interesting museum piece and at worst a rusting piece of junk. Eschatology gives Christianity the power to be more than wistful nostalgia or weekly entertainment. The ethics of the kingdom give Christians and the Christian community character and identity. Biblical warnings of Gods judgment provide Christians with a moral vision. The promise of resurrection and new creation provides Christians with hope. Without eschatology Christianity has no mission and the church has no purpose.

Eschatology is more than what will happen in the last days. It is more than when Jesus will come or whether there will be a millennium. While these issues are important, eschatology touches on matters that are much closer to home for many of us. Who am I? What does it mean for me to exist? Does my body have a soul or is my body ensouledthat is, can my soul exist apart from my body? What does it mean to die? What happens to our loved ones when they die? Are they with God in heaven? Do they sleep and await the resurrection of the dead? What is heaven anyway? What about those who are not Christians? Will they go to hell forever, or will God give them another chance? What is hell anyway? What is the resurrection of the dead? What will it entail, and when will it occur? What is the final destiny of Gods people? Will they go to heaven when they die or live on the new earth? Will Gods people go to heaven, or will heaven come to them? These and other very profound and personal questions are