Midterm Flashcards
What is Eschatology? Define both Linear and Circular Approaches
The Linear Approach states that there was a beginning and that there will one day be an end to history
The Cyclical Approach states that everything is a never-ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
Eschatological Naturalism (Postmodernism, Transhumanism)
In the world today, there are philosophies that would either underplay eschatological hopes or overrealize them.
Postmodernism says that history is not linear, it is non-sequential, and that it is an open ended thing with no ultimate goal and thus underrealizes eschatological hopes, deeming them as foolish.
Transhumanism, however, says that humanity will advance by applying technology to itself, and will live in perfection once they have advanced enough. This is an overrealized eschatology.
Define Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic literature is a form of writing that was popular among second temple Judaism which gave heavenly, spiritual, or cosmic commentary on present or future events.
Briefly Describe Gnostic Eschatology
That one day those who are enlightened (Gnostics) would dwell in the immaterial kingdom of the immortals and be absent from the body
Who was Tyconius?
He was a Latin church father and an African Donatist who started to take Revelation as more spiritual than literal, and his commentary on Revelation has affected most after him
What is Purgatory?
It is the place in Roman Catholic theology that the souls, who are in a state of grace but not purified of their sins, go after death in order to be purified before entering into heaven
Who was the Father of Post-Millennialism?
Daniel Whitby
Who was the Father of the Modern Postmillennialist/Theonomic Movement?
R.J. Rushdoony
What is the Dispensationalist Hermeneutic?
To always take biblical language about prophecy literally
Sharp distinction between Israel and the Church
How Does Our Culture Approach Eschatology?
They don’t think about it because they don’t see it as immediately practical
They don’t know, so they don’t talk about it
It can’t be known, so it’s a waste of breath
It’s the end of all things, so they avoid it out of fear
It’s like blowing a candle; they romanticize death
What Are Some of the Approaches to Last Things in World Religions Besides Christianity? (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam)
Buddhism teaches that a person can reach the ultimate enlightenment or Nirvanna after various stages of reincarnation.
Hinduism is very similar to Buddism. When someone dies, however, they become an ancestor and are to be worshipped through various rituals.
Islam teaches that there will be last days and that there will be a resurrection, but they debate whether or not it will be spiritual or physical. They teach that Muhammad will rise first and that those who give their lives in martyrdom for Isalm will inherit 50 virgins in paradise. Their paradise is very earthly.
Why is Augustine so important for the study of eschatology?
Augustine is important because he is the first to really articulate the Amillenial position. He also wrestles with the concepts of time and eternity. He views it as moving from time to rest for the believer.
What is the Christian response (think Irenaeus) to Gnostic eschatology?
The Christian response to Gnostic eschatology was to remind them that God created the world good, and therefore does not condemn physical things: eschatology is not just for our souls, but it is for our bodies as well.
Ireneaus also emphasized the Incarnation as a proof that God does not abhor matter, and neither should we.
How has the Church understood the Antichrist of 2 Thessalonians?
The Ancient Church believed that, whoever this Antichrist was in 2 Thessalonians, he was a symbol of sin, which prompts us to live holy lives in the meanwhile.
The Medieval Church took more of a historical view, stating that the end would not come until certain things happened.
The Reformers understood the Antichrist to be the Pope.
What Are the Themes and Emphasis of Radical Reformation Eschatology?
In the beginning of the Radical Reformation, they emphasized the nearness of Christ’s return and even tried to start the millennium in various little colonies which lead to chaos for them and everyone around.
As time went on and persecution continued, they adopted more pessimistic and Premillennial thinking.
Explain John Nelson Darby and the Roots of Dispensationalism
John Nelson Darby was an Irish theologian who began as a minister in the Church of Ireland but, over time, grew disgruntled with their way of doing things.
Darby adopted a Futurist reading of prophecy and came to distinguish heavily between Jews and the nations.
He also wanted to distance himself from political allegiances, which he believed hurt more than helped the gospel cause.
He is the first to articulate 7 dispensations and the return of Jews to a nation state in the Last Days.
He believed that the Song of Songs is about the Lord and his Jewish remnant and not the people of God broadly.
Explain the rise of the Jehovah’s Witnesses within the Adventist Movement
It stems from the philosophy of “No Creed But Christ” philosophy, or “Just Me and My Bible.” It was also spawned from sporadic or charismatic experiences and trying to calculate numbers onto the map of Church history.
What is the Analogy of Faith and the Classic Protestant Hermeneutic?
The analogy of faith, or analogia fidei, is something that is not necessarily created by the Protestant Reformation. They trace it back to the Early Church with men like Irenaeus’ “On Apostolic Preaching” and others.
It teaches that Scripture is its best interpreter. If something is unclear in its pages, then we must look to the clear passages to inform our reading and understanding of it.
It all stems from believing that the Bible is the authoritative, infallible, and inerrant word of God, and therefore, though there may seem to be contradictions or difficult passages to understand, we must allow the Bible to interpret itself.
Who is “all Israel” in Romans 11?
- All Israel means all ethnic Israel
- All Israel means all the believing ethnic Israel
- All Israel means all the “true Israel” namely all Christians from all ethnic group
What is the Eschatology of the Psalter?
Yahweh’s ruling and reigning over all the nations
The destruction and subjection of the enemies of the Lord
The victorious vindication of the Saints
Psalm 2
Psalm 28
Psalm 149
What is the “Age to Come” in the New Testament?
The Second Coming of Christ
The Judgement
(However, there is overlap between the Present Age and the Age to Come)
What is the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24?
- It is the destruction of the temple in AD 70
- It is not the destruction of the temple in AD 70
- Some are fulfilled in this AD 70 event, but there are still some later
What are the 2 resurrections in Revelation 20?
- First Resurrection (20:4-6)
Our spiritual ruling and reigning with Christ right now
- Second Resurrection (20:11-13)
The Final Judgment
All people will be physically resurrected and judged
What is 2 Age Eschatology?
Literally two ages: one is the current age, and one is the “days to come,” most of the time referring to the eternal age
These ages overlap (Already/Not Yet)
Matthew 24
Mark 13
Luke 21
Give a Biblical-Theological Overview of the Promised Land in the Old Testament, Including Eschatological Implications
The main focus is to “Get back to Eden”
The Promised Land is the place that only the righteous can enter
Man sinned, so he got kicked out of the Garden of Eden; this demonstrates the holiness and presence of God
The land of Israel is just a shadow in the OT eschatological implications
The coming one of the Lord is the land
We return to Christ as a part of the land
Look at the prophets that talked about the return of the exile: it is both about the historical return and also about the eschatological return to the land of God, the New Heaven and the New Earth
Explain the 70 weeks in Daniel 9
- 70 weeks is the 70 sabbatical years that the Israelites are to be in exile for
Covenantal curse from the Lord
Jubilee (every seventh sabbath year)
10 Jubilee cycles (490 years, the birth of Christ)
- 70 Years of Exile
Literal 70 years
A symbolic 70th year (Augustine)
Most people would hold the view that the first 69 years are the age leading up to the incarnation of Christ. For the 70th week, some think this is the Church Age, or some would believe that it is the future tribulation that is to come
Exegetically defend that Jesus is the True and Final Israel
- The Heart of the Incarnation
The fulfillment of the OT passages that were predicted about Israel (the single “seed” of Abraham)
- Romans 9:6-8
(Not all Israelites are the true Israelites
[spiritual offspring])
Fulfillment rather than replacement of Israel
(Ephesians 2)
- Ezra 3
The returning of the temple, but the glory of God is not in it anymore
The Israelites has been waiting for this return, which is Christ
What is the Day of the Lord?
The New Heavens and the New Earth
The Coming Redeemer
The Dawning of the Messianic Age
The Final Judgement
The Second Resurrection
