Are you an apocalyptic?
Fleming Rutledge gives a name for a movement/school within Christian theology and preaching that has been hugely influential in my reading and thinking – even if I did not know I was caught up in a movement while I was collecting the books.
What is apocalyptic theology?
Here is a short summary by Douglas Harink, followed by a much longer description by me.
“Most simply stated, ‘apocalypse’ is shorthand for Jesus Christ. In the New Testament… all apocalyptic reflection and hope comes to this, that God has acted critically, decisively, and finally for Israel, all the peoples of the earth, and the entire cosmos, in the life, death, resurrection, and coming again of Jesus, in such a way that God’s purpose for Israel, all humanity, and all creation is critically, decisively, and finally disclosed and effected in he history of Jesus Christ.”
Read her outline of apocalyptic theology and a family tree of teachers and preachers who have helped shape it.
John – I think I would agree with every word of the brief excerpt you’ve included. I would not agree with each of Rutledges’s list of affirmations – or at least I would have to highly qualify them.
Mitch, I’d love to read your more extended response, either here or on your blog.