Discuss Theology

One last, I think, quote from N.T. Wright on eschatology.

“Through his (Paul’s – scj) extraordinary interpretation of Jesus’ crucifixion as the divine victory over the powers of evil, the great battle has come and gone (emphasis mine), and the pagan powers have been decisively defeated. This is perhaps the first and most important thing to say about Paul’s reworking of eschatology: that the complex event for which Israel had hoped had already happened in the events of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ resurrection indicated not just that something extraordinary had come to pass, but what that extraordinary thing was: the anticipation, breaking in to the scene of ongoing history, of the ultimate End. Inaugurated eschatology, framed, explained and given depth by the reworking of monotheism and election, is one of the most central and characteristic notes of Paul’s whole theology. The still-future events of which he frequently speaks are themselves reworking of the same Jewish expectations. And the creative tension between the two, between what has already happened in the Messiah and what is still to happen at the ultimate end, is where we must locate some of his most characteristic themes (justification, the body of Christ, and so on).” Paul in Fresh Perspective, N.T. Wright, pg. 135-136.

If you are not from the United States, you may wonder why I have chosen this passage, or even think it is important. Let me state that the small book, “Late Great Planet Earth”, by Hal Lindsey, has so permeated our understanding of scripture that we are no long able to grasp the victory of the cross. We see a victory in a Hollywood style future, and we, as American’s in general, down play the violent victory of the cross. We look forward, as the progressives we are, to a future victory where American Christians storm the beaches of hell and overcome the armies of evil, no matter where they reside. We storm out not with the victory of the cross, but rather with a watered down interpretation of the bible and our constitutional democracy.

Yet this is not how the early Church thought. It was clear to them that they were walking in victory. Were there battles to be fought? Of course, and we still must fight on, in a sort of mopping up action. But the main battle is over. The Messiah was victorious, and is and is to come.

Why is this important? Instead of looking to a future where every thing is getting worse, and pessimistic outlook, we must see the victory that surrounds us, and optimistic outlook, and take the power of the gospel to the world. The great commission would not be so great if it was a promise of defeat to defeat, instead of from victory to victory. Who would sign up for that? Clearly our outlook on life helps mold our level of commitment. We are not looking to be defeated; we are looking to our victorious King.

A new reading of scripture, as Wright suggests, at least in this area, will work wonders in our understanding of Paul’s theology specifically, but also St. John’s eschatology. Additionally, it helps us to understand the continuity between the Old Testament prophets and the revelation of the New Testament.