Compassionate Eschatology

by Ted Grimsrud (Editor), Michael Hardin (Editor)

Overview

Compassionate Eschatology brings together a group of international scholars representing a wide range of Christian traditions to address these questions. Together they make the case that Christianity's teaching about the "end times" should and can center on Jesus's message of peace and reconciliation. Offering a peace-oriented reading of the Book of Revelation and other biblical materials relevant to Christian eschatology, this book breaks new ground in its consistent message that compassion not retribution stands at the heart of the doctrine of the last things.

Besides its creative treatment of biblical materials, Compassionate Eschatology also makes a distinctive contribution in how several essays engage the thought of Rene Girard and his mimetic theory. Girard's project is shown to reinforce the biblical message of eschatological peace.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608994885
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	06/01/2011
Pages:	306
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Ted Grimsrud is Professor of Theology and Peace Studies at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. His most recent books include A Pacifist Way of Knowing (co-editor, 2010), Theology as If Jesus Matters (2009), and Embodying the Way of Jesus (2007).

Michael Hardin is Executive Director of Preaching Peace, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is author of The Jesus Driven Life (2010), and co-editor of Peace Be With You (2010) and Stricken by God? (2007).

Table of Contents

Contributors ix

Preface xi

Part 1 Interpreting Apocalypse and Apocalyptic Non-Retributively

1 Biblical Apocalyptic: What Is Being Revealed? Ted Grimsrud 3

2 The Language of Warfare in the Book of Revelation Richard Bauckham 28

3 Between Babylon and Anathoth: Toward a Theology of Hope in Migration Nancy Elizabeth Bedford 42

4 Faithful, True, and Violent? Christology and "Divine Vengeance" in the Revelation to John David J. Neville 56

5 Hastening the Day When the Earth Will Burn? Global Warming, Revelation, 2 Peter 3 Barbara R. Rossing 85

6 Turning the Tables: War, Peace, and the Last Supper James E. Brenneman 101

7 God, Judgment, and Non-Violence John E. Phelan 116

8 The Dragon Lives Still J. Denny Weaver 134

Part 2 Toward Compassionate Eschatology

9 Is the Apocalypse Inevitable? Native American Prophecy and the Mimetic Theory Michael Hardin 155

10 Redeeming the Entire Universe Walter Wink 171

11 From Ontology to Iconochrony: A Positively Anthropological Second Coming Anthony W. Bartlett 177

12 A Kinder, Gentler Apocalypse? Rene Girard, the Book of Revelation, and the Bottomless Abyss of the Unforgettable Victim Stephen Finamore 196

13 The Final Judgment: Sunrise of Christ's Liberating Justice Jurgen Moltmann 218

14 Orthodox Eschatology and St. Gregory of Nyssa's De vita Moysis: Transfiguration, Cosmic Unity, and Compassion Andrew P. Klager 230

15 Prophecy, End-Times, and American Apocalypse: Reclaiming Hope for Our World Barbara R. Rossing 253

16 Vincent Van Gogh's Compassionate Eschatology Carol Berry 267

Bibliography 281

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Compassionate Eschatology is an extraordinary book that reveals the biblical teaching of the non-violent, peace-filled, non-judgmental, and ecological end of the world. Influenced by the thought of Rene Girard, the authors chorus: in the midst of the dragon and beasts, the lamb of God will prevail over their vicious power of exploitation, disruption, vengeance, violence, and destruction with the incesstant love of God. This eschatology does not deny all human efforts in history, but fulfills them with God's grace and compassion. Reading this book uplifts me to face today's challenges with tomorrow's strength. This hope-filled book is a must read for all pastors and lay people.
-Andrew Sung Park
Professor of Theology and Ethics
United Theological Seminary, Dayton OH


"A fascinating, stimulating collection from a diverse group of scholars, filled with exciting insights. Compassionate Eschatology interweaves close readings of the Bible-with Revelation as its central text-theology and current events to shed light on the 'times of the end.' The authors reveal, each from their own angle of vision, how God's ultimate purpose is not destructive vengeance, but the healing into harmony of all creation."
-Wes Howard-Brook author of "Come Out, My People!": God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond

Editorial Reviews

Compassionate Eschatology is an extraordinary book that reveals the biblical teaching of the non-violent, peace-filled, non-judgmental, and ecological end of the world. Influenced by the thought of Rene Girard, the authors chorus: in the midst of the dragon and beasts, the lamb of God will prevail over their vicious power of exploitation, disruption, vengeance, violence, and destruction with the incesstant love of God. This eschatology does not deny all human efforts in history, but fulfills them with God's grace and compassion. Reading this book uplifts me to face today's challenges with tomorrow's strength. This hope-filled book is a must read for all pastors and lay people.
-Andrew Sung Park
Professor of Theology and Ethics
United Theological Seminary, Dayton OH


"A fascinating, stimulating collection from a diverse group of scholars, filled with exciting insights. Compassionate Eschatology interweaves close readings of the Bible-with Revelation as its central text-theology and current events to shed light on the 'times of the end.' The authors reveal, each from their own angle of vision, how God's ultimate purpose is not destructive vengeance, but the healing into harmony of all creation."
-Wes Howard-Brook author of "Come Out, My People!": God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond

From the Publisher