Book Review: Essential Eschatology
Since Jesus ascended, eschatology (or the study of “last things”) has been a major topic of conversation. As Christians, we eagerly await and anticipate Jesus’ coming. We often wonder when that time will occur. Over the centuries since the ascension, many predictions and much controversy have ensued concerning when this will occur. Into this discussion steps John E. Phelan Jr. with his newest book Essential Eschatology (IVP Academic 2013).
Phelan reminds us that eschatology plays a significant role in Christianity, and he points out that the Bible’s narrative “begins in creation and ends in new creation.”[1] He holds that eschatology is about more than simply what will happen in the last days. He also answers questions such as,
Who am I? What does it mean for me to exist? Does my body have a soul or is my body ensouled . . . ? What does it mean to die? What happens to our loved ones when they die? Are they with God in heaven? . . . What is heaven anyway? . . . What is hell?[2]
Ultimately what we learn is that eschatology gives us Christians the hope necessary for reconciliation between God and us.
About the Author
John E. Phelan Jr. is a senior professor of theological studies at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Phelan has previously served in the seminary as the Dean of Students and as President. He has also pastored in the Evangelical Covenant Church in Florida and Kansas, and serves as the Director of Covenant Publications in his denomination. In addition, Phelan is very passionate about engaging with Evangelical-Jews.[3]
Review
In Essential Eschatology, Phelan focuses on Christians’ eschatological hope over the course of ten chapters. Unlike the adherents to other religions, we Christians do not wander aimlessly as others do, but have hope, even to the end. The chapters in this book are as follows:
(1) “Hope and Promise”: In this chapter, Phelan considers broadly our need to make the kingdom present in our lives and ministries now.
(2) “Hope and Accommodation”: This chapter emphasizes that Christian eschatology is a source of hope, not just for the future, but also the present.
(3) “Hope for Resurrection”: In this chapter, Phelan focuses on the reason that we can have hope for the resurrection: namely, because Jesus Himself was raised.
(4) “Hope for Judgment”: The focal point of this chapter is that judgment is not about God’s getting even, but about our receiving restorative justice. God’s judgment is about setting things right.
(5) “Hope for the Kingdom of God”: In this chapter, Phelan points out that the kingdom has been inaugurated in Jesus. It has not, however, arrived in its fullness. Eschatology teaches us that we ought to be living out the kingdom now.
(6) “Hope for Jesus’ Return”: This chapter emphasizes that we are not waiting to “go” to heaven, but for heaven to come to us. In the meantime, we should be active in our work for the Lord.
(7) “Hope in the Midst of Empire”: Phelan reminds us that it is appropriate to view our days as possibly some of the last. He suggests that Revelation is not a book predicting detailed events, and that we must read it in its context.
(8) “Hope for the Millennium”: In this chapter, Phelan attempts to help us refocus our thoughts on the Millennium by reminding us that Christian eschatology is the hope for Christ’s reign over the whole earth. We should be ready and anticipate God’s coming kingdom, but should also allow God to fulfill it in His time.
(9) “Hope for Israel”: In this chapter, Phelan considers the place of Israel in God’s plan. He rebukes Christians who have themselves given the Jews a good reason to reject the Gospel, and prompts us to be mindful about how our actions affect others’ salvation.
(10) “Hope for the Church”: Finally, in his last chapter, Phelan discusses the partnership that exists between God and the Church, and he reemphasizes the Church’s need to live towards the kingdom.
Analysis & Critique
Several positive features emerge from this book. For example, I appreciate Phelan’s point that our attempt to predict a specific time for the world’s end hasn’t gotten us anywhere. Two extremes are common on this subject: Some seem to care only about predicting when the end will take place, while others seem scared of thinking about it and choose to ignore it. Neither of these options are useful routes. There is much more to eschatology than simply predicting when everything will take place. Instead, eschatology is about our world, its purpose, and the hope that Christians can have.
Another point: In Chapter 3, “Hope for Resurrection,” Phelan points out the importance of resurrection for eschatology. Without it, there is no Christian eschatology. As Christians, we should live as if we have already died and been raised with Christ. Phelan suggests that our communities are already of the coming kingdom. In other words, our Christian communities are part of the coming kingdom in the sense that we should live resurrected lives, having died to our old selves and having become new persons in Christ. He writes:
Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning of the age to come. It was the beginning of the great process of reconciliation of everything to God so that God may be all in all. We have been entrusted, Paul said, with a “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). By seeking to reconcile people to God, we are carrying out God’s work of new creation in anticipation of the completion of his work. We are doing eschatological work, kingdom work, even resurrection work. As we await the resurrection of the dead, we bring resurrection life into the deadness of the world.[4]
If I were to state the most significant point of the book though, it is this: as Christians, we should not have a “bags packed” mentality. Far too many Christians “get saved,” only to sit around and wait for Jesus’ return. They receive God’s grace and do nothing to further the kingdom. The problem with this approach is that we should work for God’s Kingdom now. Phelan points out that we should join God in partnership to accomplish His will in building this Kingdom.[5] On this point, he writes, “The church is called to the task of participating in this great eschatological work of healing and reconciliation.”[6]
The only critique that I have to offer is that Phelan continuously quotes the same people throughout the entire book, the primary person being N.T. Wright. It seemed as if Wright was quoted at least two or three times in every chapter. Not only does this give an obvious slant to what I read, but I often felt that I needed to read Wright himself to understand what Phelan was saying. Only rarely did Phelan offer criticism of Wright, which we should expect considering his contemporary prominence. Even when he did, I found it helpful to see a different point of view.
Conclusion
Without doubt, this book’s message is needed in the Christian life today. Too many people fall into one of the two extremes mentioned above. Either they get too caught up in the timeline of the plan of events to take place, or they choose to ignore eschatology as a whole.
As Christians, we should develop a healthy, solid eschatology. This is important, for it is our eschatology that drives our mission and our hope for the church. Indeed, as believers, we should work in partnership with God, or as Phelan puts it, “Perhaps now we can proclaim and live the gospel, mend the world[7], as ambassadors of reconciliation.”[8]
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About the Author: Zach Vickery is currently a student at Welch College studying Theology and General Christian Ministry, and serves as a youth pastor at Friendship Free Will Baptist Church in Ashland City, TN. He is originally from Dothan, AL. Some of his hobbies include hunting, fishing, hiking, and playing guitar. He is interested in biblical studies and languages and hopes to study more on these subjects in graduate school.
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[1] John E. Phelan, Jr., Essential Eschatology (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2013), 11.
[2] Phelan, 12.
[3] “John E. Phelan, Jr.,” North Park Theological Seminary, accessed August 27, 2014, http://www.northpark.edu/Seminary/About-the-Seminary/Full-Time-Faculty/Jay-Phelan.
[4] Phelan, 63.
[5] Ibid., 177.
[6] Ibid., 180
[7] This “mending the world” can be understood in terms of God’s redemptive work in the world. God is restoring our sin-cursed creation through the “new creation” work of Christ.
[8] Ibid., 187
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