My good friend Steve and I have been reading and discussing the doctrine of the last things, or eschatology. I've asked him to think about the following four questions, which I think are worth considering:
1. Where does Eschatology fits into theology? We all know that "The Last Things" appears at the end of most systematic theologies because it tells us how everything is going to "end up," but where does a knowledge of last things fit into our overarching understanding of theology in thought and practice? Is Eschatology a peripheral matter, or is it central to our thinking and daily activities? Or does it fall somewhere in between?
2. How does Eschatology impact our ecclesiology? Given the rather substantive differences between dispensationalism and covenantalism, even in their modified forms, where does eschatology factor into our understanding of the Church and the people of God? What difference does the destiny (or destinies) of God's people (or peoples) make upon our present thoughts and actions within the Body of Christ?
3. How does Eschatology impact our evangelism? How does the knowledge of last things guide us in our proclamation of the gospel to unbelievers? Does our theoretical assent to certain doctrines of the last things match up logically with the way we actually practice evangelism in the world around us? If not, where and why do you think this is? How do we change our understanding or practices to become more consistent?
4. How does Eschatology impact our engagement with culture? Are we on a rescue mission, or are we transforming everything that we involve ourselves in? What difference does a knowledge of last things make in coming to one or another understanding of the Christian's interaction with his or her surrounding culture?
Post a Comment