Eschatology at Covenant

This past weekend saw Dr. Dan Epp-Tiessen come to Covenant and present a Portable CMU series on Eschatology called "Rapture or New Creation: Biblical Visions of the End." Following closely the thought of scholars like N.T. Wright in Surprised by Hope and Nelson Kraybill's Apocalypse and Allegiance, Dan gave a straightforward account of the biblical evidence for the view that the resurrected body will be physical and that the end of history will culminate in a renewed earth no longer separated from heaven but finally joined together as was always intended in creation. Seeking to overcome the dualistic perspectives which separate spiritual life from physical bodies or devalue the created order as something disposable or of no eternal value, Dan asserted that the"good future" which God intended for God's creation included reconciliation and restoration. "Rapture theology" implies escape from the earth and all its troubles for the faithful followers of Christ. God intends to save not only souls but the earth and all that God has made. That is why the resurrection means physical resurrection, embodied spirits, which are substantial and tangible. Bodies are not to be discarded because they are worthless but valued because they are part of God's good creation which will be transformed and renewed.

Among other things, what the doctrine of last things stated this way does is to give good and compelling reasons for tending to the created order and engaging in a respectful and careful use of the earth's resources. As stewards of the earth, we must distribute the wealth wisely, share the bounty with all of God's creatures and keep from despoiling the beauty and resources which are ours to enjoy. This view also includes a good and well-rounded kingdom ethic by which to live among our fellow human beings for it builds on Jesus' message that the kingdom of God has arrived. Christians are to proclaim the Good News that the Kingdom is near and as such anticipate the full disclosure of the Kingdom by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, freeing the captives and comforting the dying and lonely. Brian McLaren has a revealing phrase in his book A New Kind of Christianity which states that an appropriate eschatology would be "participatory", and that our ethic and present practice should be "anticipatory", anticipating the full flowering of the Kingdom at the end of time. In so doing we offer not only hope but a vision of God's good future.