Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend

Do eschatology and peace go together? Is eschatology mostly about retribution and fear--or compassion and hope? 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 Christianitys teaching about the end times should and can center on Jesuss 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. Girards project is shown to reinforce the biblical message of eschatological peace. 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 Gods grace and compassion. Reading this book uplifts me to face todays challenges with tomorrows 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 Gods ultimate purpose is not destructive vengeance but the healing into harmony of all creation. -Wes Howard-Brook author of Come Out My People! Gods Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond 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).