Eschatology
Book Reviews by
Fred G. Zaspel
George Eldon Ladd is a favorite of mine. His contribution to the study of eschatology is enormous and well respected by all corners. The Presence of the Future (Eerdmans) is something of an Evangelical classic, and it is a first rate introduction to the study of inaugurated eschatology. It is something of a must for serious students. As I have mentioned on a previous page, I do not agree with Ladd's treatment of the Israel question, but other than that his treatment of historic premillennialism in Crucial Questions About the Kingdom of God and the more popular The Gospel of the Kingdom (both from Eerdmans) and his chapter in The Meaning of the Millennium (ed., Clouse; IVP) are very good expositions of the inaugurated kingdom as well as its coming fullness. In this last work Ladd's handling of the text of Revelation 20 was far superior to all the others – in my humble and unbiased opinion (of course!). (In fact, neither Postmillennial Boettner nor Dispensational Premillennialist Hoyt showed very well here at all – only Ladd and then Hoeksema.) His The Blessed Hope (Eerdmans) focuses on the rapture question and provides his able defense of post-tribulationism. Much of my reading of Ladd has been in theological journals, and if you have access to a seminary library you'll find profit from Ladd in the Periodical Room there also. A reading of Ladd's A Theology of the New Testament (Eerdmans) will provide a good theological background for these eschatological studies.
The Rapture: Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulational? (Richard Reiter, ed.; Zondervan), another of the "various viewpoints" series is a very helpful introduction and overview of the three main rapture positions. Paul Feinberg defends the pretribulational position, Gleason Archer defends the mid- tribulational position, and Douglas Moo defends the post-tribulational position. I've seen men read this and confess that their own viewpoint changed with the reading of each chapter, leaving them in total confusion! But truly, this book is far from confusing – each writer does a very good job of presenting his position. But (in my humble and unbiased opinion, again) the exegetical scale clearly tips in Doug Moo's favor. His work is fair, thorough, precise, and convincing. And Reiter's historical survey at the beginning is worth the price of the book all by itself. Highly recommended.
The Meaning of the Millennium (ed., Clouse; IVP), another "various viewpoint" book is well worth the finding, but its value is varied. Both Ladd and Hoeksema handle their topics well. As I mentioned, neither Boettner nor Hoyt come across as very compelling. Hoyt lays very little exegetical groundwork, and Boettner almost none. Boettner's case in particular is established with shockingly little appeal to Scripture – but in an odd kind of way there is some value in seeing that too! This substantive debate in this book is between Ladd and Hoeksema, and as I said above, Ladd handles the exegetical data of Revelation 20 much more carefully – in my humble opinion, of course. The book is valuable to gain a basic understanding of the various approaches to the millennial question – pre-, dispensational pre-, post, and a-millennialism. Recommended.
If you can get a copy of Daniel in the Latter Days by Robert Culver, do it. Premillennialists will appreciate his overview description of premillennialism in the first section of the book, but it is Culver's treatment of the major prophetic portions of Daniel that make this book so valuable. He remains always very close to the text, and the result is a solid piece of work that deserves more attention. Highly recommended.
Anthony Hoekema provides a very helpful work in his famous The Bible and the Future (Eerdmans). As I already let on, I do not share his amillennial perspective, but his exposition of Inaugurated Eschatology (Part I of the book) is worth the price. This is something many premillennialists needlessly miss, and Hoekema's work is a good contribution to the study. I did not find his treatment of Revelation 20 convincing, and of course there are other related areas I would find weak also. But his discussion of the Signs of the Times is very good, as are several other chapters also. This book is one of the leading books from an Amillennial perspective, and if for no other reason than this teachers and preachers should be acquainted with it. But again, Part I alone is worth the price. Recommended.
Crucial Questions About Hell by Ajith Fernando (Crossway Books)
Fernando writes out of a concern over the disappearance of hell. Universalism (the belief that eventually hell will be emptied and that there will be a final homecoming of all humanity in heaven) has become more and more the preferred doctrine. In our pluralistic age it just isn't "correct" to believe that impenitent sinners will be forever punished. A low view of God and / or a high view of man call for a kinder, gentler sentence. Fernando stays by the older doctrine of a righteous God who must punish sinners, whose justice forbids the acquittal of impenitant rebels, and whose mercy is not tarnished but rather enhanced in view of the prospect of eternal punishment. And in upholding this older, Biblical teaching Fernando takes on the contemporary objections -- emotional and "Biblical" arguments -- and answers them clearly and simply. A very helpful book on the subject of eternal punishment.
Christ's Sudden & Certain Appearance to Judgment by Thomas Vincent (Soli Deo Gloria)
This is applied eschatology. And it is eschatology as it should be. In our day we have got so bogged down in our attempt to iron out all the wrinkles in our eschatological systems that we have largely ignored the spiritual and moral value of the study – and the purpose for which this information has been given us. Whatever your specific eschatological persuasion, virutally every line of this marvelous book will excite your heart. Vincent explores the implications of Christ's glorious appearance and awful judgment as only the Puritans could do – with deep reflection and spiritual passion. What a blessing to read! Most highly recommended.
The Kingdom of God by Donald S. K. Palmer (Evangelical Press)
A nice discussion of the "inaugurated" aspect of the Kingdom of God. Palmer does not deal much with the future manifestation of the kingdom in fulness, but he does a good job at clarifying simply the Kingdom of God as it is realized today in Christ.
The World to Come by Isaac Watts
I was not even aware of this book until I came across it recently, and it is everything you would expect from the famous hymn-writer - preacher, Isaac Watts. Solid, Biblical, thorough, passionate, and stirring reflections on matters pertaining to the intermediate state, the second coming of Christ, heaven, and hell. If you can find a copy, trust me -- you want to buy it. This is eschatology as it should always be preached!
HOME
Biblical Studies | Book Reviews
Word Of Life Baptist Church Web Site - COPYRIGHT 1996 Fred Zaspel