Contemporary Options in Eschatology: A Study of the Millennium

198 Pages·1977·3.591 MB·English

by  Millard J. Erickson

Millard J. Erickson
Contemporary
Options in
Eschatology
MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE-TRIBULATION
TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE
RAPTURE-TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM
MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE-TRIBULATION
TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE
RAPTURE-TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM
MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE-TRIBULATION
TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM-RAPTURE
RAPTURE-TRIBULATION-MILLENNIUM
A Study of the Millennium
Contemporary
Options in
Eschatology
Contemporary
Options in
Eschatology
A Study of the Millennium
M illard J. Erickson
BAKER BOOK HOUSE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
Copyright 1977by
Baker Book House Company
Paperback edition issued
January, 1987
ISBN: 0-8010-3442-6
Library of Congress
Catalog Card Number: 77-89406
Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version unless other­
wise noted. The RSV is copyrighted by the Division of Christian Educa­
tion of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
of America, 1946,1952, and 1971. Quotations from the New American
Standard Bible (NASB) are copyrighted by the Lockman Foundation,
1960,1962,1963,1968,1971, and 1972.
Printed in the United States of America
To
my wife’s parents
Magnus and Ruth Nepstad

Contents
Preface....................................................................................... 9
Introduction............................................................................. 11
Part 1 Background Views
1 Schweitzer and Dodd .............................................................. 17
2 Bultmann and Moltmann........................................................ 35
Part 2 Millennial Views
3 Postmillennialism..................................................................... 55
4 Amillennialism ........................................................................ 73
5 Premillennialism ..................................................................... 91
Part 3 Tribulational Views
6 Dispensationalism .....................................................................109
7 Pretribulationism.......................................................................125
8 Posttribulationism .....................................................................145
9 Mediating Positions ..................................................................163
Conclusion.................................................................................183
Bibliography...............................................................................185
General Index............................................................................191
Scripture Index..........................................................................195

Preface
This volume grew out of a request by students at Bethel
Theological Seminary for a course that would examine thoroughly
and objectively the eschatological options extant in the circles in
which they would one day minister. In preparing for that course, I
realized that the need for such a study goes beyond the walls of
our classroom.
I wish to thank all who have assisted in the production of this
work. I am especially indebted to those students who first re­
quested the course and whose questions and comments helped
sharpen my thinking. My teaching assistant, Mrs. Ines E. Bowers,
read the entire manuscript thoroughly and offered numerous
suggestions, particularly regarding stylistic matters. Typing was
done by Mrs. Nikki Daniels and Mrs. Aletta Whittaker. All imper­
fections in the manuscript are of course my responsibility alone.
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