Ep 280: Inaugurated Eschatology: Are We Living in the End Times?

In this episode I explain the New Testament concept of ‘inaugurated eschatology’ and mount a biblical response to the claim that we are currently living through the end times. ‘Eschatology’ simply means ‘the study of final things’, and in theology eschatology explores how God is going to bring his plans for creation to their intended conclusion. Despite the rhetoric that the end times have begun in recent years, the New Testament authors unanimously affirm that the end of history began with the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. God, according to the Old Testament prophets, would be faithful to his promises, and in the end would rescue his people, pour out his Spirit, reestablish the temple and sacrifices, and install a Davidic king on the throne. Jesus accomplishes all these goals, and so the Old Testament ‘end of history’ is inaugurated by Jesus, who then gives his Spirit-enabled people the ability to build his kingdom until his final return. Inaugurated eschatology, the idea that the end times have already begun, is central to New Testament theology and must shape our faith and practice today. Media Referenced:Ascension, Kingdom, and Eschatology: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-235-ascension-kingdom-and-eschatology/Apocalypticism: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-272-the-apocalyptic-worldview-of-ancient-judaism-and-christianity-with-john-j-collins/1 Corinthians 2:6-18: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-257-the-rulers-of-this-age-are-passing-away-1-corinthians-26-8/Ephesians 1: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-248-far-above-all-rule-and-authority-ephesians-115-23/Ascension: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/ep-233-the-ascension-of-jesus-with-ross-hastings/The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com.Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at [email protected].  You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show’s profile! Thanks!