If thed lead eitorial from the latest Southern Baptist Journal of Theology is any indication of the issue itself, there is much help to be gained by its consumption. In this editorial, Thinking Biblically and Theologically about Eschatology, Stephen Wellum writes how we shouldn’t run from eschatology, as we often do for the wrong reasons. We should pursue it because:
In truth, eschatology, properly understood, is nothing more than a thorough study of God’s great act of redemption in Jesus the Christ. Eschatology, then, not only presents us with the Bible’s meta-narrative, it also unpacks how that grand story is centered in Jesus. How our Lord was not only anticipated and predicted in the OT, but how, in our Lord’s coming he has literally ushered in and inaugurated the “last days.” By his incarnation and life, supremely his death, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost, God’s promised plan of salvation has been accomplished, and now we await and anticipate the consummation of that plan in the glorious appearing of the King of kings and the Lord of lords (see Eph 1:9-10; Phil 2:6-11; Rev 4-5; 19:1-21). When eschatology is presented in this way, not only is it true to the Scripture, it is also able to move us to action, obedience, worship, and service. Such eschatology will never leave us merely satisfied with this world, but it will orient us towards the future where the church will rightly learn to cry afresh with the church of all ages, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).
A Table of Contents is also available for a peak, but Wellum’s editorial is fantastic (and only 2 pages). Enjoy.