"Say what you like," we shall be told, “the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else."
It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible... -- C.S. Lewis, The World’s Last Night and Other Essays, p.97
I am compiling a list of scholars who essentially agree with the above. C.S. Lewis agreed with it, but of course as a man of faith, he didn't end there. So far I have come across the following living(?) scholars who align with that perspective:
1) Dale C. Allison Jr.
2) E.P. Sanders
3) John P. Meier
4) Gerd Ludemann
5) Paula Fredriksen
6) Bart Ehrman
7) James D.G. Dunn
8) John J. Collins
9) Larry Hurtado(?)
Please make any additions to this list of fine and distinguished scholars who hold to the failed apocalypticism thesis. This thread was created to dismantle any pomp surrounding discussions on eschatology. I am sure there are rebuttals by more conservative scholars, but I think the facts are few and far between when it comes to eschatology and perhaps theology in general. Let us remind ourselves that theology is intended to enrich our faith -- but faith it is, and faith it shall remain -- we should so hope.
It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible... -- C.S. Lewis, The World’s Last Night and Other Essays, p.97
I am compiling a list of scholars who essentially agree with the above. C.S. Lewis agreed with it, but of course as a man of faith, he didn't end there. So far I have come across the following living(?) scholars who align with that perspective:
1) Dale C. Allison Jr.
2) E.P. Sanders
3) John P. Meier
4) Gerd Ludemann
5) Paula Fredriksen
6) Bart Ehrman
7) James D.G. Dunn
8) John J. Collins
9) Larry Hurtado(?)
Please make any additions to this list of fine and distinguished scholars who hold to the failed apocalypticism thesis. This thread was created to dismantle any pomp surrounding discussions on eschatology. I am sure there are rebuttals by more conservative scholars, but I think the facts are few and far between when it comes to eschatology and perhaps theology in general. Let us remind ourselves that theology is intended to enrich our faith -- but faith it is, and faith it shall remain -- we should so hope.
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