How do critical scholars such as Hurtado, Fredriksen, etc. view the eschaton? I ask because I haven't read any of their books, or any books by critical scholars for that matter. If I had to hazard a guess I would think something along the lines of:
1) Jesus was mistaken in Matt. 23; Mark 13; Luke 21
2) The destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 was to coincide with the bodily second coming, this is mainly evidenced by:
3) Paul's letter(s) to the Thessalonians wherein he discusses being gathered together with the Thessalonians to meet the Lord, but not before the man of lawlessness is revealed (2Thes. 2:1-12; Matt. 24:15-28)
4) After the temple and man of lawlessness are destroyed in judgment, the Lord will appear, send out his angels, and gather the elect (2Thes. 1:5-12; Matt. 24:30-31). The disciples are admonished to stay alert because this day will come like a thief in the night (1Thes. 5:1-2; Matt. 24:43-44).
5) When the Lord returns at an unexpected day or hour (note the use of 'day' and 'hour'; also the parables in Matt. 24:45-51; Matt. 25:1-30 ) with his angels, he will gather the elect, and the nations before him will undergo judgement of eternal nature (2Thes. 1: 5-10; Matt. 25:31-46).
6) The Christian believers started experiencing angst over the delay of Christ's return and mockers taunted them for holding hope in Christ's return. 2Peter was deployed to comfort and encourage the wavering believers (2Pet. 3:1-18).
7) As the Jesus movement evolved and matured, the second coming was downplayed and/or an over-realized eschatology started to emerge (Eph. 2:6).
Would this be a relatively accurate, rough summation of the historical-critical position in relation to eschatology?
1) Jesus was mistaken in Matt. 23; Mark 13; Luke 21
2) The destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 was to coincide with the bodily second coming, this is mainly evidenced by:
3) Paul's letter(s) to the Thessalonians wherein he discusses being gathered together with the Thessalonians to meet the Lord, but not before the man of lawlessness is revealed (2Thes. 2:1-12; Matt. 24:15-28)
4) After the temple and man of lawlessness are destroyed in judgment, the Lord will appear, send out his angels, and gather the elect (2Thes. 1:5-12; Matt. 24:30-31). The disciples are admonished to stay alert because this day will come like a thief in the night (1Thes. 5:1-2; Matt. 24:43-44).
5) When the Lord returns at an unexpected day or hour (note the use of 'day' and 'hour'; also the parables in Matt. 24:45-51; Matt. 25:1-30 ) with his angels, he will gather the elect, and the nations before him will undergo judgement of eternal nature (2Thes. 1: 5-10; Matt. 25:31-46).
6) The Christian believers started experiencing angst over the delay of Christ's return and mockers taunted them for holding hope in Christ's return. 2Peter was deployed to comfort and encourage the wavering believers (2Pet. 3:1-18).
7) As the Jesus movement evolved and matured, the second coming was downplayed and/or an over-realized eschatology started to emerge (Eph. 2:6).
Would this be a relatively accurate, rough summation of the historical-critical position in relation to eschatology?
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