Escatologia în raport cu soteriologia: funcțiile profețiilor apocaliptice și ale evangheliei în spiritualitatea așteptătorilor parusiei

Eschatology in Relation to Soteriology: The Functions of Apocalyptic Prophecies and the Gospel in the Spirituality of Those Waiting for the Parousia

Abstract

There is an accepted opinion that, in difficult times, the apocalyptic literature has been positively used for encouragement. Equally true is that the history of Christianity attests to distorted uses of these compositions with regard to the anticipation of the Parousia. This study represents a comparative analysis of the relationship between the Gospel and the apocalyptic literature in order to both ascertain the proper relationship between them and propose a balanced model of their respective roles in the believer’s life. It is the thesis of this article that only a correct appreciation of the Gospel in relation to the apocalyptic literature can lead to a genuine preparation for the eschatological event of the Advent. Also, it may prevent discourses harbouging extremism inherent in catastrophist views.