Tema nou-testamentară a apropierii și întârzierii parusiei în Evul Mediu

The New Testament Theme of the Nearness and Delay of the Parousia in the Middle Ages

Abstract

The article surveys the medieval reception of the NT message that the second coming of Jesus or the end of the world is near and how Christians during this time span coped with the delay of the Parousia. The study is divided into three parts: the first 500 years, the period around the year 1000, and the centuries after the turn of the second millennium to the dawn of the Reformation. Whether based on the understanding of biblical eschatology or inspired by the state of affairs in the world at the time, medieval Christians were waiting for a soon end. The delay of the end was concurrently professed by some important and influential thinkers of the time. The various views explored are not scientific, but they are foundational for the later more sophisticated discussions in modern times.