Classic Eschatology (Conzelmann) Inaugurated Eschatology (Cullman and Zimjewski) The Parable of the Great Banquet
The eschatology in the gospel suggests that there is a delay in the arrival of The eschatology in the gospel suggests that the Kingdom of God was The Kingdom of God is compared to the Messianic Banquet. It is up to the people to decide
the Kingdom of God. Luke makes changes to Mark’s account so that Jesus present in Jesus’ teachings, miracles and in people who accepted whether they want to enter or not, so the Kingdom of God may be present in the call to
no longer says that the Kingdom of God was coming imminently, but them, but was not yet complete. Jesus had introduced the Kingdom them. God’s chosen people who he originally accepted into the covenant, the Jews and the
instead he is evasive, and it comes a long way in the future. There is a focus of God on earth, but a future day of judgement would come where it rich will not enter as they are too concerned with personal and material matters, ‘not one of
on who will get in rather than when it will come because of the crisis in the would be fulfilled. So, Jesus’ teachings are important because they those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet’. The gentiles and those in the lower
Lukan community, so he delays the Parousia. So, Jesus’ teachings are teach his followers that the Kingdom of God is present in his classes will enter the Kingdom of God, ‘the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame’.
important because they reveal that there was a crisis in the Lukan teachings, but that there is a future event yet to come. Overall, the eschatology is unclear and not referenced.
community because the Kingdom of God had not yet arrived. Evidence
Evidence In the Parable of the Sower, the Kingdom is present in the seeds, but The Sign of Jonah
In Acts I, Jesus tells the people, ‘it is not for you to know when the Kingdom there is a harvest to come. In the Coming of the Kingdom, the Jesus preaches that the Kingdom of God will come to punish the people, ‘this… wicked
of God will come’, showing him to be evasive. In the Parable of the Narrow Kingdom is present in Jesus, but there will be a future day of generation’. The Son of Man is a mysterious figure who is described as Jesus’ judge on earth.
Door, Jesus states, ‘people will come from east and west’, focusing on who judgement just like that in Noah’s day. In the Mustard Seed, the Those who repent their sins will enter, but he warns the people at the time to prepare by
will get in. In the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus focuses on who will Kingdom is present in the seed, but will be fulfilled when this grows repenting as a day of judgement will arrive as it did in past times in the imminent future, ‘for
get in, ‘none of those invited will taste my dinner’. into a tree. as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation’. So,
this is an example of imminent eschatology.
Imminent Eschatology (Maddox) Present Eschatology (Dodd)
The eschatology in the gospel suggests that The eschatology in the gospel suggests that the Kingdom of God is already present in him, his teachings and all who accept them by having faith The Narrow Door
the Kingdom of God is to arrive imminently. and repenting. The Kingdom of God is powerfully at work in the exorcisms, it is a present reality with no future aspect left to come. So, Jesus’ References the Messianic Banquet, where
So, Jesus’ teachings are important as they teachings are important because they teach his followers that if they have faith and repent, they can be a part of the Kingdom of God in the the righteous will get in, as well as those who
suggest that people need to prepare, and present. listen to and act on Jesus’ teachings,
repent and lead moral lives. Evidence prophets and gentiles, ‘are only a few people
Evidence In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus states, ‘to you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God’. In the Story of Zacchaeus, his faith going to be saved’, ‘people will come from
In the Parable of the Watchful Servant, Jesus’ is shown through climbing a tree and his repentance by giving away his money, and he is rewarded with a place in God’s Kingdom, he is already east and wear and north and south’. It is not
language is that of urgency, ‘the Son of Man is saved, ‘salvation has come to this house’. In Jesus and Beezlebul, Jesus is accused of casting out demons by Satan’s power, but he actually does it enough to only listen to Jesus’ teachings,
coming at an unexpected hour’, ‘be dressed through the power and authority of the Kingdom of God, ‘the Kingdom of God has come among you’. they must also be acted on, ‘those who are
for action’, telling the disciples to be ready. In last who will be first, and first who will be
the Lesson of the Fig Tree, it is said, ‘this last’. When it will arrive is not mentioned, so
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
generation will not pass away until all things the eschatology is unclear.
have taken place’, so the Kingdom of God will
Jesus tells the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God will come; it is the day of judgement
after death where the Son of Man will be revealed, ‘the Kingdom of God is in your midst’.
Eschatology and the
come within their lifetime. In Jesus Speaks
about Suffering and Death, it is said, ‘who will
They must follow Jesus’ teachings and not rely on material successes to enter, and those Kingdom of God Jesus and Beezlebul
who are prepared to make earthly sacrifices will get eternal life in heaven, ‘whoever tries
not taste death before they see the Kingdom
of God’, suggesting that it will come while
to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it’. Those who lead in Luke Jesus is accused of being part of Satan’s kingdom,
however he argues that this would be self-destructive,
immoral lives like Noah and the people of Sodom will not enter. The Kingdom of God is
they are alive. ‘whoever is not with me is against me’. Those who want
partially present in Jesus’ teachings, so it is an example of inaugurated eschatology.
to be a part of the Kingdom of God like the exorcised
man will enter, while those who do not accept Jesus’
Individual Eschatology (Barrett) The Rich and the Kingdom of God power and authority will not enter, affirming that Jesus’
The eschatology in the gospel suggests that each person will face their own judgement when they die, Jesus tells a ruler that the rich will never enter the Kingdom of God, as it is power and authority originates from God, ‘if I drive out
which will decide whether they enter heaven and join the heavenly banquet with the elect, or if they the heavenly reward for those who have led faithful lives and made demons by the Kingdom of God, then the Kingdom of
are condemned. So, Jesus’ teachings are important because they teach his followers that the lives they financial and emotional sacrifices. Following the ten commandments is not God has come among you’. It is not something to come in
lead now will determine whether or not they are able to enter the Kingdom of God when they die. enough to enter, the rich must give up everything to enter, encouraging the future, a present reality, so it is an example of
Evidence radical discipleship, ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a present eschatology.
In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, each man receives their reward or punishment at death for needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God’ . It is
the earthly lives they have led. In the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen’s death is accounted with the detail harder for the rich to enter because they have attachment to their wealth,
The Parable of the Ten Minas
that he could see his heavenly reward waiting for him, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man however it is left open ended, so it may be possible for the rich to enter. It
Jesus tells the parable of a master and his ten servants.
standing at the right hand of God’. does not address when it will arrive, so the eschatology is unclear.
Those who spread the Word of God and remain faithful
will enter the Kingdom of God, a day of judgement where
Jesus will judge whether the people have done as he
Eschatology The Parable of the Sower asked in the distant future, ‘the people thought that the
Jesus teaches conflicting ideas about when the Kingdom of God will arrive: Jesus tells a parable where the seeds represent who will or won’t get into the Kingdom of God. Kingdom of God was going to appear at once’. Jesus must
sometimes he implies it is present already, sometimes he implies a day of Those who accept Jesus’ teachings by listening to and acting on them will enter, ‘the knowledge of go away to inherit the kingdom and give the disciples
judgement is coming in the near or far future, and other times it comes after the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given to you’. Those who are rich and do not listen to responsibility, and he will return one day to judge them.
death. Understanding what Jesus meant helps Christians today to have a better or act upon Jesus’ teachings will not enter. One must not be distracted by worldly concerns and So, this is an example of future eschatology.
understanding of the gospel, and the teachings of Jesus on the Kingdom of God struggles in life, ‘choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures’. The Kingdom of God is already
are important to understanding the gospel as a whole. ‘The interpretation of present in the Word of God and Jesus’ teachings, but there will be a future day of judgement
eschatology lies at the heart of Luke’s purpose in writing’ (Maddox). where the elect will receive salvation, so it is an example of inaugurated eschatology.
