Jesus, Paul and the End of the World: A Comparative Study in New Testament Eschatology

Rating:
Summary: Fine Insights into the Parousia
Review: Witherington is a noted NT scholar and prolific writer. In this volume he seeks to answer the hypothesis if Jesus and Paul believe that the apocalyptic kingdom was to appear very soon.

He is conservative in his approach and conclusions, and exhaustive in his consideration of others' conclusions as well.

I agree that Paul walked a tightrope between realized and unrealized eschatology, or the now but not yet tension. He considers the important topic of the kingdom of God, one of Jesus' favorite sermon topics.

He correctly concludes that the intermediate state (what is going on with the departed between the Ascension and Return of Christ) is silent in Scripture.

He is afterall a academic exegete, so he is careful with his conclusions, and meticulous in his exegesis. He turns to no hyper millenial speculation.

Only serious NT students and those interested in eschatology will enjoy this study. Not a place to begin.