TheosSeminary

BI 200: Nathan Finochio

Pauline Epistles

Assignment 2: Eschatology Paper

17 August 2023

The Beginning of The End

Corné Gieselbach
 Eschatology, in its essence, refers to the theological study of the ultimate destiny of

individuals, humanity, and the cosmos, often focusing on concepts of the end times,

resurrection, and final judgment. N.T. Wright's Paul: In Fresh Perspective delves into

eschatology in the context of first-century Jewish thought, presenting a reimagined view

centred on the Messiah and the Spirit. This essay will explore Chapter 7, to elucidate Jewish

eschatology in the first century, its transformation through the lenses of Messiah and Spirit,

and its broader implications.

The first-century Jewish world was characterized by a complex interplay of historical

experiences, religious beliefs, and socio-political dynamics. The Jews, having undergone

periods of foreign domination, such as the Babylonian exile and the subsequent rule of the

Seleucids and Romans, longed for liberation and the re-establishment of their sovereignty.

These historical events influenced their eschatological hopes, fostering a deep yearning for

God's redemptive intervention and the restoration of Israel's fortunes. Wright points out that

the eschatological fervour of the first century found expression in various Jewish texts,

particularly apocalyptic literature. Works like the Book of Daniel, the Book of Enoch, and the

Dead Sea Scrolls reveal themes of cosmic battles, the rise of messianic figures, and the

ultimate triumph of God over the forces of evil. These texts not only shaped the expectations

of God's intervention but also fuelled the anticipation of a future redeemer who would lead

Israel to victory.

Central to this eschatological framework was the concept of the Messiah, a figure

anointed by God to fulfil specific roles in God's plan for restoration. In the Apocrypha, in 2

Maccabees 10:7, it describes how the Jews used palm branches to celebrate the purification

of the Temple after it was reclaimed from the Seleucid Greeks. Showing what, when Jesus on

Palm Sunday entered Jerusalem, the expectation was for the Jewish people. The Messiah was

anticipated as a deliverer, a royal leader of Israel, and often a cosmic figure associated with
the restoration of creation. These Messianic expectations were deeply rooted in Old

Testament prophecies, particularly in passages like Isaiah 11 and Daniel 7, which depicted a

kingly figure who would establish a just and righteous reign. The Jewish people saw

themselves as the chosen people of God, and their eschatological hopes were closely

intertwined with the restoration of their covenant relationship with God. 1

Wright introduces a paradigm shift in understanding eschatology by presenting Jesus

as the long-awaited Messiah. He argues that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection inaugurated

God's kingdom and fulfilled Israel's eschatological hopes in unexpected ways. Jesus'

crucifixion, often seen as a failure in conventional terms, becomes a focal point of victory

over the powers of evil and a turning point in God's plan for redemption. Wright's

reimagining of eschatology around the Messiah highlights the transformative impact of

Christ's work on the understanding of God's future.

Another facet of Wright's reimagined eschatology involves the role of the Spirit.

While first-century Jewish eschatology placed emphasis on the Messiah, Wright argues that

Paul also integrated the concept of the Spirit into his eschatological framework. The Spirit's

presence, according to Wright, marked the arrival of the future age in the present, enabling

believers to experience a foretaste of the ultimate redemption. This reimagining underscores

the dynamic interaction between the future and the present, shaping believers' lives and

communities.

Wright highlights the interplay of Jewish and Greco-Roman ideas that shaped the

eschatological landscape of the first century. The Jewish concept of covenant, rooted in the

history of Israel, found resonance with Greco-Roman notions of divine favour and patronage.

This intersection enriched Paul's theological vocabulary, enabling him to communicate

1
N.T. Wright, Paul: In Fresh Perspective (Minneapolis, Mn: Fortress Press, 2009).
complex ideas to a diverse audience. This amalgamation of Jewish and Greco-Roman thought

also serves as the backdrop for the transformation of eschatology around the Messiah and the

Spirit. Apocalyptic literature, a genre prevalent in both Jewish and Greco-Roman traditions,

provided a platform for exploring eschatological themes. Works like the Book of Daniel and

the writings of Jewish apocalyptists depicted cosmic battles, divine judgment, and the

restoration of creation. These motifs laid the groundwork for understanding Paul's reimagined

eschatology, which encompassed not only individual salvation but also the renewal of the

entire cosmos.2

The Messianic hope was not divorced from the broader socio-political context; rather,

it was deeply intertwined with the desire for national autonomy and the reestablishment of

Israel's sovereignty. Understanding this dynamic helps contextualize Paul's reinterpretation of

eschatology around Jesus as the Messianic figure, offering a different perspective on victory

through suffering and crucifixion. The Greco-Roman world was marked by a rich diversity of

cultural backgrounds and philosophical perspectives. Stoicism, for instance, emphasized the

cyclical nature of the cosmos, while Platonism focused on the immortality of the soul. Paul

engaged with these diverse philosophical ideas in his letters, drawing on concepts like

resurrection to communicate his reimagined eschatology. This engagement reveals Paul's

awareness of his audience's thought patterns and his effort to bridge the gap between Jewish

and Greco-Roman worldviews.

N.T. Wright's Paul: In Fresh Perspective culminates with a significant emphasis on

the reimagined eschatology that he presents. This shift in perspective carries profound

implications for understanding Paul's theology and its implications for both the early

Christian community and contemporary believers. Wright's emphasis on cosmic dimensions

2
James Louis Martyn, Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul (London: T & T Clark/Continnum,
2005).
and communal aspects of eschatology offers a fresh and holistic perspective on the ultimate

purposes of God's plan. By reimagining eschatology around the Messiah and the Spirit, he

emphasizes that God's redemptive plan encompasses not only humanity but the entire

cosmos.

This cosmic perspective aligns with passages such as Romans 8:19-23, where creation

eagerly anticipates its liberation from decay. Wright's emphasis shifts the focus from a

private and isolated spiritual experience to a communal and interconnected transformation of

the world. Furthermore, Wright's emphasis on communal aspects highlights the integral

connection between belief and practice. He contends that Paul's eschatology shapes the way

believers live in the present. The expectation of the ultimate renewal of creation informs

ethical conduct, social engagement, and the pursuit of justice. This perspective resonates with

Paul's exhortations in his letters, where he consistently calls believers to live out their faith in

concrete ways that align with the eschatological vision of a new creation.3

N.T. Wright's exploration of eschatology in Paul: In Fresh Perspective offers a

profound reinterpretation of Paul's theology, centred on the Messiah and the Spirit. This essay

has delved into Wright's portrayal of Jewish eschatology in the first century, its reimagining

through the lenses of Messiah and Spirit, and its broader implications. While the scholarly

discourse surrounding Wright's perspective remains vibrant, his emphasis on cosmic

dimensions and communal aspects of eschatology presents a fresh and thought-provoking

understanding of Paul's theology and its relevance for contemporary believers.

3
N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
(New York: Harperone, 2008).
 Bibliography:

Martyn, James Louis. Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul. London: T & T
Clark/Continnum, 2005.
Wright, N.T. Paul: In Fresh Perspective. Minneapolis, Mn: Fortress Press, 2009.
Wright, N.T. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of
the Church. New York: Harperone, 2008.