Eschatology

by Eric M Vail

Anxiety and fear are the feelings people often have about Christ’s second coming and what will happen to the world. In the last two hundred years there have been new teachings about end times rising up among Christians that have created this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. In contrast to these trends, Eric M. Vail explores in Eschatology the classic beliefs of Christianity by taking readers into Scripture and the teaching of the apostles. Readers will examine God’s intentions for creation across the biblical narrative and consider how God works to fulfill those intentions. Vail brings Christianity’s historic beliefs about the future of the world into focus. Ultimately, God is faithful and will bring creation into the fullness of what God has intended from the beginning. The Wesleyan Theology Series aims to discuss Christian doctrines in easy to understand language that states clearly what Christians believe and why. Each volume is written by an author with a particular expertise who also has the ability to simplify and clarify complex issues. This 12-book series is written specifically for the theologically curious layperson, student, or pastor.   Join The Wesleyan Theology Series Membership and save 30% and automatic shipping on each title in the series.

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2020

Reviews

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eschatology is one volume in Foundry Publishing’s Wesleyan Theology Series. This book is a solid, readable theology of endings that is both biblical and Wesleyan. Vail situates the proper theology of endings in Scripture and the Nicene Creed. Any other foundation produces a sub-Christian theology. He argues that the age to come has come with the resurrection of Jesus; we now live in a time of overlapping ages. The present age is passing away. The age to come has been inaugurated. This then extends to a robust theology of resurrection, a rejection of the common belief among Christians that we will spend an eternity in heaven, and a thorough rejection of dispensationalism and the false-teaching of escapist rapture theology. I recommend this book for anyone serious about biblical and Wesleyan understandings of Jesus’s return and the end of the age.

[Andrew Kessell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book this week and wow what a ride it has been. Dr. Vail challenges so much many of the presuppositions we have about the end times. From who the beasts represent in revelation (hint: it’s things that sadly we cozy up to too often), to trying to predict when Jesus will return (don’t be glorified astrologers please), to his promise since the beginning of creation to continually restore us to draw us closer to him. That has been his promise since the beginning and that is how it will end. This book will definitely challenge your thinking on the rapture (trigger warning), the view Eric lays out is hard to argue against honestly. The Bible talks of the resurrection of the dead and us to follow, God bringing us back in for final judgment. We have let Hollywood and political figures draw us away into being so terrified of revelation, when really it is the wonderful story of Gods promise since the beginning of time to bring us back to him and restore the earth. He does not intend to destroy earth (a promise made in genesis after the flood), but rather to Restore it. Just as he intends not to destroy us, but restore us. That part is up to us though. But if you want a good challenge that may make you rethink some things. Get this book. Also Dr. Vail I wish I had realized what genius was in my midst when I was in college. And I’m sorry about that time I argued about my grade for an hour😂

[Haley Schreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Vail offers brilliant insights to the study of eschatology in this book. The way that he approaches the subject with a perfect blend of grace and truth is astounding, and his faithfulness to this work is truly something to be admired. From debunking pre-millennial dispensationalism to helping readers better understand the true meaning of the book of Revelation, Dr. Vail does a fantastic job of communicating his views of eschatology. I’m eternally grateful to learn from Dr. Vail and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested.

[Thomas Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A needed alternative to the folk religion of Dispensationalist reading of the Bible.

[Luke Mohnasky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vail offers a research-based hermeneutic of Scripture and the apostolic tradition about the age to come. This book is an invite to the conversation of Christian orthodoxy and to participate in love of Lord and neighbor now. I savored this book's faithful witness to embodied living as followers of Christ. I, specifically, enjoyed the last chapter on how we are to live with the tradition behind us as the 21st century church.