Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of Christian Theology

by Philip Gordon Ziegler

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2018

Overview

This clear and comprehensive introduction to apocalyptic theology demonstrates the significance of apocalyptic readings of the New Testament for systematic theology and highlights the ethical implications of the apocalyptic turn in biblical and theological studies. Written by a leading theologian and proponent of apocalyptic theology, this primer explores the impact of important recent Pauline scholarship on contemporary theology and argues for a renewed understanding of key Christian doctrines, including sin, grace, revelation, redemption, and the Christian life.

Key Features

• Brings together a wide selection of essays by a respected scholar in a single accessible volume
• Frames contemporary theology in the context of recent Pauline scholarship
• Argues for the essentialness of apocalypticism in the development of a biblical theology

Contents

• Part 1: The Shape and Sources of an Apocalyptic Theology
  • An Eschatological Dogmatics of the Gospel of Grace
  • Apocalyptic Theology: Background, Tone, and Tasks
• Part 2: Christ, Spirit, and Salvation in an Apocalyptic Key
  • A Sovereign Love: The Royal Office of Christ the Redeemer
  • Christ Must Reign: The Priority of Redemption
  • Not without the Spirit: The Eschatological Spirit at the Origin of Faith
  • Thy Kingdom Come: The Lordship of Christ and the Reign of God
  • The Final Triumph of Grace: The Enmity of Death and Judgment unto Life
• Part 3: Living Faithfully at the Turn of the Ages
  • Creation, Redemption, and Moral Law
  • The Fate of Natural Law at the Turning of the Ages
  • The Adventitious Origins of the Christian Moral Subject: John Calvin
  • Crucified to the World: Kierkegaard's Christian Life of Humility and Gratitude
  • A Theological Ethics of God's Apocalypse: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • Discipleship: Militant Love in the Time That Remains

Top Highlights

“The content of Jesus’s teaching, as much as Paul’s testimony, bespeaks a salvation whose advent involves an unanticipated divine action that marks a radical break with what has gone before, its overturning, its revolution, its displacement.” (Page 28)

“To pursue an ‘apocalyptic turn’ in Christian dogmatics is thus simply to learn anew what it means to ‘never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world,’” (Pages xv–xvi)

“confession, and finally the character of confessing faith itself” (Page 72)

Praise for the Print Edition

Anyone who believes that Christian doctrine cannot be grounded in an apocalyptic perspective needs to read Militant Grace by Philip Ziegler. With his typical breadth of knowledge, clarity, and insightful observations, Ziegler shows that apocalyptic can inform Christians' thinking about salvation and grace, ethics and discipleship. This book demonstrates that apocalyptic is not a fad but an essential aspect of interpreting the Bible and thinking theologically.

—Nancy J. Duff, Stephen Colwell Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Princeton Theological Seminary

In attending to the apocalyptic dimensions of the gospel message, Philip Ziegler addresses a theme of central contemporary import in both biblical studies and systematic theology. With characteristic acuity and insight, Ziegler draws the reader into the extraordinary vision of Paul's evangelical witness and thence leads the reader to consider what this might mean for the work of the Christian theologian--not only academically but also existentially. Treating a range of substantive doctrinal themes and drawing on an array of significant Protestant theologians, Ziegler in turn exposits, analyzes, reflects, and instructs. The result is the commendation not merely of a new and fruitful way of approaching the New Testament but also of a fresh vision of the dogmatic task and the Christian life. Beautifully written and graciously argued, this book is worthy of the widest attention.

—Paul T. Nimmo, King's Chair of Systematic Theology, University of Aberdeen

Working at the creative interface between biblical studies and systematic theology, Ziegler brilliantly develops the apocalyptic turn in Pauline scholarship into a rich theological program. On this profound reading, Paul's gospel speaks directly and boldly to the delusions and fears of a world in crisis.

—John M. G. Barclay, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity, Durham University

Product Details

• Title: Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of Christian Theology
• Author: Philip G. Ziegler
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 256
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Theology

About Philip G. Ziegler

Philip G. Ziegler (ThD, University of Toronto/Victoria University) is personal chair in dogmatics at King's College, University of Aberdeen, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He is a senior fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy and is cofounder and cochair (with Douglas Harink) of the Theology and Apocalyptic network. Ziegler has written widely in the areas of systematic theology, apocalyptic theology, and theology and politics.