Christ and Time: The Primitive Christian Conception of Time and History

by Oscar Cullmann

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2018

Overview

The object of the present work is to determine what is central in the Christian proclamation. We are tempted to represent as the ‘kernel’ or ‘essence’ of this proclamation that which appeals to us personally, and to consider as external and dispensable ‘framework’ that which is strange to us. It is due to the richness of the Christian message that the question as to the central element from which all the other features are to be explained arises at all, and the endeavor to determine this central element must be designated the one great task of New Testament scholarship, and perhaps of all Christian theology.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Lordship of God over time, as it becomes manifest on the one hand in predestination and pre-existence and on the other hand in the Christ-event, signifies nothing else but that he, the Eternal One, is in control of the entire time line in its endless extension. It means therefore that in the action of Christ the entire line is influenced in a decisive manner, and that in the central event of Christ the Incarnate One, an event that constitutes the mid-point of that line, not only is all that goes before fulfilled but also all that is future is decided.” (Page 72)

“but actually presupposes fundamental assertions of New Testament theology concerning time and history” (Page 19)

“The object of the present work is to determine what is central in the Christian proclamation” (Page xi)

“How does the harmonious association of history and myth upon the one redemptive line retain its validity when we know how to distinguish between them? In other words, where is the common bond that constitutes the theological union of history and myth? We shall first have to show that it is the concept of prophecy. We have to do with prophecy not only in the ‘mythical’ stories of the beginning and the end, but even in the ‘historical’ sections we are dealing not simply with history but with history viewed from the prophetic point of view.” (Pages 96–97)

“If the representatives of the various Christian groups, and perhaps even the opponents of the Christian faith, would for once agree that in determining the essential Christian kernel they would make an honest effort to renounce all standards derived from any other source than the most ancient Christian writings themselves, they would already by this conscious effort have made a great advance toward a fruitful discussion.” (Page xii)

Product Details

• Title: Christ and Time: The Primitive Christian Conception of Time and History
• Author: Oscar Cullmann
• Edition: Revised edition
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2019
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Theology, doctrinal; Church history › Philosophy; Salvation
• ISBNs: 9781532657016, 1532657013
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTTM3RDED
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:42:58Z

About Oscar Cullmann

Oscar Cullman (1902–1999) taught Greek, New Testament, and early Christianity at the University of Strasbourg, the University of Basel, and the Sorbonne in Paris. He is best known for his many books and prolific speaking about Christianity and history. Upon his death at 96, the World Council of Churches honored him for his extensive ecumenical work