The Eschatology of the Old Testament

by Geerhardus Vos

Publisher:

P&R

, 2001

Overview

In this previously unpublished material, a pioneer in Reformed biblical theology examines the hopes, expectations, and understanding of Old Testament saints regarding the future. Compiled from several manuscripts relating to Geerhardus Vos’ course on Old Testament eschatology, this volume weaves together the most complete text of his study on the subject. Vos addresses a wide range of questions surrounding both individual and collective eschatology from key passages throughout the Old Testament. Whether he is discussing the intermediate state or the meaning of Sheol, Messaniac expectations or the Day of the Lord, Vos’ supernaturalism contrasts with the hopelessness of naturalistic views.

Key Features

• Compiles previously unpublished material from renowned theologian Geerhardus Vos
• Provides inisght into the Old Testament’s understanding of eschatology
• Offers biblical response to skeptical views on this biblical topic

Contents

Top Highlights

“With few exceptions, the English Bible reads, in the Old Testament, ‘the latter days,’ whereas in the New Testament, the translation is regularly ‘the last days.’” (Pages 4–5)

“twofold sense: (1) the concluding days of the present order; (2) the days of the subsequent order of things.” (Page 2)

“‘a doctrine of the last things.’ Eschatology deals with the expectation of beliefs characteristic of some religions that: (a) the world or part of the world moves to a definite goal (telos); (b) there is a new final order of affairs beyond the present. It is the doctrine of the consummation of the world-process in a supreme crisis leading on into a permanent state. As such, it is composed of two characteristic elements: (1) the limited duration of the present order of things; (2) the eternal character of the subsequent state. The correlate of eschatology is creation.” (Page 1)

“In the New Testament, eschatai hemerai is restricted and never means the future era. Rather, it refers to the closing era of the first world-period (i.e., present development). This is due to the fact that the Old Testament writers described the final era in terms of time, i.e., a series of days. In the New Testament, it is spoken of as an eternity in distinction from time.” (Page 4)

“For redemption is a divine procedure taking place in the form of time, in the form of history. Therefore, as such, it cannot be thought of without the implied idea of a terminus, a point of arrival.” (Page 6)

Endorsements

This is one of the most helpful theological works ever written. Vos’ chapter on the Mosaic Theocracy is essential for understanding the eschatological dimension to the Old Covenant era. I cannot recommend this work enough.

—Nick Bratzig, ThM, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Eschatology of the Old Testament
• Author: Geerhardus Vos
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2001
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 176
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. O.T. › Theology; Bible. O.T. › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Eschatology › Biblical teaching
• Resource ID: LLS:ESCHTLGYOTVOS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T01:42:54Z

About Geerhardus Vos

Geerhardus Vos (1862–1949), a Reformed theologian and one of the most distinguished representatives of the Princeton Theology, he is sometimes called the father of Reformed Biblical Theology. He earned degrees from Calvin Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Strasbourg (PhD in Arabic). In 1894 he was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in the USA. Before beginning a thirty-nine-year tenure on Princeton’s faculty, he was professor of systematic and exegetical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary.