The Last Things: Resurrection, Judgment, Glory (Christian Foundations, 7) (Hardcover)

by Donald G. Bloesch (Author) "As we proceed from a discussion of ecclesiology (vol. 6 of the Christian Foundations series) to eschatology, it will be seen that these two subjects..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In The Last Things Donald G. Bloesch takes up difficult and sometimes controversial themes such as the coming of the kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ, the life hereafter, the millennial hope, the final judgment, hell, heaven, purgatory and paradise. Wrestling with biblical texts that often take metaphorical form, Bloesch avoids rationalistic reductionism as well as timid agnosticism. While he acknowledges mystery and even paradox, Bloesch finds biblical revelation much more than sufficient to illuminate the central truths of a Christian hope articulated throughout the history of the church. The Last Things is not just a review of past Christian eschatology but a fresh articulation of the grace and glory of God yet to be consummated. The triumph of the grace of Jesus Christ and the dawning of hope beckon us to reach out in the power of the Spirit to receive that blessed future and the promise to renew the life of the church universal today.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830814175
• ISBN-13: 978-0830814176
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,197,731 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Theology and Hope, October 11, 2004

By	Steve Jackson "stevejackson100atyahoocom" (New England) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

THE LAST THINGS is the seventh and final volume of Donald Bloesch's CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS series. As I've said before, this is a unique systematic theology. Most systematic theologies provide extensive discussions of biblical concepts and the history of theology. CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS is different in that, while the Bible is discussed, much of the work consists of the interaction by Prof. Bloesch with other thinkers and schools of thought. Prof. Bloesch is something of an evangelical centrist of a Reformed persuasion, so you can see how a centrist interacts with more liberal and more conservative thinkers.

THE LAST THINGS concerns what is often called general eschatology ("bible prophecy") and individual eschatology (what happens to people after they die). Prof. Bloesch is always interesting and irenic. For example, he takes the position that there is the opportunity for conversion after death, based on the passages in the Bible which describe Jesus preaching to the dead (such as I Peter 3 & Eph. 4). Of course, these verses are difficult to interpret (some take them to mean merely that Jesus preached to those who had since died or were "spiritually dead") and a one-volume work such as Donald Guthrie's NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY has a more in-depth discussion of these passages.

In spite of its limitations, Prof. Bloesch's CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS makes for rewarding reading, but is not a substitute for more "foundational" studies of Christian theology.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Last Volume is on the Last Things., December 20, 2004

By	Robert Spender (Lancaster, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is another great contribution to Bloesch's theology of Word and Spirit. It is his last volume but certainly not his best. Divergent traditions are assessed for contributions they make and errors they espouse relating to the end times. The author surfaces some controversial areas at the beginning of the book, moves on to a discussion of supernatural powers (demons, angels), and then analyzes eschatological events like the day of the Lord, millennial views, (the rapture is rejected by Bloesch) and the resurrection. Many in the evangelical camp will be disappointed by Bloesch's emphasis upon the communion of saints, including the benefits of mutual communication by prayer, and the possibility of salvation after death. While not a Universalist, the author moves close to Barth and emphasized the ultimate triumph of God's grace beyond the grave. At times the book reads more like a polemic for his position on these areas than a theological discussion flavoring also the chapters on the Interim State and the Triumph of Grace.
Bloesch's binary perspective and explanation of issues continues in this volume. Familiarity with a multiplicity of traditions and scholars is a strength of Bloesch's work and this volume is no exception. Current trends including Open Theism are addressed and Bloesch is not afraid to state his own views clearly; points that make this book worth the read. In the end, Bloesch is strongest in matters Christological rather than eschatological.