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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Grasping The Parousia Easier When Erickson Explains!, July 24, 1998
As of this writing (July 1998) this book is "out of print". That is too bad. With so much garbage being churned out in the name of prophecy nowadays, someone searching for a real study of historical, biblical positions is out of luck. So if you CAN get this book, DO SO.Erickson is a prolific author and impressive scholar. He is currently a professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Baylor University. His credentials are apparently unimpeachable. And his work in this book reflects that, with a couple of minor exceptions if one is a beginning student. "Contemporary Options..." is a wonderful study that delineates the varying modern understandings about the last days: Pre-Millennialism, Post-Millennialism, and A-Millennialism. A chapter is spent describing each of these positions: Overview, History, Tenets, and Evaluation. A chapter is also devoted to each view of when the so-called "rapture" of the church will occur (! Pre- and Post- Tribulationalism)! Though he has his OWN view about which of these is the proper view, Erickson shows himself capable of allowing the reader to decide...he does not dogmatize OR indoctrinate. Only in his "p.s." at the end of the book does he mention his personal position. A predominate view of the past 150 years, dispensationalism (a premillennial view) is given a good treatment as well. Erickson devotes a chapter to this widely held view of biblical interpretation. Also worthy of note is how the book begins: with a quick couple of chapters of how some others have interpreted eschatological material: to wit, Albert Schweitzer (so-called "Consistent" Eschatology), Charles Dodd (so-called "Realized"), Rudolf Bultmann ("Existential") and Jurgen Moltmann ("Hope"). The primary problem with the book (or perhaps with this reader!) is the challenge of understanding all that Erickson is saying in regard to the int! erpretation of some particular Greek phrases and tenses. P! ortions of the book seem to assume familiarity with the ancient language that most of us probably don't have. Despite this, however, the "gist" of the idea is understandable. Also a minor disappointment was that Erickson does not touch too much upon the preterist or historical interpretation of prophecy, though they ARE mentioned. A complete study of prophecy or eschatology should involve a review of these positions. But again, don't let this keep you from reading the text. The book is outstanding in reviewing the modern positions described above. All in all, Erickson does a TREMENDOUS job explaining for the layman or student these competing ideas. And he ends with the reminder that as fascinating as eschatology is, we need not allow it to divide Christianity!
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by George Eldon Ladd
by Anthony A. Hoekema
by William Hendriksen
by Stanley J. Grenz
