Stefan Schapdick
Eschatisches Heil mit eschatischer Anerkennung
Exegetische Untersuchungen zu Funktion und Sachgehalt der paulinischen Verkündigung vom eigenen Endgeschick im Rahmen seiner Korrespondenz an die Thessalonicher, Korinther und Philipper
1. Edition 2010
556 pages
ISBN 978-3-89971-610-8
Bonn University Press at V&R unipress
Bonner Biblische Beiträge -
Book
The debate on the Pauline eschatology has rather drifted into the background of New Testament research in recent years, and it is the aim of this study to revive this debate. Taking an individual eschatological approach, the author examines texts from the authentic Pauline Epistles on his own final fate. It will be shown that in his choice and compilation of eschatological motifs (the Second Coming, resurrection, transformation, judgment), Paul let himself be guided by the congregation he was addressing at the time. His eschatology was therefore formulated on a day-to-day basis and never systematically conceptualised. Nevertheless, despite all disparities and situationality, there is some evidence of flexible but fundamental coordinates in his eschatological reflections. These centre mostly around the Second Coming of Christ, which not only represents the moment of messianic fulfilment but is also the occasion when Paul anticipates divine acknowledgment for his service as an apostle. The contours of his own final fate are substantially determined by the condition of his congregations and their progress in faith.
