The End of the Age Has Come: The Theology of Paul

C. Marvin Pate is a top-notch theologian who writes with a clear and understandable style. Pate argues the Apostle Paul believed that, beginning with the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (aka "The Christ Event"), the Messianic Age was initiated (in one sense). In another sense, aspects of this Age are yet future (in a literal millennium). According to Pate, Paul held that we (those of us who make up the Body of Christ from Pentecost forward) are in the intersection between two ages; the future Kingdom blessings are breaking forth and being realized by believers right now (and for all Christians since the Christ Event). We are under the New Covenant, Satan's kingdom is being assaulted, and we are in the Age of the Spirit. Pate then examines Paul's theology as a whole, carefully presenting the flow of Paul's thoughts as evidenced in his writings. In each major theological area, according to Pate, Paul evidences that certain aspects of the Kingdom Age are being experienced "now," while others,"not yet." Pate is a scholar who evidences his fluency in the literature of Second Temple Judaism. He is at home in the Talmud, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Apocrypha, etc. After the first few chapters, however, Pate's point is well made. He demonstrates how this viewpoint affects all of Paul's theology -- something Pate no doubt felt constrained to do to be thorough. It does become a bit tedious at times because of this, yet I think Pate made the right choice. After the first few chapters -- in my case -- he was preaching to the choir. Nonetheless, Pate does an excellent job explaining that the "church age" is indeed a fulfillment of Old Testament promises, but the "age to come" (i.e., millennium) will see a more literal and fuller fulfillment. Good stuff. And, in my view, quite convincing. The "now but not yet" paradigm and Paul seem a perfect match. This is an important book in the hermeneutical dialogue between traditional dispensationalists, progressive dispensationalists (like Pate and this reviewer), and replacement theologians.