The Promise of the Future

Eschatology is a hot topic in Christian literature as evidenced with the hugely popular "Left Behind" series. Much of the popularity of that series was due to the sensationalism of the particular eschatological viewpoint espoused in that series. That eschatological view is Dispensational Pre-Millennialism. It's popularity comes from the fact that is makes for good drama (as the series revealed). Up until about nine months ago, it was an eschatological viewpoint I adhered to and defended. After interacting with others who didn't hold this eschatological view, I decided to do some research into it. I began by reading Kim Riddlebarger's "A Case For Amillennialism" which gave me enough reason to change my eschatological view. It also provided a good foundation to read The Promise of the Future by Dr. Cornelis P. Venema. This book is easily the most comprehensive book on Christian eschatology I've ever read. It is so much more than a comparison of millennial views. It takes a scholarly look at all aspects of Christian eschatology. Dr. Venema, Professor of Doctrinal Studies and President of Mid-America Reformed Seminary in Dyer, IN, breaks down his investigation of eschatology into six sections. In section one (The Future is Now), Dr. Venema shows that Christianity is a religion of hope that is based in the word of God. The overall story of Scripture is one of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, and the first advent of Christ marked the beginning of the last days. Section two of the book (The Future Between Death and Resurrection) looks at the doctrine of the intermediate state. Dr. Venema looks first at un-Biblical views of the intermediate state before presenting the Biblical case for that doctrine. He closes that section with a look at purgatory. Section three (The Future of Christ) addresses the second coming of Jesus. This is by far the most important doctrine of the NT as it is the centerpiece of Biblical expectation. It is not only the doctrine which forms the Christian hope, but it also provides the motivation for holy living in the here and now. One of the best parts of this section is Dr. Venema's presentation of the return of Christ as a consummating event. This is an argument that is setting the stage for Dr. Venema's critique of Dispensationalism. Far from being just one stage of the end times, the return of Christ is the consummating event of the NT age. He concludes this section by reinforcing the fact that no one knows when Christ will return. Section four (The Future Marked by the Signs of the Times) covers three chapters and goes into great detail regarding the signs that herald the return of Christ. These signs are found in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24). Dr. Venema breaks these signs down into two categories: Signs of God's grace and signs of opposition and judgment. Examples of the former are the gospel being preached to all nations and what that means as well as the salvation of "all Israel." While

In The Promise Of The Future, Cornelis Venema, Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid- America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, Indiana, provides a major examination of biblical teachings on the future of the individual, the church, and the universe as a whole. The Christ-centered nature of biblical teachings on the future is emphasized, as is the importance of the church's historic confessions for an understanding of eschatology. The Promise Of The Future is informative, challenging, inspiring, and very highly recommended reading for students of Christian theology, biblical studies, eschatology, and prophecy.

Cornelis Venema has done the church a wonderful service by writing a comprehensive and accessible text on eschatology from a consistently Reformed perspective. The book thoroughly covers all of the important topics in both individual and cosmic eschatology: death, the intermediate state, the second coming, signs of the times, millennial views, the resurrection of the body, final judgment, heaven, and hell. He does so in a fair and irenic manner.I would take issue with a few interpretive details, but these minor quibbles do not detract from my overall enthusiasm for the book. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good single volume resource on eschatology.