Author Description

The present volume consists of the 1955 Conrad Grebel Lectures, delivered at Hesston College, Goshen College, and Orrville, Ohio. The author acknowledges helpful criticisms and reactions from the Conrad Grebel Lectureship Committee and from many who heard the lectures or read them in manuscript. He is greatly indebted, too, to the many books and articles which have recently appeared on related themes.These lectures are intended to make some helpful contribution to the increased current discussion of eschatology. It is hoped particularly that they will lift the discussion of unfulfilled prophecy out of the profitless argument between different schools of thought into which it has so often fallen. If we can forget our classifications and our embattled terminology, we may achieve unity in a fresh approach and a new terminology that is nearer to the Scriptures, our only source of knowledge concerning God's plan for the future.It is unfortunate that the controversies concerning the interpretation of eschatology have driven many people away from the subject. Some ministers, despairing of finding a common ground upon which all believers can stand, have not been preaching on eschatology. And so an important area of doctrine has fallen into neglect, and many church attendants are ignorant of vital truth which they should know.It is the author's hope that this volume will discourage the preaching of speculative, controversial prophetic themes, and encourage the preaching of the certain eschatology on which the Bible speaks with clarity and authority.The theological concepts here presented may offer difficulties to lay readers. The author suggests, if the reader finds difficulties in understanding Part I, that he go to Part II, which is the heart of the lectures. Here the main thesis, stated in Part I, finds its supporting argument. Part I may be more easily read after Parts II and III.