In the context of Christian eschatology, idealism (also called the spiritual approach, the allegorical approach, the nonliteral approach, and many other names) involves an interpretation of the Book of Revelation that sees all or most of the imagery of the book as symbolic. Idealism is common among Reformed theologians and it is associated with amillennialism.[1][2] There exists degrees of Idealism, the most radical form sees it as entirely symbolic, while a more moderate view may allow for some historical fullfillment of events.[3]
Idealism was common in medieval writers and is still taught by some modern theologians.[4]
F. D. Maurice (1805–1872) interpreted the Kingdom of Heaven idealistically as a symbol representing society's general improvement, instead of as a physical and political kingdom. Karl Barth (1886–1968) interpreted eschatology as representing existential truths that bring the individual hope, rather than as history or as future-history.[5] Barth's ideas provided fuel for the Social Gospel philosophy in America, which saw social change not as performing "required" good works, but because the individuals involved felt that Christians could not simply ignore society's problems with future dreams.[6]
Christian eschatological idealism is distinct from Preterism, Futurism and Historicism in that it does not see any of the prophecies (except in some cases the Second Coming, and Final Judgment) as being fulfilled in a literal, physical, earthly sense in the past, present or future.[11] It views interpretation of the eschatological portions of the Bible in a historical or future-historical fashion as an erroneous understanding.[12]
^"Idealist Commentaries on Revelation". Reformed Books Online. 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
^Stan Campbell and James S. Bell (2001). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Book of Revelation. Alpha Books. pp. 212–213. ISBN9780028642383.
^Waldron, Sam (2013-02-25). "A Redemptive-Historical, Modified Idealist Approach to the Book of Revelation". Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
^Mounce, Robert H. (1998). The Book of Revelation. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN978-0-8028-2537-7.
^Encyclopedia of time By Samuel L. Macey, p.186-187
^Karl Barth and Christian Unity - The Influence of the Barthian Movement Upon the Churches of the World, by Professor Adolf Keller, p.190-192
^Who rides the beast?: prophetic rivalry and the rhetoric of crisis in the churches of the apocalypse By Paul Brooks Duff, p. 70, Oxford UP 2001
^Christopher R. Smith, "Reclaiming the Social Justice Message of Revelation: Materialism, Imperialism and Divine Judgement in Revelation 18", Transformation 7 (1990): 28-33
^Christoyannopoulos, Alexandre (2010). Christian Anarchism: A Political Commentary on the Gospel. Exeter: Imprint Academic. pp. 123–126. Revelation
^The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology By Millard J. Erickson, p. 95
^ Eschatology. Indexes: the concluding volume of the series Dogmatic theology By Francis Joseph Hall, p.13.
External links
Preterist-Idealism
January 29, 2023
idealism, christian, eschatology, context, christian, eschatology, idealism, also, called, spiritual, approach, allegorical, approach, nonliteral, approach, many, other, names, involves, interpretation, book, revelation, that, sees, most, imagery, book, symbol. In the context of Christian eschatology idealism also called the spiritual approach the allegorical approach the nonliteral approach and many other names involves an interpretation of the Book of Revelation that sees all or most of the imagery of the book as symbolic Idealism is common among Reformed theologians and it is associated with amillennialism 1 2 There exists degrees of Idealism the most radical form sees it as entirely symbolic while a more moderate view may allow for some historical fullfillment of events 3 Idealism was common in medieval writers and is still taught by some modern theologians 4 F D Maurice 1805 1872 interpreted the Kingdom of Heaven idealistically as a symbol representing society s general improvement instead of as a physical and political kingdom Karl Barth 1886 1968 interpreted eschatology as representing existential truths that bring the individual hope rather than as history or as future history 5 Barth s ideas provided fuel for the Social Gospel philosophy in America which saw social change not as performing required good works but because the individuals involved felt that Christians could not simply ignore society s problems with future dreams 6 Different authors have suggested that the Beast of Revelation represents various social injustices such as exploitation of workers 7 wealth the elite commerce 8 materialism and imperialism 9 Various Christian anarchists such as Jacques Ellul 1912 1994 have identified the State and political power as the Beast 10 Christian eschatological idealism is distinct from Preterism Futurism and Historicism in that it does not see any of the prophecies except in some cases the Second Coming and Final Judgment as being fulfilled in a literal physical earthly sense in the past present or future 11 It views interpretation of the eschatological portions of the Bible in a historical or future historical fashion as an erroneous understanding 12 See also EditInaugurated eschatology Postmillennialism Realized eschatologyReferences Edit Idealist Commentaries on Revelation Reformed Books Online 2016 10 30 Retrieved 2022 11 08 Stan Campbell and James S Bell 2001 The Complete Idiot s Guide to the Book of Revelation Alpha Books pp 212 213 ISBN 9780028642383 Waldron Sam 2013 02 25 A Redemptive Historical Modified Idealist Approach to the Book of Revelation Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary Retrieved 2022 11 18 Mounce Robert H 1998 The Book of Revelation Wm B Eerdmans Publishing ISBN 978 0 8028 2537 7 Encyclopedia of time By Samuel L Macey p 186 187 Karl Barth and Christian Unity The Influence of the Barthian Movement Upon the Churches of the World by Professor Adolf Keller p 190 192 Third Way magazine April 1987 p 23 Who rides the beast prophetic rivalry and the rhetoric of crisis in the churches of the apocalypse By Paul Brooks Duff p 70 Oxford UP 2001 Christopher R Smith Reclaiming the Social Justice Message of Revelation Materialism Imperialism and Divine Judgement in Revelation 18 Transformation 7 1990 28 33 Christoyannopoulos Alexandre 2010 Christian Anarchism A Political Commentary on the Gospel Exeter Imprint Academic pp 123 126 Revelation The Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology By Millard J Erickson p 95 Eschatology Indexes the concluding volume of the series Dogmatic theology By Francis Joseph Hall p 13 External links EditPreterist Idealism Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Idealism Christian eschatology amp oldid 1131085365, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
