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The Last Days According To Jesus by R.C. Sproul; Baker Books: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, 253 pages.
Dr. R.C. Sproul is one of Americas brightest theologians. He is the author of more than 45 books. His writings have blessed millions around the world. He is the chairman of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando, Florida. He is also professor of theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale.
In this writing, Dr. Sproul attempts to counter so much fiction being written today concerning the last days with this ..."serious non-fiction with a focus on what Jesus himself taught about the last days and the timing of his return."
The major thrust of the book is to answer some serious charges of critics of the New Testament. These criticisms hinge around statements of Jesus himself, that seem to clearly question his deity. The charge of "false prophet" was made by Bertrand Russell and others. Russell maintained that words of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament (Russell doubted that Jesus actually lived) clearly led those in his hearing to believe that his second coming would occur...before the death of all the people who heard his words. Mark 13:30, etc.
The purpose of the book is clearly stated as "...to evaluate modern preterism and its view of eschatology." (p.24). Radical preterism teaches that all future prophecies of the New Testament have already taken place. Moderate preterism still looks to the future for many crucial events to take place. (p.24) They maintain most future prophecies have already been fulfilled. (p.24)
The central thesis of all preterists is that the N T's time-frame references concerning the second coming point to a fulfillment within the lifetime of Jesus' disciples Sproul points out that many in this camp see a primary fulfillment in AD 70 followed by a final fulfillment sometime in the future. (p.25)
Given this view, a crucial question becomes the fate of modern Israel and Jerusalem and Bible Prophecy. This is crucial in relation to the age old question of the statements of Jesus that those living at that time would see all this fulfilled before their death.
This book does an excellent job of giving one answer to the charge that Jesus was mistaken in some of His teachings. This is a book that needs to be read. If there is a growing movement in this country for the amillennial interpretation this book is must reading.
On p.198, Sproul gives a breakdown of 54 prominent names in Christianity. He lists them under four categories:
This is given just to point out the diversity within scholarly circles. Brilliant Godly men that disagree on eschatology.
Excellent book summarizing the issues. Must reading.
