Modern scholars have varied responses to apocalyptic narrative in the Synoptic Gospels. Some ignore it; others reinterpret it and don't think that Jesus' warning about persecution works in this setting. In order to understand apocalyptic in the New Testament, we need to understand Jewish apocalyptic, and its similarities and differences with Jesus. We need to know the key themes and where those themes develop in the Synoptic Gospels.
Eschatological Relationships and Jesus begins by exploring the components of prophetic and apocalyptic eschatology (figurative language, history, sequence, and juxtaposition of ideas) and then develops some of the major theological themes in Meyer, Wright, and Progressive Dispensationalism from the Synoptic Gospels. As readers work through Eschatological Relationships and Jesus, they begin to see and interpret the various patterns and themes in the eschatological discourses. Samples from Mark's Gospel to Matthew and Luke and a table of key eschatological relations makes this study a practical guide to the gospels.
""Interpreting eschatology in apocalyptic literature introduces one to a maze of options. Fountain's study takes a close look at some key approaches. . . . Effectively using Mark 13 as a sample text, one can see how the various views read the text the way they do. . . . This is a solid guide into how to handle such complex passages.""
--Darrell Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
""Fountain is to be congratulated for his excellent work. His study strikes a thoughtful balance between critical issues such as the relationship between apocalyptic and eschatology, the work and method of the perspectives examined, and interpretation of the NT text. In particular, he presents a viable, well-supported reading of Mark 13. This is a must-read for those who are exploring eschatological perspectives.""
--Mark J. Keown, Senior Lecturer in New Testament, Laidlaw College
Richard Fountain (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary), a resident of Auckland, NZ, is a theological consultant and teacher. He has been involved with seminary distance education for ten years and has developed online courses including The Life of Christ, Christian Leadership, and The Story of the Bible.
