Mission and the Coming of God

How does the eschatological future impinge on the present? Is the kingdom of God present outside the confession of Christ in movements towards social justice? Is Christian hope a stimulus to social involvement or an alternative? And how does the present impinge on the eschatological future? What is the relationship between our actions now and the new creation? Is there eschatological continuity between the two? Jurgen Moltmann, one of our most influential contemporary theologians, has had much to say both on eschatology and its relationship to mission. This book explores his thought along with evangelical responses to it. Eschatology has been central to evangelical debates about social involvement ever since the Laussanne Congress in 1974. The book examines how evangelicals themselves have related hope and mission. The book highlights the important contribution Moltmann has made while offering a critique of his thought from an evangelical perspective. In so doing, it touches on pertinent issues for evangelical missiology. The conclusion takes John Calvin as a starting point, proposing 'an eschatology of the cross' which offers a critique of the over-realized eschatologies in liberation theology and triumphalistic forms of evangelicalism. ""This is a work of major importance, engaging with crucial themes and leading Christian thinkers. A must read for all reflective evangelicals. Tim Chester's work is always good, but this is the best yet."" --Martyn Atkins, Principal, Cliff College, Calver; UK ""Despite the attention of Moltmann and despite intra-evangelical debate on the nature of mission over the last three decades, the task of bringing Moltmann and evangelicalism into dialogue has remained on the table for some time. Tim Chester takes up the agenda. His combination of practical experience in mission and theological ability, equip him well for this task and the result is a study which brings academic reasoning to bear on Christian thought about eschatology and its vital connection with the missionary responsibility of the church. it rewards our careful attention."" --Stephen Williams, Professor of Systemic Theology at Union Theological College, Belfast ""Eschatology in relation to mission is often reduced to plans for 'finishing' the Great Commission as soon as possible, or to lurid end-time scenarios that feed our fantasy more than they fuel biblical mission. so it is refreshing to have this wide-ranging, in depth study of the theme that engages with one of the most well-known theologians of biblical hope, Jurgen Moltmann, alongside a number of renowned evangelical scholars, yet stays rooted in the text and vision of the Bible itself. This is searching theology in the service of biblical mission--as all theology ultimately should be."" --Chris Wright, International Director, Langham Partnership International Tim Chester co-leads The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield. He is the author of From Creation to New Creation, The Message of Prayer, Good News to the Poor, Delighting in the Trinity and editor of Justice, Mercy, and Humility: Integral Mission and the Poor. He is part-time author in missiology at Cliff College and was previously Tearfund's Research and Policy Director.