Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Will Dr. Hill miss the rapture?, Feb 19 2003
This review is from: In Gods Time: The Bible and the Future (Paperback)
Up until now, nearly all the reading I have done on the End Times has come from one of two camps: the dispensational camp (mostly in the early years of my Christian walk before I wised up) and the reformed (more specifically, reconstructionist) camp. Despite their obvious and radical differences, both camps shared, at least theoretically, the view that the Bible is inerrant. "In God's Time" attempts to take a moderate, scholarly approach to eschatology and make it comprehensible to the layperson. In this regard, the book is a success. Author Craig C. Hill begins his work by establishing for the reader his approach to biblical interpretation, which is, again, a moderate, scholarly approach, using the tools of historical biblical criticism. Hardline inerrantists will probably opt out at this point (thus my tongue-in-cheek review title), but they will be missing a great deal. Rather than trying to make all the eschatalogical pieces from divergent sources fit together, Hill acknowledges the differences while at the same time accentuating the overarching theme of God's ultimate victory. Without succumbing either to the skepticism of the Jesus Seminar or the hysteria of the "Left Behind" devotees, the author gives a balanced, even-handed view of eschatology. This book can become a template for reading any prophetic literature contained in the Bible. Although the audience that could most benefit from a book like this will surely be the least receptive (if they even know about the book in the first place), this is a worthy antidote to much of the end-times silliness (including the "rapture" theory) that is rampant in today's world. Before you buy the next installment of the "Left Behind" series, pick this up instead.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful, engaging examination of apocalyptic writings, Dec 5 2002
This review is from: In Gods Time: The Bible and the Future (Paperback)
In God's Time: The Bible And The Future by Craig C. Hill (Professor of New Testament, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C.) is an informed and informative contribution to the on-going theological debate about the Bible, the future, and the predicted day of Rapture. Taking a moderate stance between those who intensely burn with "rapture fever", and those of the Jesus Seminar who believe that Jesus did not teach about the approaching Kingdom of God, In God's Time is a scholarly, thoughtful, engaging examination of apocalyptic writings, the history of prophecy, patterns of theological orientation, and much, much more. In God's Time is a welcome and highly recommended combination of intellectual and theological discourse.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
The End of the World, Nov 26 2002
This review is from: In Gods Time: The Bible and the Future (Paperback)
Let's face it; end times stuff is hotter than Hell right now. As Christians, or one interested in a deeper understanding of Christian spirituality and the Bible, many of us want to know what the hype's about. What's going on under the surface of all these different beliefs and movements in the church? Craig Hill treats this facinating subject with wit, humility, and thoroughly layperson-accesable scholarship. Liberal and conservative Christians alike need to read this book. Dr. Hill engages the reader with a fantasitic and engaging writing voice, simultaniously educating us about a subject at the very heart of Christian thought--from first to twenty first century! Understanding the currents of Apocalyptic thinking is indeed the only door through which one can fully grasp Jesus and the earliest Christians. This book is a tool waiting to be put to cataclysmically good use. Perfect for bible studies (materials and handouts can be printed out from its website), small groups, or just personal enrichment, don't miss this cogent and fun journey through the most essential of biblical topics.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|