Eschatology in Luke

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Luke introduces a new understanding/interpretation of the last days being that the spirit is no longer the eschatological gift but only the beginning of a much more profound and lengthy process of the eschaton. The Spirit 'is a substitute in the meantime representing the possession of ultimate salvation; he gives the power for missionary endeavour and for endurance' Conzelmann. Luke is reluctant to discuss the place or timing of the Kingdom of God and states that it 'is not something with signs to be observed'

Future Eschatology

- The parable of the sower - McBride argues for the idea that you won't understand everything now but in time you will learn e.g. I speak in parables so that through seeing, they may not see, through hearing they may not understand. (not everyone can access the kingdom now, Jesus' parables may have been difficult to understand in his lifetime but in the future through the help of the early church they may become more accessible

- Conzelmann suggests that Luke rewrote the traditional idea of eschatology being imminent and a acaclysmic and wanted to relay a less imminent message about the parousia suggesting that it is about the era of the church and the Holy Spirit which is an ongoing interaction rather than one single event. Therefore the indefinite future

- Luke's idea of restoring and maintaining hope in people so they still believe and work towards gaining membership in the kingdom of God - redaction to suit the needs of his communities he is aware of the delay so reinterprets the coming of the kingdom in a more spiritual sense rather than materialistic

- the parable of the Minas - G.B Caird writes that the parable was told as a warning to those who expected an imminent return of Christ to bring in the final consummation of the kingdom and Luke in Luke's view the final crisis of history would be sudden, but might be indefinitely delayed.

- In the last days it shall be, God declares, that i will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:17)

Realised - not systematic theology

- The spirit implies the fulfilment of eschatological hopes and indicates that the last days have in a real sense arrived - bringing the eschaton firmly into the present

- Parable of the sower it is made explicit that those who hear the word of God and retain it can experience the kingdom of god here and now. However Jesus here was explaining that the kingdom was arriving but not how many were expecting. For example many of his hearers were expecting something big and obvious to happen e.g, a new king or a new high priest to get rid of the pagans but this was not happening and Jesus had the aim of opening up their eyes and ears to see and hear what God is actually doing

- The narrow door is relaying a mood of urgency implying that Jesus is currently present and while he is you can be saved through active participation but he won't be present forever therefore indicating narrow opportunity and the sense that time is running out so you need to enter the kingdom now. Places eschatology in the present and within Jesus' ministry - G.B. Caird and Ellis who adds the teaching is that entry into the kingdom is possible now but once the 'door closes' it will not open again even if people complain to God

- Fitzmyer said that 'the Christian concern wasn't on the impending Parousia, that's why Luke pays more attention to the reaction of the people at the disciples preaching" But Acts 1:11 shows that Luke did not outright suppress the idea of the second coming of Christ

- J.B Green associates salvation with the coming of the kingdom of God and the deconstruction of wordily corrupt systems which also entails membership in the new community of God. He argues that Luke emphasises salvation in the present which is now available through the preaching of Jesus and the missionary activity of the early church, he sees Jesus himself as the 'saviour' and believes "Today salvation has come." This implies realised eschatology

Inaugurated - not systematically realised

- E. Ellis; The coming of the Kingdom parable's structure allows Luke to create a setting in which "the present manifestation of the 'kingdom of God' is set in relation to the future glorious revelation of 'the Son of Man'" - implies inaugurated as you will know when it comes but for now it's in your midst so you have to be ready now.

- Luke's eschatology becomes part of history and is something that is continuously present not necessarily externally as a place or person but spiritually and internally through doing God's will

- Conzelmann that God is bringing about the Kingdom and salvation not through one acapolyptic event throughout history he sees the salvation history as a threefold division which all link and God is working through every stage. Stage one is the Birth narratives of the old testament including John the Baptist which have parallels with the birth of Jesus, stage two is Jesus' ministry and stage three is the era of the church and the Holy Sprit. God's saving activity work's through all three stages and this is suggesting that the eschatology is inaugurated as it has been established in the present but there is more to come through the work of the church.

- The parable of Jesus and Beelzebul acts as a warning suggesting that just because you have driven out the demon doesn't necessarily mean you're securely in the kingdom it is an ongoing process and only through living by the will of God constantly with you retain membership therefore inaugurated eschatology is implied here as it is clear there are multiple steps that are to be taken towards faith