Description:
UsedDoes the apocalyptic hope for the "new heavens and new earth" reflect a pessimistic perspective toward the present creation? This book demonstrates that the theme of cosmic renewal in apocalyptic and biblical writings preserves an important and positive role for the present creation. In order to demonstrate the thesis, this study develops along two foci: one evaluates whether the biblical writings, and most importantly the apocalyptic works, evince any interest in the created order itself. the other attempts to determine whether the anticipation of the new heavens and new earth is actually a call for an escape from a "this-worldly" experience.