CHAPTER VIII THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH BY REV. JOHN MCNICOL, B. A., B. D., PRINCIPAL OF THE TORONTO BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL There are many indications of a revival of interest in the study of eschatology. The latest attack upon the Chris- tian faith is being directed against the eschatological teach- ing of the New Testament. The Christian Church was founded upon the promise of a speedy return of Christ to establish His Kingdom in the world, but its history has taken an entirely different course. The expectation of the early Christians was not fulfilled. The teaching of the apostles has been falsified. Such is the argument that is now being used in some quarters to discredit the founders of Chris- tianity. This is compelling Christian scholars to give re- newed attention to the teaching of the new Testament about the Lord’s second coming, and will doubtldss lead to more earnest and thorough examination of the whole outlook of Christ and His apostles upon the future. It is acknowledged that the eschatology of the New Testa- ment is not the eschatology of the Church today. The hope of the early Christians is not the hope of the average Chris- tian now. It has become our habit to think of the change which comes at death, or our entrance into heaven, as the crowning point in the believer’s life, and the proper object of our hope. Yet the apostles never speak of death as something which the Christian should look forward to or prepare for. They do not ignore death altogether, nor do they cast a halo about it. It is always an enemy, the- last enemy that is to be destroyed. But they do not take account of it at all in the scheme of things with which we have now to reckon. 114
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