A Peaceable Hope Contesting Violent Eschatology In New Testament Narratives

"In the New Testament texts, there is significant tension between Jesus's nonviolent mission and message and the apparent violence attributed to God and God's agents at the anticipated end. David Neville explores that tension and challenges the ready association between New Testament eschatology and retributive vengeance on christological and canonical grounds. Neville explores the narrative sections of the New Testament -- the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation -- with a view to developing a peaceable, as opposed to retributive, understanding of New Testament eschatology. He develops a 'hermeneutic of shalom' for reading these texts and offers interpretive resources for grappling responsibly with them. Neville shows that for every narrative text in the New Testament that anticipates a vehement eschatology, another promotes a largely peaceable eschatology. This work for students and scholars of the New Testament and theology furthers the growing discussion of violence and the doctrine of the atonement." -- Publisher description.