Too often discussions about the End Times are fraught with wild speculation or discord. But a biblical view of eschatology places Jesus’ return and victory at the center. All Christians hold this hope in common.
In Jesus Wins, Dayton Hartman focuses on this common ground to reveal why the way we think about the End Times matters. Christian eschatology should be rooted in biblical orthodoxy to inspire hope and greater faithfulness in the present age. That’s the point of eschatology after all! Drawing from his own ministry experience, Hartman testifies to the unifying power of Jesus’ victory.
Hartman’s book is an encouragement to the church that eschatology is not a place for speculation but hope. Rather than be fearful about the end, Hartman asks the church to unite around the essentials and be about the work of the gospel with hope and assurance rather than anxiety. This introduction to the hope of eschatology will be a welcome resource for pastors and laity.
—Russell Moore, president, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Dayton Hartman has written a fine introduction to Christian eschatology, the doctrine of the last things. In this short book, he provides an introduction to relevant biblical passages and to the various views held in the church over the centuries. He includes important warnings against speculation and good encouragements to the unity of the church, since views of the last days have been terribly divisive over the years. The book is written in an easy, conversational style, and it most emphasizes what Scripture emphasizes, that through all the conflicts of world history, Jesus wins.
—John M. Frame, retired J. D. Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando)
This is a solid book. It provides a short but practical introduction to the study of eschatology (the end times) and encourages the reader to keep the whole story of redemption in perspective. While views and interpretations of the end times vary (the author gives a very helpful explanation of the four primary views), the most important thing is how they all agree—Jesus will return and He wins. Dayton wisely uses the historical creeds (Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed) and the development of Christian belief as a basis for his argument. For anyone who is overwhelmed or confused when thinking about how the world ends, I’d recommend this as a helpful resource and starting place.
—Joby Martin, lead pastor at The Church of Eleven22
“After all, studying the end times, what we call ‘eschatology,’ is vitally important to the Christian life—not because it satisfies our curiosity but because it spurs us toward faithfulness. We labor in the Lord, knowing our work is not in vain, because the future is assured.” (Page xiii)
“This chapter, focused so heavily on the end times, comes to a close with a powerful call to excellence in doing the Lord’s work. Future glory will make sense of present suffering. God’s work in the future gives meaning to our work in the present.” (Page xiv)
“a better way forward is to return to the eschatology of the Apostles’ Creed.” (Page 8)
“‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority’ (Acts 1:7). Jesus tells them, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ve won, I’m winning, and I will win.’ In light of that, Jesus commissions them to be his witnesses ‘to the end of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). Jesus calls the disciples to stop worrying about the future and instead to trust and obey.” (Page 19)
“The Christian world—across time and place—is filled with rich theological traditions. The early church fathers navigated questions about persecution, church and state relationships, and authority, among others.” (Page 7)
Dayton Hartman is lead pastor at Redeemer Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He is an adjunct professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Columbia International University. He is the author of Church History for Modern Ministry and Lies Pastors Believe.
2 ratings
Glenn Crouch
7/16/2019