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The Promised End

Eschatology in Theology and Literature
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Promised End by Paul S. Fiddes explores the theme of 'the end' by engaging Christian theology, creative literature, and literary critical theory. The book addresses the interplay of openness and closure found in Christian eschatology, suggesting this duality provides a coherent understanding of endings that can also be realised in present life. Fiddes conducts a detailed exegesis of works by authors like John Fowles, Doris Lessing, Samuel Beckett, and Shakespeare, while incorporating insights from key critical theorists such as Frank Kermode and Jacques Derrida. It further examines central Christian eschatological themes including death, resurrection, and eternity, offering critical analysis of modern theological doctrines by figures like Jurgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$12199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in Christian theology, literary criticism, and interdisciplinary studies combining religion and literature. It is particularly suited for academics, theology students, and those engaged in pastoral roles looking for fresh insights into eschatology and the nature of endings.

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aeo Brings Christian theology, creative literature, and literary critical theory into dialogue on the theme of a the enda . aeo Provides an exegesis of novels, plays, and poems by such writers as John Fowles, Julian Barnes, Doris Lessing, Samuel Beckett, T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce and Shakespeare.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This book brings Christian theology, creative literature, and literary critical theory into dialogue on the theme of "the end". Where appropriate, it also considers recent scientific views on the nature of time.

Postmodern critical theorists and many other writers emphasise the 'open' nature of endings, but The Promised End suggests that the mixture of openness and closure in Christian eschatology not only offers a coherent sense of an ending, but may make it possible to construct endings in the here and now.

On the way to this conclusion, the book provides an exegesis of novels, plays, and poems by such writers as John Fowles, Julian Barnes, Doris Lessing, Samuel Beckett, T. S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Shakespeare. Among critical theorists, postmodern and otherwise, it considers especially the ideas of Frank Kermode, Northrop Frye, Jacques Derrida, and Paul Ricoeur.

The author also examines the main themes of Christian eschatology—such as death, parousia, resurrection, human destiny, and the nature of eternity—and offers a critical view of the doctrines of the last things produced by major modern theologians, including Jurgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg.

Through this dialogue, the book aims to form an image of the eternal 'wholeness' of persons in the life of the triune God, taking seriously the deconstruction of images of domination.

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  • The Promised End
    This book brings Christian theology, creative literature, and literary critical theory into dialogue on the theme of "the end". Where appropriate, it also considers recent scientific views on the nature of time. Postmodern critical theorists and many other writers emphasise the 'open' nature of endings, but The Promised End suggests that the mixture of openness and closure in Christian eschatology...
    Paperback
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    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

David Jasper, Dean of Divinity and Professor of Literature and Theology at Glasgow University, praises the book as a sophisticated, interdisciplinary contribution to literature and theology, recommending it as an essential textbook. Carolyn Jones Medine, Professor of Religious Studies and English at Louisiana State University, commends Fiddes’ mastery of literature, theory, and theology, recommending the work without reservation. The book is noted for its unique dialogue between theology and literature, stimulating theological reflection and offering valuable resources for pastoral care and preaching.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780631220855

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 July 2000

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wiley-Blackwell

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 233.0mm

Weight: 425g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Paul S. Fiddes is Principal of Regent's Park College in the University of Oxford, and a University Research Lecturer in Theology. He is the author of a number of books and articles, including The Creative Suffering of God (1988), Past Event and Present Salvation: The Christian Idea of Atonement (1989), and Freedom and Limit: A Dialogue Between Literature and Christian Doctrine (1991).

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