The God of Hope and the End of the World

This short book dealing with eschatology is nothing short of amazing. This book is a more accessible reading of some of the discussions and ideas that circulated during the Center of Theological Inquiry's Eschatology Project. This was a interdisciplinary group of scholars - scientists, biblical scholars and theologians - whose task was to reconsider, in the light of modern knowledge, the expression of Christian eschatological hope concerning the end of the world and the fulfillment of the divine purpose for creation. John Polkinghorne is himself a theologian and a scientist and this book will appeal to anyone familiar with the writings of Jurgen Moltmann and Miroslov Volf. If you are a theologian who takes the findings of modern science show more seriously while at the same time holding to the Christian hope of resurrection you will find this book incredibly informative. His chapter on Personhood and the Soul was worth it alone. He begins with scientific and cultural approaches to eschatology, then moves to biblical evidence, and finally ties it all together with theology. Wonderful book! show less

This small but weighty book provides theological, scientific, and biblical perspectives on the end of the world. I have read one of Polkinghorne's other books and found it to be dense and incomprehensible in places, but this book is very accessible. It offers interesting and sometimes unique insights into eschatology. Jurgen Moltmann is one of his main dialogue partners.