“John W. de Gruchy points to a truly Christian apprehension of what is happening: the end, the goal of history, remains before us as God’s judgment and promise. But here and now we are called to faithful and responsible action for justice and peace, which hopefully point to the end. This is truly a book for our time.”
The End Is Not Yet: Standing Firm in Apocalyptic Times
The title of this book comes from Matthew 24:6–8: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. . . . There will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” This locates The End Is Not Yet within popular religious rhetoric about the “end times” and more sophisticated theological discourse on eschatology or Christian hope for a better world premised on faith in God. But is such faith still justified? And if so, how are we to describe and embody it in the life of the world? The framework of the book is the current global historical context with a particular focus on the West, and especially the political and social issues that have been highlighted by the election of Donald Trump. Among these are totalitarianism and democracy, right-wing nationalism, apocalypticism and patriotism, globalization and economic injustice, terrorism and warmongering, and political and prophetic leadership.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781506431574
- eBook ISBN 9781506438504
- Dimensions 5 x 7
- Pages 216
- Publication Date October 15, 2017
Contents
Prologue: Remember the End
1. Is This the End?
2. Where on Earth Is God?
3. What Makes a Nation Great?
4. Who Are the Leaders We Need?
Postscript: Awaiting the Second Advent
Bibliography
Index
Endorsements
This is truly a book for our time.
Keith Clements | Former general secretary, Conference of European Churches
If Dietrich Bonhoeffer were alive today, this could well be the book he would write.
“Theologian John W. de Gruchy pens a tract for our times. He calls the faithful to renewed hope, courage, and action as grounded firmly in biblical wisdom. If Dietrich Bonhoeffer were alive today, this could well be the book he would write.”
George Hunsinger | Princeton Theological Seminary
John W. de Gruchy reminds us where we are today with prophetic theological insight.
“In a style urgent and dramatic, John W. de Gruchy reminds us where we are today with prophetic theological insight. ‘Crisis’ may label the signs of the times, but his study is neither millennial nor apocalyptic. Hope resonates throughout, a hope needed to strengthen our faithfulness and perseverance.”
Graham Ward | Oxford University
This is a great gift to all who seek to understand the urgency of our times, the challenge of prophetic resistance, and the call for faithful.
“Many have understood the election of President Donald Trump to be disturbingly reminiscent of the times of fascist Germany and thus far in the Trump era, nothing has happened to ease the mind. In ways both theologically subtle and politically astute, John De Gruchy comes to grips with that assessment. But the title says it all: The End Is Not Yet. Despite the fear and trepidation, the risks and dangers that the politics of unpredictability always brings, Trump is not the end, and the end is not in his hands. The end is in God’s hands, and that end is the entry of grace. That is how this book begins and ends. De Gruchy’s book brings together two fundamental insights that make this book special. He writes as a South African who knows the challenges of pain and hope of struggle, and as one who knows Dietrich Bonhoeffer – and who in his times knew better the challenges of pain and hope and struggle? That in itself makes this masterfully written book a gem. So almost naturally this book is about relentless challenge and kairos moments; about desperate times and fierce commitment; about abiding faith and resilient love. There is unadorned and revealing truth is in this book, page after page of faithful resistance to the pretensions of empire, unmasking the mendacity that wants to make us believe that the end of truthful, faithful, obedience to the Living One can be managed, controlled, and abrogated by those who believe that their power is the end of our faith, our hope, and our life. If ever there was a book for a time such as this – this brilliant little work is it. This is a great gift to all who seek to understand the urgency of our times, the challenge of prophetic resistance, and the call for faithful, hopeful living towards the end God has in mind.”
Allan Aubrey Boesak | Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis
A bold prophetic and deeply pastoral book.
"If there ever was a timely book, this is it! It might not yet be the end, but ours time that calls for responsible speech about 'the end.' De Gruchy provides a profound and perceptive diagnosis of the times in which we live as he engages with important theological questions relevant to the issues. The result is a bold prophetic and deeply pastoral book."
Robert Vosloo | Stellenbosch University