Original scientific paper

The Apocalyptic Luther: His Noahic Self-understanding

Michael Parsons ; Profesor na Sveučilištu Murdoch i Baptist Theological Collegeu u Perthu u Australiji

Abstract

We start this short essay by delineating suggestions concerning traditional apocalypticism in the period of the European reformations proposed by R. B. Barnes and Heiko Oberman. According to their analyses apocalypticism seeks insight into the significance of the present for the cosmic struggle between God and the devil. It believes that the end of the world is imminent, that antichrist has appeared, and that the ungodly must be warned and believers comforted. An examination of Luther’s exposition of the flood narrative showed this in action in a mature work.
When the Reformer asks who is responsible for this decline and threatened future, the answer is that many are involved. The godless world is to blame, certainly, but Luther puts most of the blame onto the Catholic Church and the pope in particular. They have suppressed the word and followed their own imaginations rather than the purposes of God. Behind the human struggle is the cosmic one in that the devil enslaves those willing to follow him. Of course, God in some way allows the world to develop as it has, though, of course, his will is for all to turn to him. The point is that these are all classic characteristics of apocalyptic thought.

Keywords

Martin Luther; apocalyptic expectations; self-understanding; Reformation; Noah

Hrčak ID:

324579

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/324579

Publication date:

14.11.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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