Carl Braaten EschatologyCarl Braaten eschatology is an analysis of the biblical apocalyptic (revelation or unveiling of a mystery) applied to today's world. He seeks to establish a worldview through the lenses of the apocalyptic message of scripture. Carl Braaten is executive director of the Center for Cathololic and Evangelical Theology, Sun City West, Arizona and coeditor of Pro Ecclesia: A Journal of Catholic and Evangelical Theology. For Braaten, the world is now engaged in a battle of spiritual dimensions based on the eschatological themes of the New Testament. There is a "cosmic" struggle of which only those who have "spiritual discernment can be cognitively aware. In Carl Braaten's eschatology, the devil is yet a power to be defeated. The apocalyptic is Braaten's premise for what Christ is for, i.e. destroying the works of the devil. Eschatology in his worldview must be an ongoing battle of the church against the powers of evil. He sees no ultimate victory in this world, only the assurance of by virtue of Christ's death and resurrection. Braaten's view admits the in-breaking of the kingdom into the world. In this sense, and since the kingdom is the goal of apocalyptic eschatology, he has a partially realized view of eschatology. However, consummation is yet to be achieved. Social, Political and Moral Mandate of Carl Braaten EschatologyBraaten's worldview which is shaped by his apocalyptic view has implications for politics. We might add that all eschatological views have implications for politics as past history and current events verify. Politics influences eschatology and eschatology influences politics. The French Revolution, World War I and Iraq all corroborate this viewpoint. "Wars and rumors of wars" will always be a measuring stick for futurist eschatological paradigms.Social world collapse demands recovery of apocalyptic vision to remove the gristle and replace it with backbone. Moral decline in our society in Braaten's view, is directly related to the Apocalyptic worldview from schools and jails to disintegrating families. Like the message of John the Baptist, the call today is for repentance. However, this repentance is effected through defeating the unseen powers of Satan, demons and the principalities who rule the world. Carl Braateen eschatology therefore needs the Devil, demons and the powers of darkness as an active force in the world to validate it. In his view, God cannot be God without the Devil. One wonders what to expect in heaven if the imagination cannot fathom a world without rulers of the nether world. Will they be inhabitants of heaven also? To have a world that "needs" evil to validate its good is not a worldview that aligns with the world of Adam from the beginning. Prior to his fall, there was no evil in the world, only the potential for it through temptation, lust and choice.
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