- Question
Was Jesus an apocalyptic prophet?
An extremely prevalent set of beliefs in biblical times, there is strong debate over who Jesus was and, more specifically, whether he was an apocalyptic prophet. How people choose to answer this question would have strong implications for the message provided by Jesus and, by extension, their faith.
Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet
This position holds that Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet. It argues that he frequently spoke in the language of apocalyptic thought, that his life fits the pattern, and that the awkwardness of a failed prophecy — unlikely to be invented — confirms he genuinely preached a coming end.
Jesus was not an apocalyptic prophet
This position holds that Jesus was not an apocalyptic prophet. It argues that many sources portray him otherwise, that the apocalyptic material was read back into the gospels by the early Church, and that Jesus was in fact preaching a 'realised eschatology' already present, not a coming end.