A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology

Drawing on the full sweep of the biblical narrative, Middleton makes a case for the new earth as the appropriate Christian hope and suggests its ethical and ecclesial implications.

2014 Word Guild Award (Biblical Studies)

Named a 2014 Jesus Creed Book of the Year (Theology)

Best Theology Book of 2014, Englewood Review of Books

Best Book of Biblical Studies for 2014, Hearts & Minds Books

In recent years, more and more Christians have come to appreciate the Bible's teaching that the ultimate blessed hope for the believer is not an otherworldly heaven; instead, it is full-bodied participation in a new heaven and a new earth brought into fullness through the coming of God's kingdom. Drawing on the full sweep of the biblical narrative, J. Richard Middleton unpacks key Old Testament and New Testament texts to make a case for the new earth as the appropriate Christian hope. He suggests its ethical and ecclesial implications, exploring the difference a holistic eschatology can make for living in a broken world.