Apocalyptic Spirituality

Research Paper # 107108

Philosophy
Religion and Theology > Christianity

An overview of the concept of apocalyptic spirituality and a look at some famous apocalyptic thinkers.

2,039 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the creed of apocalyptic spirituality is built on the idea that apocalypse is the final goal of God and how it is the ultimate vision of Christianity. The paper considers the ways in which it can be manifested and how it falls into two categories; priori and posteriori. The paper also examines some of the more famous apocalyptic thinkers such as Lactantius, Joachim of Fiore and Friar Girolamo Savonarola.

From the Paper:

"Joachim of Fiore was the pessimistic mystic of apocalyptic spirituality. He lived in Italy from 1135-1202 and was the founder of the monastic order of San Giovanni in Fiore. His followers were called Joachimites. Joachim of Fiore returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land a changed man. He became a hermit for a time and lived as a pessimistic wandering preacher. After some time he was embraced by Pope Lucius III and he became a prophet. Joachim of Fiore believed that he could read the true meaning of the Bible as others had never seen it. In this reading he saw that the apocalypse was actually coming quite soon. This is what differentiated him from the apocalyptic prophets before him. Joachim of Fiore warned his followers to prepare to be judged, because he saw the impending end about to come to fruition. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Mcguin, Bernard Classics of Western Spirituality: Apocalyptic Spirituality New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1979
Mcguin, Bernard Visions of the End New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 1998