Russia–Ukraine war : understanding and responding to wars and rumours of wars as ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων

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Authors

Ukeachusim, Chidinma P.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

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Publisher

AOSIS Publishing

Abstract

In Matthew 24, Jesus prophesied to his disciples about ‘wars and rumours of wars’ and other eschatological birth-pangs to prepare them in advance on how they are to be responding to eschatological events as they would be unfolding in the interim of his ascension and his promised Parousia. What then does Jesus mean by enlisting ‘wars and rumours of wars’ in this eschatological era to be functioning as ‘the beginning of birthpangs’ and how should Christians be responding to wars and rumours of wars as eschatological birth-pangs? Employing the redaction exegetical method, this study focuses on interpreting Matthew 24:6−8 to explain what Jesus most probably meant as he enlisted ‘wars and rumours of wars’ as eschatological birth-pangs; and with special reference to the Russia–Ukraine war that broke out on 24 February 2022, recommends from the Olivet prophecy how Christians are to be righteously responding to ‘wars and rumours of wars’ as eschatological birth-pangs. CONTRIBUTION : This study explored Matthew 24:6−8 to unveil what Jesus means by enlisting wars and rumours of wars as eschatological birth-pangs. With special reference to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, theological highlights were recommended on how Christians are to be responding to war and war rumours as endtime birth-pains.

Description

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, .P.U., on request.
The author/s are participating in the research project ‘Africa Platform for NT Scholars’, directed by Prof. Dr Ernest van Eck, Department of New Testament and Related Literature, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria.
Special Collection: Africa Platform for NT Scholars, sub-edited by Ernest van Eck (University of Toronto, Canada).

Keywords

Matthew 24:6−8, Jesus’ eschatological prophecy, War and rumours of wars, Birthpangs, Theological eschatological responses, Christians, Russia, Ukraine

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None

Citation

Ukeachusim, C.P., 2023, ‘Russia–Ukraine war: Understanding and responding to wars and rumours of wars as ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων’, HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 79(4), a8717. https://DOI.org/10.4102/hts.v79i4.8717.