Article by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen in Dialog.
While the rise of neo-apocalypticism, as it is called in Christian parlance, is a well-known phenomenon to theologians and other scholars observing the current global religious landscape, the significance of neoapocalypticism in Islam is a less well-known fact. Yet–and this makes the topic so significant theologically–between these two forms of intense eschatological expectations, astonishing cross-breeding is taking place. This is counterintuitive in light of the fact that in many ways Islamic and Christian neo-apocalyptic visions seem to be totally hostile towards each other. This article introduces both Islamic and Christian neo-apocalypticisms and reflects on the implications of their co-existence and mutual exchanges for the future of interfaith relations and global peace.