Prolepsis is a theological term that refers to the anticipation or representation of a future event as if it has already occurred. In Christian theology, prolepsis often involves the idea that certain aspects of God’s redemptive plan, which will be fully realized in the future, are already being experienced or manifested in the present. This concept is significant in understanding how Christians perceive the relationship between the “already” and the “not yet” aspects of God’s kingdom and salvation. From a conservative, Bible-believing Christian worldview, prolepsis helps to articulate the tension between the present experience of God’s promises and their future fulfillment.

Definition and Theological Significance of Prolepsis

What Is Prolepsis?

Prolepsis, derived from the Greek word prolepsis (πρόληψις), meaning “anticipation,” is a rhetorical or literary device where future events are spoken of as if they have already occurred. In theology, it refers to instances where biblical texts or Christian teachings describe future realities—such as the final resurrection, the full establishment of God’s kingdom, or the ultimate victory over sin and death—as though they are already accomplished.

• Key Concepts:
  • Already and Not Yet: Prolepsis is closely associated with the “already and not yet” framework in Christian eschatology, which describes how certain aspects of God’s kingdom are already present, while others are still to be fully realized.
  • Eschatological Reality: Prolepsis emphasizes that believers already partake in the future eschatological blessings through faith in Christ, even though the full realization of these blessings awaits the consummation of history.

Purpose and Function of Prolepsis

Prolepsis serves several important theological purposes:

1. Encouraging Hope and Assurance:
   • Prolepsis encourages believers to live in the present with the assurance and hope of the future fulfillment of God’s promises. It reassures Christians that God’s redemptive plan is already underway and that they are participants in it.
   • Romans 8:30: “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Here, Paul speaks of glorification—a future event—in the past tense, indicating the certainty of its fulfillment.
2. Affirming God’s Sovereignty:
   • By depicting future events as already accomplished, prolepsis underscores God’s sovereignty and the certainty of His plan. It reminds believers that God’s promises are as good as fulfilled because of His unchanging nature and faithfulness.
   • Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” This verse reflects God’s sovereign control over history, where the future is assured by His will.
3. Shaping Christian Identity and Practice:
   • Prolepsis shapes Christian identity by reminding believers that they are already “new creations” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are called to live out the values of the coming kingdom in the present. This anticipation of future realities impacts how Christians live today.
   • Philippians 3:20-21: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” This passage highlights the present reality of believers’ heavenly citizenship and their anticipation of future transformation.

Biblical Foundations of Prolepsis

Prolepsis in the Old Testament

The concept of prolepsis can be seen in various Old Testament passages where future events are depicted as certain and inevitable because of God’s promises.

• The Prophetic Promises:
  • The prophets often spoke of future events, such as the coming of the Messiah, the restoration of Israel, and the establishment of God’s kingdom, in ways that emphasized their certainty, sometimes using past or present tense to describe future realities.
  • Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This prophecy speaks of the coming Messiah in a manner that makes the future event seem present or already realized.
• The Exodus as a Type of Redemption:
  • The Exodus is often seen as a proleptic event, foreshadowing the greater deliverance that God would accomplish through Christ. The language used to describe the Exodus often carries forward into descriptions of future deliverance.
  • Exodus 15:13: “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” This verse connects God’s past action of redemption with His future guidance, reflecting a proleptic view of God’s ongoing salvation.

Prolepsis in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently uses prolepsis to express the tension between the already and the not yet, particularly in relation to the kingdom of God, salvation, and eschatological events.

• The Kingdom of God:
  • Jesus often spoke of the kingdom of God as both a present reality and a future hope. Through His ministry, the kingdom was inaugurated, but its full realization is yet to come.
  • Luke 17:20-21: “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is in your midst.’” Jesus’ teaching reflects the proleptic reality of the kingdom being present yet awaiting full manifestation.
• Salvation and Resurrection:
  • The New Testament often speaks of believers’ salvation and resurrection in a proleptic manner, indicating that while these are future events, they are also a present reality for those in Christ.
  • Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Paul speaks of believers being seated with Christ in heavenly places as if it is already accomplished, even though its full realization is in the future.
• The Book of Revelation:
  • The book of Revelation is filled with proleptic imagery, where future events, such as the final victory over evil and the new heavens and new earth, are described in vivid detail as if they are already happening.
  • Revelation 21:1-2: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” This passage provides a vision of the future that is described with a sense of present reality.

Theological and Practical Implications of Prolepsis

The Already and Not Yet

Prolepsis is central to the “already and not yet” tension in Christian theology, where certain aspects of God’s kingdom and promises are already being experienced, while others await future fulfillment.

• Living in the Tension:
  • Christians are called to live in the tension of the already and not yet, experiencing the firstfruits of the Spirit and the beginnings of God’s kingdom while also longing for its full consummation.
  • Romans 8:23: “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” This verse captures the experience of living in the proleptic reality of salvation, where believers already experience the Spirit but await the full realization of redemption.
• Hope and Perseverance:
  • The proleptic view of God’s promises provides believers with hope and motivation to persevere in faith, knowing that God’s future victory is already assured.
  • Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This verse underscores the role of faith in living in the proleptic reality of God’s promises.

The Eschatological Perspective

Prolepsis emphasizes an eschatological perspective, where the future realities of God’s kingdom influence and shape present Christian life and practice.

• Ethical Implications:
  • Knowing that God’s kingdom will ultimately be established and that believers are already citizens of this kingdom has ethical implications for how Christians live, promoting a life of holiness, justice, and love.
  • 1 John 3:2-3: “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” This passage links the future hope with present ethical living, reflecting the proleptic reality of sanctification.
• Mission and Witness:
  • The proleptic understanding of God’s kingdom also motivates the Church’s mission, as believers are called to be witnesses of the coming kingdom, embodying its values and proclaiming its message.
  • Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” The Great Commission is given with the assurance of Christ’s authority and presence, reflecting the proleptic reality of His reign.

Challenges and Critiques

While prolepsis is a powerful theological concept, it also presents certain challenges, particularly in how it is understood and applied in the life of the Church.

• Avoiding Over-Realized Eschatology:
  • One danger in emphasizing prolepsis is the risk of over-realized eschatology, where the future realities of God’s kingdom are seen as fully present, leading to unrealistic expectations or a neglect of the ongoing struggle against sin and evil.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:8: “Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we might also reign with you!” Paul critiques the Corinthians for an over-realized view of their spiritual state, reminding them of the ongoing journey of faith.
• Maintaining the Balance:
  • It is important to maintain a balance between the “already” and the “not yet,” recognizing that while believers experience many of God’s promises now, the fullness of these promises will only be realized in the future.
  • Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This passage reflects Paul’s understanding of the ongoing nature of the Christian life, where the future goal motivates present effort.

Conclusion

From a conservative, Bible-believing Christian worldview, Prolepsis is a valuable theological concept that helps believers understand the relationship between the present and future aspects of God’s kingdom and promises. It emphasizes that while the full realization of God’s redemptive plan is still to come, Christians already participate in these future realities through their union with Christ.

Biblically, prolepsis is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where future events are often depicted as certain and already underway because of God’s sovereign plan. Theologically, prolepsis underscores the tension between the “already” and the “not yet,” providing hope, assurance, and motivation for Christian living in the present.

Practically, prolepsis has important implications for how Christians live, worship, and witness in the world. It calls believers to live in the light of the future, embodying the values of the coming kingdom while recognizing the ongoing struggle against sin and the anticipation of final victory.

In conclusion, prolepsis enriches the Christian understanding of God’s redemptive work, offering a perspective that sees the future fulfillment of God’s promises as already present in the life of the believer. It encourages a life of faith, hope, and perseverance, rooted in the assurance that what God has promised, He will surely bring to pass.