Millenarianism is a term used to describe the belief that a major religious transformation will occur during a specific period of time, usually within a single generation. It is a widely held belief in many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The term is derived from the Latin word “mille,” meaning “one thousand.”
Millenarianism has appeared throughout history in many forms, from the early Christian belief that the world would end with the coming of Christ, to modern day beliefs of an imminent apocalypse. The concept is also seen in some non-religious movements, such as the New Age movement, which promotes a belief in a period of spiritual transformation occurring within the next few years.
Millenarianism is based on the idea of a prophetic anticipation of a “new era” or “new age,” when a spiritual or religious transformation will take place. This transformation is often seen as a “great turning point” in human history, when a new age of peace and harmony will be established. In Christianity, this is often referred to as the Kingdom of God.
Millenarianism has been the focus of much scholarly research, with numerous books and articles devoted to the subject. In particular, the concept has been studied in relation to the rise of religious movements throughout history, such as the Protestant Reformation, the Great Awakening, and the New Age movement.
In addition to its religious and spiritual aspects, Millenarianism has also been studied in terms of its political implications. It has been argued that the belief in a coming spiritual transformation can lead to political movements, such as revolutions and civil wars. This is particularly true in cases where political or social change is expected to accompany the spiritual transformation.
Millenarianism is an interesting and complex concept, and one that has been studied extensively. It has been suggested that the belief in a coming transformation has been a major factor in the rise of many religious and spiritual movements throughout history. Further research into the specific implications of Millenarianism is needed in order to gain a better understanding of this fascinating phenomenon.
References
Fitzgerald, T. (2007). Millenarianism: New religious movements and the quest for utopia. London: Routledge.
Langone, M. D. (1993). Millenarianism: A review of research and theory. Cultic Studies Journal, 10(1), 11-43.
Noll, M. A. (1994). America’s God: From Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Stark, R. (2003). For the glory of God: How monotheism led to reformations, science, witch-hunts, and the end of slavery. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Watt, W. M. (2003). Islamic political thought: The basic concepts. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.