“Nos Nescientes de Hoc Velle Manere”—“We Wish to Remain Ignorant about This”: Timeless End, or: Approaches to Reconceptualizing Eschatology after A.D. 800 (A.M. 6000)
Johannes Heil
The more spectacular a prediction is, the frustrating it becomes when prescribed date passes and nothing happens. This essay will discuss not so much predictions of yesterday but rather awakening morning after. False left gap created need for explicit or implicit responses to failed prediction, that could be filled by modifying calculations condemning fresh speculation. shows how people managed reconceptualize order world after a.d. 800 = a.m. [ annus mundi ] 6000, beginning supposed seventh, ultimate millennium. As we consider intellectual progress ninth century, also look at link between Carolingian reform release apocalyptic tension post-apocalyptic exhaustion. investigation builds on recent contributions field medieval eschatology, especially those Wolfram Brandes, Richard K. Emmerson, Johannes Fried, Landes, Bernard McGinn, others. It focuses selected sources, particularly exegetical texts, show overcoming eschatological crisis caused than shift in system counting years, from ab incarnatione Domini. Questions about dates led general reflections time, past future. significant shift, therefore, was time philosophy time.
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