Theology, specifically end-time theology

Theology, specifically end-time theology (called "eschatology" by theologians) played a very important and largely forgotten role in the Progressive Movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In chapter 20 of the book of Revelation there is a reference to a thousand-year period during which Satan will be imprisoned and unable to “deceive the nations.” This thousand-year era is known as “the Millennium” and in Christian theology there are several schools of thought on when it supposed to occur. Some Christians believe it will occur after the return of Christ (“premillennialists”). Some don't believe the reference to a millennium is literal (“amillennialists”). But in the late 1800's and early 1900's most American Protestants were “postmillennialists”—that is, they believed that a thousand-year era of peace and goodness would someday occur, after which Jesus would return.


This otherwise esoteric theology had significant political and social implications, contributing significantly to the rise of Progressivism. Progressives of that era were mostly Christians who anticipated an ever-improving world. They championed a wide range of progressive causes including women's rights, prison reform, abolition of child labor, better treatment of the poor, and such things, as well as causes that were progressive at the time, but are not considered progressive today, such as prohibition and eugenics. Their theology caused Progressives of that era to be optimistic. They were convinced that “progress” was a sign that the world was moving toward the millennium—an age of peace, prosperity and righteousness, and this belief motivated them to support the progressive causes of the day. Although the definition of “progressive” has evolved over time, many of the causes we still regard as “progressive” had their roots in this theology of progress and optimism.

The image is William Strutt’s 1896 painting titled “Peace,” inspired by Isaiah 11:6 (“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”).

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