Final triumph of God affirmed; doctrinal specificity about return varies
Historical Congregationalism affirmed the personal, bodily return of Christ at the Last Day for judgment and resurrection, consistent with the Savoy Declaration and the Puritan tradition. The return of Christ was a living expectation in early New England Congregationalism.
The United Church of Christ's Statement of Faith speaks of 'the final triumph of righteousness' without specifying the mechanism or details of Christ's return. The denomination's non-creedal character and progressive theological orientation mean that views range from traditional belief in the personal bodily return of Christ to more metaphorical or realized eschatological interpretations in which the 'coming of the kingdom' refers to the progressive transformation of the world through justice and love. The creeds confessing Christ's coming 'to judge the living and the dead' are part of the tradition but not binding doctrinal requirements.
Key Distinctions
- Return expectation:
- literal, visible return of Christ preceded by signs
- Tribulation view:
- preceded by tribulation; no separate pre-trib rapture
- Parousia nature:
- bodily, visible, glorious return of Christ to earth for judgment
Scripture References
Sources
- UCC Statement of Faith (1959, revised 1981)
- Savoy Declaration, Chapter XXXIII (1658)
- Nicene Creed, as historically received in Congregational tradition