Two of my favorite seminary courses began with the letter E. Boyd Hunt taught me Eschatology, the study of last things while Ray Higgins taught me Ethics. Taught in the same building, the two courses inspired me, but I'm not sure anyone tried to connect them.
Peter taught both subjects in the same course. The connection of holiness and hope transcends alphabetical matters. Right after Peter reminded the early Christians of the hope of Christ's return, he called them to live holy lives.
The early believers knew Christ was returning but didn't know when, so they lived right. How would we live if we knew Christ were returning today? We should live that way. Hope leads to holiness. Good eschatology leads to good ethics. On this I am certain Dr. Hunt and Dr. Higgins would have agreed. So should we.
