From: Argrath@aol.com
Date: Sat 13 Jan 1996 - 20:58:42 EET
In response to Carl and the other responses, I have a few thoughts. I have
thought about the lack of a (published) eschatology, and conclude that there
is at least one branch of Malkioni eschatology, despite its omission from
published sources. Their eschatology might not be mainstream, but I think
it's there. I base this on (1) the importance of prophecy in Malkioni
thought--the main dudes are called Prophets, after all, (2) the resemblance
to the terrestrial sects which possess eschatologies, and (3) the cultural
resemblance between Malkionism and those earthly socities which developed
eschatology. Note, however, that eschatology entered Judaism through foreign
sources, and that the Book of Revelation is at the end of the Bible because
the arrangers of the Canon didn't like it very much. They would have left it
out except that it was erroneously attributed to a big name in the early
church.
Now to argue the other side: Malkionism doesn't have an eschatology because
its God doesn't act in the world. Unlike YHWH, he doesn't micromanage
history. Thus, there is no cosmic melodrama requiring a happy ending. Like
the ancient pagan religions of the Near East, Malkionism simply doesn't think
a lot about the end of the world.
Now these are all rough ideas which could be (and probably will be) nitpicked
to death. So let's synthesize and have some fun (which is why we do this,
isn't it?). All IMHO, standard disclaimers apply.
Pre-Hrestoli Malkionism had no eschatology, just as it had a very sketchy
description of the Creation. Eschatology erupted during the Hrestoli
Upheaval, with many prophesying the end of the world during Hrestol's life.
Later, these prophecies were reinterpreted metaphorically.
A second wave of eschatological fervor began at the end of the Second Age.
Old prophecies were rediscovered, and new ones made. Again, the end of the
world seemed to draw nigh.
In the intervening Ages and the time since, eschatology's favor has waxed and
I don't think eschatology is prevalent in Pamaltela or the East Isles.
waned. Stability-oriented prelates sought to suppress it, while hot-headed
prophet wannabes used it to gain power over mobs of followers. In the Third
Age, the World of Losers movement embraces eschatology. Many contemporary
Arkati speak of the return of Arkat as heralding the end of the world. So do
some Orlanthi, but in a more pessimistic sense.
As for the lack of an Enemy, I agree with the post which stated that Satan's
role as God's loyal opposition is relatively recent. (I borrow the phrase
"God's loyal opposition" from a Woody Allen movie, but it neatly explains
Satan's role in a universe ruled by an omnipotent God.) In Islam, Satan is
more or less explicitly God's servant, for Allah leads astray him who he
wishes to lead astray and Satan merely does Allah's bidding.
You can have a cosmic melodrama without a personalized Enemy, but the two
tend to go hand in hand. Thus, I think the eschatology-minded Malkioni are
the ones most likely to see the handiwork of the Devil around them, and to
interpret every historical enemy as a servant or avatar of the Devil.
- --Martin
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End of Glorantha Digest V2 #323
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