Scripture says that when the Lord returns He will burn up the present heavens and earth.

But what will be the fate of His people during this grand conflagration?

This essay explores how early medieval theologians answered this question.

Many of them said that God’s people will be lifted up above the earth so that the fire does not harm them. This early medeival view of the rapture may be called a “pre-conflagration” rapture.

This essay will be published in late 2013 as a chapter in a textbook on church history entitled Historia Ecclesiastica.  Look for an update when it appears in print.

The abstract is available in PDF form:  Apocalyptic Spirituality in the Early Middle Ages Abstract.