This article is not concerned with the whole problem of eschatology, but only with the exegetical and theological position which makes the eschatological hope in the strict sense (expectation of the imminent parousia and the end of the present world) the essential element both of the kerygma of primitive Christianity and of the authentic teaching of Jesus. This view has been given currency by three exegetes in particular:J. Weiss, A. Loisy and A. Schweitzer. We shall first summarize their ideas …