New Book – “Beginnings and Endings: Fethullah Gülen’s Vision for Today’s World”


Date posted: October 25, 2013

“Beginnings and Endings Fethullah Gülen’s vision for Today’s World” elucidates how belief in resurrection, Divine judgment, and the eternal life of the Hereafter deeply impact life here-and-now,” which is the span of time and space God granted humans to foster their relationships with one another and, most importantly, to fulfill their role as the vicegerents of God in this world before its ultimate destruction. The Hizmet movement, inspired by Gülen, is mentioned as one such manifestation of that vicegerency.

The book quotes extensively from Gülen’s writings so the wider public can hear his voice expressing his understandings of the Divine Plan for all of creation as well as the vision he has for human responsibility in the present world. It discusses Gülen’s views on the beginning and end of times, which provide the framework for his concentrated vision of a just, equitable, and peaceful world. It presents Gülen’s spiritual side, revealing him to be not only a man of profound reflection, but a man who understands creation’s purpose and humanity’s role within the present day. This understanding has allowed him to craft a vision for a peaceful and prosperous world and its coming re-birth in the eternal life of the Hereafter. Instead of apocalyptic visions of clashing religions and civilizations, Gülen envisions eschatological fulfillment of the world, and thus meets the reader as a man of devout and informed hope. This seminal hope manifests itself in the determined actions of the committed men and women working to end ignorance, poverty, and disunity in today’s world.

About the Author:

Dr. Walter H. Wagner is adjunct faculty at Moravian Theological Seminary (Bethlehem, PA) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor (ELCA), retired from parish ministry. He has taught at California, Lutheran College, Upsala College and Muhlenberg College, and served as the director for theological education of the Lutheran Church in America. He is the author of a number of articles on early church history and Islam as well as books including “After the Apostles: Christianity in the second century” and “Opening the Quran: Introducing Islam’s Holy Book.”

Tags: | |


Related News

Fethullah Gulen’s interview with The Wall Street Journal

A broad spectrum of Turkish people, including Hizmet participants, supported AKP for democratizing reforms, for ending the military tutelage over politics and for moving Turkey forward in the EU accession process. We have always supported what we believed to be right and in line with democratic principles. But we have also criticized what we saw as wrong and contrary to those principles.

Hizmet, politics and political parties

In the past, the Hizmet movement never formed alliances or got involved in an organic relationship with any political party. At the same time, it never ever demanded anything from political parties that strayed outside of the above-outlined principles, or was contrary to rights, the law, democracy, merit or the will of God. The Hizmet movement gains its strength from this fullness of heart and independence.

Islamic scholar Gülen calls on praying for Palestinians, Syrians

Islamic scholar and prominent Turkish figure Fethullah Gülen has called on his followers to pray for an end to the current tribulations in Syria and Palestine, according to Herkül.org, a website close to the movement. Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania but remains an influential figure on Turkey’s political scene, said the problems […]

Hizmet’s role in global peace, interfaith dialogue highlighted in African conference

The role of the Gülen movement, also known as the Hizmet movement, has been highlighted during an international conference held in the Republic of Benin attended by African religious leaders and intellectuals.

Fethullah Gülen suggests Turkish coup attempt could have been staged

Islamic cleric who has been blamed by Turkey’s president for the coup attempt on Friday evening gives a rare interview and suggests that the event may have been staged by the Turkish government as a way to shore up power and excuse further arrests of those who oppose Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Chicago organization welcomes new scrutiny amid fallout of failed Turkish military coup

“The Hizmet movement has nothing to hide,” Alexander said. “We’re hoping people can learn more about it. Since Gulen is being accused of this, there will be greater scrutiny of the Hizmet movement, and we invite that scrutiny.”

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Arbil closer to İstanbul than Baghdad

Local, foreign participants debate Turkish democracy at Abant platform

Shutting down prep schools against free enterprise, analysts say

Gülen extends condolences to MHP over official’s death

Turkish government defiant as battle over prep schools rises

You cannot explain it!

UN and Turkish charity provide 17,000 Syrian refugees with financial aid

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News