Overview

Eschatology (Greek eschatos “last”) is the study of “The End.” It covers the end of your life (death), the end of the world (apocalypse), and what comes after (heaven/hell).

Core Idea

The core idea is Telos (Purpose/Goal). History isn’t just one damn thing after another; it is heading somewhere. There is a finale.

Formal Definition

The theology of last things.

  • Personal Eschatology: Death, immortality, judgment.
  • Cosmic Eschatology: The end of the age, the return of God, the new creation.

Intuition

  • The Third Act: In a movie, the third act resolves the conflict. Eschatology is the belief that the universe has a third act where justice is done and loose ends are tied up.
  • The Horizon: It’s what we look toward. It shapes how we walk today.

Examples

  • Christianity: The Second Coming of Christ, Resurrection of the Dead, Last Judgment.
  • Islam: The Day of Qiyamah.
  • Secular Eschatology: The Heat Death of the Universe, the Singularity, or Climate Collapse.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: It’s just “doom and gloom.”
    • Correction: For believers, it is usually a message of hope. Evil will be defeated; tears will be wiped away.
  • Misconception: It’s about predicting dates.
    • Correction: Most traditions warn against predicting dates. It’s about readiness.
  • Theodicy: Eschatology is often the answer to the problem of evil (justice will be done later).
  • Soteriology: Salvation is often eschatological (saved from judgment).

Applications

  • Ethics: If you believe the world will be renewed, you might care for it. If you believe it will burn, you might not.
  • Politics: “Messianic” political movements often promise a secular utopia (eschaton).

Criticism and Limitations

  • Escapism: “Pie in the sky when you die” can make people tolerate injustice now.

Further Reading

  • Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright