Eschatology

Definition

Eschatology is the study of the final events in the history of the world or of humankind, particularly the Second Coming of Christ and the related events, such as the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. It is a key concept in the philosophical and religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Eschatology is concerned with the ultimate destiny of humanity and the universe, often involving the concepts of the afterlife, the return of a messiah, and the end of the world.
2. In Judaism, eschatological beliefs focus on the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth.
3. Christian eschatology centers around the Second Coming of Christ, the Last Judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.
4. Islamic eschatology includes beliefs about the return of Jesus, the emergence of the Mahdi, the final judgment, and the establishment of a just and peaceful society.
5. Eschatological beliefs have shaped the worldviews, ethical frameworks, and social movements within these religious and philosophical traditions.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of eschatology in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic philosophy.
  • Eschatology, the study of the final events in the history of the world or of humankind, is a central concept in the philosophical and religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Judaism, eschatological beliefs focus on the coming of the Messiah, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of God's kingdom on Earth. Christian eschatology centers around the Second Coming of Christ, the Last Judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. Islamic eschatology includes beliefs about the return of Jesus, the emergence of the Mahdi, the final judgment, and the establishment of a just and peaceful society. Eschatological beliefs have profoundly shaped the worldviews, ethical frameworks, and social movements within these religious and philosophical traditions.
• Analyze the connections between the concept of eschatology and the notions of messianism and millenarianism in the context of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic philosophy.
  • Eschatology is closely linked to the concepts of messianism and millenarianism in the philosophical and religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Messianism, the belief in or expectation of a messiah who will redeem or save the world, is a central theme in all three of these traditions and is closely tied to eschatological beliefs about the final events in human history. Millenarianism, the belief in a golden age or thousand-year period of peace and justice on Earth, is also often associated with eschatological ideas, particularly the Second Coming of Christ in Christianity. The interconnectedness of these concepts reflects the deep-seated human desire for redemption, justice, and the ultimate fulfillment of the divine plan, which are at the heart of eschatological thought across these philosophical and religious traditions.
• Evaluate the role of eschatology in shaping the worldviews, ethical frameworks, and social movements within Jewish, Christian, and Islamic philosophy.
  • Eschatological beliefs have had a profound impact on the worldviews, ethical frameworks, and social movements within the philosophical and religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Eschatology, the study of the final events in the history of the world or of humankind, has shaped the way adherents of these traditions view their place in the grand scheme of things and their responsibilities in the face of impending divine judgment or the establishment of a new, just order. Beliefs about the coming of a messiah, the resurrection of the dead, the Last Judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and earth have informed ethical codes, social reforms, and apocalyptic movements that have sought to align the present world with the anticipated future. The centrality of eschatology in these traditions reflects the deep human desire for redemption, justice, and the ultimate fulfillment of the divine plan, which have been key drivers of philosophical and religious thought throughout history.

Related terms

Apocalypse: The complete final destruction of the world, as described in the biblical book of Revelation.

Messianism: The belief in or expectation of a messiah who will redeem or save the world, a central theme in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Millenarianism: The belief that there will be a golden age or thousand-year period of peace and justice on Earth, often associated with the second coming of Christ.