Christian Understanding of "Last Things"

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a Christian perspective of "last things," including death, judgment, heaven and hell. The paper details the basis of Christian eschatology or the extent to which the life and death of Jesus may be considered eschatological. Further the researcher explores whether Christian eschatology has application to those other than Christians and what the difference and relationship between individual and general eschatology are. Finally, the paper explores whether humanity and reality have an ultimate purpose or goal.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Christian Eschatology
Applications of Eschatology
Do Humanity and Reality Have an Ultimate Purpose or Goal?
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"Salvation for some may be considered differently than for another. Here is where it is important to differentiate between individual eschatology and general eschatology. While generally eschatology refers to matters of life and death including the notion that one may rise to heaven or hell, individuals may interpret "last things" in differing ways. One's heaven may be another's hell even within the scope of the Christian faith and ideals. Even among Christian entities there is much controversy and disagreement about what occurs after death. For example, as mentioned previous there is some belief among Roman Catholics that all mankind is subject to an in-between state or purgatory. Traditionalists would argue that this is a foundation for Christian Eschatology, however members of Orthodox sects may argue otherwise."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anatolios, K. & Clifford, R. (2005). "Christian salvation: Biblical and theological perspectives." Theological Studies, 66(4): 739.
• Got Questions Ministries. (2006). "What is Christian Eschatology?" Got Questions Ministries, 11, April 2006: <http://www.gotquestions.org/Eschatology.html>
• Petry, R.C. (1956). Christian eschatology and social thought: A historical essay on the social implications of some selected aspects in Christian Eschatology to A.D. 1500. New York: Abingdon Press.
• Phan, P.C. (1994). "Contemporary context and issues in Eschatology." Theological Studies, 44(3): 507.
• Wikipedia. (2005, July). "Christian Eschatology." Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 11, April 2006: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology>

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