Progress, Apocalypticism and the Completion of History, and Life after Death in the World Religions: Introduction

Abstract

The progress of history and the idea of individual life after death appear to be two ideas that do not lie at the same level. The progress always comes too late for the dead; and the individual person always dies too early to benefit from the progress of humanity. The theme of this book, therefore, brings together two themes that are often not regarded as belonging together: the theme of history, of progress, of the apocalyptic end and the eschatological completion of history; and the theme of life after death and the resurrection of the human person. There is tension between these two themes. The progress of history does not seem to mean much to the individual who strives for his salvation and resurrection or for his release from the cycle of rebirth. Of what value to the individual is the progress that can be realized within a single human lifespan in comparison to eternal life in glory? One might think that the interest in personal salvation exceeds the interest in the progress of the community and of humanity so much that little room remains for interest or even the engagement in the progress of humanity. There is even less interest in the progress of history and in individual life after death for the person who is convinced of the apocalyptic end of the world and of history.KeywordsHuman PersonHuman RaceSocial ProgressWorld ReligionEternal LifeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.