Protestant Theology

Abstract

Abstract The doctrine of the last things concerns both the ultimate destiny of the human race and the end of the world of which humans are a part. It points to the coherence of God's mysteries and to the right way of perceiving salvation, to God's redemption of humanity through its calling into the community of faithful people, and finally to God's last judgment and radical renewal of the world. This concept attempts to offer comprehensive answers to a number of questions: What are the last things? Why are they the end? And where will we finally be? As a compilation of the subjects of hope, eschatology takes on the question: What may we hope—in the face of death? Yet the discussion of this question is embedded in the perception of God's acting from the beginning of world and time, which culminates in Jesus Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. This article deals with the theology of Protestants, eschatology and the destination of history, radical eschatology, and the views of Friedrich Schleiermacher and Karl Barth.