The Life of the World to Come: Resurrection, Seeing God, and the Christian Hope

by Isaac Augustine Morales, OP

What do Christians hope for? The historic creeds, rooted in Scripture, emphasize the resurrection of the body. Alongside the creeds, the Western Christian tradition holds out hope that one day we will see God face-to-face--the beatific vision. Yet recent studies on eschatology tend to focus on one or the other of these aspects, rarely explaining how the two might be brought together.

The Life of the World to Come offers an integrated approach to this question. Beginning with Genesis, Isaac Morales argues that human beings are made for dominion over creation, participation in God's rest, and worship. The Christian hope, Morales contends, must incorporate all three of these ends. Drawing on Scripture and the insights of Irenaeus, Augustine, and Aquinas, he explores both the vision of God and the resurrection hope, demonstrating how they are united, above all, in the church's worship.

Mining the riches of Scripture and tradition, this book presents a compelling interpretation of Christian hope that integrates bodily resurrection with humanity's deep desire for knowledge of, and love fulfilled in, God. Written for scholars, students, and clergy interested in eschatology, this work will appeal to Catholic and Protestant readers alike.

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

The youngest of four children, Fr. Isaac Morales was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He received a BSE in civil engineering from Duke University, an MTS with a concentration in biblical studies from the University of Notre Dame, and a PhD in New Testament from Duke University. Before joining the Order of Preachers, he worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Theology at Marquette University and attended St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Milwaukee. “I was drawn to the Dominicans largely because of the Order’s rich theological patrimony, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, but also out of a desire to pray and live out the Christian life in a community of brothers. Our common life of prayer and fraternity keeps me focused on the importance of discipleship to Jesus Christ and strengthens me to be a witness to the gospel in a world desperately in need of hope.”