Eschatology: Death and the Eternal Life

by Pope Benedict XVI

Originally published in English in 1988, Joseph Ratzinger's Eschatology remains internationally recognized as a leading text on the "last things"--heaven and hell, purgatory and judgment, death and the immortality of the soul. This highly anticipated second edition includes a new preface by Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI and a supplement to the bibliography by theologian Peter A. Casarella.

Eschatology presents a balanced perspective of the doctrine at the center of Christian belief--the Church's faith in eternal life. Recognizing the task of contemporary eschatology as "to marry perspectives, so that person and community, present and future, are seen in their unity," Joseph Ratzinger brings together recent emphasis on the theology of hope for the future with the more traditional elements of the doctrine. His book has proven to be as timeless as it is timely.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Originally Joseph Ratzinger , a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.

After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.

Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.

Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.

Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.

Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.

(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)

Reviews

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of this are so dense I can't say I came even close to understanding them. Ratzinger meticulously outlines theological views throughout Christian, Jewish and pagan timelines before he comes to a point of synthesis. These are tough to cut through, but they lead to high points such as "The Theology of Death" and "Heaven." These two sections especially convey such incredibly important truths I wish they could be communicated to every person I know: life is love and Heaven is Christ. Ratzinger's vivid Christology informs absolutely every theological idea he puts forth.

[Jacob Torbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ratzinger's text on eschatology is likely still one of the better volumes on the subject, and one of his best works, in my opinion. In this book, he traces the development of the concept of afterlife from pre-Christian Judaism and Hellenism through history to now, discussing the validity of our own popular notions of the soul, heaven, hell, and resurrection. This book is still cited by contemporary Catholic theologians, and is worth reading on its own merits.

[Michael Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart; some tough sledding, but the effort is worth the view.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I recently finished a MA in Theology and I wanted to keep my brain active even though I wasn't taking classes anymore. This book is definitely not for beginners! I probably only understood about 50% of it, but what I did understand was exquisite. Understanding even a little bit more about eschatology gives you a whole new perspective on everything from the sacraments to christology to Scripture to sin. The list goes on. When you begin to see the whole of the Christian faith in eschatological terms, it casts everything in a whole new light, and there is a whole new level of cohesion and beauty. I still love Ratzinger, but this book unlike many of his other works should only be approached by someone with a solid theological background.

[Stephen Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Let us say it once more before we end: the individual's salvation is whole and entire only when the salvation of the cosmos and all the elect has come to full fruition."

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book, written by Joseph Ratzinger for his seminary students at Regensburg, lives up to the promise of its foreword:

"My experience with this subject has been somewhat curious. I began rather boldly with a set of theses which were then still uncommon but are now almost universally accepted in Catholic circles: that is, I tried to construct a "de-Platonized" eschatology. However, the more I dealt with the questions and immersed myself in the sources, the more the antitheses I had set up fell to pieces in my hands and in their place I saw the inner logic of the Church's tradition stand forth."

By engaging with the modern (mostly German) theologians, and bringing them into conversation with the Bible, philosophy, and the ancient teachings of the Church, Ratzinger arrives at an expression of eschatology that is entirely consistent with the established teachings of Christianity, while strengthened through its dialogue with, and ultimate rejection of, inferior modern alternatives.

In particular, this book focuses on the nature of the human soul, and what the resurrection and eternal life, as well as the Second Coming of Christ, mean in the context of Christian belief.

I recommend it to anyone with an interest in theology.

[Fr. Nicholas Blackwell, O. Carm. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a theologically dense but nourishing text. His long section on the theology of death will provide one many different points to ponder over, particularly in relationship to Christ and the church. I also found his reflections on the notion of judgment and the eternal life of heaven to be quite beautiful because he roots them in the notion of a relationship. Overall I’m happy I read the book. I know certain sections I will be returning to regularly for spiritual nourishment and support in my ministry.

[Ray LaManna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in my long-term investigation of issues related to eschatology, or life after death. Since I'm getting older I feel it's an important topic to explore. Pope Benedict's book is a highly technical and theological exploration-if you don't have an advanced degree in theology or Scripture it might be very difficult to read. However, it does provide some very important insights derived over the past 3000 years of Judeo-Christian history.

[Sam Fink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very deep and a difficult read for those not well grounded in the subject. Extensively based on prior German authors on the subject.

[Jack Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having now finished it, I think the definitive theme must be development of doctrine. Ratzinger is at pains to show the history of doctrines and how they follow an unfolding trajectory. As philosophy develops we gain new conceptual tools that help us to build on Scripture and Tradition in a clearer way. This can involve discarding outdated concepts but not without integrating the fundamental insight that the previous models sought to highlight and preserve. Each previous conception in the Tradition seeks to respond to a highlighted problem, but they do not always respond perfectly. We must be willing to take their insights and transcend them.

What we can't do is seek to return to some archaic conception as if it perfectly preserves the unadulterated truth untainted by historical extravaganzas. Protestant Biblicism is fundamentally misguided because the Bible preserves ancient Semitic conceptions that need to be built on and developed in-line with a development inherent in the Bible itself. Ratzinger shows how the NT itself takes familiar Jewish conceptions of anthropology and philosophy and develops them in line with Christology; their content is enlightened in the light of Christ, God become man. It is the job of Tradition to continue to unfold that understanding in line with the revelation of Christ.

Further, he takes issue with the historical-critical method that also seeks to return to a pure 'primitive' form of Christianity, disregarding development even in the NT itself where the later John builds on the insights of the synoptics, etc. To see some reconstructed primitive 'sayings of Jesus' as the true kernel of the Gospel is to misunderstand the fundamental trajectory of revelation. True theology lies between a stolid archism and heretical modernism, which poses that dogma evolves and changes. Instead doctrine develops, while remaining fundamentally continuous.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The irony of a confessional, reformed Baptist highly rating a book on eschatology written by (a former) “Antichrist” is not lost on me. But, what am I to do? So much of this book was marvelous (even if some of it was repulsive to me a red-blooded Protestant).

[Ghartman17022 · Rating 5 out of 5]

profound and dense treatment of the last things

This was a really helpful read, especially when he connects purgatory to the community of the saints. There is also a profound critique of post-conciliar theology on the subject of resurrection.

[Gianluca Palamidessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una delle migliori opere di Ratzinger (mi sbilancio).
Lettura fondamentale.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratzinger's textbook on the last things is very strong on the debates swirling around the nature of the soul, the body-soul relationship, and the temporal aspects of eschatology. Purgatory is adequately treated and heaven inspires some of that fine Ratzingerian theological poetry, but hell is handled briefly and not in much depth. He seems to want to just get it out if the way. That said, it's a good treatment of the subject, but probably not the introduction novice should turn to.

[Simonne]

A definite text book type of reading, wanted the author to get to the point but many comparison work between certain religious to come up with answers that weren't really answered or maybe I just didn't understand, it is a book of a real knowledgeable person in eschatology, next time I will look for eschatology for dummies, I may understand it better. However, not to knock off this book, it is real informative for those that are actually studying the topic not a book to get quick answers.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. This book is so good. Please read if you have any confusion about the Church's view of Eschatology.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, as usual! Definitely a dense read, but I hope to understand more when I re-read it someday.

[DOUGLAS]

paradise

[Fr. Daniel Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is one of my favorite theologians because of his faithfulness to the traditions of the Church, his exceptionally clear language and thought processes, and his insights into difficult questions of theology. His book about Eschatology is no exception.

He does not discuss immediately the most common questions of heaven, hell, and purgatory. This is a book of theology, not of catechesis, so he does not dwell on explaining why we Catholics believe what we believe. But the book goes more into theological discussions among Catholic (and non-Catholic) theologians which I never even knew existed.

I found that the current difficulties with eschatology are no simple matter. How do we reconcile a personal judgment with a final judgment? What happens to us until the day when Jesus comes in glory? When our soul is separated from the body, can we really enjoy being with God fully? How do we reconcile the ancient Jewish and Pauline notion of resurrection from the dead with the Greek notion of immortality of the soul?

Ratzinger phenomenally lays out all of the different perspectives and explains the difficulties at hand. His language is a bit difficult, but after having read several things by him (and after three years of theology study) I am able to understand him far more clearly than many other theologians of the last 100 years.

I learned a great deal and gained more insight into these problems and questions. I highly recommend this for anyone who is ready for a serious reader about eschatology and wants to probe the depths of the unknown things to come.

[Dcn. Benj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratzinger’s Eschatology is written within the context of a larger conversation spanning decades in his living memory and beyond. As such, his work is often addressing errors, pulling insights, and generating an orthodox synthesis of contemporary and ancient eschatology. I was struck repeatedly by his penetrating spiritual insights. However, his work sometimes fails to strike a balance between addressing contemporary eschatological errors while retaining clarity of focus. I wish he would have either addressed his contemporaries more thoroughly or passed over them more quickly. Nevertheless, many of these sections have already dug new wells for prayer and reflection! An excellent read!

[Filip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eschatology is, on his own words, best book pope Ratzinger wrote. Pope talks about death, soul, hell and heaven, themes that are very much silent even in the Catholic Church itself (I can't remmember have I ever heard homily that talks about hell in the church). Pope talks about these ancient themes and tryes to bring them to the modern world.
Book is great but bad news is that it is not light read. It is very heavy at the moments and really hard to fallow.

[Nathan Suire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ratzinger’s book on eschatology is mainly an engagement with Protestant German scholars who use the historical critical method to address historical and philosophical problems, especially the soul- body relation and the resurrection. It is a little outdated for the 21st century since most of the scholars he engages with were obscure and minor theologians.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early work of the greatest theologian of our time. Rough going for those not familiar with basic theology, but excellent for those who have some study under their belt. The addenda are particularly valuable. Some of Benedict XVI's later works are more accessible and offer more clarity, but for those who love theology this is an important work.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ratzinger’s Eschatology provides a good overview of the Church’s teachings on the last things. There is a good mapping of the historical developments of topics relying on philosophy, scripture, tradition, and other relevant sources. Ratzinger also offers clear and concise conclusions.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, in-depth, very helpful, deeply biblical

[Milana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dense, very concise and very scholarly. I admit I didn't always flow with the train of thought he established. Also, I'd call his views on dualism a tad traditionalist. Otherwise a good read.

[Carolyn Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ratzinger, and I miss him!

[Thomas Zwilling]

Somehow stumbled across a PDF of this. Classic Ratzinger, methodical and never too convoluted.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense, but very enlightening. Highly recommend.

[Massimo Fantini · Rating 1 out of 5]

The apology of the lies told by the bible and the catholic religion.