Thomas Rausch, SJ, approaches his latest book with the conviction that one cant write about eschatology without also addressing issues involving Christology, soteriology, the mission of the church, and the liturgy. He faces squarely the question of what eschatology suggests about our salvation, both now and in the world to come.

Schwarz guides readers through the range of opinions on the subject of the future, telling how readers' understanding of eschatology has developed and laying out the factors that must be considered when speaking meaningfully about the Christian hope in the 21st century. He surveys the teachings about the future in the Old and New Testaments and addresses the views of Christian and secular thinkers throughout history.

Does matter matter? The scientific picture of the end of the physical Universe has undergone dramatic changes since the turn of the 21st century, with its future characterized by accelerated expansion and futility. Yet Christian theology has been largely silent on this, despite the interest in eschatology in popular culture and in theology itself. What can Christian theology learn from and contribute to the scientific picture of the future of the Universe? Can the biblical narratives of creation and new creation have a fruitful dialogue with scientific discoveries? David Wilkinson shows what a fruitful dialogue this can be. Critiquing the folk eschatology of the Left Behind series, the misguided faith of the scientific optimists and the lack of scientific engagement of the theologians of hope, Wilkinson argues for a rediscovery of the theological theme of new creation and the centrality of bodily resurrection.

The early part of this book is concerned with what it is in human existence that is addressed by the message of hope in the Scriptures. The final four chapters present that divine promise for human destiny and the understanding of it as it is reflected on in contemporary theology. Although directed mainly to advanced students of theology, this book discusses issues which are of interest to many believers today whose knowledge about matters of religion has not kept pace with their knowledge of the secular disciplines.

Probes Christian wisdom and contemporary thought to help us give and accounting for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15) in troubled and uncertain times.