What does eschatology mean?
Eschatology is the branch of theology that deals with what are traditionally called the "last things": death, judgment, the afterlife, and the ultimate destiny of both individuals and humanity as a whole. The word derives from the Greek eschatos, meaning "last," combined with -logy, meaning "study." Within Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other faiths, eschatology addresses questions such as resurrection, heaven and hell, the end of the world, and a final divine judgment. The term also extends beyond religion: scholars sometimes speak of secular or political eschatologies when describing belief systems that imagine an ultimate goal or culmination of history, such as certain utopian ideologies. Related forms include the adjective eschatological, the adverb eschatologically, and the noun eschatologist. Eschatology carries a formal, scholarly register and appears chiefly in theology, philosophy of religion, and comparative religious studies rather than everyday conversation.
nounThe branch of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind; more broadly, any body of beliefs about the end of the world or the ultimate fate of humanity.
- The part of theology dealing with death, judgment, heaven, hell, and the final destiny of humanity.
- Any systematic set of beliefs about the end of the world or ultimate human destiny, including secular or political versions.
"The professor's lecture traced how medieval eschatology shaped European ideas of history as moving toward a final judgment."
"The book surveys Christian eschatology across centuries of thought about resurrection and final judgment."
"Some historians describe Marxism's vision of a classless future as a form of secular eschatology."
The plural is uncommon but appears when comparing the end-time beliefs of different traditions or thinkers.
"Comparative religion courses often survey the divergent eschatologies of the world's major faiths."
Eschatology comes from Greek 'eschatos,' meaning 'last' — it is literally the study of last things, from the last day to the last judgment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eschatology
Eschatology derives from Greek eschatos, meaning "last" or "furthest," combined with -logia, meaning "study" or "discourse." The term entered English in the mid-19th century, coined within German Protestant theological scholarship before spreading into English usage. It shares its root with other words built on eschatos, such as eschaton, a term theologians use for the final event in divine history.
Related word forms
How eschatology is actually used
Eschatology is a formal, scholarly term used mainly in religious studies, philosophy, and academic writing; in casual speech it can sound pedantic or overly technical.
Easily confused with eschatology
Entomology is the scientific study of insects, while eschatology is the theological study of death, judgment, and end times.