Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life (Dogmatic Theology, Vol 9) (Paperback)

by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Author), Pope Benedict XVI (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes
Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Catholic University of America Press (September 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813206332
• ISBN-13: 978-0813206332
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,354 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Clear and Precise Work of Theology, October 10, 2005

By	Mark D. Merlino (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life" is a very mature and thorough study of this difficult topic. Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, originally wrote this book in German, as the final volume in a series on Dogmatic Theology. It is a very professional piece of scholarship and is the culmination of twenty years worth of research.

In this book, Ratzinger writes in a very clear and direct style, but as it is an academic piece, it does presuppose some background knowledge in Christian theology. The book begins by asking the questions, what do people think, and why do they think this. The beauty of this work is that it is an understandable but incredibly thorough study of the Judeo-Christian intellectual history for the topics of death and eternal life.

The book begins with an overview of the perspectives in contemporary Biblical scholarship on the issues of death, judgment and an afterlife. It explains in very simple terms what the Bible says on these topics and how this has been interpreted in Christian history. How various questions associated with death were approached in the Old Testament, the New Testament and in the Tradition of the Church, right up to the present day.

The final sections of the book make a close analysis of numerous questions of what was and is meant by Immortality, the Resurrection of the Dead, Final Judgment, Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. The book then finishes with an updated overview of contemporary approaches, written by then Cardinal Ratzinger on the occasion on the translation of this book into English in 1987.

If you want to really understand what Christianity teaches about death and an afterlife and why this is so, this book is for you.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dense, Well-Written Theological Treatise on the "Last Things", February 11, 2006

By	Matthew K. Minerd "The Coding Catholic" (Herdon, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Note: Any references to Pope Benedict XVI as Joseph Ratzinger in this review are not meant to slight him, but only to refer to him in his ecclesial context when he wrote this book. Now on to the review:

In "Eschatology ...", Joseph Ratzinger and Johann Auer lay forth a timely study in the "Last Things" according to a truly Catholic view point. While the text is an erudite, theological (and mildly philosophical) discussion of eschatology, it should not be viewed as being overwhelming for the reader. Anyone who has a true interest in the full foundation of Catholicism's stand on humanity's final destiny should read this.

A great strength of the treatise is its reflection upon modern theological thoughts with respect to Catholic Tradition. While many readers may not know of the thinkers of the last two centuries by name, we all live in the world which has been effected by their thoughts. Ratzinger and Auer show where some of these thinkers have departed from the Christian notion of the end of time. This is not performed in a polemic fashion. Instead, each subject is shown in light of its Old Testament roots, through the New Testament, and into continuous Church Tradition. In doing this, the authors help to refine the philosophical and theological thoughts of the readers. They show the pitfalls inherent in various modes of thinking, allowing the reader to see the Truth more clearly.

Perhaps the greatest strength, however, is not its theological erudition (in the pure sense). It is the fact that the text is soaked with the realization of Christianity as a religion of community. It emphasizes that we find our end in a Person, namely Christ and how this relates to all that we do in life.

For any one who is interested in the Catholic response to questions on the final destiny of mankind, I truly suggest this text. No matter how difficult it may seem, stick with it (and reread when necessary). You will find that it is time well spent.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Respice finem, September 18, 2008

By	Agape "Deus Caritas Est" (Atlantic Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life (Paperback)

I am constantly surprised every time I read a book by Pope Benedict XVI how someone with his vast & profound theological knowledge can convey it's essentials to an ordinary layman. I had to have my trusty Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms in tackling this book; however I learned a great deal. Ratzinger's prose is so clear & concise and is accessible to all.
A rich & rewarding reading experience. I highly recommend this book to lay Catholics who would like to delve deeper into Eschatology.