Abstract

The purpose of the dissertation was to analyze select contemporary Christian interpretations of personal eschatology. The dissertation evaluated each of the theological positions in light of theological issues surrounding personal eschatology and the unique strengths and weaknesses of these views. ;Chapter 1 dealt with the significance of the subject. The chapter focused on death as a necessary prelude to personal eschatology. Chapter 1 considered the socio-religious concern surrounding death and various interpretations of the significance of death. The final task of the chapter was to present five theological issues which the author believed were critical to personal eschatology. ;Five chapters presented the personal eschatologies of the select theologians. Ladislaus Boros was the focus of chapter 2. Boros argued that the moment of death was not only a temporal moment but a point of transition. ;Chapter 3 presented the personal eschatology of Nels Ferre. Ferre saw the love of God as being determinative for personal eschatology. He also argued that all of creation was interconnected. Therefore, he concluded that if the personal eschatology of one person included salvation, then all will be saved. ;Chapter 4 dealt with Emil Brunner's interpretation of personal eschatology. Brunner maintained that human beings are beings unto death. He concluded that any hope of immortality required the creative initiative of God. ;Chapter 5 considered Oscar Cullmann's interpretation of personal eschatology. Cullmann saw death as an enemy and a destroyer. Cullmann presented a detailed argument which refuted the Platonic doctrine of the Natural Immortality of the Soul. He concluded that the dead enter into an intermediate state until the parousia. ;Chapter 6 presented the personal eschatology of John Hick. Hick presented a global theology of death. He argued that this life is followed by a "pareschatology" which consisted of several incarnations in various worlds. He concluded that every person would eventually be purified and enjoy fellowship with God. ;The final chapter compared and contrasted the interpretations of personal eschatology in this dissertation. In addition, the author offered his interpretation of personal eschatology. Chapter 7 concluded with some suggestions for further study of personal eschatology