eschatological

American  

[es-kuh-tl-oj-i-kuhl, e-skat-l-] / ˌɛs kə tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl, ɛˌskæt l- /

adjective

1. Theology. having to do with eschatology, a system of doctrines concerning final matters, such as death, the Judgment, the afterlife, etc..

   This scenario stems from a perception of the world as morally imperfect, and a desire for its eschatological redemption.

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Other Word Forms

• eschatologically adverb

Etymology

Origin of eschatological

eschatolog(y) + -ical ( def. )

Explanation

Prophets, philosophers and theologians are all deeply concerned with eschatological issues, that is to say issues that are to do with divine judgement, the ultimate fate of mankind and the destiny of the soul. Eschatological content is heavy stuff, and fortunately not the sort of word that comes up often in casual conversation. Don't confuse eschatological with scatological, which sounds very similar but has a totally different meaning. To be scatological means to be unhealthily obsessed with excrement, or at the very least overly fond of bathroom humor. Keep your death jokes and poop jokes separate, please.

Example Sentences

They generally held that the system and its systemic evils should be immediately overthrown, and welcomed the Civil War as a type of eschatological event.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2024

At times, I was troubled by the utopianism running through this work, a preference for monks and eschatological dreamers over people who make an actual difference.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2023

Whorisky and her designers have played up these eschatological hints with bold surrealistic touches.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 23, 2022

All these eschatological fantasies have a long and tortuous history, from the crazy Russian cosmists to Wernher von Braun and his crew, who built the U.S. space program.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2022

His preaching was allegorical and eschatological, and avoided the doctrines of satisfaction and justification.

From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.