Death and Eschatology with Andrew T.J. Kaethler

"The last things all hinge on death. Death is the passage that leads to judgment, purgatory, resurrection, and so forth," writes theologian Andrew T.J. Kaethler, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Theology at Catholic Pacific College, in his recent article for Humanum Review, “Eschatology: Dying to Live.”
In this episode, Andrew and Bobby talk to Prof. Kaethler about his article and book, The Eschatological Person: Alexander Schmemann and Joseph Ratzinger in Dialogue, which highlights the importance of eschatology in the theology of Pope Benedict XVI.

[@erric288]

I understand the reductionism of the idea that my goal in life is to make it to heaven, that is, to die in a State of Grace (friendship with God). Many even say they only hope to sneak into purgatory. It's a minimalist form of Catholicism that was typical of the preconciliar era where the layity was merely expected to follow the 10 commandments and basic precepts of the Church. But even many Saints have had a similar attitude of self-abasment and scrupulosity under the guise of humility that I find somewhat disturbing. What does this say about their vision of the eschaton, and do you think there was a degradation vis-a-vis the Church Fathers?

[@andrewpetiprin1709]

Good comment and question. I would say that good eschatology inspires more hope, which lessens the burden of faith. That is, thinking the right away about death and redemption makes it easier to live as a Catholic. The saints of the past who inherited a popular piety with regard to eschatology that was too formulaic and too limited are to be admired for their faith, the cultivation of which was a little more difficult without as much hope!

[@erric288]

@andrewpetiprin1709 Thank you for the reply, and thank you for giving me a more positive way of understanding some of the great Saints in our tradition.