On Loving with Hope: Eschatology and Social Responsibility

The purpose of this short article is to argue that it is both possible and theologically wise to construct Christian social ethics within the framework of belief in the eschatological continuity between present and future creation. This is a response to Stephen Williams' article, but is also a development of my own line of thought.¹

Williams calls into question the general position that a this-wordly eschatology is the best or even an adequate framework for thinking about Christian social responsibility. I will respond in five short steps. First, I will say why one should construct Christian social ethics within an eschatological framework. Second, I will argue in favour of eschatological transformation instead of annihilation of the (non-human) creation. Third, I shall draw some implications for social ethics from the belief in eschatological transformation. Fourth, I will discuss the plausibility of believing in the integration of the results of human work into God's new creation. Finally, I will reflect on the bearing of the fact and form of eschatological transformation on Christian cultural, social and ecological involvement.