The Profound Persistence of Christian Eschatological Structures in the Western World Today

Abstract

Christian eschatology has left an indelible mark on the fabric of Western thought, infiltrating and shaping its fundamental ideological structures. Even in an era defined by pronounced secularism, these doctrinal foundations persist with remarkable tenacity. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how Christian narratives of history, imbued with eschatological hope—particularly those articulated in the paradigmatic works of Saint Augustine, The City of God and The Confessions—continue to exert influence on philosophical speculation, the political sphere, visions of technical-scientific progress, and strategic responses to current environmental crises. This work argues that the attempt to forge an entirely secular reality is an illusion. The very structure of our thought is nothing more than the legacy of a Christian worldview that has been recontextualized, metamorphosed, and sometimes secularized in its form and function. Through this analysis, it will be revealed how the patterns and structures of Christian eschatological thought have not only withstood the passage of time but continue to emerge as enduring signals in the collective psyche of Western civilization, influencing interpretations of history and our contemporary stances.