LIVING IN THE ESCHATA: THE END OF CHRISTENDOM AND PROSPECTS FOR A GLOBAL SPIRITUALISM

ABSTRACT. This paper investigates the theological trope of the end of Christendom – the Eschata – and the prospects of global spiritualism through the work of the New Zealand radical theologian, Lloyd Geering. The paper focuses on Geering’s The World to Come: From Christian Past to Global Future as a means of exploring notions and movements associated with ‘post-theology’ and its origins. The paper discusses the sociology of religion by reference to Weber on secularization and Habermas on ‘post-secularization’ as a necessary background in order to assess grander claims concerning the decline of religion in the wake of globalization and prospects for a global spiritualism. (pp. 11–29)