Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 95 No. 3, 2025.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.53745/bs.95.3.5
Eschatological Hope: Imago Peregrinans – Man Between Present Faith and Future Glory
Iva Mršić Felbar
; Catholic Faculty of Theology University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
This paper investigates eschatological hope as a hermeneutical key for understanding the human person created in the image of God (imago Dei) and perfected as imago gloriae. The aim is to contextualise eschatological hope as a theological category that uniquely mirrors the dynamism of the »already–not–yet« paradigm. Hope directs the believer from the present pilgrimage of faith toward fulfilment in the eschaton. It is considered transtemporal, motivating, critical and relational, yet ultimately rooted in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. The main theses rest on relational eschatology, which views the human being as a creature of relationships and, consequently, describes the person as imago peregrinans: a pilgrim habitus that, borne by hope, is transformed toward imago gloriae. The Cross and Resurrection provide hope with a realist and transcendent foundation, preventing its reduction to mere psychological optimism. Finally, hope opens a horizon both for concrete action and for contemplative vision of eschatological reality, toward God who is our hope (cf. Col 1:27).
Keywords
hope; eschatology; imago peregrinans; Jesus Christ; salvation
Hrčak ID:
336771
URI
Publication date:
29.10.2025.
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