ESCATOLOGIA CRISTÃ E PRÁXIS.

This article deals with the relationship between Christian eschatology and praxis, focusing on the eschatological dimension of the present. Historically, classical eschatology was concerned with the absolute future and ignored the historical present. Present life was relegated to the condition of probation. Eschatology was seen as Christian futurology. In the second half of the 20th century, the theologies of praxis discovered the eschatological dimension of the present. Eschatology comes to be seen as the theological discipline that concerns ultimate realities drawn from penultimate realities. The historical present gains eschatological visibility. By dealing with the present, eschatology develops a critical and liberating aspect. The bibliographical methodology employed in the article is in line with the theologians of praxis (political theology, liberation theology, and the theology of hope) as well as with commentators on the practical dimension of theology. The methodological approach reflects on the eschatological dimension of Jesus’ activity, the eschatological density of the historical present, the eschatological aspect of the theologies of praxis, and the relationship between eschatology and ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]