The impact of eschatological differences in Catholic and Lutheran traditions on modern understanding of God’s creation

Abstract

In his book on the roots of secularisation of Western society, Charles Taylor singled out three main domains in which the category of God, once deeply rooted in the premodern period, lost its essential role. He spoke of the physical world that surrounded people, the social order, such as a kingdom, polis, and Church, and finally the “enchanted” world in its fullness. He noted that in the year 1500 one could hardly imagine anyone who would not have faith in God; however, in 2000 many consider this not only a plausible alternative, but also, in many cases, an inevitable choice.