"The San Beda students' perception of eschatology towards theological i" by Melanio L. Leal

The San Beda students' perception of eschatology towards theological instruction

Date of Publication

8-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Theology

Subject Categories

Religious Education

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Theology and Religious Education

Thesis Adviser

Ricardo M. Puno

Defense Panel Chair

Luis C. Sembrano

Defense Panel Member

Dalmacito A. Cordero, Jr.
Rito V. Baring
Auria U, Urabit, SdP
Jaime A. Belita, CM

Abstract/Summary

This study examined the implications of San Beda University students’ perceptions on eschatology, specifically, with its corollary doctrines on death, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory and Christ’s second coming (Parousia). It employed quantitative and qualitative approaches. It also utilized the anthropological model by Bevan’s Contextual Theology. The survey research instruments used in this study was Researcher-made Instrument on Eschatology (RIE). This researcher’s made instrument consisted of 120 items with six dimensions namely: death, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory and Christ’s second coming each dimension has 20 items.

The development of the instrument utilized three types of validation namely content validity, face validity, and construct validity. In terms of reliability, internal consistency was used. The table of specification of the final form of the instrument was also provided. The demographic profile of the participants in terms of gender, school, year level, and religious affiliation were described. The descriptive statistics of the six dimensions of the Researcher-made Instrument on Eschatology (RIE) based on mean and standard deviation were provided. Furthermore, inferential statistics were employed to test whether gender and school type have direct effect on students’ eschatological perceptions.
On the other hand, the qualitative component included a critical description and analysis of the eschatological perception of San Beda college student participants and an examination of the implications of the eschatological perceptions on the corollary doctrines in relation to applied theology by derivation of instructional materials in teaching the doctrine at tertiary level education.
In terms of the results of Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficients, which estimate the internal consistencies of all the items per domain revealed that all of the six domains were considered as reliable. The following were the results: Death (0.708), Judgment (0.860), Heaven (0.909), Hell (0.926), Purgatory (0.944), and Parousia or Christ’s second coming (0.932).
Results of the participants’ mean scores and standard deviations in the six eschatological domains yield different outcomes. Their eschatological perception about Heaven (M = 4.03; SD = 0.61) was under agree. While their eschatological perception about Purgatory (M = 3.00; SD = 0.71) was under uncertain. Furthermore, the four remaining eschatological perceptions namely: Death (M = 3.65; SD = 0.46); Judgment (M = 3.58; SD = 0.57); Hell (M = 3.56; SD = 0.74); and Parousia (M = 3.91; SD = 0.67) fall in between uncertain and agree.
In comparing the eschatological perceptions of the participants in terms of gender, no significant differences were noted in Hell and Parousia. But there were significant differences identified under the following domains: Death t (842) = -2.615; p = 0.009; Judgment t (816.775) = -2.168; p = 0.030; Heaven t (827.083) = -2.166; p = 0.031; and Purgatory t (842) = -2.133; p = 0.033. The female participants were noted to have higher mean scores compared to male participants.
In comparing the eschatological perceptions of the participants in terms of school, no significant differences were noted in Death, Judgment and Purgatory. But there were significant differences identified under the following domains: Heaven t (842) = -2.328; p = 0.020; Hell t (842 = -2.060; p = 0.040; and Parousia t (842) = -2.387; p = 0.; and Purgatory t (842) = -2.133; p = 0.033. The participants in San Beda College Alabang campus were noted to have higher mean scores compared to participants in San Beda University Manila campus.
Results of the thematic analysis and theological reflections for superordinate and subordinate emergent themes paved the way for a deeper analysis of this study as follows:
RIE on Death unveiled two superordinate emergent themes: ―Death is inevitable and ―Hope for Eternal Life After Death. This study derived from students’ eschatological perception on death the following subordinate themes emergent which have implications in teaching the doctrine of Christian eschatology in the 21st Century tertiary education, which are as follows: 1) Finality of death, 2) Realizations from Death, 3) Mystery and Sadness of Death, 4) The Components and Model of Death, 5) Love Conquers Death.
RIE on Judgment unveiled one and only superordinate emergent theme based on the students’ disagreement on eschatological perception that ― God will meet the sinful and judge their actions which implied that student participants of this study believed that God is not a punitive God but He is a loving and compassionate God. This study was able to derive from students’ eschatological perception on judgment the following subordinate themes: 1) Judgment as the end of the world and history, 2) God‘s Judgment between Righteous and Wicked, 3) Judgment in God‘s Perfect Time, 4) Reward and Punishment from Judgment, 5) Redemption from Judgment, 6) Reconciliation with God on Judgment, 7) Christ‘s Final Judgment and, 8) Uncertainty and preparedness.
RIE on Heaven unveiled the meanings of superordinate emergent themes based on the students’ agreement on the eschatological perception that ―Heaven is God‘s Grace, and disagreement that ― Heaven is not for those who commit sin and ― Heaven is a State of Mind. Thus, this implied that students’ disagreement would mean that they perceived eschatologically that ― Heaven is Inclusive and ― Heaven is the Ultimate Reality. This study also derived from students’ eschatological perception on heaven the following subordinate themes: 1) Heaven as fullness of life, 2) Heaven as communion of the blessed, 3) Heaven is already experienced here on Earth, 4) Heaven is the Home of the Just and Upright, 5) Heaven as personal relationship and, 6) Heaven as final vision. Synthesis for Thematic Analysis for Hell
RIE on Hell unveiled the meaning of superordinate emergent theme based on the students’ disagreement on the eschatological perception that ―Hell is not real and just a mere imagination. Thus, this implied that students’ disagreement would mean that they perceived eschatologically that ― Hell is real and not just a product of man’s imagination. This study also derived from students’ eschatological perception on hell the following subordinate themes: 1) Hell as a Rejection of God, 2) Hell as a Separation from God, 3) Hell is an alienation from God, 4) Hell as Satan’s dwelling, 5) Hell as a place of darkness 6) Hell as a disturbing concept, 7) Hell as a Punishment for Sin and, 8) Hell’s location.

RIE on Purgatory unveiled the meaning of superordinate emergent theme based on the students’ disagreement on the eschatological perception that ― Purgatory is characterized by punishment (20). Purgatory is an indication of God’s rejection of one’s soul (2). Purgatory is a condition where one is isolated from the Holy Spirit (10). Purgatory is a condition that does not exist (11). Thus, this implied that students’ disagreement in all these items would mean that they perceived eschatologically that ― Purgatory is real and where the soul awaits in love and hope for God’s redemption. This study also derived from students’ eschatological perception on purgatory the following subordinate themes: 1) Purgatory as Soul’s Transitory Formation, 2) Purgatory as Purification, 3) Purgatory as Encounter with God, 4) Purgatory as a Condition between Heaven and Hell, 5) Hell as a place of darkness 6) Hell as a disturbing concept, 7) Hell as a Punishment for Sin and, 8) Hell’s location.
RIE on Parousia or Christ’s Second Coming unveiled the meaning of superordinate emergent themes based on the students’ eschatological perception that Parousia brings forth ― Triumph of God’s Ultimate Goodness and ― God’s Mercy and Love will prevail for Humanity. Thus, this implied that students’ eschatological perception on Parousia would mean that they perceived God remains ― Good and Love all the time. This study also derived from students’ eschatological perception on Parousia the following subordinate themes: 1) Message of Love, 2) End of all evil, 3) Universal Salvation, 4) End and new beginning of the world, 5) God’s Self- fulfillment and, 6) Certitude of Parousia.
In conclusion, this study brought forth the development of Researcher-Made Instrument on Eschatology (RIE) with 6 headings on corollary doctrines and the development of theological instructional materials that can direct and guide San Beda University Manila and San Beda College Alabang to determine and examine scholarly the efficiency in enforcing learning and teaching eschatology in a 21st century tertiary level education.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG008259

Keywords

Eschatology; Theology—Study and teaching

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3-31-2025

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