Eschatology and Pain in St. Gregory the Great

This work seeks to demonstrate that Gregory's spirituality forms and is formed by his theology and especially his understanding of the person and work of Christ. His spirituality is that of a contemplative looking for Christ and finding him in the pain of this world. Gregory's theological emphases of the experience of pain and eschatology found in his Moralia in Iob find their connection in his Christology. In contemplative union with Christ the pain of this life will make sense and in the last judgment the great mystery of the divine purpose will be revealed. ""This book is not only a perceptive, well informed essay on late Patristic theology, but a moving call to join in Gregory's contemplative vision--a book to nourish our spirits as well as our minds."" --Brian E. Daley, SJ, Catherine F. Huisking Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame ""Hester's thorough, imaginative, and incisive analysis enables the reader to better understand the historical and theological complexities of Gregory's thought."" --Kenneth B. Steinhauser, Professor, St. Louis University ""This work is as an excellent introduction not only to the Moralia, but also to Gregory's thought in general. . . . Hester's writing is clear and direct; his arguments are persuasive. This is an admirable first book."" --Carole Straw, Professor, Department of History Mount Holyoke College ""In this splendid treatment of Gregory's Moralia in Iob Kevin Hester displays a sixth-century reading of the book of Job which is deeply Christological, eschatological, and moral as it struggles to comprehend suffering as both redemptive and revelatory."" --Jeffrey Bingham, Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary Kevin L. Hester is Assistant Professor of Theology at Free Will Baptist College in Nashville Tennessee. His PhD is from Saint Louis University and he researches late classical and early medieval theology where his interests lie in biblical exegesis, Christology, and theological anthropology.