This course considers the origin of the universe as revealed and as understood existentially in religious philosophy, as well as the origin and destiny of humanity. The course examines the development of Christian thought on these topics, giving emphasis to biblical texts. In relation to creation, the course will investigate interpretations of the Hexaemeron, the relationship of the doctrine of creation to ontology, the distinction of primary/supernatural causation and secondary/natural causation, and contemporary issues and challenges for belief in a Creator. In relation to eschatology, the course will treat such topics as heaven, purgatory, and hell, prayer for deceased human persons, gradations of beatitude, all in light of Patristic authors, Aquinas’s Summa theologiae, and contemporary writings in Roman Catholic sacred theology.