CHICAGO, IL (December 12, 2013) — Jay Phelan, professor of theological studies at North Park Theological Seminary, will present the first-ever COV Talk when he speaks on the “Beginning of the End: Eschatology and Christmas” at 9:45 a.m. CST Wednesday, December 18.

The talk, inspired by the popular and eclectic TED Talks, will be webcast live at CovChurch.tv and will last about 15 minutes with time for questions to follow.

Eschatology is a heavy sounding theological word that means the study of last things, but it also generally is terribly misunderstood or avoided altogether because it is considered irrelevant to daily life, Phelan says.

“Eschatology isn’t at all about prophecy charts, weird theories, and failed predictions,” says Phelan, whose book Essential Eschatology: Our Present and Future Hope was recently released. “Eschatology is actually the most critical of Christian doctrines. It is the engine that drives the faith.”

He adds, “All that is anticipated in the new heavens and the new earth is to be lived out in the Christian community—a community that has already died and been raised with Christ.”

The topic also is critical to fully understanding Christmas and the incarnation, Phelan says.

“We hope that this will be the first of a series of CovTalks that will cover a variety of topics that will include faith, culture, science, the arts, and other subjects,” says Joshua Havens, manager of media services.