1.1.13 Eschatological Beliefs Flashcards
What is heaven?
Eternal life after death in the presence of God
What is Purgatory?
A place for the purification of the elect (Roman Catholic belief)
Source of authority - being pure and right
Matthew 5:29
‘If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.’
Source of authority - doing good and helping others
Matthew 25
Parable of the Sheep and Goats - the sheep are saved and the goats are not, this is because the sheep represent those who were kind and charitable, the goats look similar but their actions and thoughts are not the same
What are apocalyptic ideas to do with?
The end of the world.
Some Christians (based on early Christian belief) think that Jesus will come again (2nd coming) at the end of the world as described in the book of Revelation.
Other Christians believe that the teachings about the 2nd coming are symbolic to show that power of God and that he has a plan that is yet to be completed
What do Christians believe about resurrection?
People have an immortal soul that cannot be seen - it is this that makes people different to other animals
The physical body will die but the soul can be resurrected
Jesus’ resurrection and ascension shows Christians that their is life after physical death
Many Christians believe that at the end of time all the dead will be raised and judged by God
What is hell?
Eternal separation from God after death
What is Annihilation?
Being completely destroyed so as to no longer exist
What do Christians believe about hell?
Hell is the punishment that people receive if they do not repent and receive salvation.
Some Christians believe tat hell is a place of eternal punishment, some as a place of annihilation and some that it is a place without God
What do Christians believe about heaven?
It is the complete contrast to hell
Not necessarily a physical place (the soul is not physical)
A belief in heaven encourages Christians to serve God and to be obedient to him
What do Christians believe about Purgatory?
A Roman Catholic belief
Where people go after they have died who will get into heaven but who are not yet pure enough to be before God
Believe that prayers help people move out of purgatory quicker
