2.1.4 Eternal Life Flashcards
What part of the Bible is based on the origin of the world and humanity?
Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
What 3 points do all christians agree on in relation to creation?
- God is the creator of the universe and all life forms.
- God planned everything in the universe, everything has a place and purpose.
- Humans were created in God’s image.
What 3 points do all christians disagree with in relation to the creation?
- Universe, human and animal life was accidental.
- Humans are well evolved animals. Not special in any way.
- Life is without purpose and value.
What is eschatology?
Refers to the belief about the ‘last things’; death, judgement, heaven and hell.
Why do Christians believe in life after death? (3)
- The resurrection of Jesus.
- Biblical passages referring to eschatological beliefs.
- God is fair and just - makes sense that each person should be judged fairly by God on the quality of their life.
What is judgement day?
A time in the future when a humans existence on earth will cease and God will decide who will be rewarded and punished. At this time Jesus will return to earth to judge people on how they have lived; this is known as the ‘Parousia’.
What does the Bible teach Christians they will be judged on (2)?
- Their faith in Jesus and how they responded to his teachings.
- How they have treated others - The Law of Love.
What are christians taught happens on the Day of Judgement? What supports this?
The living and the dead will be resurrected - the resurrected body will be transformed; it will be ‘glorified’ and made perfect. All traces of sin will be removed. The physical resurrection of Jesus is evidence to support this.
What do Christians believe Heaven is? (3)
- Heaven is a place of reward in God’s presence.
- There are few Biblical descriptions of Heaven in the bible; most christians believe these passages are symbolic and depict a state of existence beyond human knowledge and imagination, a state of serenity and love.
- Some believe it is a physical place, some believe it is spiritual.
What do christians believe hell is?
A place of punishment where those who have rejected God and have failed to treat others well will be separated from God.
What are the disagreements over hell in christianity (4)?
- Many Christians believed hell was a physical place of fire where people suffered eternal pain, some still do.
- Some disagree and believe the descriptions are symbolic.
- Many believe hell is a place of purification/correction => fire cleanses and purifies. Not a place of physical torture but a state of separation from God.
- If hell is a place of purification it must be temporary, and after the individual is purified/ corrected their sins their separation from God ends.
What is Purgatory?
An immediate state between the present existence and eternal heavenly life.
Who developed the idea of purgatory and why? (3)
- The roman church developed the idea as the next stage for those who die with unforgiven sins; it is a place of purification following which the soul can receive eternal life with God.
- On judgement day all of those in purgatory will go to heaven.
- Catholics believe it is important to pray for the souls of the dead and those in purgatory.
Why do many protestant christians reject the idea of purgatory?
There is no Biblical basis for the belief.
What are 5 life purposes according to Christians?
- To represent God’s image as God did.
- To have a relationship with God.
- To prepare for judgement, and eternal life with God after death.
- To guard and protect the natural world (stewardship).
- To procreate (instructed in Genesis).
