Afterlife Flashcards
Arguments for the afterlife
- body and mind are separate, mind not physical so can live when body dies
- Apostles Creed, ‘Creator of Heaven’ ‘everlasting life’ ‘resurrection of the body’
- near death experience accounts, veronica barthel struck by lightning, saw Hell and woke up.
- most visions of near death experiences are similar
- makes sense for all suffering and inequality in life
arguments against the after life
- people cant comprehend eternal state of death, so concept of life after is comforting
- death = end to life, so life after death contradicts the meaning
- no reliable evidence for life after death. all accounts are of near dead people
- if plants and animals dont go to Heaven then why do we?
what do christians believe about the afterlife (reuniting)
- christians believe death and afterlife is not to be feared
- revelations says God will wipe every tear, thee will be no more death or crying or pain
- because they believe they will reunite with the dead
- which eases the pain of bereavement
why is the belief in resurrection important to christians
- because resurrection means that the dead will be raised to life because of the teachings of jesus and that he himself overcame death
- st paul said this was central to the chrisitian belief
what do christians believe about the afterlife (eternal)
- christians believe that the afterlife is where they eill eternally be and it is eternal too
- because Jesus told people that the new mode of existence would be different from the earthly on
- means on earth is perishable so it is raised to imperishable
state one christian belief about the afterlife (judgement)
christians believe God will resurrect them before judgement day
what do roman catholics believe about the afterlife
- they believe in purgatory, a state between death and the afterlife
- after death of the body, the soul goes to purgatory if its destined for heaven
- where it is purified enough to enter heaven
which parable are judgment teachings
- the rich man and lazarus
- the sheep and goats
what is a christian belief about the second coming of christ (against)
- some christians reject the second coming of christ
- because they believe that jesus was trying to express something that humans cant understand
- means that humans will account for their own actions, but no one knows how or when
what is a christian belief about heaven (state)
- christians believe that heaven is a state of being with God outside time and space, rather than a physical place
what is a christian belief about hell
- christians believe hell is an eternal separation from God
- because it is neither decided by God nor what he wants for us
- meaning humans choose it by turning away from God and deliberately separating themselves from Him
what is a christian belief about heaven and hell (universalism)
- christians embrace universalism
- they believe that everyone will eventually repsond to Gods love, having repented and been forgiven
how does the belief in the afterlife influence the life of christians today (judging)
- the afterlife influences christians
- because they know that God will be their ultimate judge
- so if they live a christian life and believe in Jesus, heaven is open to them
how does t he belief in the afterlife influence the life of christians today
- belief in the afterlife influences christians
- because it given them hope and comfort that this life is not the end and God is waiting for me
- allows them to have a positive view of this life and live in a way that would welcome them to heaven
what evidence is there to support the belief of incarnation
- “the Word became flesh and lived amongst us”
what is the importance of the belief in incarnation
- helps christians understand the extent of God’s love for humanity
- shows how christians should live - “as God loved us so we should love another”
- many christians have taken on this act of selfless love like mother teresa
give 3 reasons why Jesus had to die in the eyes of the public
- Jesus’ teachings gave a new understanding to the Torah, which brought him into direct conflict with Jewish leaders
- Roman government was under pressure to keep peace, so when jews implied that jesus was stirring up trouble they had to act
- Jesus had to die to fulfil God’s plan as without death humans could not be reunited with God
what are the christian reasons why Jesus had to die
- God have his only son so that humans could be saved in eternal life (salvation)
- jesus death atoned for human sin
- this was God reconciling with His people. he made forgiveness possible through his own son
- christians now work for reconciliation in the world today
what was the impact of resurrection in the past
- the disciples turned from men in hiding into spreading Jesus message
- Peter went from denying knowing him to openly teaching his messages
how does resurrection influence christians today
- they believe resurrection is the proof jesus is the son of God , showing how God triumphed over evil and death
- the victory over death opened up heaven for christians as jesus sacrifice overcame sin and reconciled humanity with God and offered eternal life
what do christians believe about salvation in law
- they believe in slavation through works, the idea that a right relationship with God has to be earned
- some think salvation can be earned through obedience to Gods laws
- others take on Jesus idea that God was more pleased the thoughts in our minds and love in our hearts
what do christians believe about salvation through grace
- they believe that God loves humanity regardless, so God’s love is there despite everything humans do, so there is no need to earn salvation
- they believe they recieve Gods grace through the presence in their hearts of the holy spirit, allowing them to try to show love as jesus did
how does the belief in salvation influence christians today
- they know that God loves them even though they dont deserve it
- so they try to show love to others who may also not deserve it
- they also believe they have the holy spirit within them
- so they trey to live in a manner that reflects the gift of this in them (being holy)
- they also have to be cautious of sin because not sinning is the easiest method and the right thing to do is harder
