Beliefs about eternal life

Question 1

What is the accepted model of when eternal life begins in the Old Testament and in the Pauline epistles and what did C.H. Dodd call this?

Answer 1

Begins when believer accepts Christ and participates in the Kingdom of God through being obedient to Christ.
Dodd called this ‘realised eschatology

Question 2

Revelation 21:3 - heaven = place of fellowship with others and God?

Answer 2

‘…God’s dwelling place is now among the people…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’

Question 3

Revelation 19:1 + Revelation 19:6 - eternal worship and praise of God?

Answer 3

‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God’
‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.’

Question 4

How are the Christian and Jewish concepts of eternal life similar?

Answer 4

Focus on enjoying radiance of divine presence

Question 5

What is the Islamic view of eternal life?

Answer 5

sensual pleasure

Question 6

Sura 55:56 - Islamic view of eternal life?

Answer 6

‘On couches with linings of brocade shall [the faithful Muslim] reline, and therein shall be damsels with retiring glances, whom nor man nor djinn hath touched before them…And beside these shall be two other gardens: with gushing fountains in each: In each fruits and the palm and the pomegranate.’