Catholic Beliefs about the afterlife Flashcards
What is eschatology?
A term used to desvribe religious ideas or beliefs about death, judgement, and the afterlife.
What do catholics believe about death?
Each human is made of the body and soul which makes on whole person. They believe that soul will live on after death and go on in the afterlife. Although physical death still happens, those who believe in Jesus and live good lives will be rewarded eternal life in Heaven - this is called particular judgement.
Heaven
People who have accepted God’s forgiveness in this life, will live forever with God when they die.
This meeting with God is what we call Heaven
There is no sadness or pain or suffering - it is a peacfeul state with God.
Hell
People who have chosen to reject God’s message have chosen to live away from God forver
This lack of God for all time is what we call hell.
This is where unrepentant sinners go.
People would question why an omnibenevolent God would send people to Hell but chsirtsians justify that god is Just and fair and so cannot evil go unpunished.
Purgatory
This is the place where some people who have sinned are purified in a cleansing fire, after which they are accepted into heacean.
Evidence for the afterlife
” He is risen” The Gospels
“Our father who art in Heaven” - the Lords prayer.
“purifying fire” - 1 Corinthians 3
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live…” - Gospel of John.
How would this change a catholics life?
Catholics will try to follow the teachings of Jesus such as ‘love thy neighbour’ in their daily ives to ensure that they have a positive judgement by God.
What is atonement?
Through Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus pays the penalty for humankind’s sin and their relationship with God is restored. Jesus’ sacrifice was a victory over sin and death.
