death and the afterlife

Question 1

How persuasive is the view that God’s judgement takes place immediately after death?

Answer 1

Para 1 – RCC -> people are judged at the point of deaths and there’s a final day of judgement
Para 2 – unpersuasive -> boxing match -> parable of Lazarus should not be taken literally
Para 3 - Irenaeas -> persuasive -> blissful state of happines
Para 4 – Calvin -> unpersuasive -> says that Gods judgement happens at death, and your state in your grave depends on that initial judgment

Question 2

Purgatory is a state through which everyone goes

Answer 2

Para 1 – no -> if we all have the chance to redeem ourselves after death, what’s the point in acting morally on earth?
Para 2 – yes -> would supports God’s salvation, and his omnibelevolence
Para 3 – yes -> hick says we all go through purgatory as it as a continuation of the person making process that continues on earth -> and we all end up in heaven
Para 4 – no, we cannot all end up in the same place -> undermines God’s relevance, common christian belief, the main reason he is so superior to us, is due to him having the ability to judge us, and send us to eternal paradise or eternal damnation
Para 5 – not backed up by bible -> parable of the sheeps and the goat, shows that God clearly sends people to hell.

Question 3

‘Without the reward of heaven, Christian’s would not behave well.’ Discuss.

Answer 3

Point 1: many biblical passages are centered around the reward of Kingdom of God
Point 2: will still behave, imago dei, synderesis (aquinas)
Point 3: for those who believe in universal salvation then wouldn’t behave well either? But still do out of respect for God
Point 4: would still behave well with the punishment of hell,

Question 4

Critically discuss Christian ideas about God’s judgement after death.

Answer 4

Para 1 – RCC, two parts of God’s judgement, judged immediately after death, and final day of judgment
Para 2 – augustine = God’s judgement has already happened
Para 3 – hick = judgement doesn’t exist, saves everyone
Para 4 – Swinburne’s view

Question 5

Purgatory (RCC)

Answer 5

• state of suffering experienced by the souls of sinners
• expiating their sins before going to heaven
• place of being cleansed of earthly sins (even if you believed in God)
• get ready to enter the presence of God

Question 6

Parable of the sheep and goat X purgatory

Answer 6

• existence of purgatory -> no mention of it, but doesn’t say rightful entry to paradise, but to eternal life

Question 7

Parable of sheep and goat X criteria of salvation

Answer 7

• goes against the idea of grace
• supports notion of human morals
• don’t have to believe in God

Question 8

Parable of sheep and goat X when will judgement take place

Answer 8

• all nations being gathered before him = day of judgement

Question 9

Parable of sheep and goat X afterlife = spiritual?

Answer 9

• talks a lot about physical movement - eg. will sit on his throne, seperate the people
• but this could be metaphor/ symbol?

Question 10

Parable of Lazarus X existence of purgatory

Answer 10

• emphasises the lack of a second chance
• “those who want to go from here, you cannot”

Question 11

Parable of Lazarus X critirea of salvation

Answer 11

• more religious approach
• mentions having to listen to Moses, mentions repentance, not sinning, and following the bible

Question 12

Parable of Lazarus X judgement

Answer 12

• people are being judged will there are others still on earth
• but could be symbolic to explain it to us