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Death and the afterlife Flashcards

1
Q

Disembodied existence

A

Existing without a physical body

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2
Q

Beatific vision

A

A face-to-face encounter with God

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3
Q

Purgatory

A

A place where people go, temporarily, after death to be cleansed of sin before they are fit to live with God

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4
Q

Election

A

Chosen by God for heaven or hell

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5
Q

Limited election

A

The idea that God only choses a small number of people for heaven or hell

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6
Q

Unlimited election

A

All people are called to salvation but only a few will be saved

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7
Q

What ideas surrounding the soul and resurrection do Christians reject?

A

They reject reincarnation and the idea of a disembodied existence, Plato’s idea that the soul and body part completely

(despite his dualist ideas being heavily influential in Christianity)

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8
Q

Book of Daniel (Bible) quote supporting resurrection at the end of time

A

“Those in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to everlasting shame”

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9
Q

Jesus quote on resurrection and getting to the afterlife.

A

“The one who believes in me will live, even though they die”

It points to a spiritual continuation of life — that the soul lives on in the presence of God.
Even though people physically die, Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will live.

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10
Q

How does Aquinas interpret the afterlife?

A

A beatific vision.
He took inspiration from Aristotle’s work by stating that the soul was a ‘life principle’ and the ‘form’ of all living things.

So our souls allow us to reach our potential/purpose of living eternally with God .

The afterlife is out of time/space and is an eternal moment of perfect happiness.

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11
Q

What does Aquinas say about The Fall, which consequently rejects Augustine’s idea of limited election?

A

The Fall didn’t corrupt our morals, we can choose right and wrong.

Therefore, humans are deserving of heaven through their own actions - an idea rejected by Augustine as he suggests it is only through God’s grace in which we get to heaven.

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12
Q

How does Aquinas interpret purgatory?

A

A state for those who are neither condemned or elected .

However, a mortal sin needs to be committed for immediate entry to Hell.

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13
Q

Strengths on Aquinas’ view of the afterlife

A

Heaven being out of time/space means that the issue surrounding the Protestant understanding of heaven being eternal with tedious days to be filled is solved.

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14
Q

Weaknesses of Aquinas’ view of the afterlife

A

If the soul is timeless in the Beatific vision, how could this be the same person as the one who had physical characteristics on earth?

The characteristics who make us who we are involve a relationship with linear time.

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15
Q

New Testament metaphor for heaven

A

“My Father’s house has many rooms”

This metaphor conveys ideas of comfort, return and familiarity under the authority of unconditional love.

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16
Q

What is Bernard William’s criticism of heaven?

A

Would an eternity in heaven really be desirable, with unlimited time and a lack of constraints to do anything surely we would get bored?

The pleasure of living is making choices about what we will do with our limited lifespans.

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17
Q

What is Rayner’s response to William’s criticism of heaven?

A

He agrees that our limited earthly life gives it meaning, but also gives meaning to the afterlife as our goals/decisions on earth might be dependent/motivated on unlimited afterlife.

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18
Q

Bible quote on hell which could portray it as a physical place

A

“A fiery lake of burning sulphur”

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19
Q

How does Hume criticise hell?

A

The idea of hell calls God’s justice into question - does a finite sin deserve an infinite punishment?

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20
Q

How does Hick criticise hell?

A

The idea of hell is incompatible with the idea of an omnibenevolent God - why would he condemn his created to inescapable punishment>

Hell as a belief was created to control society, making them fearful of disobeying religious authority

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21
Q

What is the Catholic belief on purgatory?

A

They believe that some should aren’t fully deserving of heaven and need cleansing.

Pain and punishment may be necessary, but not eternally.

Purging sins in this life (such as in confession) also contributes.

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22
Q

How does Karl Rahner interpret purgatory?

A

It shouldn’t be understood as a physical place of pain but as a metaphor for the soul’s greater awareness of consequences of sin in the time between death and last judgement.

Therefore, this awareness is more self-inflicted pain.

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23
Q

What do Protestants believe about purgatory?

A

Reject - as it is not supported in the Bible and contradicts the idea of salvation. Suggests that Jesus did not complete the final act of salvation on the cross.

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24
Q

What is Augustine’s take on election?

A

Belief in original sin means that no human is worthy of Heaven. Only because of God’s grace we can reach heaven - so only a few will be saved (limited election)

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25
What is Calvin's take on election?
God had predestined some to eternal punishment and others to eternal life with God. This was based on his belief that God is the ultimate sovereign, meaning he is in control of everything.
26
What is a criticism of limited election?
It questions our God given free will - is there any point in attempting to live morally if God has already decided?
27
What is Barth's take on election?
Technically unlimited election, as he states that Jesus bought salvation for the whole world, so through him election occurs. SO...only those who believe in Christ can be elected.
28
What is Hick's take on election?
Unlimited election. God will save people of all beliefs, as they are all pointing towards a divine reality. The afterlife is a place in which people can grow to develop faith and choose God (Irenaean influence)
29
What does the parable of the sheep and goats depict?
There is no middle ground between heaven and hell. It is peoples actions (not beliefs) that decide their place in the afterlife.
30
Particular judgement
The popular Christian belief that exceptional people (prophets/saints) have a fast track to heaven
31
Final judgement
The whole nations are judged as well as every person in a final conclusion to all of creation.
32
What does the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus suggest about judgement?
It goes against the idea of final judgement as it depicts Lazarus going straight to heaven. This therefore suggests that heaven is occurring simultaneously to earth. However this parable is not meant to be taken literally.
33
What do Christian prayers for the dead suggest about heaven?
Many Christian prayers refer to dead Christians as already being in heaven.
34
What is Parousia?
The Second Coming of Christ. Some believe it will be a single and final event. Others believe that the transformation/perfection of creation is underway and is the role of Christians today.
35
How does Karl Barth interpret parousia?
Interpreted it to mean events such as the resurrection of Christ and the giving of the holy spirit/pentecost.
36
What is an advantage of the view that God limits who can enter heaven?
People will have good moral motivation behind their actions, and they will find comfort in the idea that God recognises their good actions
37
What is a criticism of the view that God limits who can enter heaven?
Those who aren't elected will have to suffer eternally - but surely there is only a certain amount of suffering which can be done before the person recognises their sins?
38
How does St Paul interpret reincarnation?
Jesus' resurrection was the "first fruits" and therefore a promise to mankind that they will be resurrected. We will be in a spiritually perfected form.
39
What part of the Jesus story support physical resurrection?
His tomb was empty. when he came back his disciples didn't recognise him (Doubting Thomas) "Stop doubting and believe"
40
Hell as a physical place quotes
Jesus described it as "eternal fire" Revelation describes it as "A fiery lake of burning sulphur"
41
What is Biblical proof of the soul?
Gensis - "The man became a living soul". Good breathed the soul into Adam.
42
How does St Paul suggest a spiritual afterlife?
When we die we will have a 'presence with Christ'
43
How does the transfiguration prove a spiritual afterlife?
Moses and Elijah had died centuries earlier. Yet both appear and talk with Jesus, clearly alive in some way. This suggests that these figures still exist in some conscious, personal form — not asleep or annihilated — supporting the idea of life after death.
44
What is the new earth theology?
At the end of time God will transform creation back to its eden state.
45
What is N.T Wright's support of the new earth theology?
The lords prayer "thy kingdom come" suggests that Christians should pray for the new earth.
46
How does revelation's support of the new earth?
God shows John the future where there is a "new heavens and a new earth"
47
How does Jesus' resurrection support the new earth?
"I have not yet ascended to my father"
48
What is the Christian concept of resurrection after death and why do they believe in it?
The idea of a renewed spiritual body in the afterlife. This is supported by the idea that it was believed in by the Pharisees, that Jesus' tomb was empty and that Jesus was then seen in physical form after death.
49
What are some questions and issues surrounding the Christian concept of resurrection after death?
Are Bible passages to be taken literally or metaphorically? Was resurrection unique to Jesus and nobody else? At what point does this occur? What occurs in terms of personal identity, are people characteristically the same despite a transformed spiritual being?
50
How does St Paul interpret resurrection?
Jesus had risen from the dead, which was a promise to all Christians. He uses the example of a seed "It is sown a natural body, raised as a spiritual body" And the example of a tent: Our current bodies are tents which will be replaced by a more solid structure - not an impermanent body.
51
What is the issue surrounding personal identity and the afterlife? Who voices this?
Who are the people pre and post death - are there any differences? This is voiced by Flew - if Joe was observing his own funeral, who is he in comparison to the Joe being buried? The presumption is that observing Joe is spiritual. BUT we only have proven experience of our selves as physical.
52
What is the difference between the Catholic and Protestant interpretation of heaven?
Catholic - beatific vision Protestant - everlasting existence
53
What does Dawkins say about the afterlife?
Humans only survive after death within the memory of others and their passed on genes.
54
What does Russell say about the afterlife?
It is wishful thinking, would you want some people to live forever?
55
What is an Old Testament quote that supports resurrection?
"Abraham breathed his last breath and was gathered to his people" Suggests that something of the original man was going to continue and join others he was familiar with.
56
What is a quote supporting St Pauls example of the tent?
"If the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven"
57
Aquinas quote on the beatific vision
"Then we shall see face to face"
58
Quote from the Rich Man and Lazarus on heaven/hell
"In your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but he is now comforted here"
59
What is the traditional interpretation of heaven?
The faithful will go to heaven. But, since it is in a different dimension to this world, it must be understood figuratively as God is in all places at all times.
60
What is the idea of the second death?
Hell refers to the second death of those who have not gained entry to heaven - the soul is still eternal but can be bought to an end if this is the will of God.
61
Quote from revelation supporting the second death
"The fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death"
62
Quote from Matthew supporting purgatory and what is Pope Gregory's interpretation?
"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven" Pope Gregory - this passage refers to the possibility of forgiveness, not only in this age but also the age to come.
63
Which thinkers are likely to deem the afterlife as a physical place?
Evangelical Christians.
64
Augustine quote on election
"Those he predestined he also called and glorified"
65
Calvin quote on predestination
"Some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation"

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