Death and the afterlife Flashcards
What is a Christians view of the soul
Humans have a soul capablr of surviving death
Do Christians believe in reincarnation in resurrection?
Ressurrection
Explain The Richman and Lazarus - LUKE 16
- A rich man ignored a beggar pleeing for help called Lazarus
- When the rich man died he went to hell and was tormented whereas Lazarus went to heaven
- Rich man begged heaven for a drop of water to cool down but was denied due to his actions during his life
Criticisms of the Rich man and Lazarus story - LUKE 16
Martin Luther
1.Martin Luther criticises this
2. It is just a parabel and should not be taken literally
3. Luther wanted to Talk to his family and warn them but that must of meant he had a physical body and could had therefore been ressurected but thst does not happen until the end of time. Which it could not have been as his family were still alive in their physical body’s
4. So therefore the events do not add up and we should take the moral lesson but not utilize the parabeo literally
evaluation proves him wrong through st jerome
Evaluation of Luther’s Criticism on The Rich Man and Lazarus
st jerome
- Lazarus may have wanted to warn his family even if he was a soul that could not speak and the dipping his fingers in water was a metaphor for this
- Therefore the story could have actually happned and is meant to be taken literally
- Luther is WRONG
What is Sheol?
The afterlife that the jews believe all people and sould go to
What is Particular judgement
refers to Gods judgment immediately after death
what is general judgment?
Refers to gods judgement at the end of time
What is new earth
A view of heaven that at the end of time god will restore the earth to it’s pre-fall state where the ressurected souls of righteouss bodies will live forever
N.T Wright’s view of heaven
- new earth theology
- ‘thy kingdom come’ in the lords prayer shows christians are meant to pray for gods kingdome to come to earth
Give me a biblical criticism of N.T Wrights new earth theology
- Lots of Biblical evidence that heaven exists now ( example of jesus said to the begger next to his crucifacation - ‘today you will be with me in paradise’
- so this shows heaven is not a futuristic goal
Give an evaluation on N.T Wrights new earth theology and the biblical criticism
- no commas in the bible so jesus may have guranteed that one day he will join him in heaven ‘I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise’
- Therefore could be argued that there is evidence for the new earth in the bible and the evidence from jesus fails to go against this
Describe : the physical view
- heaven, hell and prugatory are physical states
- tbc
What does the “Resurrection of the flesh” refer to in the afterlife?
The Resurrection of the flesh refers to the belief that the afterlife is physical, involving the resurrection of our bodies, not just our souls.
How does Paul describe Jesus’ resurrection in relation to the resurrection of others?
Paul calls Jesus’ resurrection “the firstfruits,” indicating that it was the first resurrection, and others will follow it.
What is the significance of Adam and Christ in the context of resurrection?
Paul claims that Jesus saved humanity from the sinful state caused by Adam. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
How are our resurrected bodies described in comparison to our earthly bodies?
The resurrected body is different and improved, as seen in Jesus’ resurrection. The Gospels describe him appearing differently and having the ability to appear and disappear.
What does Paul say about the difference between earthly and resurrected bodies?
Paul writes that the earthly body is perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural, while the resurrected body is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.
Can “flesh and blood” inherit the kingdom of God, according to Paul?
No, Paul states that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,” and that we will all be changed.
What analogy does Paul use to describe the mortal body versus the resurrected body?
Paul compares the mortal body to a tent, which is burdensome, while the resurrected body is immortal and spiritual, like a permanent dwelling.
What does immortality imply regarding heaven and hell?
Immortality implies that both heaven and hell are eternal.
Why did some people doubt the resurrection of the body in a heavenly form?
Earthly bodies are associated with sin and earthliness, making it hard to believe that they could be raised in a heavenly form.
How does St. Augustine argue in favor of the physical resurrection of the body?
Augustine argues that it is more believable for our earthly bodies to be raised in an exalted form than for our spirit to join with sinful earthly bodies, which is something no one doubts.
How does Augustine connect Christ’s physical resurrection to the resurrection of Christians?
Augustine argues that since Christ was resurrected physically, and that resurrection is a hope for all Christians, their resurrection must also be physical.
How do proponents of spiritual resurrection interpret Jesus’ post-mortem appearances?
They argue that Jesus’ ability to appear and disappear, and his initial unrecognizability, suggest a non-physical resurrection, which could imply a non-physical afterlife.
What does Paul mean by “spiritual bodies” in the context of the resurrection?
Paul refers to the resurrected bodies as “spiritual bodies,” which some interpret as indicating that these bodies will be non-physical.
What about the empty tomb—what does it suggest about Jesus’ resurrection?
The empty tomb suggests that Jesus’ physical body disappeared upon resurrection, implying a physical but perfected form of resurrection.
What does Paul mean by “spiritual” bodies, and how does this relate to physical resurrection?
In Paul’s time, “spirit” was seen as a refined and perfected form of matter, not necessarily non-physical. Thus, “spiritual” bodies can still be physical but imperishable and not subject to decay.
What is the cannibal problem in relation to physical resurrection?
The problem arises when the body decomposes and is consumed by others, raising the question of how the parts of a body could be resurrected if they are part of multiple individuals.
How can God’s omnipotence address the cannibal problem in resurrection?
God’s omnipotence means that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), so He could overcome the issues of body decomposition and consumption in resurrection.
What logical issue arises with the cannibal problem regarding resurrection?
It may be logically impossible for God to resurrect two people from the diffused parts of their bodies if some parts belong to both individuals, as one part cannot belong to two bodies simultaneously.
What is the concept of the “New Earth”?
The New Earth is the belief that heaven is a future perfected state of the Earth. At the end of time, God will cleanse the Earth and return it to a perfect Eden-like state, where the resurrected righteous will live eternally.
What does Revelation chapter 21 describe about the New Earth?
Revelation 21 describes the “new heavens and the New Earth,” where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, indicating a perfect and eternal state for the Earth.
How does N.T. Wright interpret the concept of Heaven in relation to the Earth?
N.T. Wright argues that Heaven is a new Earth, interpreting the Sermon on the Mount and the prayer “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” as indicating that God’s kingdom will come to Earth, transforming it into a heavenly state.
According to N.T. Wright, what does the kingdom of heaven mean?
Wright suggests that the kingdom of heaven refers to the sovereign rule of heaven coming to Earth, rather than a place called Heaven where people go after death. God’s plan is to bring Heaven and Earth together, transforming Earth into His kingdom.
What is the significance of the story of the Penitent Thief?
The story of the Penitent Thief suggests that Heaven might exist immediately after death, as Jesus promises the thief that he will be with him in Paradise that very day. Some interpret this as indicating Heaven as a present reality, not a future state of Earth.
How does the Penitent Thief story challenge the idea of the New Earth?
The story suggests that heaven exists immediately after death, implying that there may be a particular judgment immediately after death, and the idea of a future perfected Earth (New Earth) could be questioned.
How does the issue of grammatical translation affect the interpretation of the Penitent Thief story?
The original Bible text had no commas, so later translators inserted commas that changed the meaning. The first translation (“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”) suggests an immediate entrance into Heaven, while the second translation (“Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise”) suggests a future entry into Heaven.
Why might the second version of the Penitent Thief sentence be more accurate?
The second version, placing the comma differently, makes sense in light of the fact that Jesus did not ascend to Heaven immediately after his crucifixion. He was dead for three days before rising and ascending, as indicated in John 20:17, where Jesus says, “I have not yet ascended to my Father.”
What does the Penitent Thief story imply about the concept of general judgment and the New Earth?
The second version of the sentence suggests that the thief would not be with Jesus in Heaven immediately, opening the possibility of a future general judgment and the concept of the New Earth
What does St. Paul suggest in his letter to the Philippians regarding life after death?
In Philippians, Paul expresses that “to die is gain,” and though he desires to be with Christ after death, it is “more necessary” for him to continue living to help spread Christianity. This suggests a presence with Christ immediately after death.
What does Paul imply about life after death in Philippians 1:21-24?
Paul indicates that immediately after death, there will be a presence with Christ, which has been interpreted as suggesting particular judgment, where a person is judged and then exists in a non-physical state with Christ in Heaven.
How does Paul’s view in Philippians relate to the concept of judgment?
Paul’s words seem to indicate particular judgment, but they do not replace general judgment. Rather, they suggest that particular judgment occurs in addition to the general judgment that will take place at the end of time.
What is N. T. Wright’s view on the New Testament’s focus on what happens after death but before resurrection?
N. T. Wright argues that the New Testament is “largely uninterested” in what happens after death but before resurrection. He acknowledges passages like Philippians and Luke 23:43, but points out that they don’t mention the “soul” in the way that modern interpretations suggest.
How does N. T. Wright critique the modern understanding of the soul?
Wright argues that the popular idea of the soul surviving death and going to Heaven or Hell immediately is influenced by Platonic views, which have overshadowed the traditional Christian understanding of the soul. He suggests this misunderstanding has led to a diminished belief in the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
What does N. T. Wright say about the Hebrew word “nephesh” in relation to the Christian concept of the soul?
Wright argues that when Paul and the Gospels use the word “soul,” it is closer in meaning to the Hebrew word “nephesh,” which refers to a living, God-breathed creature, rather than the dualist notion of the soul found in Plato’s philosophy.
What effect does Platonic influence have on Western Christian beliefs?
According to N. T. Wright, Platonic influence has led to a misunderstanding of the Christian concept of the soul. This influence has caused the popular belief that souls immediately go to Heaven or Hell after death, overshadowing the biblical belief in the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.
What do proponents of spiritual resurrection believe about Jesus’ resurrected body?
Proponents of spiritual resurrection deny that Jesus’ resurrected body was physical. Instead, they argue that the resurrected body is non-physical, or simply a soul with a physical appearance.
What does the debate between spiritual and physical resurrection involve?
The debate between spiritual and physical resurrection revolves around whether Jesus’ resurrected body was physical or non-physical. The early Christians debated this, and physical resurrection eventually became the dominant view.
What is Docetism, and how does it view Jesus’ resurrection?
Docetism is a belief that Jesus was spiritually resurrected in a non-physical body that only appeared to be physical. This belief was influenced by Gnosticism and rejected the idea of Jesus having a physical human body.
How did Gnosticism influence Docetism?
Gnosticism, a philosophical tradition blending Christianity and Platonism, influenced Docetism by promoting the idea that pure mentality is spiritually superior to physical matter. This belief led Docetists to reject the idea that a divine being could have a physical human body.
What is the relationship between Docetism and the doctrine of the Trinity?
Docetism is antitrinitarian, meaning that while it affirms the divinity of Jesus, it denies His humanity. This belief contradicts the doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human.
Why was Docetism considered a heresy by early Christians?
Docetism was considered a heresy because it contradicts the Bible, particularly John’s statement that “the Word was made flesh,” and it undermines the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice during the crucifixion by suggesting that His human suffering was only an appearance, not real.
What is the view of the afterlife according to those who believe heaven, hell, and purgatory are symbolic?
This view argues that there is no literal afterlife. Heaven, hell, and purgatory are seen as symbols for human psychological states like happiness, suffering, and repentance. The stories about them in the Bible are meant to teach how to be happy, avoid suffering, and when to repent.
If heaven, hell, and purgatory are symbolic, are they eternal?
No, if these concepts are symbolic, they are not eternal because symbols do not exist in time. They represent psychological or moral states rather than actual, eternal places or states.
Why might some Christians take the view that the afterlife concepts are symbolic?
Some Christians adopt this view because they have a liberal perspective on Biblical inspiration. The liberal approach views the Bible as a human product, not the perfect word of God, influenced by historical, scientific, and literary critiques that show errors and human influence in the text.
How does the liberal view of Biblical inspiration affect the interpretation of afterlife descriptions in the Bible?
The liberal view suggests that the afterlife descriptions in the Bible are symbolic or metaphorical, not literal. These depictions should be seen as reflections of psychological realities—such as the consequences of good or bad behavior—rather than actual places like heaven or hell.
What psychological realities do heaven, hell, and purgatory represent in the symbolic view?
In the symbolic view, hell represents the negative psychological consequences of bad behavior (a “hellish” life), heaven represents the positive outcomes of good behavior (a “heavenly” life), and purgatory represents the need for repentance after sin.
What challenges does the liberal view of Biblical inspiration pose to authority and interpretation?
The liberal view leads to a crisis of authority because it suggests that the Bible is a human interpretation of divine events, making it difficult to grant it authoritative status. It also opens the Bible up to personal interpretation, which can result in inconsistency and division, as everyone may interpret it differently.
How do traditional Christians critique the liberal approach to the Bible?
raditional Christians criticize the liberal view for giving individuals too much freedom to interpret the Bible in ways that suit their personal beliefs. This leads to disunity and the risk of a fragmented theology, where people believe in their own version of God and the Bible’s teachings.
What does the word “purgatory” mean?
The word “purgatory” comes from the Latin word for “to purge” or “to make clean,” referring to a state of purification for souls.
What does the Catholic Church teach about purgatory?
The Catholic Church teaches that purgatory is a temporary place of punishment for souls who have died after committing venial sins and have not confessed them. Souls in purgatory are assured of their eternal salvation but need purification before entering heaven.
How can the living help souls in purgatory according to Catholic teaching?
The living can help souls in purgatory by praying for them or giving indulgences, as these acts can assist in their purification.
Is the word “purgatory” mentioned in the Bible?
No, the word “purgatory” is not explicitly found in the Bible, but there is some biblical support for the idea, such as in 2 Maccabees 12:46, which suggests that praying for the dead is beneficial for loosing their sins.
What is biblical evidence against the idea of purgatory?
One example is the parable of the sheep and the goats, where people are divided into the good (sheep) and the bad (goats) with no middle ground, suggesting there is no in-between state like purgatory.
