Death and the afterlife Flashcards

Question

Physical Resurrection (St Paul & Augustine)

Answer 1

Resurrection is physical, involving our bodies being raised. Paul: Jesus' resurrection was the first of many, proving physical resurrection. Jesus’ resurrected body was different—initially unrecognisable, could appear/disappear.

Answer 2

Earthly body = perishable, sinful, weak. Resurrected body = imperishable, spiritual, transformed. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God… we will all be changed."

Answer 3

Since Jesus’ resurrection was physical, ours must be too. If God could unite our soul with a sinful earthly body, He can surely resurrect it in a glorified state.

Answer 4

Some believe resurrection is non-physical based on Jesus’ post-death appearances. Jesus could disappear and reappear, suggesting a non-physical form. Paul called the resurrected body "spiritual", which some interpret as non-physical. However, Paul’s "spirit" may have meant a perfected material body, not immaterial.

Answer 5

Jesus’ physical body disappeared, suggesting a physical resurrection.

Answer 6

Issue: What happens when bodies decompose, are cremated, or consumed (directly or indirectly)? Extreme case: If a person is cannibalised, their body becomes part of another’s—how can both be resurrected? God’s Omnipotence Response: “With God all things are possible” (Matthew). Logical Objection: If one body’s parts belong to two people, God cannot resurrect both with the same material.

Answer 7

Heaven is a future perfected Earth, restored to its Eden-like state after final judgment. The righteous will live eternally on this renewed Earth with resurrected bodies. Supports the idea of a physical resurrection and a physical afterlife.

Answer 8

Revelation 21: Describes a “new heaven and new earth” where there is no more suffering or death. N.T. Wright’s Argument: Jesus’ Lord’s Prayer ("Your kingdom come… on earth as in heaven") suggests that heaven and earth will merge, rather than heaven being a separate afterlife location.

Answer 9

Jesus told the thief on the cross: "Today you will be with me in Paradise." This seems to support immediate entry to heaven after death (particular judgment). However, there is a grammatical issue: Different comma placements change the meaning. If read as: "I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise," it means heaven is a future state, not immediate.

Answer 10

Jesus did not ascend to heaven immediately after death (John: "I have not yet ascended to my Father"). This suggests the thief wasn’t in heaven that day, supporting final judgment and New Earth instead.

Answer 11

Many modern Christians reject physical resurrection due to logical issues (e.g., body decomposition). Some reject resurrection entirely, believing in a purely spiritual afterlife. Heaven is seen as a non-physical state of bliss, rather than a physical location.

Answer 12

Philippians: Paul says “to die is gain” and expresses a desire “to depart and be with Christ”. Suggests immediate presence with Christ after death (particular judgement). However, Paul also strongly supports bodily resurrection at the end of time, suggesting both particular and final judgment.

Answer 13

Argues that the New Testament doesn’t focus on the afterlife between death and resurrection. Says early Christians didn’t teach Platonic soul survival (the soul existing separately before resurrection). Western Christianity, influenced by Plato, mistakenly emphasises immediate soul judgment over resurrection of the dead. The biblical term ‘soul’ (nephesh) means a living, God-breathed being, not a separate, immortal entity.

Answer 14

Some Christians deny Jesus’ physical resurrection and believe his body was non-physical (or just had a physical appearance). If Jesus was spiritually resurrected, then our future resurrection is also spiritual.

Answer 15

A Christian sect influenced by Gnosticism and Plato, believing Jesus was not physically resurrected. Saw pure spirit as superior to physical matter. Believed Jesus only appeared to have a body (antitrinitarian).

Answer 16

Contradicts John 1:14: “The Word became flesh”. Undermines the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion if his suffering wasn’t real. Considered heresy by the Church.

Answer 17

Heaven, hell, and purgatory are not real places but symbols of human experiences: Heaven = Happiness Hell = Suffering Purgatory = Repentance The Bible’s descriptions of the afterlife are metaphorical, offering moral lessons on how to live well.

Answer 18

The Bible is a human record of divine events, not the perfect word of God. Enlightenment scholars found historical, scientific, and literary errors in the Bible. Biblical stories reflect what human authors understood of God’s revelation, not direct divine truth. Thus, afterlife descriptions are symbolic rather than literal.

Answer 19

Hell: A metaphor for how bad behaviour leads to psychological suffering. Heaven: A symbol of how good behaviour leads to happiness. Purgatory: Represents penance and moral growth. Biblical stories about the afterlife are parables meant to encourage moral living.

Answer 20

Crisis of Authority: If the Bible is a human product, who decides its true meaning? Too Much Interpretation: If the afterlife is symbolic, people might interpret the Bible however they like. Lack of Unity: Traditional Christians argue that liberal Christianity leads to disunity, as everyone believes in their own version of God and the afterlife.

Answer 21

From Latin purgare (to cleanse). A temporary state of purification for souls who died with venial sins (not mortal sins). Not hell—souls in purgatory are saved but need purification before heaven. Catholics believe prayers and indulgences can help souls in purgatory.

Answer 22

2 Maccabees 12:46 – Praying for the dead suggests post-death purification. 1 Corinthians 3:15 – Paul speaks of being "saved, but only as through fire". Matthew 12:32 – Jesus says some sins can be forgiven in the age to come, implying post-death purification.

Answer 23

The Parable of The Sheep and The Goats. No mention of a middle state like purgatory.

Answer 24

It seems unjust for someone to go to hell for minor sins. It also seems unfair for someone to enter heaven while still tainted by sin. Purgatory provides a just solution, allowing purification before entering heaven.

Answer 25

Due to original sin, humans cannot achieve salvation by themselves. Grace is God’s undeserved gift that elects certain people for heaven. Predestination – God has already determined who will go to heaven or hell. Double Predestination – Some are chosen for heaven, while others are damned due to original sin.

Answer 26

Rejects predestination – argues that original sin makes punishment unjust. People should be judged on their own actions, not Adam’s sin. Punishment only makes sense if we have free will to choose good or evil.

Answer 27

Soul-making theodicy – After death, people continue developing morally. God is omnibenevolent, so eternal punishment is unjust. Hume’s argument – Finite sins do not deserve infinite punishment. Criticism – If everyone is saved, does morality still have purpose?

Answer 28

The unrighteous go to Hell, but are eventually annihilated (cease to exist). Solves the problem of Hell’s eternal suffering being unjust. Biblical support – Matthew 10:28 (“destroy both body and soul in Gehenna”). Counter-argument – Some interpret "eternal punishment" as conscious suffering, not non-existence.