Death and the Afterlife Flashcards
Are heaven, hell, and purgatory physical places, non-physical states, or symbolic ideas?
Some believe heaven, hell and purgatory are physical places where resurrected bodies exist.
Others think they are non-physical states of the soul, reflecting spiritual conditions rather than locations.
A third view is that they are merely symbolic, serving as metaphors for moral and spiritual truths about life on earth, rather than referring to actual post-mortem realities.
Are heaven and hell eternal?
Heaven and Hell are traditionally considered eternal destinations. This view is supported by the story of the Rich man and Lazarus, where a permanent chasm separates the two, indicating that once a soul is judged, its fate is fixed forever.
Does Heaven exist now, or is it something that only comes into being at the of time?
Some theological interpretations argue that heaven is the future transformation of creation into a perfect form, often called the New Earth, which happens at the end of time. However, the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus suggests that heaven already exists, as Lazarus is shown to be in heaven while the rich man’s family is still alive, indicating that Heaven is not just a future reality.
When does God’s judgement happen- immediately after death or at the end of time?
The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus suggests that judgement occurs immediately after death. Both the rich man and Lazarus are judged and are sent to their respective afterlife destinations while the rich man’s family remains on earth. This implies that divine judgment doesn’t necessarily wait until the final resurrection or end of time.
Does everyone pass through
Purgatory?
The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus indicates that not everyone does. Both individuals go directly to their eternal destinations, with no mention of an intermediate purification process. This raises the possibility that Purgatory may not be a universal experience.
Who goes to heaven? How does the concept of election influence this?
There are several theological views. Limited election holds that only some Christians are chosen for Heaven. Unlimited election proposes that all morally good people, regardless of faith, may be saved. Universalism suggests that ultimately, everyone will be saved, The Rich Man and Lazarus story appears to support unlimited election, as the rich man is condemned not for disbelief but for failing to act morally, while Lazarus is rewarded.
What theological ideas are expressed through the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus?
The story portrays Heaven and Hell as real, tangible places, using images of water, a chasm, and physical discomfort. It suggests that people are judged immediately after death and that their destinies are eternal and irreversible. It also implies a moral standard where failing to help others leads to damnation.
How does Martin Luther interpret the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus?
Martin Luther argues that the story is a parable, not a literal account. He believes it’s meant to teach a moral lesson rather than describe actual events. He points out inconsistencies, such as the rich man speaking and feeling thirst, which would require a body- yet the resurrection of the body doesn’t happen until the end of time. Therefore, Luther sees the narrative as metaphorical rather than doctrinal.
What are the counterarguments to Luther’s interpretation of the Rich Man and Lazarus?
St Jerome challenges Luther’s view by noting that this parable uniquely uses a specific name- Lazarus- whereas other parables only refer to anonymous figures. This could suggest that the story is meant to be taken literally. Furthermore, the seemingly physical details could be metaphorical elements within a real story, not indicators that the entire account is fictional.
Even if the story is a parable, does it still support the idea of unlimited election?
Possibly. Even if the story is not literal, its moral message implies that people go to Hell for failing to act morally and compassionately. This supports the idea that moral goodness, rather than mere religious identity, is a key factor in salvation- pointing towards unlimited election, at least in its ethical implications.
What is the central belief of New Earth Theology?
New Earth Theology teaches that at the end of time, God will transform creation back into its perfect Eden-like state. heaven, in this view, is not a separate realm that currently exists, but a future transformed version of Earth, where resurrected bodies of the righteous will live eternally.
How does N.T. Wright support the idea of the New Earth?
N.T. Wright supports new Earth Theology by referencing the Lord’s Prayer, which says “Thy kingdom come.” He argues this shows that Christians are meant to pray for God’s kingdom to come to Earth, not for believers to leave Earth and go to heaven. This interpretation implies that God’s kingdom will expand to earth at the end of time, restoring creation.
What scriptural support is there for the New earth Theology?
revelation chapter 21 describes a vison shown to John in which there is a “new heaven and new earth” where suffering no longer exists. This supports the idea that heaven will be a renewed physical creation, rather than an entirely spiritual realm.
According to New Earth Theology, when does judgment take place?
In this view, judgment happens at the end of time. Since heaven (as the New Earth) is not yet created, no one can enter it until that final moment. This contrasts with beliefs that souls are judged immediately after death.
What is a common counterargument to New Earth Theology based on Jesus and the thief on the cross?
Critics point to the moment when Jesus tells the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This appears to suggest that Heaven already exists and is accessible immediately after death, contradicting the idea that Heaven is a future event.
How does New Earth Theology respond to the thief-on-the-cross objection?
The response highlights that the original Greek manuscripts of the Bible did not contain punctuation. If the verse is read with the comma placed differently — “Assuredly I say to you today, you will be with me in paradise” — it changes the meaning to a promise of future salvation, not immediate entry into Heaven. This interpretation preserves the possibility of a future New Earth and general judgment at the end of time.
What is the overall evaluation of New Earth Theology based on biblical evidence?
While there is some scriptural ambiguity, the cumulative evidence from the Lord’s Prayer, Revelation 21, and reinterpretations of key verses like Jesus’ words to the thief support the idea that Heaven is a future, physical reality. The alternative view that Heaven exists now is not definitively proven and may rest on translation and punctuation choices, making New Earth Theology a strong and biblically grounded theory.
What does the physical view say about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory?
The physical view holds that Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are real, physical places. This is supported by biblical imagery — such as the parable of the sheep and the goats, which describes Hell as “eternal fire” and “eternal punishment,” with people physically gathered before Jesus and separated left and right. These descriptions suggest a physical, resurrected existence in the afterlife.
How does the Bible support the physical view of the afterlife?
The Bible, especially the writings of St Paul, strongly supports the idea of physical resurrection. Paul describes Jesus’ resurrection as the “first fruits,” indicating it is the first of many and a promise of our future bodily resurrection. Jesus’ tomb was found empty, suggesting his physical body was used in the resurrection, reinforcing the belief in a bodily, physical afterlife.
What is the spiritual view of the afterlife?
The spiritual view argues that Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are not physical places but states where the soul exists after death. This view focuses on the idea that humans are primarily spiritual beings. It also accounts for what happens immediately after death — since the physical resurrection happens at the end of time, this view suggests our souls are judged and then dwell in a spiritual state until the final resurrection.
What biblical support is there for the spiritual view of the afterlife?
St Paul, in Philippians 1:21–24, expresses a desire to “depart and be with Christ,” implying that immediately after death, his soul would be in Christ’s presence. This supports the idea of a spiritual afterlife before physical resurrection. Philosophers like Descartes also influenced this view, arguing that the soul is the essential part of human identity, not the body.
How does N. T. Wright offer a balanced evaluation between the physical and spiritual views?
N. T. Wright presents a view that combines both perspectives. He believes that the ultimate afterlife is physical — with resurrected bodies living in a new Heaven or Earth — but he also accepts that immediately after death, souls exist in a spiritual state. According to Wright, there is an initial judgment after death, and the soul may go to a temporary spiritual state such as Sheol or Hades. Then, at the end of time, the soul is reunited with the body and faces final judgment, entering either a physical Heaven or a physical Hell.
According to N. T. Wright, how does judgment work in relation to physical and spiritual existence?
Wright teaches that judgment happens in two stages. First, immediately after death, the soul is judged and enters a temporary spiritual state of reward or punishment. Then, at the end of time, there is a final, physical resurrection and judgment, after which people enter a renewed physical Heaven or a physical Hell. This dual-phase model respects both biblical references to immediate post-death presence with Christ and the physical resurrection at the end of time.
What is the Catholic understanding of Purgatory?
Purgatory, according to Catholic belief, is a temporary state that the soul enters after death if it dies in a state of venial (lesser) sin. It is not a physical place, nor merely symbolic, but a non-physical condition in which the soul is purified before it can enter Heaven. Mortal sins like murder or adultery, if unconfessed, lead to Hell, but venial sins require cleansing — hence, purgatory exists to “purge” the soul before resurrection and entry into eternal life.
