Eschatological beliefs and teachings, Heaven , Hell and Purgatory Flashcards
Eschatological ideas in the Early Church…
-They believed that they were living in the end of time, and one of the beliefs was the Second Coming of Jesus Christ- Parousia.
Define “eschatology”
-It means thee end of the word, coming from the Greek word “eschaton” meaning end.
Define “Apocalyptic”
-A violent disastrous end that is sudden and very dramatic, possibly even frighting as described in the book of revelation.
Resurrection and Life after Death…
- Christians believe that humans posses an immortal soul, distinct from their physical bodies. This soul cannot be seen and lives after death. This makes humans unique from all other creatures.
- Believed to be made in the likeness of God, who is eternal and He breathed life into Adam, making humans distinct.
For, Christians, why is human life sacred?
-Because people posses a soul. The Bible refers to the human body as being a temple for God, in which His spirit can live.
Resurrection…
- belief in resurrection is also an eschatological belief because many Christians think that at the end of time all the dead will be raised to be judged by God.
What does Matt 25 tell us about Eschatology?
- It contradicts salvation, and it is the story of the sheep and the goat.
- The sheep go to “eternal life” on right ->good action
- The goats go to “eternal punishment” ->bad things they did.
- Salvation is by faith, but this story shows good actions as being a positive thing.
History of the concept of “hell”…
- Hell is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but Jesus spoke of a place of punishment in some of his parables and there are passing references to punishment.
- Hell as we know it is a medieval idea and it is a place where God is not present.
- The OT uses the word “sheol”, a place of departed spirits.
- Another view is that Hell=complete annihilation.
- Some see it as the idea being symbolic.
Differing Christian views on heaven…
- Believed to be in the eternal presence of God, some say it’s a state of mind rather than a physical place.
- Bible describes it as “blinding light”, “beauty” and in the book of revelation, a “rainbow, resembling an emerald” ->shows how perfect heaven will be.
- Believed to be a place where suffering and evil no longer exist.
- It encourages Christians to sever and obey God, and it can comfort people in hard times.
What is purgatory?
- A Roman Catholic belief.
- It is a place before heaven and hell where you will undergo purification to active the holiness needed to enter heaven ->”final purification of the elect”. It’s known as Catechism.
- This explains why Catholics pray for the dead, and they think that prayers can help people to get into heaven.
Different Christian views about life after death…
- All Christians believe and have faith that the events in the world are not random and uncontrolled but are part of God’s plan, witch will have a good outcome in the end.
- Many will concentrate on trying to make life better for others here and now. They may do this because of Jesus’ teachings in the parable of the sheep and the goat in Mathew 25, and unless they help others, their salvation and eternal life in heaven might be at risk.
