Eschatology Flashcards
Eschatology
The study of what will happen at the end of time. Originates from the greek word eskhatos meaning last
Judgement
The belief that God will judge humanity on their beliefs and actions
Death
When the brain and body stop functioning permanently and you go to heaven,hell or purgatory
Cosmic Reconciliation
At the end of time, the whole of creation will be reconciled (brought together in harmony) with God
Anointing the Sick
A sacrament that helps them to endure their suffering by strengthening their faith, as well as joining their suffering to that of Christ
Sanctity of Life
Christians believe that all life is sacred (special) as it was created by God
Heaven
Heaven is where God lives and is a place of eternal happiness
Hell
Where the devil rules and is a place of eternal punishment
Purgatory
A State of cleansing to remove the effect of sin, to help a person acept the full presence of God
Last Rites
Where the priest visits the dying. They will pray with the dying, hear their last confession and anoint them with oil
Funerals
To provide rituals and liturgies to support the grieving
Euthanasia
The painless killing of a patient suffering from a terminal illness
What does Mark 13:24-25 say about the end of time?
The Bible suggests the end of time will be signalled by cosmic disasters - frightening, large-scale events such as the sun darkening or the stars falling from heaven
What will happen after the end of time?
- The Son of Man (Jesus) will come to judge the whole of creation
- The end of the current world order will lead to the creation of a new one
- The Reign of God will be established
What did Jesus’ resurrection teach Christians?
Jesus’ resurrection taught Christians that life continues after death in the presence of God
What are the differences between resurrection now and then?
Beliefs about resurrection used to be the world will end shortly and all people would be taken into the presence of God. However this has changed and Christians have to live the life of resurrection while they are alive on Earth resisting sin to prepare them for judgement after death
St Paul’s Letter about resurrection - 1 Corinthian 15
“So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body”
What does St Paul compare in 1 Corinthian 15?
Here Paul compares the relationship between the earthly body and the resurrected body to the relationship between a seed and the plant that grows from it. In some ways they are the same thing, but they are also different from each other
What does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus say and mean?
• The rich man ‘feasted sumptuously every day’ but didn’t share any of his food with Lazarus - Wealth can make it easier to forget the needs of others
• The torment and suffering of hell are shown by the rich man pleadi for some water; he says that he is ‘in agony in these flames’ - Hell is a place of torment where people are cut off from any relationship with God
• Abraham tells the rich man that there is a ‘great chasm’ between heaven and hell, and it is not possible to cross from one to the other - It is not possible to move between heaven and hell
• Abraham replies that, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophe neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead - Having faith in God, and following Jesus’ teachings, will lead people to heaven
What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is a cleansing process, ratner than a place where the effecs of sins are removed so that the person can feel happy in the full presence of God.All those who are in purgatory are on their way to heaven
The sense of pain in purgatory is from the removal of sins and hope comes from the fact heaven awaits when the purifying is finished
Those in purgatory need the support and the prayers of other people so that the cleansing process might be completed quickly
What are the four last things?
- Death
- Judgement
- Heaven
- Hell
What do Catholics believe about Death?
• For Christians, death is a transition to a new phase of life
• Death is not something to fear, because it is the start of eternal life without the limitations of the earthly body
• While the body dies, the soul continues to live on
• The soul is judged by God and sent to heaven or hell (Catholics believe souls might also be sent to purgatory)
• At the end of time, at the final judgement, the body and soul will be reunited in a perfect form
What do Catholics believe about Judgement?
• Catholics believe that after they die they will be judged by God
• God will consider everything a person has done during their lifetime
• This is the moment of truth when people have to accept responsibility for all of their actions
• Some Catholics believe that while God judges them, they also judge themselves in the light of his love
• Because Jesus died so all people could be saved, Christians believe God’s judgement will be merciful
What do Catholics believe about heaven?
• If people are judged favourably, they will enter heaven
• Heaven is the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God
• In heaven, God’s love removes all cares and worries
• God wants all people to join him in heaven, but he also respects people’s free will. This means people have to choose to accept God in order to enter heaven
What do Catholics believe about Hell?
• If people are judged unfavourably, they will enter hell
• Hell is the state of eternal separation from God
• Christians believe God doesn’t send people to hell; people send themselves by not accepting God
• People in hell are aware of what they have thrown away, and exist in a state of frustration and anger at themselves
What are the different types of judgement?
- Particular judgement
- Final judgement
What is Particular Judgement?
When God judges you based on your personality, and your personal basis and your response will be the deciding factor whether you go to heaven,hell or purgatory