Judgement, Heaven, Hell & Purgatory Flashcards
Throughout most of Christian history, how have judgement,
heaven, hell and purgatory been understood?
As physical realities.
In the past, why were people more aware of reality of death?
Christians were tortured and killed in painful ways.
Death, pain and suffering were part of normal life.
In the past, what did people had no trouble believing in?
The literal reality of ‘the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ as punishment of sin.
Why did the church focus on the suffering of sinners after death?
They hoped it would deter people from committing individual sins.
If heaven was a physical place, what would it be like?
No physical suffering or pain, enough to eat, and no labour or sorrow.
What was the purpose of doom paintings in churches?
Remained people that they were under judgement.
What is the outcome of the physical belief?
People feared death so much that they were prepared to go to great lengths to avoid going to hell and to reduce the amount of time they might spend in purgatory.
What is a more modern view of judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory?
They are spiritual - spiritually resurrected souls may be subject to eternal life with God in heaven or eternal suffering apart from God in hell.
How does the spiritual view change the nature of how people understand the joy of heaven?
The qualities that the saved enjoy are spiritual rather than material - joy, peace and love, and the pleasure of being reunited with loved ones, in the safe and secure knowledge that God is always present.
How does the spiritual view change the nature of how people understand the suffering of hell?
Suffering of the damned is understood as spiritual loss - the eternal absence of God, no source of goodness, joy or peace, eternal separation from loved ones, and endless sorrow and spiritual pain.
Why is there no difference to God between the time when an individual person dies and the end of time itself?
Because for God, time has no meaning.
Why do some people argue that judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory are psychological realities?
There is no empirical evidence for life after death.
What does psychological realities mean?
The product of the human mind rather than the external power of God.
What is psychological heaven like?
An experience of inner peace, contentment and joy.
What is psychological hell like?
Inner conflict and suffering, misery and a sense of failure that seems to have no hope, and may lead to self destructive
behaviour.
