judgement, heaven, hell + purgatory as psychological realities

Question 1

why psychological?

Answer 1

-many Christians today who find notions of resurrection , judgement and eternal joy or suffering to be out of date.

-no empirical evidence for any kind of existence after death, so idea that behaviour in human physical life can make a diff to their experience after death seems pointless.

-for some christians eternal life is reinterpreted in terms of the quality of living in this life: if Christs teachings on right living are followed then this can bring about heaven on earth.

Question 2

John 17:3

Answer 2

“and this eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent”

Question 3

as psychological realities..

Answer 3

-the product of human mind rather than the external power of God

Question 4

John Milton word to rebel angel

Answer 4

-“the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heaven”

-for Milton this view was wholly wrong , because spoken by fallen angel who has fought against God + been expelled from heaven.

-does articulate clearly notion that concepts of j, h + h may be understood not as part of a supernatural external process, but as part of psychology of human mind

Question 5

psychological realities - joy + suffering

Answer 5

-both joy + suffering may be experienced as psychological realities.

-person who is spiritually fulfilled experiences state of contentment, and one who is spiritually in conflict experiences psychological suffering.

Question 6

Freud- modern psychology

Answer 6

suggested that human psyche governed by conscious + unconscious urges, and that conflict between diff aspects of psyche leads to mental suffering.

-freud thought religious belief was merely result of neurosis, but student of Freuds Carl Jung, suggested that religious or spiritual experience is essential as an individual develops towards full realisation of who they rlly are.

Question 7

psychological realities- heaven

Answer 7

-where person lives a life wholly in harmony with deepest beliefs and spiritual instincts, they will experience inner peace, contentment and joy akin to idea of heaven.

Question 8

psychological realities- hell

Answer 8

-where someones beliefs + spiritual instincts clash with each other and with the way they live their life, the result is inner conflict and suffering, misery and a sense of failure that seems to have no hope, may lead to self-destructive behaviour - psychological hell

Question 9

how to stop psychological hell

Answer 9

-may escape through therapy or treatment.

-psychoanalysis which helps sufferer recognise and confront causes of inner conflict, may help in recovery of psychological wholeness.

-self reflection and small incremental change may help sufferers to leave behind self-destructive behaviour. (basis behaving 12 step programme of AA) clear that there are parallel concepts.

-therapy and self-reflection may restore those who find themselves in state of psychological hell, through process which, over time allows them to separate from things that cause them to suffer and offers possibility of psychological wholeness.