Judgment And Christian Practice Flashcards
What is the Golden Rule?
“Do unto others as you would have them done to you”
What is individual judgment?
Occurs at the end of our life here in earth and will be followed by either eternal union or eternal separation from God
What is final judgment?
Occurs at the end of the world and will mark the culmination of Gods re-creation of ourselves and the world. It’s associated with Parousia, the second coming of Christ which will usher in the full establishment of Gods kingdom on earth as it is in heaven
What is heaven?
-State of being united with God
-Realm of divine perfection, like Eden before the fall of man
-Where souls of the righteous go in the after life
-A physical existence after the resurrection with a ‘resurrected body’
What is hell?
-Place of fire and torture where people face consequences for their sins on earth
-Absence of God and Jesus
-Rejection of Jesus and his teachings
-A state of mind rather than a physical place
How may beliefs about heaven impact Christian’s today?
Give Christian’s a better existence beyond death. For many people who suffer in this life, the belief im heaven will spur them on to live with the challenges they face in the hope of being united fully with God
How many the existence of hell impact Christian’s today?
Helps us to understand that God respects humans free will. In other words God will resople y the decision of those who do not want to be with him in heaven
How may judgment help Christian’s today?
Helps is to understand that the way in which we live our lives will impact us in the afterlife. This might encourage us to act more responsibly and to strive to make the love and goodness of God present in the lives of others in this world and the next
Why may some people think beliefs about judgment are too negative?
-It’s scary to think God is watching all the time. Could take enjoyment out of life for some and cause them to live in fear about life after death
-Traditional ideas can be very grim or frightening, the fact that there is a place of torment and it’s eternal
-It isn’t just about the individual but about loved ones too and they might fear for them after they die if they feel they won’t get a good judgment
-The sheep and the goats parable may be worrying for some as it suggests people will be judged on how well they have loved their neighbours rather than their religion
Why may some people think beliefs about judgment are not too negative?
-It can be comforting to know Jesus loved everyone and told his followers not to judge others. This can help people feel valued and welcome in the KoG
-God is the judge and he is all knowing and all good so they can be reassured the judgment will be fair
-Some believe the death and resurrection paid the price for all sins of man ever. This means they can be welcomed into Gods presence in this life, for bereaved Christian’s it can be comforting to think a faithful life will be rewarded
-Heaven after death can be hugely comforting as Christian’s think of it as a place without sadness or pain. This would be especially comforting to those who faced illness or pain in life on earth
