Life after Death Flashcards
What is the Christian belief about death?
It is the end of physical life but the soul lives on in eternal life.
What is heaven?
A place that Christians believe they can be at one with God, a place of everlasting peace and happiness. It is a reward for living a worthy life and following Jesus’ teachings.
“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” - Revelation 21:4
How have beliefs about hell changed over time?
In the past, the focus was on it being a place of eternal torture for non-believers/sinners. In Medieval times, it was used to scare people into complying with the church. The historic notion of it being a place of fire, brimstone and torture has now been replaced with the idea that Hell is a “state of loss”, where there is an absence of God.
What is purgatory?
A Roman Catholic concept, a place of transition where those not ready for heaven can be cleansed of their sins. It is believed praying for a person will help them pass through purgatory.
What is the Christian concept of resurrection?
The belief that on the last day, the dead will be raised. Jesus’ death and resurrection means God is forgiving and saves those who have been born again. His resurrection brings Christians hope of eternal life.
What four things can be believed to happen after death?
- Reincarnation - Hindus, Buddhists, Celtic pagans
- Reward/punishment - Christianity, Islam and Judaism
- The spirit lives on (as a ghost) - Mediums
- Nothing - Athiest
What is a soul?
Dictionary definition: The spirit or non-physical, innermost part of a person
- The essence of a human being, possibly the remnants of a divine reality.
Outline Plato’s beliefs about the soul
He thought the soul was an essence of a person and was split into three different parts
- The logos - the mind, used in decision making
- The thymos - the emotional drive
- The pathos - physical drives
He believed that the logos controls both the physical and emotional drives.
Revelation 4:6-7?
“In the centre, around the throne were four living creatures…the first a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth an eagle”
- all animals are equally as precious
What is the Genesis 2:7 reference about God’s “breath of life” often interpreted as?
This is often claimed to be God giving Adam a soul.
List a few Christian beliefs about the soul
- We have a soul, which makes us different from other creatures
- Our soul is what makes our lives so sacred
- Some believe that our soul is a part of God, which lives and works within us (as our conscience)
- Most believe the physical body and soul are separate entities
- The soul is pure and eternal
- Whereas a human body aims to satisfy its own desires and pleasures, the soul is more focused on pleasing God “In my inner being, I want to do good”
What Christian teaching implies that a human’s physical body and soul are separate?
“You, yourselves, are God’s temple and God’s spirit lives within you” - Corinthians 3:16
What Christian teaching claims the body will be destroyed at death, but the spirit of a person will live on?
“The body that is sown is perishable…it is raised a spiritual body”
What is redemption?
Redemption is the idea that sins can be forgiven through God and that people may be redeemed if they are remorseful.
Who is often referred to as ‘the redeemer’ and why?
Jesus because he died for the sins of the whole world.
What is salvation?
Salvation is the passage to heaven, accesible by following Jesus’ teachings and living a Christian lifestyle.
What Bible teaching suggests following Jesus is the only way to heaven?
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me” - John 14:6
What is the name given to Jesus’ elevation up to heaven after his resurrection?
The ascension
Outline God’s plan of salvation
- God created the perfect Eden, with Adam and Eve who were perfect human beings but with free will
- Adam and Even eat the forbidden fruit (original sin) causing the relationship between God and humans to suffer. Punishment = death, pain in labour and difficulty in work
- God guides humans - moses & 10 commandments. Humans ignore and worship idols instead.
- God sends prophets, who are killed by humans.
- God comes to Earth in the form of JC - he is killed and resurrected, paying the price of all sins commited by humanity. Ascension.
- Through Jesus’ sacrifice, all humans can go to heaven.
What is a ‘rite’?
A religious or other solemn ceremony or act, usually ‘rites of passage’ eg. baptism, holy communion
Why are funerals held?
- To show respect for the dead
- So friends and family can grieve
- As a celebration of the person’s life
- To pray for the dead (and assist them through ourgatory)
- To give some closure to those who are left behind
What might a minister do for someone on their deathbed?
They might prepare the person for death and by saying prayers of preparation and reconcilliation.
Why didn’t churches agree with funerals taking place in crematoriums historically?
It was believed there would be a bodily resurrection at the end of time and burning the body would prevent this
What passage is used to open most funerals and why?
“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live again”
- to give hope to the bereaved
- critics might say to manipulate the bereaved and maintain their faith
