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Question 1

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Answer 1

A rich man ignored Lazarus and was sent to Hell, while Lazarus went to Heaven.
Indicates particular judgment takes place immediately after death.

Question 2

Counter to Particular Judgment

Answer 2

The story is about Sheol, not Heaven or Hell, as it mentions the bosom of Abraham and Hades.

Question 3

Counter to the Sheol Argument

Answer 3

Luther argues the story is a parable symbolizing the state of conscience, not to be taken literally about the afterlife.

Question 4

Luther’s Symbolic Interpretation

Answer 4

Despite physical depictions, Luther claims the story symbolizes conscience because the physical bodies were in graves, not in Heaven or Hell.

Question 5

Physical Reality of the Afterlife

Answer 5

Popular in Christian history, inspired by works like Dante’s Divine Comedy, reflecting physical experiences of torture and feasting.

Question 6

Physical Resurrection by St. Paul and Augustine

Answer 6

Resurrection of the flesh indicates a physical afterlife, as Jesus’ resurrection is seen as the first example.

Question 7

Counter to Physical Resurrection

Answer 7

Spiritual resurrection might make more sense of Jesus’ post-mortem appearances, which were non-physical.

Question 8

Counter to Spiritual Resurrection

Answer 8

The empty tomb and the physical body of Jesus suggest a physical resurrection.

Question 9

Cannibal Problem for Physical Resurrection

Answer 9

Physical resurrection is questioned due to the practical issue of decomposed bodies being consumed and reused in nature.

Question 10

New Earth

Answer 10

Heaven is seen as a future perfected state of the earth, suggesting physical resurrection and eternal life on a cleansed earth.

Question 11

Penitent Thief Story

Answer 11

Suggests heaven exists now as Jesus told the thief on the cross they would be in Paradise that day, implying immediate particular judgment.

Question 12

Counter to Penitent Thief Story

Answer 12

A grammatical translation issue could change the meaning, implying future paradise, not immediate.

Question 13

Liberal View of Biblical Inspiration

Answer 13

Liberal theology sees the Bible as human interpretations of divine events, suggesting afterlife descriptions are metaphorical.

Question 14

Purgatory Definition

Answer 14

Purgatory is derived from the Latin word for ‘to purge’ or ‘to make clean’. The Catholic Church teaches it is a temporary state of purification for souls with venial sins not confessed before death.

Question 15

Catechism of the Catholic Church on Purgatory

Answer 15

Describes purgatory as a state for those who die in God’s friendship but need purification to enter Heaven.

Question 16

Biblical Basis for Purgatory

Answer 16

2 Maccabees 12:46: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.”

Question 17

Counter to Biblical Basis for Purgatory

Answer 17

The word ‘Purgatory’ does not appear in the Bible. The parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) implies only Heaven and Hell, with no middle ground.

Question 18

2 Timothy 4:1 Against Purgatory

Answer 18

“Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.” Judgment occurs at the end of time, conflicting with the concept of purgatory.

Question 19

Election: Limited Election

Answer 19

Limited election: Only a few Christians, chosen by God before birth, are saved.

Question 20

Unlimited Election

Answer 20

Unlimited election: All people can be saved, but not all are, as it depends on individual choice to be good.

Question 21

Augustine’s View on Election

Answer 21

Augustine: Due to original sin, salvation is only possible through God’s grace, predestining some for Heaven.

Question 22

Pelagius on Predestination

Answer 22

Predestination makes punishment unjust; it is unethical to blame humanity for Adam’s sin.