self, death and afterlife Flashcards
According to many Christians, what is the meaning and purpose of life?
- To glorify God and have a personal relationship with him
- To prepare for judgement
- To bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth
Define glory in relation to God
Glory refers to the infinite beauty and splendour of God
Why do some Christians believe that the meaning and purpose of life is to glorify God and have a personal relationship with him?
- Christians believe that because they, like all humans, are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), they should reflect God’s glory in their lives
- Jesus taught his disciples that their lives should encourage other to give glory to God
Why do some Christians believe that the meaning and purpose of life is to prepare for judgement?
Jesus taught in his parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46) that judgement would be based on how people responded or failed to respond to those in need
Heaven can therefore be seen as a reward for good behaviour, which links to the idea of justification by works
We should live a life that is in accordance with the will of God and moral principles, with the ultimate goal of gaining eternal life in heaven and avoiding eternal punishment in hell
Why do some Christians believe that the meaning and purpose of life is to bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth?
Some Christians believe that the meaning and purpose of life is to bring about God’s kingdom on earth by working towards social justice, peace, and equality, and by being agents of positive change in the world, thereby bringing about God’s will and transforming the world in accordance with His teachings.
Youcat 139
“[Christians] are sent to engage in society so that the kingdom of God can grown among men.”
What do Jewish people believe about the concept of the soul?
In Jewish belief, the soul is the spiritual essence of a person that is breathed into them by God at birth, and that continues to exist after death.
Jewish tradition holds that the soul is eternal and is the source of a person’s unique identity, character, and relationship with God, and that it can be nurtured and refined through acts of kindness, prayer, and Torah study.
What did Plato believe about the concept of the soul?
Plato’s theory on the concept of the soul proposes that the soul is the essence of a person that is immortal and pre-exists the body
While the physical body is part of the world of sense perception, the mind is related to that higher reality of the Forms
Plato also argues that only composite things (things made up of parts) can be destroyed or naturally disintegrate. But while bodies are composite, souls are non-material and simple (without parts), and therefore cannot be destroyed – once created, a soul is permanent and cannot die.
What is dualism?
The belief that reality has two aspects
Dualistic in relation to the soul means that the soul is thought of as a totally separate entity from the body, from which it separates at death
What do Christians believe about the concept of the soul?
Christians believe the immortal soul is the spiritual essence of a person, created by God and destined for heaven or hell, and can be nurtured through a relationship with God and virtuous living
What is the resurrection of Jesus?
- The resurrection of Jesus refers to his rising from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, and is considered the cornerstone of Christian faith as it confirms Jesus as the Son of God and his victory over sin and death
How does the resurrection of Jesus impact Christians?
It provides hope for Christians that they too will be resurrected after death, and has a transformative effect on their lives as they strive to live in accordance with Jesus’ teachings and follow his example of love, sacrifice, and service.
In what ways do Christians interpret this idea of resurrection for humanity?
- some think in terms of physical resurrection
- others think in terms of spiritual
What is the Resurrection of the flesh according to the writings of Augustine?
- Augustine believed that the Fall affected not only Adam and Eve but also the whole of humanity
- Every human is infected with sin in every aspect of their being
- Humans are totally dependent on God’s grace to deliver them from the eternal punishment that sin merits
- Augustine believes that the resurrection and ascension of Jesus were physical
What is spiritual resurrection?
Spiritual resurrection refers to the metaphorical or symbolic rising of a person from a state of spiritual death or separation from God
What is the significance of 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-54?
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 and 50-54 describe the nature of the resurrection body, which will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual, a transformation of the physical body, able to enter into the eternal kingdom of God
What is objective immorality in process thought?
Most process theologians believe in objective immorality. That is, after death, all individual beings (human and animal) remain eternally as ‘objects’ in the mind of God. In that sense, they never die
