Self, death and afterlife Flashcards
Give three different beliefs about
the purpose of life for Christians
To glorify God and have a personal relationship with him
To prepare for judgement
To bring about God’s kingdom on earth
2.Explain two alternative ways of
understanding the term ‘the
Kingdom of God’
“The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news”
(Jesus, Mark 1:15)
Earthly (transformation of world) and/or Eschatological (end of this world).
- As a transformation of this current world (synoptic link: liberation theology).
- As a future eschatological reality
Many Christians believe that Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God, or look
forward to the time when Jesus will inaugurate the Kingdom (e.g. His Second
Coming).
Reza Aslan: “The first century was an era of apocalyptic expectation among
the Jews of Palestine”
Explain why many Christians believe the
purpose of life is to glorify God – why and
how do they do this? Refer to ‘imago dei’
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven” (Jesus, Matthew 5:16).
To ‘glorify’ means to ‘praise and worship’ – an essential part of Christian life.
Christians believe God is the omnipotent creator and controller of the
universe, therefore is worthy of worship (synoptic link: God).
Humans in particular have an important duty to glorify God as they are made
‘imago dei’ (in the image of God). They should reflect God’s glory in their lives.
Part of this involves caring for his creation (synoptic link: stewardship).
Explain how Christians believe they can have a personal relationship with God. Synoptic link: the nature of God and beliefs about Trinity
Through praying to God and seeing him as a heavenly Father, as Jesus has
taught them. ‘Our Father’ (Luke 11). This helps Christians to strengthen their
personal relationship with God.
St Paul says Christians can have a personal relationship with God through faith
in Jesus, who is God incarnate (God made flesh – in human form).
“In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (St Paul, Galatians).
Christians can develop a personal relationship with God through the Holy
Spirit, who is the third person of the Trinity and God’s active presence in the
world today. “Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you” (St
Paul Corinthians).
Why do many Christians believe the
purpose of life is to prepare for
judgement? (Refer to scripture that
contains this teaching)
Christianity is an eschatological religion, focused on preparing for life after death.
Judgement is the traditional Christian belief that after death, people’s lives will be
assessed by God. The end of our short, temporary life in this world (and body) is not
the end of our existence – eternal life is promised by scripture.
Therefore, this life should be used to prepare for this important Judgement.
Our conduct in this life will determine our destiny after death.
Jesus: Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25): God will judge all people
based on whether they have performed good deeds in this lifetime. For example,
feeding the hungry and caring for the sick. Those who have (the sheep) will be
rewarded with eternal life, those who have not will be punished with eternal
damnation. Heaven is seen as a good reward for good behaviour, emphasising the
importance of preparing for judgement by doing good deeds (synoptic link:
justification by works).
How do Christians actively prepare for judgement?
Performing good works, such as those outlined in the Parable of the Sheep
and the Goats: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, inviting
strangers in, clothing those who need clothes, caring for the sick, visiting those
in prison.
Prayer and Bible study – strengthening faith and commitment to God.
Discerning his purpose for your life and the rules He expects you to follow.
Pray for forgiveness of sins, put faith in Jesus Christ and his crucifixion (to save
you from Original Sin that is inherited from Adam and Eve).
Attending Church, participating in Sacraments, evangelising for the religion
(synoptic link: expressions of religious identity).
Avoiding sin, for example avoiding breaking the 10 Commandments (synoptic
link: God – ethical monotheism, Sinai Covenant).
According to St Augustine’s understanding of
Genesis, what was the consequence of Adam and
Eve’s disobedience?
Augustine is known for his ‘Original Sin’ doctrine, which says all people are born sinful as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.
God created a perfect world and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There was no death, pain or suffering; ‘it was
good’.
Adam and Eve were placed in the garden to ‘take care of it’ (Genesis). They were given free will, because ‘a runaway horse is
better than a stone’ (Augustine).
They were told they could do anything, except eat from the Tree of Knowledge.
Disguised as a snake, Satan spoke to Eve and encouraged her to eat the fruit from the Tree. Satan encouraged her by saying that
she would become like God if she did. Eve took a bite, before giving Adam fruit to eat as well. They immediately felt shame.
As a result of this disobedience, Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden and condemned to a hard, difficult life. For
example, pain in childbirth and painful toil.
Their disobedience brought about ‘The Fall’ – it is a fall from grace. As a result of their actions, there is a separation between
heaven and earth. Evil and suffering enter the world, and there is disharmony in creation (explaining natural evil).
All human beings are implicated in their disobedience, because all people are present in their ‘loins’ (Augustine). Therefore, all
human beings now pay the price – they inherit Original Sin through sexual reproduction.
As a result, all people are born sinful and into a sinful, fallen world. They therefore need salvation through Jesus Christ.
In the same way that Sin has entered the world through man, it can only be overcome by man – Jesus Christ, the saviour!
Explain why some Christians believe the
purpose of life is to bring about God’s
Kingdom on earth – refer to Jesus’ teaching in
the Gospels
Kingdom of God was a key concept in Jewish thinking. At the time of Jesus, there were different ways of
understanding this – some rabbis thought belonging to the Kingdom meant keeping all of the 613
commandments set out in the Law), other Jews thought it meant the coming of the Messiah as a military figure
who would liberate Israel from Roman occupation.
The key Christian belief is that Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God. The word Kingdom appears 162 times in
the New Testament. Jesus regularly speaks of the Kingdom, often using parables in order to do so.
First thing Jesus says: “The Kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15)
Some Christians believe the Kingdom of God is something to be fully actualised in this world – a society
transformed by Gospel values, stewardship and justice.
Some Christians believe the Kingdom of God will be fully realised eschatologically – Jesus will complete this
with his Second Coming.
St Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now but yours” – it is a Christian’s duty to continue Jesus’ work. He began
inaugurating the Kingdom 2,000 years ago – they must continue the work today.
John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio: “Jesus gradually reveals the characteristics and demands of the kingdom through his words, his actions and his own person. The kingdom of God is meant for all mankind, and all people are called to become members of it”.
Explain what Reza Aslan means when he writes
that ‘The first century was an era of apocalyptic
expectation among the Jews of Palestine’ – what does
this tell us about Jesus and his teachings?
The 1st century was a time of ‘apocalyptic expectation’.
People at the time were anticipating the end of the world – many thought that the world would end
within their lifetimes. This context is important for understanding the contents of Jesus’ teachings.
Therefore, Jesus’ eschatological teachings would not have appeared radical at the time – many
people were predicting the end of the world was imminent.
Arguably, what was radical about Jesus’ teachings was his preferential option for the poorest. Some
therefore believe that Jesus was unique because of his message about the need for social change,
rather than his eschatological teachings. The Kingdom is therefore a transformation of THIS world!
Jews of Palestine were on the ‘look out’ for the promised Messiah, who would liberate them from
the Roman occupation. Jesus’ followers believed that Jesus was this promised Messiah – however,
many people did not.
A belief that the end of the world was imminent is found in the teaching of Paul – he did not
advocate having children, but instead urged the earliest Christians to remain celibate. This suggests
they saw no need for sexual reproduction – they anticipated the world was going to end within their
lifetimes!
Christians must therefore be mindful of the contextual factors that influenced Biblical scripture.
How do Christians work to bring
about God’s kingdom on earth?
Working to create the Kingdom: “On Earth as it is in heaven”
Engaging in Liberation Theology – emphasising the liberation of the oppressed, engaging politically in order to do this.
Evangelism: “Make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit” (Jesus,
Matthew 28). Today, 2.4 billion people are Christian.
Promoting peace: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Jesus, Matthew 5)
Promoting and embodying Christian values: “Clothe yourselves with compassion” (St Paul)
Performing Good Works: “Whatever you did for the least of these people you did for me” (Jesus, Matthew 25). Helping those
in need.
Empowering the poor and oppressed: “The last will be first, and the first last” (Jesus, Matthew 20). Challenging those who use
power to exploit others.
Protesting against injustices, such as Martin Luther King Jr and racial inequality.
Giving to those in need, helping to end poverty and suffering: “Sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have
wealth in Heaven” (Matthew 19)
Dedicating their lives to following Jesus; prioritising and implementing his teachings in the world, no matter how difficult this
is: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16)
Explain why some Christians may
disagree with this kind of approach.
Some Christians have criticised approaches such as ‘Liberation Theology’ for
being too political.
They believe that Christianity should not become politicised.
This could risk turning Christianity into a ‘social movement’ or ‘political protest
group’ rather than a religious faith that transcends these worldly affairs.
Christians should be focused on worshipping God rather than getting too
engaged in worldly political issues and affairs.
For example, Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI condemned Liberation
Theologians for engaging with Marxism – they believed Catholicism should
remain ‘above politics’.
Synoptic link: Liberation Theology.
Define ‘resurrection’ with
reference to scripture
Resurrection – rising from the dead.
Belief in the resurrection is the central tenet of the Christian faith.
Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. ‘He is not here! He is risen!’
(Luke 24). All four gospels state that the tomb was empty. Over 500+ saw Jesus.
“If Christ has not been raised, you faith is pointless and you are still in your sins” (St
Paul, 1 Corinthians)
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though
they die.” (Jesus, John 11)
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death
no longer has mastery over him” (St Paul, Romans).
“Without the resurrection, there would be no Christianity” (Pastor Adrian Rogers)
The Resurrection is interpreted differently: some believe it was physical, others
believe it was spiritual.
Give three things that the Gospels teach about Jesus’ resurrection
Mary Magdalene found that the tomb was empty. An angel tells her: “Do not
be afraid, for I know that you were looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is
not here; He has risen” (Luke 24)
Doubting Thomas refused to believe in the resurrection without direct,
personal experience - when he saw the risen Jesus, he was encouraged to
‘reach out your hand and put it into my side’. This led to his belief. Jesus
responded: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20).
He appeared to over 500 people after his resurrection (St Paul, Corinthians)
Explain what St Paul means when he
writes that ‘if Christ has not been raised,
your faith is futile’ (1 Corinthians 15:17)
Christian belief hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If the resurrection has not happened, your faith is pointless.
Through the resurrection, Christians can “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in
Christ Jesus” (Paul, Romans 6).
The resurrection confirms Jesus as divine (synoptic link: God – The Trinity).
The resurrection means that Christians have hope for life after death.
The resurrection means that death and sin have been overcome – good has achieved victory
over evil, the relationship between heaven and earth is restored.
“Salvation is the root – the resurrection is the fruit” (TD Jakes).
“The great gift of Easter is hope” (Basil Hume)
“The resurrection completes the inauguration of God’s kingdom. . . . It is the decisive event
demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven” (NT
Wright)
What are the two different ways
of understanding resurrection?
Physical and spiritual.
Physical Body Resurrection – Augustine: Resurrection of the Flesh
“The bodies of the saints…shall rise again free from blemish and deformity”
“Already both the learned and unlearned have believed in the resurrection of the flesh and its ascension to the
heavenly places” (City of God).
Augustine’s belief in the Fall (Original Sin) is central to his understanding of the physical resurrection. In Jesus’
physical resurrection, both the spiritual and physical effects of sin are erased.
Spiritual Body Resurrection – St Paul: Resurrection of a Spiritual ‘Body’
“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable…it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual
body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians)
“Flesh and bloody cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1
Corinthians)
Paul believes in the resurrection of “a spiritual body”. The earthly body perishes.
