Self death and the afterlife Flashcards
Outline the different Christian beliefs in the purpose of life
To glorify God and build a relationship with God:
As we were created “imago Dei” and therefore in the image and likeness of God, we should aim to live a life in which reflects his glory. God told us to “be fruitful and multiply”, indicating we are supposed to spread the qualities of God over the whole earth. Jesus taught to “glorify the father.”
To prepare for judgement:
As an eschatological religion, Christianity is concerned with matters such as the afterlife. Jesus taught in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats that we will be judged based on our actions and therefore, through good works we can prepare for this day of judgement.
Book of revelation - “he will be judged based on the actions as seen in the records”
To bring about the Kingdom of God on earth:
A common Christian belief is that Jesus was inaugurating the Kingdom of God during his earthly life. The Kingdom refers to a realm in which God will be sovereign, restoring balance within the world, eradicating death and pain and filling it with hope and peace. He told his followers “the Kingdom of God is near”, suggesting that this life is only temporary and therefore it is a Christians job to continue Jesus’ job to transform society in efforts of building the Kingdom.
Outline Christian beliefs in the resurrection
Belief in Jesus’ resurrection is fundamental within Christianity, giving theists hope in an afterlife.
The resurrection enabled the world’s sins to be atoned for, allowing Christians to develop a relationship with God in hopes of receiving God’s grace. St Paul wrote “death through Adam, life through Christ”, demonstrating how the sacrificial death of Jesus absolved the world of its sinly state as a result of the fall.
Physical -
Augustine believed in resurrection of the flesh. This enables both the spiritual and physical effects of sin to be atoned for. Despite not believing in an afterlife himself, Aristotle’s ideas of the body and soul being inseparable substances can be seen to influence ideas of a physical resurrection.
Jesus’ resurrection was physical, as displayed through the depiction of an empty tomb. This suggests the rest of humanities will also be.
Spiritual -
St Paul wrote to Corinthians that we will are “sewn in a physical body, raised in a spiritual one.” This rejects the notion of a physical resurrection and mirrors Platonic dualist ideas. Paul believed the the “physical body couldn’t inherit the Kingdom of God.” The physical body is mortal and imperfect, associated with sin, death etc: These attributes are incoherent with the utopic eternal place of heaven. Therefore, our resurrection must be spiritual.
Aquinas believed our bodies perish at the point of our earthly death, and we then are resurrected in a spiritual , eternal body.
Outline Christians beliefs on heaven
A physical place:
Jesus - “my fathers house has many rooms, I am going there now to prepare for you.”
A spiritual place:
Catholics believe to be in heaven is to be with Christ.
Outline Christians views on judgement
Catholics believe there are two types of judgement: - judgement upon immediate death. General - upon Jesus’ second coming where everyone will be judged.
Nicene Creed -
