Theology - Self , Death And Afterlife

Question 1

Allegory

Answer 1

Something with hidden symbolic meaning

Question 2

Forms

Answer 2

Plato’s Theory of Forms is that everything in the physical universe is a particular instance of a perfect idea in the metaphysical world of Forms

Question 3

Objective immortality

Answer 3

The Process Thought belief that every living thing exists forever in the mind of God , because they are literally objects ‘in’ God

Question 4

Purgatory

Answer 4

A Catholic doctrine of an immediate state after death in which those who are destined to enter heaven are punished/purified in order to make them worthy of heaven

Question 5

Reincarnation

Answer 5

The belief that at death , the soul at some point is re-fleshed into another body

Question 6

Pantheism

Answer 6

The philosophical view that everything that there is exists in God

Question 7

Subjective immortality

Answer 7

The belief that after death the thinking self continues as the same subject of consciousness - the same ‘I’

Question 8

Venial sin

Answer 8

A ‘forgivable’ sin that does not result in separation from God and eternal damnation to hell

Question 9

The meaning and purpose of life for Christians

Answer 9

1) To glorify God and have a personal relationship with him
2) To prepare for judgement
3) To bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth

Question 10

Quotes for Glorifying God

Answer 10

“Let your light shine before men , that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Jesus , Sermon on the Mount , Matthew 5:16

Question 11

Quote for preparing for judgement

Answer 11

“The kingdom of God is at hand ; repent, and believe in the gospel “ Mark , 15

Question 12

Quote for spiritual change at resurrection

Answer 12

“We shall not all sleep , but we shall all be changed “ 1 Corinthians 15:51

Question 13

Quote for spiritual resurrection

Answer 13

“It is sown a physical body , it is raised a spiritual body “ 1 Corinthians 15:44

Question 14

Augustine on resurrection

Answer 14

• Both the body and the spirit is needed so sin can be removed from both
• Assumed Jesus’ resurrection was physical

Question 15

Plato’s dualistic philosophy

Answer 15

• Influenced spiritual resurrection

* A person is a non-material soul housed in a physical body

Question 16

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 and 50-54 relevance

Answer 16

• Paul’s response to those in the Church of Corinth who doubted that humans could follow Jesus’ example and resurrect after death
• Important because it shows the development of Christian theology 20-25 years after Jesus’ death

Question 17

Where do classical ideas about judgement exist ?

Answer 17

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats in Revelation 20:11-12

Question 18

Spiritual judgement

Answer 18

Realities in which suffering is seen as a spiritual loss such as permanent separation with God

Question 19

Physical judgement

Answer 19

• The reality of pain in the era before anaesthetics made it easy to imagine
• Jesus’ pain on the cross was real

Question 20

Liberal Christian view on judgement

Answer 20

• A psychological reality generated by the mind
• Heaven may be a life of quiet and contentment
• Hell could be those who live in conflict and could escape through some sort of reformation

Question 21

Process theologians and judgment

Answer 21

• Reject any idea of subjective immortality

* When something dies it lives objectively in God’s mind