Beliefs About Life After Death Flashcards
(34 cards)
Describe St Paul’s Teachings on the Soul
-St Paul did not think that Jesus’ body was simply revived.
-St Paul also rejected the view that humans are mere physical bodies with a finite existence on earth.
-There is something about being human that gives us our identity; this is what he understood the soul to be.
-He also rejected the view that eternal life was restricted to ‘disembodied’ souls. It is not possible to fully understand human experience without a body.
-So for St Paul, our earthly, physical identity is both body and soul. Our heavenly spiritual bodies are both body and soul.
Describe St Paul’s Analogy of the Seed
-St Paul made a distinction between earthly bodies and heavenly bodies.
-The analogy he offers comes from nature. The grain of wheat is very different to the fully grown plant. It ceases to be like that seed when it becomes a plant.
-Our observation of the world helps us understand that the existence of the seed has led to a different physical existence, that of the wheat plant.
-In a similar way, St Paul says that it is possible to understand a distinction between earthly, physical bodies and heavenly, spiritual bodies.
Describe Catholic beliefs About Resurrection
Catholics believe that after death, all people who have died in Christ will be resurrected.
-This is because they believe Jesus died for our sins and resurrected so now, humans will also experience bodily resurrection after they die.
-St Paul wrote, “and just as we bore the image of the earthly man, so will we bare the image of the heavenly man.”
-This teaches Catholics that when they die, their body on Earth will be lost.
-However, when they resurrect, God will give them a new, spiritual resurrection body (a glorified body) like Jesus.
Explain how Catholics are Influenced by Belief in Resurrection of the Body
-Catholics will be influenced to say prayers for the dead such as the Eternal Rest and hold Requiem masses so that they may be at rest after death.
-Catholics will also do this to ease a loved one’s time in Purgatory.
Evaluate Catholic Beliefs in the Resurrection of the Body
-Catholics provide a convincing argument as Paul’s letters are dated to be formalised at most two to three years after Jesus’ death.
-This makes them strong sources as they are more likely to be correct.
-Therefore, Jesus’ resurrection has been backed up by the Gospels written by the Apostles who followed Jesus as he preached but also Paul’s testimony.
-Hence, there is life after death as this has already been shown to us by Jesus’ resurrection.
Describe Other Christians Beliefs About Resurrection
-Other Christians believe in the immortality and resurrection of the soul.
-St Paul wrote that “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”
-Other Christians interpret this as meaning that we will not keep a body in the afterlife, only the soul will live in the presence of God.
-Therefore, there is life after death as the soul will separate from the earthly body and continue to live on to everlasting life in heaven.
Explain how Other Christians are Influenced by Belief in Resurrection of the Soul
-Other Christians will be influenced to allow cremation as well as burial once someone has died.
-This is because although we will be resurrected, it will only be the soul, so a complete earthly body is not necessary for this.
Evaluate Other Christian Beliefs in the Resurrection of the Soul
-Other Christians provide a convincing argument because there are accounts of near-death experiences during which a person has described themselves being separate from their body and looking at themselves from above.
-This may be seen as evidence for a distinction between body and soul.
Describe Humanist Beliefs About Life After Death
Humanists are materialists meaning nothing exists other than matter so believe we only have one chance at living a good life.
-Humanists UK argue, “Belief in life after death can mean that people have less motivation to fight injustice and misery in this life.”
-This shows that belief in life after death might lead people to forget to focus on living this life well or prevent them from rejecting the situations of injustice or poverty that they are currently experiencing.
-Hence, humanists believe there is no life after death as there is no spiritual aspect to life so it is important to tackle issues now and not think about an afterlife.
Explain how Humanists are Influenced by Belief in Life After Death
-Humanists will be influenced to setup secular charities aimed at fighting injustices globally such as climate change.
-They may also protest over certain issues and write to government officials as they only have this life to make a change.
-However, because they believe there is no afterlife, they may not be worried about judgement so live however they see fit.
Evaluate Humanist Beliefs About Life After Death
-Humanists provide a convincing argument as there has not been much substantial evidence of an afterlife so it may be seen as just a way to help us cope with the loss of a loved one.
-However, Jesus’ resurrection has been evidenced by 500 eyewitnesses and the strong testimonies of the Apostles showing that resurrection is highly possible and so there is life after death.
Describe Catholic Teachings About Judgement
-Catholics believe that when a person dies, God passes judgement on their soul.
-This is called particular judgement. Each person is responsible for their own actions.
-There will also be a final judgement when the whole of creation will be judged.
-This idea is found in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Jesus taught: “He will separate the people from one another as a shepherd separates a sheep from the goats.”
Describe what the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teaches Catholics about judgement.
-The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teaches that judgement applies to all nations and people.
-Everyone will be held accountable for their actions. People will be separated for their actions in life, especially to those in need.
-Jesus taught:, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.” The parable highlights the eternal consequences of our actions.
-Those who have performed acts of charity will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven whereas those who have not shown acts of kindness will be sent to eternal punishment.
Describe what the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant teaches Catholics about judgement.
-The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant shows God’s mercy and how He is willing to forgive us for our sins.
-It highlights the idea that we should forgive others just as we have been forgiven by God.
-Those who do not show mercy and forgiveness to others will face judgement themselves and be sentenced to eternal punishment.
-The parable finishes by saying “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
-This shows that forgiveness is not optional but a fundamental aspect of living a life aligned with God’s will.
Describe what the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus teaches Catholics about judgement.
-The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus teaches that our actions and attitudes in life have eternal consequences.
-God’s judgement is based on faith and character, not material wealth.
Lazarus, despite his poverty, is rewarded for his faith and endurance: “now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.”
-This serves as a warning against indifference to the needs of others as this will lead to punishment.
-Instead, it emphasises the importance of compassion and justice.
Describe Catholic beliefs About Heaven
-Catholics believe that those who have accepted God’s grace and forgiveness in this life will enjoy eternal existence in God’s presence after they die in the next life.
-A person who has lived a holy life will be rewarded with eternal happiness in the presence of God. Heaven is to be totally at one with God.
-The Bible teaches that there is no sadness, pain or suffering in Heaven. Catholics take this to mean that Heaven is a holy, happy and peaceful state of being with God. The Catechism describes Heaven as “the state of supreme, definitive happiness.”
-Catholics have tried to find language and imagery to describe what Heaven might mean but it is difficult to accurately describe Heaven since it is beyond human experience.
Describe Catholic Beliefs About Hell
-Catholics believe that Hell is the punishment for unrepentant sinners.
-It is for those who from their own free will reject God’s grace, love and forgiveness.
-They have chosen not to regret their sinful actions and decided to live eternally without God.
-The Bible describes Hell as a place of fire and torture; “a fiery lake of burning sulphur.” Catholics take this to mean that Hell is a place of suffering and eternal separation from God.
-The punishment of Hell takes the form of spiritual isolation and desolation from God.
Describe Catholic Beliefs About Purgatory
-Catholics believe that Purgatory is a state of cleansing before Heaven. The word comes from the Greek word ‘pur’ meaning fire.
-Catholics believe they will be cleansed in Purgatory similar to how ancient farmers would burn their land to cleanse it.
-This is referenced in Corinthians which states “If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.”
-This shows that nobody dies perfect so God has to allow those who have died to be cleansed.
-This is in order to respect human freedom and make the person ‘new’ before they enter His presence for eternity.
Explain how Catholics are Influenced by Belief About Purgatory
-Catholics will be influenced to pray for the dead in order to ease the bitterness felt in Purgatory.
-This may include praying the eternal rest or final commendation at a funeral rite.
-They may also administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to the dying in order to further ease time in Purgatory.
Evaluate Catholic Beliefs About Purgatory
-Catholics provide an unconvincing argument because there are no explicit references to Purgatory in the Bible.
-The Corinthians passage which Catholics make reference to can only be interpreted as describing Purgatory.
Describe Other Christian Beliefs About Purgatory
-Other Christians simply believe that people either accept God and are in a state if grace, or they reject God.
-Martin Luther wrote that Purgatory is “based on ungodliness and unbelief.”
-This is because they believe Purgatory challenges that belief that salvation is by faith alone. Instead, it asserts that salvation is only gained by the satisfaction of sins.
-As a result, Purgatory does not exist because it is unbiblical and opposes important Christian beliefs.
Explain how Other Christians are Influenced by Belief About Purgatory
-Other Christians will be influenced to focus on strengthening their faith such as going to mass.
-This is because they believe that salvation is by faith alone unlike Purgatory which describes a cleansing of sin and good works.
Evaluate Other Christian Beliefs About Purgatory
-Other Christians provide a convincing argument because God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent so Purgatory is unnecessary.
-All can receive salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice, therefore, Purgatory is not needed as salvation allows for life in Heaven after death.
Describe the Importance of the Magisterium
-The function of the magisterium is to present Catholic teaching in the modern context.
-It is important for the Church to be able to respond to issues that were not considered by the writers of the Bible.
-The authority of the magisterium gives confidence to the next generation of Catholics that they are following the Church’s teaching as they face the issues of modern society.
-It is the responsibility of the Magisterium to protect Jesus’ teachings. The Holy Spirit guides the Magisterium in its decisions about faith and morality.
-Papal infallibility is the belief that, with God’s assistance, the Pope is without error when he declares on faith or morals.
