Eschatological Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards
(15 cards)
The first Christians believed in the Parousia. What is that?
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
- they believed he would return & establish a new order to replace the sinful world in which they lived
These early Christians believed that this time was the end of the world. These ideas are called:
Apocalyptic
(Now) Most Christians believe that the teaching about the Second Coming & end time is…
…a different way of expressing the belief that God has a plan that is yet to be completed
- for these Christians, living a Christian life is more important that speculating about end-of-the-world stuff
Christians believe that human beings possess an…
… immortal soul that is distinct from their physical body
- this makes humans unique
Quote: (Genesis 2:7)
HINT:
Christians believe that humans were made in the likeness of God (who is Himself eternal)
‘The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being’
- this means that humans received life in a different way from other animals & are therefore distinct
Quote: (1 Corinthians 15:42,44)
Paul explains that humans’ imperfect & mortal bodies will die but that their spiritual bodies will be resurrected
‘So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. …The body that is down perishable, it is raised imperishable … it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.’
- Christians believe in life after physical death because of Jesus
Belief in the resurrection is eschatological because…
…many Christians believe that at the end of time, all the dead will be raised to be judged by God
Hell
- place of departed spirits & (potential) punishment
- concept of hell developed after biblical times & for a long time, it was thought of as a place of indescribable, eternal torture for non-believers (fear of it was used lots to get people to follow religion)
- scientific research shows there is no physical hell on earth
Christian interpretations of hell
- some believe that hell is a place of eternal punishment, but that God is still loving & forgiving; they encourage non-believers to seek out God’s love (rather than scaring them into it)
- some Christians view hell as a place of annihilation, meaning complete destruction; they believe hell is when the body & soul cease to exist after physical death
- other Christians believe hell is a way of expressing an eternal existence without God’s presence & blessing; they see hell’s biblical descriptions as symbolic
Christians believe that heaven means…
…being in the eternal presence of God
- can be interpreted as a place or state of mind
Heaven is believed to be a place where…
…evil & suffering no longer exist
- ‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain’ (Revelation 21:4)
- belief in heaven encourages Christians to serve & obey God (can also comfort them in times of suffering)
Roman Catholics also believe in…
…Purgatory
- they believe that if you die in a good spiritual state, you go to heaven - however, many are not pure enough to immediately go into God’s presence & therefore undergo purification
- it’s different from hell because people in purgatory know that they will go to heaven after purification
- they believe prayers can help people in purgatory
All Christians have faith that the world’s events are…
…not random or uncontrolled, but are part of God’s plan, which will eventually have a good outcome
Most Christians look forward to the afterlife in heaven whilst others…
…put this at the back of their minds to concentrate on improving life in the present
- because of Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the sheep & goats (Matthew 25) - unless they help others, their eternal life in heaven & salvation are at risk
