Eschatology-showbie Flashcards
(20 cards)
Eschatology
-early christians believed the end of the world would happen shortly.
-the earth would be destroyed and all people would be judged on the last day. Called the final judgement at which time people will be sent to heaven or hell
-As time passed, they realised
they have to live the life that
God wants whilst still alive….. To
prepare them for death
Judgement
Particular judgement-immediately after death;based on their actions. Results in heaven,hell or purgatory
Final judgement-at the end of time when Christ comes back again. The Kingdom Of God will be established-those judged favourably will stay forever in this perfect creation
Catholic teavhing on end of time-second Vatican council
• No-one is predestined for heaven or hell; people
have free will to accept or reject God
• God doesn’t send people to hell – people send
themselves
• People should be constantly preparing for the end of
time – follow Jesus’ teachings
‘We know not the day nor the hour… we must be
constantly vigilant’
Lumen Gentium 48
Catholic advice-how to prepare for end of time
• Follow Jesus’ teachings
• Keep faith in God
• Perform good actions
• Do not commit mortal (serious) sins
• If you do commit a mortal sin, confess
and be truly sorry
Signs of the end of time
-The Bible says that there will be cosmic disasters-frightening events
-the sun darkening or stars falling from heaven
-Jesus will return to earth. To judge all humans
-The Kingdom Of God will be established
Cosmic reconciliation
• Adam and Eve’s sin broke the harmony of creation
• Jesus’ death helped restore it
• At the end of time, the whole of creation will be
reconciled to God..
• It will be restored - made perfect
“It was necessary that there should be sin; but all
shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of
thing shall be well”-Julian of Norwich
-God gave us free will
- Sin will be defeated – all will be
made perfect at the end of time
The Last judgement-michelangelo
-Depicts the time when Christ will judge all people-decides on heaven or hell
-Expresses Roman Catholic beliefs
-Christ is the central figure-shoeing he is the judge of all
-Christ’s right hand is raised-reflecting the parable of the sheep and goats in which Jesus promises the good will be on his right and wicked on his left
-Everyone is naked (apart from
Jesus and Mary) - showing all
people are equal before God
-Mary has a look of calm trust –
showing she is the perfect disciple
-Angels hold the crown of thorns… and Christ’s wounds are visible-Showing that Christ came to glory through
obedience and suffering
-Saints are holding the tools used to torture/kill them
-Those who stick to their
faith will go to heaven
-Their perfect bodies show
that people’s bodies will be
made resurrected and
perfect
Bodil resurrection-catholic teaching
-When Jesus returns to earth he will physically raise all those who have died
-‘we look forward to the resurrection of the dead and life of the world to come’ (Nicene Creed)
• We will be given back the same bodies we lost at death
– but our resurrection bodies will not die
• The righteous will be free from suffering and pain –
like Jesus was….
Jesus was resurrected in a physical body … he was fully
present and touchable (John 20:19)
St.Paull-eschatology
-ST paul compares the physical body and the resurrected body with a seed and the plant that grown from it
-In some ways, they are same thing but they are also different
… it is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body.’
(St Paul – 1 Corinthians 15:42)
Importance of pope francis teaching
Pope Francis has said that physical
resurrection can be difficult to
understand and to accept the logic –
we need the grace of the Holy Spirit
If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not
been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your
faith is futile and you are in your sins
(St Paul 1 Corinthians)
Paschsl candle
-represents the risen christ-light of the world
-important role in the Easter Vigil
Easter vigil: service during darkness between Easter Saturday
and Easter Sunday
The easter vigil
-the priest lights a fire-the light of christ rising
-paschal candle is lit from the fire-light lf christ overcomes sin and death
-priests inserts 5 grains of incense into candle-represents the 5 wounds kf christ
-Priest traces
the Alpha &
Omega –
shows Christ
is eternal
-The light from this
candle lights people’s
candles - all can share
in overcoming sin and
death
Paschsl candle is also lit at:
• Baptisms - shows the person is filled with the light
of Christ
• Funerals – shows the deceased has joined Christ in
resurrection
Memorials fkr the dead
• Baptisms - shows the person is filled with the light
of Christ
• Funerals – shows the deceased has joined Christ in
resurrection
The four last things
1.Death
2.Judgement
3.Heaven
4.Hell
Purgatory
• People want to make up for their sins
• Therefore they might enter purgatory
• Purgatory is a cleansing process (not a place)
• The effects of sins are removed ….
• Heaven is guaranteed– it can be quickened with
prayers
Contrasting views
Only Catholics believe in purgatory - most Christians
do NOT. They only believe in heaven and hell
Sacrament of sick…spiritual effects
-Reminds us we are not alone;Jesus is with us and community
-We share in Christ’s suffering-so feel closer to him
-we receive strength,courage and peace to cope sith and accept illness
-forgiveness kf sins-unburden us
-For some it is preparation for death
Commendation of the dying
A crucifix is held – reminds that they are sharing in
Christ’s death
Baptism promises are repeated confidence they will reach heaven
- gives
Bible reading
and prayers are
said - showing
God is with
them
Baptism promises are repeated confidence they will reach heaven
- gives
Bible reading
and prayers are
said - showing
God is with
them
Baptism promises are repeated confidence they will reach heaven
- gives
Bible reading
and prayers are
said - showing
God is with
them
Care of the dying-sanctity of life
• Life is sacred and holy because it comes from God
(God breathes life into Adam)
• Because God gives life, only God should end life
• All life should be preserved and protected –
particularly that of the vulnerable
• Catholics are therefore against euthanasia, abortion,
death penalty….
Euthanasia = helping someone to
die, in order to end their
suffering – also called assisted
suicide
For euthanaisa and against
For:
• Life is sacred and holy because it comes from God
(God breathes life into Adam)
• Because God gives life, only God should end life
• All life should be preserved and protected –
particularly that of the vulnerable
• Catholics are therefore against euthanasia, abortion,
death penalty….
Euthanasia = helping someone to
die, in order to end their
suffering – also called assisted
suicide
• Goes against the Sanctity of
Life
• Love your neighbour
• Do not murder
• Sacrament of the Sick /keeping
faith helps ….
NON RELIGIOUS
• Patient may feel pressured into
dying (a burden)
• Illegal - risk of 14 years in
prison – traumatic ..
• Might change their mind
• It’s a slippery slope…
• Palliative care (in a hospice)
removes the need for euthanasia
Against:
