14. Eschatological Beliefs and Judgement

What is heaven like?

a place that is unlike any place on Earth, with eternal bliss, joy and happiness

What is Hell like?

a place of suffering and pain

What are traditional views about heaven and hell?

that both are real places with hell being underground and heaven being in the sky

What are contemporary views about heaven and hell?

• more ambiguous, with modern views being based around where God is/is not

• they would also question if God is omnibenevolent, would he not forgive everyone?

• ultimately they are to do with a reward and punishment.

What is purgatory?

a Catholic belief where people go who are stained by sins as a waiting room for heaven, sent there to purify themselves of sin before going to heaven. it is a temporary state and on Judgement Day if you are there you will go to heaven

What is eschatology?

beliefs about the ‘last things’ like death, judgement, heaven and hell

What do Christians believe about death?

there is life after death which is the centre of Christianity as they believe life is preparation for the next life

What is the evidence of Christian beliefs of life after death?

the Nicene Creed ends with “I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come”

Why do Christians beleive the crucifixion and resurrection are so important?

because it provides them with evidence that death isn’t the end and our immortal souls can live on

What are key eschatological quotes?

• John 11:25: ‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and life. The one who believes in me will live, even tbough they die”.

• John 14:6: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me’

What is important about John 11:25 and John 14:6?

they tell us that belief in Jesus is essential to go to heaven

How is the Gospel of John usually referred to?

the Eschatological Gospel as there are a lot of references to the afterlife like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead

What is the soul?

the spiritual, everlasting part of a person

What is the relationship between the body and the soul?

• the soul is causing the body to do things and making decisions

• the body is controlled by the soul

What is a summary of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats?

who separates his sheep from his goats in order to help his followers understand what judgement will be like, with people being separeted into those who have lived good lives going to heaven and those who have lived bad lives going to hell

What does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats teach us about Christ?

that Christians can go to heaven if they mimic the actions of Christ

What is an example of a Christ like action?

helping the sick and poor

How do Christians believe salvation is achieved?

• they must believe in Jesus

• they must be Christ-like

What is Judgement Day?

a day when all people will be judged by God based on the quality of their lives. On this day, Jesus will return to Earth in a “secomd coming” and that will be end of human on Earth

What is another term for the Second Coming?

parousia

What happens on Judgement Day?

we will be bodily resurrected and transformed into a new, glorified state without illness or pain, where we are purified of sin