Afterlife - Heaven & Hell
Resurrection - rising from the dead, Jesus rose form the dead, Christians believe that they will too.
Judgement - The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life
Heaven - belief that after death, Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity [peace, paradise]
Hell - Belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God.
Resurrection of Jesus
The resurrection of Jesus gives Christians hope for life after death. It represents a victory over death and sin.
Provides foundation for their faith by providing confirmation that Jesus was a son of God and allows them to believe.
Parable of the sheep and the goats
This parable teaches judgement is based on performance of good works.
“For I was hungry and you have me something to eat, I was thirsty and you have me something to drink”
God will separate the sheep and reward ‘the righteous to eternal life’ while the goat ‘will go away to eternal punishment’
We need good works
Epistle of James “faith without works is dead”
We need faith
Jesus “whoever believes in me will have eternal life”
Heaven
Physical interpretation — ‘My Father’s house has many rooms’ Jesus
Some Christians believe that Heaven is a physical place, meaning that your physical body will be resurrected and will live for eternity in Heaven.
Spiritual interpretation — ‘Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God’ Paul
Some Christians believe that Heaven is a spiritual state of paradise and happiness, meaning that your soul lives in a place of eternity.
Influences
To do good works
To follow God’s law
To pray to God
To have hope
To feel comforted
Hell
Physical interpretation — ‘Fiery lake of burning sulfur’ Revelation
Some Christians believe that Hell is a physical place of torture and punishment for eternity.
Spiritual interpretation — ‘State of exclusion from God’ Catholic Catechism
Some Christians believe that Hell is a self-imposed state of separation from God for eternity.
Influences
To avoid sin
To follow God’s laws
To pray to God for forgiveness
To feel scared
To question omnibenevolence