Fundamentalist Christians interpret the Bible literally
Conservative Christians interpret the Bible in its historical context
Liberal Christians interpret the Bible symbolically
The Apostles' Creed
We believe in the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting
Traditionally, Christians believe that Jesus' resurrection isn't only important because it shows that he was God and that he defeated death, but that it's a foretaste of what will happen to all people - that everyone will be raised from the dead and given a new body that will last forever
Influences on Christians
Pray to say sorry to God and ask forgiveness
Read the Bible to learn how to live
Belief in the afterlife
Help others
Follow Jesus' teachings
Be less afraid of death
Feel comforted when loved ones die
Purgatory
Links to the belief that prayers for the dead are efficacious (have an effect)
Is a process rather than a place
Those in purgatory will go to heaven
John 3:16: 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.'
Matthew 25:40: 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'
An omnibenevolent God would not send anyone to hell
When Jesus died on the cross
He died for all people, so there is no need for anyone to go to hell
No crime
Justifies an eternity of punishment
The parable of the sheep and the goats
Suggests that deeds are still important and that those who don't help others would go to hell
