Death and the afterlife

• Most Christians believe in the AFTERLIFE, accepting the existence of heaven and hell.  The Bible and GOSPELS talk of the death and RESURRECTION of Jesus.  Jesus taught Christians that there is an afterlife ‘My Father’s HOUSE has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a PLACE for you?’ (John 14:2)
• Jesus taught that God sent his to EARTH so that humanity may have ETERNAL life in heaven.   Christians believe that Jesus’ resurrection (that he ROSE again from the dead) show there is life after DEATH.
• ‘And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the HEAVENLY realms in Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:6). 

  ‘For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his one and only SON, that whoever believes in him shall not PERISH but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16)

  ‘I am the RESURRECTION and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they DIE.’ (John 11:25)
• Some non-religious people have REASONS for believing in life after death.  1. REMEMBERED lives.  People may believe they have FLASHBACK memories of previous lives, suggesting death is not the end.  Christians believe that life after death is in HEAVEN (or hell) so memories of previous lives are MISTAKEN.
• PARANORMAL events are unexplained events with a spiritual cause e.g. GHOSTS which some people consider to be evidence of life after death.  Christians do not accept these as evidence of life after death as nothing in the BIBLE supports the ideas of SOUL coming back to Earth after death.
• LOGIC.  Some may think it is logical there is an afterlife, to give life MEANING.  Christians might respond that it is MORE than logic, as it is given in the Bible.
• REWARD.  It makes sense to many people that there should reward after death for living a GOOD life on Earth – but this would not be with God.  Christians agree that good DEEDS may be rewarded in heaven, but that it is only through having FAITH in Jesus that they are RECONCILED with God. 
• COMFORT.  The idea of life after death can give people HOPE and make them less AFRAID of death.  Christians agree, but also believe they will be REUNITED with God in heaven. 
• Meeting LOVED ones who have passed on.  Meeting loved ones who have died is a key reason people believe in the afterlife.  Christian views of heaven DIFFER, but most believe they will be REUNITED with loved ones in heaven.
• Christians recognise life has a PURPOSE – to live as God intended and this will be rewarded after death.  Christians want to make the MOST of life on Earth to live life as God intended, as they think this contributes to the QUALITY of their afterlife.  The afterlife helps Christians to COPE with death, as it is not the end and that they will be COMFORTED by their loved ones in the afterlife.