Strengths and Weaknesses of the Meaning and Purpose of Life

• To glorify God and have a personal relationship with him


  Strength: brings an uplifting feeling and sense of purpose to one's life

  Weakness: subjective behaviour and emotions are not strong foundations for a purposeful life

  Strength: biblical so appeals to many Christians

  Weakness: seems strange that God thrives on worship by people. Shouldn't he care for his creation anyway, whether we worship or not?

  Strength: To a believer it strengthens their relationship with God

  Weakness: seems very self centered. May be the main purpose of life for them but how does it help others
• To prepare for judgement

  Strength: the whole purpose of Jesus' death was to reconcile humans with God

  Weakness: the cross was a symbol of God's love for the world and nothing magical like atonement occurred

  Strength: Jesus spoke about the sheep and goats and therefore there is a reality to heaven and hell

  Weakness: the parable of sheep and goats is about Jesus bringing words of comfort to Jewish audience. Jesus offers a comforting story about good overcoming evil

  Strength: there is a judgement day coming

  Weakness: Hick argued that there is no judgement day and universal salvation means all will be welcome to continue journey into perfection
• To bring about God's kingdom on earth


  Strength: the work to be done is here on earth. People are to bring about God's will in the here and now. The gospel is a practical gospel

  Weakness: Christianity is about a spiritual kingdom and this idea neglects the true purpose of the faith

  Strength: Christians are to seek truth, justice and freedom for all people

  Weakness: it implies that Christians are alone instead of acting of God's agents. This idea cannot be separated from ideas of reconciliation and worship