Death and the Afterlife

• What are the two versions of the summary notes for the Death & the Afterlife topic?

  A* – A grade summary notes and B – C grade summary notes
• What happens to the rich man in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

  The rich man goes to hell and is tormented after ignoring Lazarus' pleas for help.
• What does Lazarus experience after death in the Rich Man and Lazarus story?

  Lazarus goes to heaven and is separated from the rich man by a chasm.
• What are the implications of the Rich Man and Lazarus story regarding heaven and hell?

  • Heaven and hell are described physically (water, finger, chasm).
  • Heaven and hell are eternal because one cannot leave.
  • Heaven existed before the end of time.
  • Judgement occurs immediately after death.
  • Not everyone goes through purgatory.
  • The rich man’s failure to do good suggests unlimited election is true.
• What is Martin Luther's argument regarding the Rich Man and Lazarus story?


  Luther argues that the story is a parable meant to teach a moral lesson, not a literal account of events.
• What does Luther say about the rich man's desire to warn his family?


  Luther suggests that the rich man's ability to talk and dip his finger in water implies he had a physical body, which contradicts the resurrection occurring at the end of time.
• How does Luther's view of grace relate to the Rich Man's fate?

  Luther would argue that the rich man failed to do good because he did not have grace, leading to his punishment in hell.
• What is St. Jerome's counterargument to Luther's view on the Rich Man and Lazarus story?

  St. Jerome argues that the inclusion of a name, Lazarus, suggests the story is not just a parable but a literal event.
• What does N. T. Wright argue about the concept of heaven?


  1. T. Wright argues that heaven is a future state of the earth, where God will transform creation back into its perfect Eden state.
• How does the Lord's Prayer relate to the concept of heaven according to N. T. Wright?


  The Lord's Prayer suggests that Christians should pray for God's kingdom to come to earth, indicating that heaven will expand to include earth.
• What does the Book of Revelation say about the future state of heaven and earth?

  The Book of Revelation describes a 'new heaven and new earth' where there is no suffering.
• What are the key points of the New Earth theology?

  • Heaven is a future state of the earth.
  • God will transform creation back to its perfect state.
  • Judgement occurs at the end of time.
  • Heaven is a physical place.
• What is the counterargument to the New Earth theology regarding the existence of heaven now?

  There is biblical evidence, such as Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross, that heaven exists now.
• How does the lack of commas in the original biblical text affect the interpretation of Jesus' statement to the thief?

  Different placements of the comma change the meaning, suggesting a promise of future entry into paradise rather than immediate entry.
• What are the main points of the physical view of the afterlife?

  • Heaven, hell, and purgatory are physical places.
  • The Bible describes them in physical terms.
  • The afterlife involves physical resurrection.
  • Jesus' resurrection implies a physical body.
• What is the spiritual view of the afterlife?

  The spiritual view posits that heaven, hell, and purgatory are spiritual places where souls go after death.
• What is a criticism of the spiritual view regarding immediate afterlife experiences?

  The spiritual view does not explain what happens immediately after death, while the physical view does.
• What biblical evidence supports the physical resurrection view?

  St. Paul refers to Jesus' resurrection as the 'first fruits', implying a promise of resurrection for believers.
• What does the sheep and the goats parable imply about judgement and the afterlife?

  • Judgement occurs at the end of time.
  • Implies a physical resurrected existence on earth.
  • Jesus describes hell as 'eternal fire' and 'eternal punishment'.
• What is the coherent way to believe in both a physical and spiritual afterlife?

  • Afterlife is spiritual immediately after death.
  • At the end of time, the soul joins the resurrected body.
  • Judgement occurs immediately after death and at the end of time.
• What is the Catholic view of purgatory?

  • Christians die in a state of mortal sin go to hell.
  • Venial sins require a temporary place for purification.
  • Purgatory means 'purge'.
• Why do Protestants reject the concept of purgatory?

  Protestants reject purgatory because it is not mentioned in the Bible and contradicts the idea of immediate judgement.
• What does the sheep and the goats parable indicate about the fate of sinners and the righteous?

  The parable indicates that sinners go to hell while the righteous go to heaven, with no mention of purgatory.
• What is Luther's accusation against the Catholic Church regarding purgatory?


  Luther accuses the Catholic Church of inventing purgatory to profit from people's fears through indulgences.
• What is purgatory in the context of sin?


  Purgatory is a temporary place where souls are purged of venial sins before entering heaven.
• Why do Protestants reject the concept of purgatory?

  Protestants reject purgatory because it is not mentioned in the Bible and contradicts its teachings.
• How does the parable of the sheep and the goats relate to the concept of purgatory?

  The parable illustrates that there is no middle ground; sinners go to hell and the righteous go to heaven, contradicting the idea of purgatory.
• What did Luther claim about purgatory?

  Luther claimed that purgatory was fabricated by the Catholic Church to scam money from people.
• How do liberal Christians view the Bible in relation to purgatory?

  Liberal Christians view the Bible as a product of the human mind, containing mistakes and errors, and interpret concepts like purgatory symbolically.
• What psychological states do liberal Christians associate with the concepts of heaven, hell, and purgatory?

  Liberal Christians see heaven as a symbol for a good life, hell for a bad life, and purgatory for the need to feel guilty and make amends.
• What is a potential issue with a liberal interpretation of the Bible?

  A liberal interpretation can lead to a crisis of interpretation and authority, as everyone may have their own understanding of the text.
• Why might Kant argue that an afterlife is necessary for morality?


  Kant believed that without an afterlife, there would be no punishment for sin or reward for virtue, undermining moral accountability.
• What is Augustine's view on original sin and predestination?

  Augustine believed that original sin corrupts human nature, and only through God's grace can individuals be predestined for heaven.
• What is Pelagius's critique of Augustine's view on original sin?

  Pelagius argued that it is unfair to condemn individuals to hell for the actions of their ancestors, like Adam and Eve.
• What is a criticism of Augustine's theology regarding moral responsibility?


  Augustine's theology suggests an indefensible view of moral responsibility, inconsistent with the concept of an all-loving God.
• What is the concept of unlimited election?

  Unlimited election is the belief that everyone who has been good will eventually go to heaven.
• How does the sheep and the goats parable support unlimited election?

  The parable suggests that helping others is what qualifies individuals for heaven, supporting the idea of unlimited election.
• What is Hick's criticism of unlimited election?


  Hick criticizes unlimited election by arguing that a loving God could never send anyone to hell, and punishment must be proportionate.
• What is Hick's view on universalism and hell?

  Hick argues that a loving God would never send anyone to hell, proposing that everyone ultimately ends up in heaven.
• What is a potential issue with Hick's view on universalism?

  Hick's view may conflict with the Bible, which presents hell as a destination for some individuals.