B601
Revision
Guide
 Belief about Deity
and The End of Life
Miss Vose 2011
Evidence of life after death
Ghosts – spirits/the immortal part of a person is sensed of seen in this world
Near Death Experience – seeing the light or meeting a deceased relative points
towards something other than nothingness after death
Séances – some people claim they can contact/liaise with the dead
The Soul
Philosophy: Plato’s Dualism
Plato said that the soul is distinct from the body and both are capable of existing
separately. He said that the soul is immortal, unchanging and directs the body.
Plato also stated that the soul pre-existed the body and that death separates the two. He
said that the soul had three parts that acted in balance:
 The logos = the mind and reason
 The thymos = the emotions
 The pathos = carnal appetites (eg hunger, sex)
Modern Psychology:
Modern psychology tends to ignore or deny the existence of the soul. Psychologists talk of
the ‘self’ which is what makes people individuals. They believe that this ‘self’ is your
behaviour, your personality and decisions are formed from what you have learnt before. It
is your conscious state but is not an entity in itself.
Scientist/Materialist:
For materialists humans are nothing more than the sum total of their parts. We have
evolved to the stage where we have a sense of right and wrong but this is a survival tool.
That fact we have a ‘mind’ is a token to how amazing evolution is.
Christian beliefs about the soul
The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
 A reflection of the image of God in human beings. Other creatures do not possess.
Therefore human life is sacred.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female
he created them. Genesis 1:27
 Part of the human nature that isn’t physical and cannot be observed.
 Part of humans that is immortal - lives on after death.
So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised
imperishable…it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Corinthians 15:42 and 44
 The Spiritual aspect of humanity that affects the physical you. Often the soul and
body are in conflict, the body will want to be satisfied but the soul will want to please
God.
 The part of humans which allows people to relate to God to worship.
Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Limbo
And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27
Christian beliefs about Heaven
This is a place where Christians believe they can be in the eternal presence of God.
The Bible describes it as a place of beauty with blinding light and singing.
Revelations chapter 4 describes it as “a rainbow, resembling an emerald” encircling the
throne of God. From this throne come “flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of
thunder”. In front of the throne is what appears to be a “sea of glass, clear as crystal”. Most
Christians interpret this as how perfect and awe inspiring heaven will be. Heaven is
believed to be a place where there is no suffering and evil.
‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain’ Revelation 21:4
The prospect of Heaven offers some comfort to those who have not received the easiest of
lives in this world. Believing in heaven offers comfort in times of suffering, it encourages
people to be obedient and want to serve God. For Christians it offers a purpose to life.
24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone
who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24
Christian beliefs about Hell
The Old Testament describes this is a place of indescribable, eternal torture for nonbelievers. The church often used fear of hell as a way of getting people to follow their
religion.
But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and
those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers, and all those who lie, their place will be in
the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death. Revelation 21:8
In both the OT and the New Testament gospels, those who reject Jesus Christ are
repeatedly cited as those that God will send to Hell.
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see
life, but God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36
There are some Christians today who do believe that hell is a place of eternal punishment.
But they also know that God is loving and forgiving. For this reason people should seek his
love. Therefore it is plausible to assume God does not send people to Hell, people choose
to send themselves.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness
of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, 21 For although they knew God,
they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts
and their senseless hearts were darkened. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and
worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Romans 1:18,21 and 25
Other Christians view hell as a place of
complete annihilation which means to be
destroyed both body and soul, as animals which
are without souls. Many Christians do not
believe descriptions of hell to be exact, but are
used symbolically to represent the pain of a life
without God’s Love.
Christian beliefs in Purgatory
Catholics believe in Purgatory, which is a middle
place between Heaven and Hell. This is a place
for people who are not pure enough to come
into God’s presence immediately. Catholics call
purgatory ‘the final purification of the elect’
(people who will go to heaven) as described in
the catechism. Purgatory can be understood as toil, not torture as in hell, but being weak
and continued waiting in darkness.
Again unlike Hell, people can escape Purgatory. This is possible if the person is graced by
an angel in Heaven or if they are prayed for on Earth. This is why Catholics pray for the
dead. In the past the Catholic Church was highly criticised for charging its followers for
priests to pray for the dead and for a quicker purification.
Christian belief in Limbo
Limbo of the Patriarchs – those who died
before Jesus Christ, eventually went to
Heaven
Limbo of the Infants – Babies who die
before being baptized, led to the practice
of baptizing dead babies as they cannot
escape Limbo
Salvation and Redemption
Salvation
Meaning to be saved from something. Whilst a person is on Earth their relationship with
God is diminished by sin, choosing to live against how God has asked (10 commandments
etc). The Bible says God can not look upon sin and so before a person joins Him in
Heaven they must be saved from sin.
As God is all loving and forgiving, and loves us particularly as the pinnacle of His creation,
he is willing to give forgiveness to those who ask. A person may then worship God and
receive the power of the Holy Spirit during their Earth bound life. On death they will then
join God in Heaven.
Redemption
The word ‘redeem’ means “to buy out.” The term was used specifically in reference to the
purchase of a slave’s freedom. This is quite revealing when applying this term to Christ’s
death on the cross. If via Jesus’ crucifixion we have been “redeemed,” then our prior
condition was one of slavery. God has purchased our freedom, Jesus paid our ransom and
we are no longer in bondage to sin or to the Old Testament law.
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people. Hebrews 9:28
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Everyone is in need of redemption. Our natural condition was characterized by guilt: “all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) due to original sin. Christ’s
redemption has freed us from guilt, being. His death was in exchange for our life. In fact,
Scripture is quite clear that redemption is only possible “through His blood,”(Ephesians 1:7)
that is, by His death. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus calls out to God and asks not to
bare such a burden but gains strength in the very fact He is doing it for us.
The benefits of redemption include eternal life, forgiveness of sins, righteousness, adoption
into God’s family and deliverance from sin’s bondage.
God as a judge – sheep and goats
Perfect
Fair
Omnibenevolent
God
Omnipotent
Omniscient
The other 4 qualities lend themselves to God
having all the qualities required to be the perfect judge.
The Parable of Final Judgement Matthew 25:31–46
This parable provides Christians with a sure fire guide of how to join God in the Kingdom of
Heaven. It explicitly explains to Christians how to fulfill their Christian duty to others and
the rewards they will receive for doing so. The parable explains the importance of acting as
Jesus Christ and helping the needy indiscriminately. It also affirms the consequences of
not doing so.
At the end of the world everybody will stand in front of God and he will separate people like a
shepherd separates his sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then Jesus will say to those on his right “Come to Heaven with me because when I was
hungry you gave me something to eat, when I was thirsty you gave me a drink, when I was a
stranger you invited me in and when I needed clothes, you clothed me. When I was sick, you
cared for me and when I was in prison you came to visit me! “
Then those on the right will say “But Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or visit you
in prison?”
Jesus says “Whenever you did this for other people you did this for me.”
Then Jesus will say to those on his left “You are cursed and will go to Hell to be with the Devil
and his angels. When I was hungry you gave me nothing to eat, when I was thirsty you gave
me nothing to drink and when I was sick and in prison you did not look after me”
They will answer “But Jesus when did we see you like this?! Jesus will answer “Whenever you
did not do this for anyone else you did not do this for me.”
Repentance and Forgiveness
The parable of the sheep and goats paints a grim picture of eternal damnation for those
who have sinned. However, Christians do not believe they will be eternally punished for
their failings – if they choose to repent. As God is omnibenevolent and forgiving He will
remove our punishments and sins through confession.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
In the same respects a Christian should not continuingly sin and expect God to forgive. A
Christian’s belief in forgiveness should encourage them to live morally, according to God’s
Law. Any sin committed must be confessed and must, with greatest intention, not be
repeated.
The Funeral Service
Why?
Christians believe that death is not the end of somebody's existence just somebody’s life
on earth.. They have funeral services because they want to celebrate that person’s life on
earth and say goodbye to them until they meet them again.
Symbolism
1. Candles are often lit - As a reminder that Jesus is the light of the world.
2. Flowers are brought - To represent new life & the beauty of heaven.
3. “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” is often said - The Bible teaches that people were
created from the earth and return to this after death
4. Dark clothing - Symbolises the sorrow of the day and that the mourning party are
unimportant as all focus is on the deceased
5. Empty cross – The resurrection of Christ
What happens?
The casket - When a
person dies their body
is placed in a coffin.
Sometimes this coffin
is left open so that
relatives can say a
final goodbye to the
person.
The Eulogy after the
priest/vicar has
spoken some
members of the
family or friends
may speak
about the
person who has
died.
The Bible reading - The coffin is then usually
taken to a church. Here a priest or vicar will read
from the Bible. The priest may read from John
when Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the
life”The priest will also say a few words about the
person which are to comfort family and friends
and then say prayers, hoping that the person will
now be in heaven.
Prayers - Said by the vicar/priest
The Priest asks God for comfort
and support for the deceased and
those who are left behind. The
minister will remind the
congregation about Christian belief
on life after death, they speak of
how the deceased is now
entrusted to God and now the
living need strength to move on.
Receive communion - A
Catholic funeral would
always have a MASS but
many other denominations
include communion in their
service too. It remind
Christians that Jesus gave
his life for us.
Hymns - At Christian
funerals songs will
often be sung. These
songs traditionally are
religious and called
hymns. They speak
of God’s love and
comfort. These days
people might choose to
sing modern songs as
well as traditional.
Burial - At a burial the coffin is lowered into the ground
and then covered with earth. Later a gravestone may be
placed there.
Cremation - At a crematorium, more prayers are said
and the coffin is then taken away to be cremated. Later
the ashes are returned to relatives to be buried or
scattered.
REMEMBER THESE ONES! Psalm 103
Our Lord knows of what we are made: he remembers that
John – Chapter 11, verses
we are but dust.
25-26
Jesus said to her
The Book of Common Prayer
“ I am the resurrection and
We have entrusted [Miss Finch] to God’s merciful keeping
the life;
and now we commit [Miss Finch’s] body to the ground (or
he who believes in me,
cremated)
though he die,
earth to earth,
yet shall he live,
ashes to ashes,
and whoever lives and
dust to dust,
believes in me shall never
in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.
die.”
Bible Quotes used in Funerals
Sample Exam Questions
Read through all of these sample exam questions. Highlight any you would struggle to
answer.
Part A’s (1mark) –
What is purgatory?
What is death?
What is the meaning of rites?
Part B’s (2marks) –
What is meant by the world salvation?
What is meant by ‘soul’?
Give 2 examples of funeral rites
Part C’s (3marks) –
What do Christians believe about the soul?
What do Christians do Christians believe about life after death?
Describe the relationship between the body and soul for a Christian
Part D’s (6marks)Explain Christian beliefs about the soul
Explain what Christians believe about life after death
Explain Christian beliefs about why Jesus had to die on the cross
Explain how a Christian funeral service might help comfort the relative of someone who
has died
Explain how a Christian funeral service reflects beliefs about the end of life
Explain how Christian belief about life after death could effect a Christians moral behaviour
Part E’s (12marks) –
‘A forgiving God would not send people to hell’ Discuss
‘If you behave badly in this life you will be punished after you die’ Discuss
‘This life is more important than the next’ Discuss
‘When people die that is the end’ Discuss
‘We only have one life and it is on Earth’ Discuss
Spend some time answering or plotting answers for any you have highlighted. You can use
the sample exam answers on the next page.
14e) ‘When people die that is the end.’ Discuss this statement.
I personally believe this is true. I think that the life we have on
earth is the only life there is. I believe that human life came about
as a result of chance. We evolved from micro-organisms over
billions of years and that God had nothing to do with it. We live our
lives and that’s it, we die and it is the end, there is nothing else.
People live on in the memory of other people, or if they have
children in them, but otherwise there is nothing.
Christians do not agree with hits. They believe that when people
die their soul lives on in a new life in heaven or hell depending on
how they have lived their lives. Some Christians believe in a place
called purgatory which is a place where people whose souls are
not pure enough to go to heaven are purified. They believe that all
humans have an immortal soul which is different from their
physical body. Their physical
body will die and rot bur their soul lives forever. The soul cannot be
seen, it is the part of humans which sets us apart from all other
animals. It is the ’breath of God’ which makes human life sacred.
The resurrection of Jesus made certain that we could enjoy a life
after death and that death is most
certainly not the end.
St. Paul said that our bodies were temples for the soul or spirit.
This will be reunited with God when we die. Some Christians think
that this will be a physical place, heaven, where there is no
suffering and no evil. Other Christians think it is a spiritual place
where we will simply be in the presence of God.
Muslims believe that when people die it is not the end. They
believe that people will be judged according to their actions in life.
When they die they will stay in the grave until the Day of
Judgement. On this day a trumpet will sound and each Muslim will
be judged according to how faithfully to the Five Pillars they have
lived their lives. If they have done as they should they will be
rewarded with life in Paradise.
Christians do not believe that when they die that is the end. They believe
that when they die they will go to heaven. If they have lived a good life,
followed the teachings of the Bible and gone to church then they will
have a place in heaven. Bad people will be punished by God by being
sent to hell. They believe this because Jesus death and resurrection
meant that they too would live in heaven with God when they died.
Hindus don’t believe it is the end either. They believe in reincarnation.
They believe that a person’s soul is reborn into another life form after
death. This depends on how they have behaved in their previous life.
I think life is the end and that people are just afraid of dying and
this makes them feel better. I agree with the statement, when people die
that is the end, its full stop. If there was something else it would be nice,
but I don’t think there is.
This is a high level response.
The candidate has
demonstrated good
understanding of Christian
viewpoints about life after death
and given thorough accounts of
their own beliefs and that of
Muslims. They have supported
the different viewpoints and
developed the answer well,
although they could have
included some more in the way
of justification for their view that
death is the end. Whilst this
candidate has included a
viewpoint from a second
religion this is not a
requirement. Candidates can
still access all marks if they use
differing viewpoints from one
religion.
This is a medium level
response.
The candidate could have
developed this further by
including how different
Christians believe slightly
different things about heaven
and hell, including ideas of
judgement
They could also have talked
about different
Christian beliefs about the
immortality of the soul and the
resurrection of the body.
They could also have included
supportive Biblical texts –
Jesus’ teaching about life after
death.
Their own view is quite brief. It
could be improved if the
candidate explained more
fully why he or she does not
believe in life after death
Notes