Christian Teachings on Life After Death (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Christian Teachings & Beliefs Which Support the Existence of Life After Death
Christianity and Life after Death
All Christians believe in an afterlife, and many accept the existence of Heaven and Hell
Christians use various teachings from the Bible, such as the resurrection of Jesus as proof of an afterlife to support their view
Heaven and Hell in Christianity
Christians believe in:
Life after Death meaning that although the physical body dies, the soul can live on after death
The Immortality of the Soul and that the body will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement
Christians also believe that Jesus was resurrected and that this is an example of what will happen to humans
Christians believe that God will judge you to decide if you should go to Heaven or Hell
‘Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life’ (Matthew 25: 46)
Following Judgment God will decide if you go to Heaven (reward) or Hell (punishment)
‘For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due to us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad’ (2 Corinthians 5: 10)
What Christians believe happens when they die influences the way they live their lives
Divergent Christian Arguments for Life After Death
Divergent Christian Arguments for Life After Death
Although all Christians believe there is life after death, there are some different opinions on what happens at death
Some Christians believe that Heaven and Hell exist as places where the good are rewarded and the bad are punished
However, some Christians do not see Heaven or Hell as places but instead as ‘states of mind’
In Heaven, you will know God and are happy
In Hell, you will not know God and be unhappy
Some Christians do not believe in Hell as they do not believe that an omnibenevolent God would send people to Hell
Many Christians believe that at some point in the future, Jesus will return to Earth.
This is called the Second Coming and at this point, everyone who has died will be resurrected
‘Christ ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all men at the last day’ (39 Articles IV)
Some Christians believe that at this point all of humanity will be judged at the Last Judgment
Other Christians (Roman Catholics) believe that judgement will take place as soon as a person dies rather than everyone being judged together on the Day of Judgement
Roman Catholics believe in Purgatory, a place where sins are punished and Purification takes place before Heaven
Christianity & The Significance of the Belief in Life After Death
What is the Significance of the Belief in Life after Death in Christianity?
Christians believe in life after death for many reasons
The Bible teaches that there will be a judgement and an afterlife
‘In Christ all will be made alive’ (1 Corinthians 15: 22)
Jesus was resurrected and therefore Christians believe they will be too
‘I believe in…the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen’ (Apostles’ Creed). John 6:40
It fulfils the promise made by Jesus before his death and the reason for his sacrifice
Life after death gives meaning and purpose to life and provides comfort for those who have lost loved ones
Life after death makes life more just because the good are rewarded and the bad are punished
Christian Responses to Arguments Against Life After Death
There are many arguments against the idea of life after death
Christians may respond to some of these arguments
People who follow other religions or who don’t believe in God would disagree with Christian beliefs
They disagree because they hold different beliefs about what happens or no belief at all
Christians reject claims that there is no afterlife at all and they say that the resurrection of Jesus is proof
They also believe the teachings of Jesus, recorded in the Bible and say that he is the key to eternal life
The basis for Christian belief has been criticised by the non-religious and some have argued that there is a lack of evidence to prove that the resurrection of Jesus actually took place
Another argument is that the idea is a form of social control by the Church as it influences the way that people behave
In Peter 3:15-22 Christians are taught that they must be prepared to explain what they believe about life after death to non-religious people
They should do this in a gentle and reasoned way using the way they live their lives as an example
Christian Responses to Non-Religious Arguments for Life after Death
There are a number of reasons why non-religious people believe in life after death
Reason | Belief | Christian Response |
|---|---|---|
Remembered Lives | Some people claim to have memories of past lives which suggests that death is not the end | Christians believe that past life memories are not real because they believe in heaven or hell and not rebirth or reincarnation |
Paranormal Events | Paranormal events are often unexplained and some people believe that ghosts are proof that the afterlife exists | There is no evidence in the bible of souls roaming around the earth and so many Christians would reject the idea of ghosts |
Logic | Some may think that is logical for there to be an afterlife because it gives life meaning and purpose | Christians would argue that there is more to it than logic and the bible is a greater source of authority than logic |
Reward | It makes sense that there should be a reward for doing good but many people do not believe that this has anything to do with a God | Although Christians would agree that those who do good will be rewarded, they would argue that you should not do good purely because you want to be rewarded |
Comfort | The idea of an afterlife can give people hope and make them less afraid of dying | Christians agree, but also believe that they will be rewarded with God in heaven |
Seeing loved ones who have died | Seeing those who have died again can be an incentive to believe in life after death regardless of whether you are religious or not | Views of heaven differ between Christians but most would agree that we will be reunited with loved ones |
Worked Example
Explain two reasons why Christians support a belief in life after death
(4 marks)
Answer:
Christians believe in life after death because the bible says that Jesus was resurrected and that if Christians live a life according to the bible then they will too (2 marks)
Christians also believe in life after death because it makes life fairer. Those who have been good will be rewarded in heaven but those who have not could be punished in hell (2 marks)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Wherever possible try to include references to Christian teaching within your responses
If you are struggling to recall reasons that relate to Christianity then you will also be credited for referencing some non-religious arguments for belief in life after death, providing they do not go against the teachings of Christianity
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