What does Christianity say about life after death?
Christian beliefs about life after death are based on the resurrectionChristian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after the crucifixion; the rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day; the new, or risen, life of Christians. of Jesus Christ.
Christianity teaches that:
- Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of God’s divine plan for humankind
- through his death on the cross, Jesus pays the penalty for humankind's sin and humankind's relationship with God is restored - this is called atonement
- three days after the crucifixion, God raised Jesus from the dead and he once again appeared to his disciples
- Jesus’ sacrifice was a victory over sin and death
- although physical death still happens, those who believe in Christ and live good lives will be given eternal life in HeavenA place, or a state of mind, associated with God and the afterlife.
Heaven
For the Christian faith, Heaven is:
- an eternity in the presence of God
- the ultimate aim for all Christians in order for their soul to be reunited with God and united with Christ
In the Gospels, Christ often describes and teaches about Heaven using parables, such as the Mustard Seed and the Pearl.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Jesus reiterates in John’s gospel that humanity is not to worry and to have faith. If there was no Heaven, then Christ would not have taught about it.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.
Hell
The Christian faith teaches that God has given human beings free willThe ability to make choices (particularly moral choices) voluntarily and independently. The belief that nothing is predetermined., and so there must be an opportunity for people to reject God. This is the basis of the idea of HellA place or state of torment and punishment for those who have done wrong..
For the Christian faith, Hell is:
- the opposite of Heaven, it is eternity in the absence of God
- very rarely mentioned in the Bible so little is known about what it consists of
- often depicted as a place of eternal fire that symbolises pain and suffering
- seen as the result of the refusal to accept the happiness that God wants people to share with him
In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man describes Hell, which he refers to as Hades, as a place of torment.
The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented…
Purgatory
The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church is a community of baptised believers in Christ that is led by the Pope. The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope has special authority that descends from Jesus himself. teaches that:
- after death there is a state of Purgatory
- it is a place where some people who have sinned are purified in a 'cleansing fire', after which they are accepted into Heaven
All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation: but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.
Most Christian churches, aside from the Catholic Church, do not accept the idea of Purgatory, believing instead that once judgement happens, people will either be in Heaven or Hell for all eternity.
Resurrection
The Christian creedA summary statement of religious beliefs, often recited in worship. teach:
I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
There is no clear explanation of how this belief will come into practice. Some Christians say that at the end of time, everybody will be raised up in a physical state on a new Earth. Some people feel that this simply refers to the idea that the whole person will be present in Heaven.
