Question

Explain two contrasting beliefs about the

Answer 1

Answer:

Heaven and Hell

Christians believe that the death of the physical body is not the end. After their time on Earth they believe that humans will have eternal life in the afterlife.

Christians believe that all humans have a soul. They believe the soul to be a non-physical part of humans that lives on after the death of the physical body. Many believe that it is the soul that will live on in the afterlife.

People's time on Earth will be judged by God and this will determine what happens to the soul in the afterlife. Most Christians believe that they will either go to Heaven or to Hell.

Heaven

Heaven is described as eternity in the presence of God, as Heaven is a state of being rather than a physical place. Heaven is the ultimate aim for all Christians, 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.

Matthew 13:45-46

In John’s gospel, Jesus again says 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.

John 14:1-4

Hell

Since God has given human beings free will, there must be an opportunity for people to reject God. This is the basis of the idea of Hell.

Hell has traditionally been depicted as a place of eternal fire that symbolises pain and suffering. This is seen as the result of the refusal to accept the happiness that God wants people to share with him. Hell is the opposite of Heaven - it is eternity in the absence of God.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-21) gives humanity an example of what will happen to them after life depending on how they have lived and treated others. The parable gives three warnings:

not to worship material things

to help those who are in need

to listen to the prophets

The parable warns that if these are not followed then an individual will end up in Hell.

Answer 2

Answer:

quote-

• "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."
• "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."
• "The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented"
• "I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting"
• "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."

Explanation:

• Christians believe that all humans have a soul. They believe the soul to be a non-physical part of humans that lives on after the death of the physical body. Many believe that it is the soul that will live on in the afterlife.

• People's time on Earth will be judged by God and this will determine what happens to the soul in the afterlife. Most Christians believe that they will either go to Heaven or to Hell.

• However, if they have sinned then their soul may go to a place known as Hell. Hell is where they are separated from God and experience torment.

• Some Christians believe it is just the soul which is resurrected and goes onto the afterlife, whereas others believe that the body will be resurrected and will go to the afterlife.