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Death and the afterlife - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Parables cannot be used as though they are literally true
      - They contain metaphors that cannot be believed to be actually true
      - If we took them to be literally true, then we would also believe that there are actual sheep and goats in the afterlife, which is absurd
      - Thus, we cannot use parables to prove that the afterlife is physical, as it could just be a metaphor in the story
    - - There is not only evidence from parables to prove that the afterlife is physical, but also other forms of evidence to prove this
      - For example, in Jesus' ascension, the disciples saw his body physically ascend
      - This shows that the afterlife must be physical is his physical body was going up
      - This overcomes the issue of metaphors as the Biblical recount cannot be metaphorical, and can thus be trusted
    - - 'I am in agony in this fire'
      - Shows that there is a physical fire in the afterlife, so the afterlife must also be physical
  - - - 'They can burn without being consumed, and suffer without dying'
      - Shows that the afterlife is physically existing
    - - Origen argues that heaven cannot be physical
      - Heaven must be a perfect place
      - If heaven is a physical place with physical bodies, then it would be imperfect (as this would allow pain, lust, gluttony, ageing)
      - So heaven cannot be a physical place
      - 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes'
    - - Augustine argues that our bodies weren't a source of suffering and sin in our prelapsarian state
      - It is only bad in our postlapsarian state, where cupitas overweights caritas, putting us in a state of concupiscence
      - Being in heaven would be like in our prelapsarian state with God, so our bodies would be perfect
      - Thus, the afterlife can be physical with physical bodies
- - - - 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes'
      - Shows that heaven is a perfect place that cannot have any flaws
    - - Williams argued that even if bodies aren't the source of suffering and sin, people would still get bored
      - Heaven is supposed to be a good place
      - 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes'
      - If heaven is in time, then we would get bored
      - He gave the example of EM, who got bored after living for over 300 years
      - So heaven cannot be in time
      - Thus the afterlife cannot be physical
    - - Augustine argues that our bodies weren't a source of suffering and sin in our prelapsarian state
      - Being in heaven would be like in our prelapsarian state with God, so our bodies would be perfect
      - It is only bad in our postlapsarian state, where cupitas overweights caritas, putting us in a state of concupiscence
      - Thus, the afterlife can be physical with physican bodies
  - - - 'God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived'
      - Shows that as God is the greatest, he cannot be restricted by anything, including space and time
    - - There are references throughout scripture to a physical afterlife, which is in space and time
      - For example, in the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Abraham says that 'a great chasm has been set in place'
      - A chasm in the afterlife, it takes up space and time
      - If a chasm is physical in the afterlife, then the afterlife must also be in space and time
      - Thus, the afterlife is in space and time (physical)
    - - Parables cannot be used as though they are literally true
      - They contain metaphors that cannot be believed to be actually true
      - If we took them to be literally true, then we would also believe that there are actual sheep and goats in heaven in the afterlife, which is absurd
      - Thus, we cannot use parables to prove that the afterlife is physical, as it could just be a metaphor in the story
- - - - Workers in a Vineyard
      - The owner paid workers the same amount, even for working for different times
      - Owner was generous to give money even when it wasn't deserved
      - 'Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous'
    - - Hick argues that an omnibenevolent God would not send anyone to hell
      - In the afterlife, there is only heaven and purgatory
      - This allows people to morally and spiritually develop
      - There is no need for anyone to be punished in hell
      - Thus, everyone will eventually go to heaven
    - - Due to the principle of plenitude, it is clear that God was loving to create a world with all variations, thus leading to limited election
      - As part of the variety in the world, some people were given more help from God than others to be good Christians, despite the fact that the help was completely undeserved, due to the fall
      - Thus, God is omnibenevolent to allow certain people to go to heaven as no human actually deserves to go there
      - Therefore, the limited election means that not all people go to heaven
  - - - 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life
      - Shows that belief in Jesus as God is the only thing needed for people to get into heaven
    - - Hick argues that all humans will eventually go to heaven, after morally and spiritually developing
      - As God is omnibenevolent, he would only make people suffer to become a better person
      - If you are already perfect, then God won't make you suffer
      - If you're not already perfect, then God will make you suffer until you are perfect
      - Thus, everyone will go to heaven once they morally and spiritually develop
    - - If everyone gets into heaven by being a good person, then Jesus’ dying on the cross was a waste of time
      - Jesus died on the cross so that everyone who believes in him will get into heaven
      - But it would be silly to suggest that Jesus’ dying on the cross was a waste of time
      - So Hick’s view, that everyone gets into heaven by being a good person, must be false, as people get into heaven by believing in Jesus
  - - - Jesus died on the cross so that everyone who believes in him will get into heaven
      - But it would be silly to suggest that Jesus’ dying on the cross was a waste of time
      - So people get into heaven by believing in Jesus
      - If everyone gets into heaven by being a good person, then Jesus’ dying on the cross was a waste of time
- - - - 'The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side'
      - This shows that right after they died, they were sent to heaven and hell
    - - Parables cannot be used as though they are literally true
      - They contain metaphors that cannot be believed to be actually true
      - If we took them to be literally true, then we would also believe that there are actual sheep and goats in heaven in the afterlife, which is absurd
      - Thus, we cannot use parables to prove that the afterlife is physical, as it could just be a metaphor in the story
    - - There is also evidence for immediate judgement from other parts of scripture, not only from parables, for example during Jesus´ crucifixion
      - This overcomes the issue of support from parables, as we can see that Jesus himself gave evidence of immediate judgement, rather than seeing it through metaphorical parables
      - Thus, we can plausibly argue that judgement will take place immediately after you die
      - When Jesus was on the cross alongside criminals, he told one of them ´tonight you will be with me in paradise´
      - This implies that after they die, they will immediately go to heaven rather than waiting for a final judgement
  - - - ´God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived´
      - Shows that as God is the greatest, he cannot be restricted by anything, including space and time
    - - Augustine argues that as the afterlife is not eternal and came into existence in time, there must be final judgement
      - In our prelapsarian state, heaven didn't exist, but it existed in our postlapsarian state. as it was needed
      - Thus, as it came into existence at a certain point in time, it must be physical
      - We know that our bodies are not resurrected right after death as this is a posteriori observable
      - Thus, there must be final judgement at the end of time
    - - Origen argues that heaven cannot be physical
      - Heaven must be a perfect place
      - If heaven is a physical place with physical bodies, then it would be imperfect (as this would allow pain, lust, gluttony, ageing)
      - So heaven cannot be a physical place
      - If heaven is not a physical place, then there is no point in waiting for judgement
      - Thus, there is immediate judgement for the afterlife