Does the Bible present an escapist afterlife that makes caring for the Earth pointless? Why or why not?
Answer both of the following questions (spend at least two full pages on each part):
1) What does the Christian Bible say about life after death? How do you interpret it?
2) Consider the opinions about climate change (by no means rare) expressed in the two internet comments below (N.B.: the first comment is referring to Pope Francis as the Antichrist):
Comment A: WHY SHOULD ANYONE LISTEN TO THE MAN OF SIN, THE SON OF PERDITION concerning the climate. Does the Anti-Christ realize that God can take care of His creation just fine? We do NOT need a bunch of political pundits to save the world, that will be here when Jesus comes. Man cannot destroy this planet, that is reserved for God alone to do. And He will do so!
Comment B: As for climate change God will allow this planet to last for as long as he needs it to before he destroys it with fire. Then talk to me about climate change. Oh, wait Ill be in heaven I wont care. Then He will remake it without SIN! Isa 66:22.
In other words: Does the Bible present an escapist afterlife that makes caring for the Earth pointless? Why or why not?
Recommended scholarly resources:
N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (2008)
o Part II (scan: N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope, Part II (selections).pdf) deals with the afterlife
o Part III (scan: N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope, Part III (selections).pdf) deals with the present
Oscar Cullmann’s Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead? (1955)
o The complete book, which is made up of four lectures, is freely available: Oscar Cullmann, Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead.pdf
Caroline Walker Bynum, The Resurrection of the Body in Western Christianity, 200-1336 (Links to an external site.) (1995)
o The introduction and first two chapters are particularly relevant to this essay. Georgetown has access to the e-book: https://www-fulcrum-org.proxy.library.georgetown.edu/concern/monographs/mc87pq33h (Links to an external site.).
James Wiseman’s chapter on eschatology: Theology and Modern Science, ch. 5.pdf
Bible Odyssey website has many articles and sources, including:
o Meghan Henning, “Views on the Afterlife in the Time of Jesus (Links to an external site.)”
o Stephen Cook, “Rise of Belief in Resurrection within Biblical Religion (Links to an external site.)”
Rabbi Or Rose, “Heaven and Hell in Jewish Tradition: Jewish Sources Are Conflicted about What Happens after We Die (Links to an external site.),” My Jewish Learning, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/heaven-and-hell-in-jewish-tradition (Links to an external site.)
o All the various possibilities described in this article are also found in the New Testament!
Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical on Christian Hope Spe Salvi (Links to an external site.) (11/30/07) (esp. 41-48)
Pope Francis, Encyclical on Care for our Common Home Laudato Si’ (Links to an external site.)(5/24/15) (esp. 243-45)
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
