Question from a non-Christian about afterlife

[claycad]

I was just wondering if a criteria for being Christian is a belief in the afterlife? This seems like an odd question to ask I know, but I recently learned that some religions, such as Judaism, have people who don't actually believe in an afterlife while other do believe. So I was just curious if this applied to a religion like Christianity.

I'm assuming that all Christians do believe in an afterlife, since Jesus makes it very clear of eternal life in the NT, but I'm certainly no expert on it and was just wondering if there are any denominations that don't believe in eternal life in the Christian religion?

Thanks

 

[Aqualung]

I think that one of the main purposes of Jesus's life was to die and be resurrected, and thereby extend that resurrection to all people. I suppose one could be a christian and not believe in that particular interpretation, but I think they would be pretty darned wrong.

 

[ArTventure]

Christianity without an afterlife is like football without goals!
There would be no purpose.
Judgement awaits us in the afterlife and certainly plays a mojor role in our actions in this one!
I personally dont know of any denominations within Christianity that deny the eternal

 

[roli]

I was just wondering if a criteria for being Christian is a belief in the afterlife? This seems like an odd question to ask I know, but I recently learned that some religions, such as Judaism, have people who don't actually believe in an afterlife while other do believe. So I was just curious if this applied to a religion like Christianity.

I'm assuming that all Christians do believe in an afterlife, since Jesus makes it very clear of eternal life in the NT, but I'm certainly no expert on it and was just wondering if there are any denominations that don't believe in eternal life in the Christian religion?

Thanks

One is not a christian because he reads the bible ,or prays or beleives in eternal life or goes to church, but the criteria is that one accept ,believe and receive the son and his sacrifice for sins on the cross and it is at that point that one enters into a relationship with God ,Christ and eternal life through the Holy Spirit
Jesus said Jhn 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me

 

[Inky]

I don't know of any specific denominations that don't adhere to some form of an afterlife, but there are certainly individual Christians who don't.

 

[may]

true christians know from the bible that there is NOT an afterlife . the teaching of the IMORTALITY OF THE HUMAN SOUL IS MANMADE DOCTRINE. the bible teaches that those in Jehovahs memory will have a resurrection which is quite diffarent .

 

[Iggy]

the bible teaches that those in Jehovahs memory will have a resurrection

where does it say that ?

 

[sojourner]

Christianity without an afterlife is like football without goals!
There would be no purpose.
Judgement awaits us in the afterlife and certainly plays a mojor role in our actions in this one!
I personally dont know of any denominations within Christianity that deny the eternal

So, heaven is a goal? The only reason we follow Jesus is so that we can "win a prize?" That's pretty cheap grace. I thought we followed Jesus so that we could learn righteousness and how to treat each other with love and hospitality; so that we could learn to live as one with God among us. But I guess it's just all about me getting a backstage pass into heaven.

 

[Scuba Pete]

From the Christian Scriptures:

I Corinthians 15:12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.NIV

I think that just about sums it up for Christianity.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Christianity without an afterlife is like football without goals!
There would be no purpose.
Judgement awaits us in the afterlife and certainly plays a mojor role in our actions in this one!

Football without goals is called "play", and it's beneficial in its own right.

I personally dont know of any denominations within Christianity that deny the eternal

I've found that the Quakers I've met generally don't place much emphasis at all on the afterlife. They don't "deny the eternal" so much as ignore it, typically.

 

[Scott1]

I was just wondering if a criteria for being Christian is a belief in the afterlife?

THE NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

THE NICENE CREED

I fail to see how this proves that belief in the afterlife is a criterion for being a Christian. The Nicene Creed is not an accurate statement of the beliefs of all Christian denominations. Pulling it out in this context to "prove" the Christian stance on the afterlife is very much like pulling out the Westminster Confession of Faith to "prove" the Christian stance on the status of the Pope.

 

[Scott1]

I fail to see how this proves that belief in the afterlife is a criterion for being a Christian.

You're right... it proves nothing.... it's my opinion.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

You're right... it proves nothing.... it's my opinion.

So... in your opinion, if a person doesn't believe what the Nicene Creed says, then that person isn't a Christian?

 

[Scuba Pete]

I definitely have issues with the Nicene Creed. But Scott knows this already.

 

[Scott1]

So... in your opinion, if a person doesn't believe what the Nicene Creed says, then that person isn't a Christian?

In my opinion, if a person does not believe in the content of the Creed they may or may not be a Christian..... but I'm fairly certain if they don't believe a single word of it, they're probably not.... but only God knows that for sure.

I'm pretty certain that my pal Pete... lack of love for the Creed and all .....is a Christian.... so I'd say it's more of a guideline than a rule... get me?

Thanks for asking.
S

 

[Scuba Pete]

I was "OK" until the second to last sentence. Well, there is that "begotten, not made" clause which sounds kind of hinky to me as well. Oh yeah, and the fact that extrascriptural "creeds" just don't sit well with me.

 

[Scott1]

I was "OK" until the second to last sentence. Well, there is that "begotten, not made" clause which sounds kind of hinky to me as well.

I'm sure we could work that out over lunch.... tackle world peace before dinner. Glory to God!

Oh yeah, and the fact that extrascriptural "creeds" just don't sit well with me.

Yeah... I get ya.... but it was needed at the time... and it really is just a statement of belief... (something both you and I have done many times)... and every word can be supported by scripture.

 

[Reverend Chris]

You don't have to believe in an afterlife to have it, but you will have it!

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

and every word can be supported by scripture.

Given that various denominations ranging from the Orthodox Churches to the Mormons disagree with parts or all of the Creed, I think it might be more accurate to say that every word can be supported by your interpretation of scripture.