Am I Going to Hell? What the New Testament Says About Death and the Afterlife
Jan 10, 2023
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This podcast explores what the Bible actually says about the afterlife, debunking common beliefs. It discusses Old Testament conceptions, the purpose of New Testament literature, and the influence of Roman ideas on the concept of multiple levels of heaven. Additionally, it delves into Dr. Ehrman's academic leave, the meaning of the title 'James A Gray Distinguished Professor,' and funding in academia. A preview of the next episode on the Gospel of Matthew is also provided.
The Christian view of the afterlife evolved from a combination of Jewish apocalypticism and Greek philosophical ideas, differentiating from the Old Testament view.
Jesus' teachings on the afterlife emphasized a physical resurrection and the arrival of the kingdom of God on Earth, with the righteous living in paradise and sinners facing punishment.
Deep dives
Origins of the Afterlife Beliefs
The podcast explores the origins of afterlife beliefs and discusses how they have evolved over time. It emphasizes that the view of the afterlife in the Old Testament is different from the Christian view, which developed through a combination of Jewish apocalypticism and Greek philosophical ideas.
Jesus' Teachings on the Afterlife
The podcast examines Jesus' teachings on the afterlife, highlighting his belief in the arrival of the kingdom of God on Earth. It explains that Jesus saw the afterlife as a physical, bodily resurrection where the righteous would live in paradise on Earth forever, while sinners would be punished either through eternal death or cast into darkness.
Development of the Idea of Original Sin
The podcast touches upon the concept of original sin and its development in Christian thought. It explains that the doctrine of original sin, which suggests that humans are born with a sinful nature, became more crystallized in the early fifth century through the teachings of Augustine. It also mentions the concept of sin nature being passed on through the act of sex.
Introduction of Satan or the Devil
The podcast addresses the emergence of the figure of Satan or the devil in Christian thought. It highlights that the idea of a devil or a force of evil gained prominence with the development of apocalyptic Judaism and the belief in a dualistic struggle between good and evil. It further explains that Satan became a prominent figure in the New Testament as a representation of this force of evil.
If there is one thing most people are certain of about the Bible, it is that it describes how after people die they will be rewarded with heaven or tormented in hell. But does it? As it turns out ... well, you'll be surprised by what the Bible actually says. And once your surprise fades, you'll probably want to know: where do the Christian ideas of the afterlife come from?
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