S16 E6: The One About GCSE RE Christian Beliefs: Afterlife, Judgement And Problem Of Evil

This episode is sponsored by Reimagining Education https://reimaginingeducation.uk/

Over the summer, I recorded a series of episodes to support GCSE RE - specifically AQA Islam and Christianity.  Suppose you are a student of GCSE RE, or a teacher of GCSE RE who is new to teaching GCSE, or new to AQA, or you are a teacher from another subject teaching GCSE for the first time. In that case, I hope these episodes are beneficial to you in consolidating your learning, preparing for exams if you are a student, or helping you feel more confident if you are a teacher.

The first episode provided an overview of Paper 1 - Religious Beliefs and Practices, covering the exam structure, how to approach the various question types, and offering some top tips for the exam. Each subsequent episode has provided an overview of the main content and apply it to key exam questions. Over the last few weeks I released episodes on The Nature of God, the oneness of God and the Trinity, different Christian beliefs about creation including the role of Word and Spirit (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3), Jesus' incarnation crucifixion resurrection ascension, then last weeks episode focussed on Beliefs and teachings about sin, including original sin, the means of salvation, including law, grace and Spirit, and the role of Christ in salvation including the idea of atonement.

 Todays episode will cover;

• the problem of evil and suffering

• Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife and their importance, including: resurrection and life after death; judgement, heaven and hell.

This is the LAST episode in our series on Christian Beliefs.  Next week will be a special 5 year anniversary episode and then we will start Christian Practices.

FOUR MARKERS

Explain two ways in which belief in the afterlife influences Christians today.

Belief in the afterlife influences Christians to do good deeds and follow the teachings of Jesus.

This is because where you go in the afterlife will be decided based upon your actions on earth.

Christians could feel comforted and hopeful because belief in the afterlife reminds them that there is life beyond earth and that they will be reunited with God.

Explain two ways in which belief in judgement could influence Christians today.

Belief in the judgement influences Christians to do good deeds and follow the teachings of Jesus.

This is because they believe that they will be judged on their actions when they die.

Christians could also be reminded to have faith and trust in God.

This is because God is just or fair, so everyone will receive a fair judgement.

Explain two ways in which the problem of evil and suffering influences Christians today.

Belief in the problem evil and suffering influences Christians to use their free will in a way which pleases God.

This is because free will is seen as a gift and an opportunity to turn towards God.

Christians could also trust in God when they are suffering because they believe suffering is a test of faith and that they can grow and develop from the challenges they face.

You could try: Explain two way a belief in heaven and hell would influence believers today

6 MARKERS

Explain two Christian teachings about judgement. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Christians believe that there will be a final day of judgement where Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.

In the Bible, the parable of the sheep and the goats teaches Christians that they will be separated on the day of judgement depending on how well they have served God.

This shows how people will be judged on that final day of judgement by Jesus

Many Christians believe that when they are judged, they will either be rewarded or punished.

Those who have led a good life will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven, and those who haven't will be punished

Explain two Christian teachings about heaven. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

In the Bible it says; For God so loved the world He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

This means that if you believe in Jesus, you will not die but instead have an eternal life

Therefore Christians believe that you can only get to heaven if you believe in Jesus

Christians also believe that heaven is a place where God is.

It's therefore a perfect place, free from suffering.

Explain two Christian teachings about the problem of evil and suffering. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Some Christians believe that suffering exists because of the human misuse of free will.

In the Bible it says you are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

This quote shows that instruction God gave, but Adam and Eve ate the fruit and disobeyed God and that brought evil and suffering into the world.

Other Christians believe that suffering is a test of faith, and this is because through suffering they believe they can grow towards God.

You could try: Explain two Christian teachings about hell. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

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