Adam, 10, 44, 59, 119, 140, 142, 145–46, 150n31. See also Fall of Adam; original sin

African Americans, 67

aggiornamento, 77

Allen, Richard, 67

All Saints’ Day liturgy, 180–81

Andreasen, Niels-Erik, 154, 156, 164–65, 174

Anglicanism, 57, 133–34n27, 179–80. See also Episcopal Church

anthropocentric perspective on afterlife, 85–87

anthropological dualism, 155

apokatastasis, 9–10

Apostles’ Creed, 68

Aquinas, Thomas, 11

Armageddon, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ belief in, 138–39, 147–48n5, 148–49n8

Articles of Religion (Methodism), 68

Athenagoras, 29, 31, 36–37, 41, 42–43

atoms, and resurrection, 33–34

Augustine of Hippo, 11, 28, 30, 31, 34–36, 40–41, 49n40, 130

babies. See also children

baptism of, 10–12

resurrection of, 35

Bailey, Calvin, 117

Bailey, Lydia Goldthwaite, 117–18

Baker, Frank, 63, 67–68

Baker, Simon, 122

Balthasar, Hans Urs von, 5

baptism

and Catholic hypothesis of limbo, 10–12

by proxy, 122–24, 127–28

Basil the Great, Saint, 23

Benedict XVI, Pope, 3

Berkouwer, G. C., 84

Bible

and questions of composition, 84

Seventh-day Adventists’ understanding of difficult passages in, 170–74

biblical anthropology, 155

body. See also resurrection

deceased, in Eastern Orthodox Church doctrine, 21–22

spirit body, 97–100

as tabernacle for immortal spirit, 97

Book of Discipline (Methodism), 68

brain, scientific study of, 83–84

“breath of life,” 161

Brunson, Seymour, 122

Bynum, Caroline Walker, 30, 31–32, 45, 47n16

Calvin, John, 75–77, 81, 86

Calvinism, 75–77

and anthropocentric and theocentric perspectives on afterlife, 85–87

and continued consciousness in intermediate state, 77

Cullmann’s perspective on afterlife, 78–80

and higher/lower dualism, 81–83

and scientific study of brain, 83–84

and theosis, 87–88

Wright’s perspective of afterlife, 80–81

Campbell, Ted A., 69

cannibalism, 28, 31, 34, 36–37

Catholicism

evolution of doctrinal thinking in, 12–13

limbo in, 10–12

purgatory in, 5–10

sources of doctrine in, 3–5

understanding of afterlife in, 1–2

view on Christ’s descent into hell, 133n27

celestial kingdom, vision of, 118–21

chain consumption, 28, 31, 34, 36–37, 49n40

change, versus nonexistence, 37–38

chaplains, 181

childbirth, death in, 66

children. See also babies

accountability and salvation of, 121

care for dying, 66

resurrection of, 35, 41

Christians, early, 127, 188–89

Christian theology, de-Platonization of, 77

Christ’s descent into hell, 113–14, 130–32

differing views on, 133–34n27

early teachings on, 115–16

Latter-day Saint views on, 124–26

Seventh-day Adventist views on, 171

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The. See also near-death experiences

and anthropocentric perspective on afterlife, 87

and cautions regarding near-death experiences, 107–8

and Christ’s postmortal ministry, 124–26

doctrine of, and interest in near-death experiences, 95–103

doctrine of hereafter, 128–30, 134n35

history of, and interest in near-death experiences, 103–7

and salvation of dead, 116–24

Clement of Alexandria, 115–16

Collins, Ken, 63

confession, and Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 6

continued consciousness, 77–82

cosmic renewal, 184–85

Council of Trent, 7–8

Creation

and Eastern Orthodox views on afterlife, 19–20

New Creation, 59–60

and resurrection, 41

Seventh-day Adventist views on, 160–62

crucifixion, and Eastern Orthodox views on afterlife, 22

Cullmann, Oscar, 78–80, 154–55

Cyprian, 7

damned / damnation, 36, 63, 123, 126, 131. See also hell

Danker, Ryan, 56–57

Dante Alighieri, 2–3, 10

Davidson, Richard, 160–61, 162

death

Greek views on, 154–55, 156–57

Hebrew understanding of, 154–55, 157–59

Jehovah’s Witnesses and escaping, 138

“Decree on Purgatory,” 7–8

degrees of glory, 129–30. See also celestial kingdom; three heavens

deification, 12–13, 24, 87–88

disabilities

absent in spirit bodies, 98–99

and resurrection, 29

Divine Comedy (Dante), 2–3

Docetism, 29

dogma, 3

Donkor, Kwabena, 167

dualism, 77, 81–83, 174, 183

Dulles, Avery Cardinal, 4

du Preez, Ron, 169

Dybdahl, John, 154, 167

early Christians, 127, 188–89

Eastern Orthodox Church, 17–25

Edwards, Jonathan, 130

embalming, 22

emptiness, 71–72

Episcopal Church, 179–82

cosmic renewal versus individual salvation, 184–85

and hope for God’s kingdom on earth, 182

hope for resurrected human life, 183

mission of, 186–89

eschatology

progressive, 59–60, 69, 70, 72

realized, 55–56, 60

eternal life, 23, 43, 54, 121, 163, 165, 171, 174

evil, soteriological problem of, 113–14

exegesis, 169–70

Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy, 9

Fall of Adam, 19–20, 39

Farrar, Frederic W., 130–31

Final Judgment. See also judgment

Eastern Orthodox views on, 22–23, 25

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 146, 149–50n22

Wesley on, 61

1 Thessalonians 4:14, 172–73

forgiveness

and Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 6

prayer of, 20–21

Francis, Pope, 9

Galenieks, Eriks, 158

Gehenna, 142, 146, 149n22

glory, degrees of, 129–30

Gnosticism, 47n26

God. See also kingdom of God

becoming like, 12–13, 24, 87–88

fear of inexistence of, 71–72

fea

r of wrath of, 70–71

humans as collaborators with, 186

Methodist views on love of, 58

power over resurrection, 29–30

Goldthwaite, Lydia, 117–18

grace, 5, 61, 71

Grant, Jedediah M., 105–6

Gravity, 71–72

Greek conceptions of soul, 156, 183

Greek dualism, 77, 81–83, 183

Greek views on death, 154–55, 156–57

Gregory of Nyssa, 30–31, 32–34, 39–40, 41–42, 47–48n27, 47n26, 49n43

Guenther, Eileen, 67

Gugliotto, Lee J., 169–70

Hades, 62–63, 142. See also Christ’s descent into hell

Hale, Heber Q., 106

Hall, Christopher, 24

heaven. See also celestial kingdom; degrees of glory; three heavens

common themes regarding, 66–67

Episcopalian views on, 182

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 142–44, 150n29

Latter-day Saint notion of multiple, 129–30

in modern Methodism, 68

Seventh-day Adventist views on, 171

Wesley on, 62–64

Hebrews 12:23, 173

Hebrew understanding of death, 154–55, 157–59

hell. See also Christ’s descent into hell; damned / damnation; Hades

in Catholic doctrine, 5, 7

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 141–42

Latter-day Saint views on, 128–29, 134n35

in modern Methodism, 68

in modern religious cultural imagination, 70–71

Wesley on, 62–63

Hempton, David, 64

hermeneutics, 167–70

higher / lower dualism, 81–83

Hinckley, Gordon B., 109

historical biblical method, 168

Honorius of Autun, 10

hope, for afterlife in Methodism, 53–54, 69

humanity, Seventh-day Adventist beliefs on nature of, 160–63, 172, 174

hypothesis, 3

Ignatius of Antioch, 28, 163

illness

absent in spirit bodies, 98–99

and resurrection, 29

immortality, 79–80

indulgences, and Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 8–9

infant baptism, and Catholic hypothesis of limbo, 10–12

International Theological Commission, 11–12

Irenaeus, 30, 43–44, 46n13, 116

Jacobus Arminius, 56

Jehovah’s Witnesses

doctrine on Final Judgment, 146, 149–50n22

doctrine on heaven, 142–44, 150n29

doctrine on hell, 141–42

doctrine on humans versus spirit creatures, 150n24

doctrine on resurrection, 139, 144–47, 150–51n38

doctrine on soul at death, 139–41

leadership of, 137–38, 147n2, 147n3

Valentine’s experiences as, 137–39

views on Armageddon, 138–39, 147–48n5, 148–49n8

Jesus Christ. See also Christ’s descent into hell

Cullmann compares deaths of Socrates and, 78

and Eastern Orthodox views on salvation, 20, 22

eternal life through resurrection of, 165, 183

as mediator, 29

millennial reign of, 58, 138, 148n5

resurrected, 28–29

resurrection and miracles of, 48n32

Second Coming of, 58, 128, 154, 163

John Chrysostom, 21

John of Damascus, Saint, 19, 20

Jones, Sara, 66–67

judgment. See also Final Judgment

according to actions and hearts, 120

as purpose of resurrection, 41–43

Justin Martyr, 24, 28, 29–30, 40, 48n30, 48n32, 115

Kimball, Heber C., 105–6

kingdom bearers, 186–89

kingdom of God, 55–56, 144, 182, 186–87

Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth, 92, 98, 99, 107

Lang, Bernhard, 86, 102

Le Goff, Jacques, 7

Lewis, C. S., 114

life, purpose of, 93–94

limbo, 2–3, 10–12

Liturgy of Saint Basil, 18–19

“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” 59–60

Luke 23:43, 171

Luther, Martin, 76

Lutheranism, 133n27

Macrina, 28, 45n2

Maddox, Randy, 58

Magisterium, 4–5, 10

martyrs, 40–41, 173

McDannell, Colleen, 86, 102

Methodism

current beliefs on afterlife in, 68–70

hope for afterlife in, 53–54, 69

individual contemplation in, 55

perfection in, 60–61

and practical divinity, 54

realized eschatology in, 55–56

reenchanting religious imagination in, 70–72

and Second Great Awakening, 65–67

theology undergirding views on afterlife in, 56–68

millennium, 43–44, 58, 138, 145–46

Millet, Robert, 87

Moody, Raymond A., 91–93, 98

Mount Sinai, 173

Mount Zion, 173

Mueller, Ekkehardt, 168

near-death experiences, 91–95

Brent L. Top’s belief concerning, 108–9

cautions regarding, 107–8

common characteristics of, 95–96

Latter-day Saint doctrine and interest in, 95–103

Latter-day Saint history and interest in, 103–7

New Creation, 59–60

Nicaean Creed, 18

Nichol, Francis, 162

nonexistence, versus change, 37–38

Nyman, Jane, 122

“One Church, Above, Beneath,” 63–64

Ordinary Magisterium, 4–5, 10

Origen, 7, 50n57

original sin, 10–12

Packer, Boyd K., 97

paradise

in modern Methodism, 68–69

Wesley on, 62–64

penance, and Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 6

perfection, 35, 60–61, 63, 67, 146–47

Peter Abelard, 10–11

Philippians 1:19–26, 171–72

physical heavens, 143

Plato, 81, 157

practical divinity, 54

Pratt, Orson, 94

premortal life, 96–97

progressive eschatology, 59–60, 69, 70, 72

purgatory, 2–3, 5–10, 62, 68, 69

Quincy, Josiah, 127–28

Rahner, Karl, 5

realized eschatology, 55–56, 60

repentance, 126–27

resurrection

Athenagoras on, 36–37

Augustine on, 28, 31, 34–36, 40–41, 49n40

Calvin on, 76–77

church fathers and mothers on, 27–29

difficulties of doctrine of, 31–41

early Christian hope in, 127

and Eastern Orthodox views on afterlife, 17–19, 21, 22

Episcopalian views on, 183, 185

evidence of, 30

as focus of Methodism, 56

God’s power over, 29–30

Gregory of Nyssa on, 33–34, 39–40, 41–42, 47–48n27, 49n43

Irenaeus on, 30, 43–44, 46n13

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 139, 144–47, 150–51n38

Justin on, 28, 29–30, 40, 48n30, 48n32

Latter-day Saint views on, 101

in Methodism, 58–59

and millennium, 43–44

Origen on, 50n57

purpose of, 41–43

seed metaphor for, 30–31, 35, 47n16

Seventh-day Adventist beliefs regarding, 163, 164–67, 172–74

Tertullian on, 37–39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45n4, 45n9, 46n13, 49n40, 50n59

Wesley on, 62

Revelation 6:9, 173–74

Ring, Kenneth, 99

Ritchie, George, 98

Rodonioff, Philip, 154

Romanos the Melodist, Saint, 20

Ruppert, Ray, 158–59

Ruth, Lester, 70

Sabbatine privilege, 8

Sacred Magisterium, 4, 10

salvation. See also baptism

and apokatastasis, 9–10

and Catholic doctrine of purgatory, 5–6

of dead, 101–2, 116–26, 131–32

Eastern Orthodox views on, 20

Episcopalian views on, 182, 184–85

and Joseph Smith’s vision of celestial kingdom, 118–21

Latter-day Saint views on, 128–30

Methodist views on, 55

and soteriological problem of evil, 113–14

Wesley on, 61, 65

Satan, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 143, 146

scientific advances, 83–84

2 Corinthians 5:1–10, 171–72

Second Coming, 58, 128, 154, 163

Second Great Awakening, 65–67

Second Vatican Council (1962), 9

seed metaphor, 30–31, 35, 47n16

“Service of Death and Resurrection, A,” 68–69

Seventh-day Adventists

beliefs on nature of humanity, 160–63

beliefs on state of dead, 163–64

beliefs regarding resurrection, 163, 164–67

hermeneutical perspective of, 167–70

understanding of difficult biblical passages, 170–74

views on soul, 158–59, 161–62

sexual function, and resurrection, 40

Shults, LeRon, 160

Silence of the Lambs, The, 71–72

sin

as condition of being without God, 72

and resurrection, 33

sleep, as biblical metaphor for death, 157–58, 172

Smith, Alvin, 119–20, 122

Smith, Emma Hale, 103–4

Smith, Hyrum, 122

Smith, Joseph F., 101, 125–26

Smith, Joseph, Jr.

and baptism by proxy, 127–28

on becoming like God, 87

and death of Alvin Smith, 119–20

on eternal nature of spirit, 96

on hell, 129

on knowledge regarding death, 93

near-death experience of, 103–4

on repentance, 126–27

on salvation of dead, 121–23, 131, 132

on spirits possessing God’s power, 100

on spirit world, 101–2, 127

on sufferings of Lydia Goldthwaite Bailey, 117–18

vision of celestial kingdom, 118–21

Smith, Joseph, Sr., 118, 119, 120, 122

Smith, Lucy Mack, 103, 119

Smith, William, 120

Socrates, 78, 154–55, 157

soteriological problem of evil, 113–14

soul

Calvin on intermediate state of, 75–77

continued consciousness of, in intermediate state, 77

Cullmann on intermediate state of, 78–79

Greek conceptions of, 156, 157, 183

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 139–41

Latter-day Saint views on, 96–97

in Methodism, 59

in Platonism, 82

resurrection and, 33–34, 42–43

Seventh-day Adventist views on, 158–59, 161–62

Wright on intermediate state of, 80–81

Soulen, Kendall, 65

soul sleep, 76

spirit body, 97–100

spiritualism, 155

spirit world. See also Christ’s descent into hell

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on, 143–44

Latter-day Saint views on, 100–103, 105–6, 128–30

Stele, Artur, 155–56

Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (Wright), 181–89

Tatian, 27

Tertullian, 29, 37–39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45n4, 45n9, 46n13, 49n40, 50n59

theocentric perspective on afterlife, 85–87

theosis, 12–13, 24, 87–88

three heavens, 58. See also degrees of glory

Timm, Alberto, 168

trichotomism, 174

Tuttle, Lovisa Mack, 103

United Methodist Book of Worship, The, 68–69

United Methodist Social Principles, The, 68

Ware, Metropolitan Kallistos, 24

Wesley, Charles, 56–58, 59–60, 63–64, 67–68

Wesley, John, 54–63, 65, 66, 130

Whalen, Clinton, 156

wholism, 162, 174

Williams, Rowan, 183

women, and Methodist understanding of afterlife, 66–67

Woodruff, Phoebe, 104–5

Woodruff, Wilford, 104–5

Wright, N. T., 80–81, 85, 127

Wright, Tom, 181–89

Young, Brigham, 97, 98, 102, 105

Zaleski, Carol, 86