Critical Reaction Paper #3 Essays - Christian Eschatology

Critical Reaction Paper #3 Essays - Christian Eschatology Critical Reaction Paper #3 26 April 2015 REL 107 Dr. Zaelot Critical Reaction Paper #3 Growing up in the Catholic Church, the Apostles Creed was a prayer/statement of faith that all young parishioners dreaded. Unlike the easily memorized Our Father, and Hail Mary, the Apostles Creed was the prayer that tripped up me and my fellow constituents when it came time to recite it in for of our Sunday school teacher. Up until now I never gave much thought to the Apostles Creed meaning or its purpose within a Catholic mass. A Creed, as defined by Catholicism for Dummies, is a statement or profession of what members of a particular church or religion believe as being essential and necessary. Within a Catholic context, the Creed makes up one of the four pillars of faith and remains the most crucial and influential part of Sacred Tradition. The Apostles Creed, which is attributed to the teachings of the apostles, is the oldest Creed believing to have originated from the first century A.D. Though its name has apostles in it, the Creed was not written by any of the apostles, contain ing the word only because it is considered to be a brief summary of the Apostles teachings. The particular aspect of the Apostles Creed that I will focus on is Article 7 of the Creed. Article 7 states, From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. This article affirms the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the world to serve as its judge. Judgment Day, or the Last Judgment, is seen as a general judgment that will reaffirm the particular judgment each of us will receive when we die. The book of Revelations tells us that this day will come about after one final assault by the powers of evil before Christs kingdom ultimately triumphs. This general judgment will decide, ultimately, whether we are destined for heaven or hell. There are various reasons as to why one must receive general judgment even though theyll receive particular judgment after. We will receive general judgment for four reasons: so, that God may be glorified, so that Jesus Christ may be glorified, so that the Saints may be glorified, so that the wicked may be confounded, and that along with body , the soul receive its eternal sentence of punishment or reward. This judgment will be based on our actions in this life, in what weve done as well as what weve failed to do, and how receptive weve been to Gods grace. One can also be sent directly to purgatory, a sentencing that guarantees ones admittance to heaven once repentance for sins has been achieved. Aside from the more literal meaning of Article 7, it can also be interpreted in a more symbolic way. A more symbolic reading of, He shall come to judge the living and the dead, suggests on a deeper level that only those who live their lives embracing and carrying out divine justice are truly alive. To awaken from the dead is to live ones life within the glory and grace of Christ our Savior and God. In my research and studying of class materials Ive learned a great deal about the Apostles Creed as whole and particularly Article 7. I never really knew that the Apostles Creed was our (Catholic) profession and statement of faith. Though I shouldve known this, I never realized why the Apostles Creed was recited or sung in the Roman Catholic Church as much as it is. The Creed is used as a teaching outline, as a guard and guide against heresy, as a summarization of faith, and as an affirmation in worship. I learned the history of the Apostles Creed as well, always under the belief that the apostles had written it, which I know now to untrue (or unproven). After having read the Apostles Creed as much as I have these past few days, Ive come to find a stronger belief and dedication in my Catholic faith and understanding as to why we believe what we do. Concerning Article 7, I chose this particular article because I never truly understood the notion of Judgment Day and what we believe wil l take place. I now know