Death and the Afterlife in the New Testament

Jaime Clark-Soles is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and the author of Scripture Cannot Be Broken: The Social Function of the Use of Scripture in the Fourth Gospel.

• Chapter One sets the investigation against a backdrop of options deployed by thinkers and cultures which contributed to the discussion before the New Testament joined it. This includes Ancient Near Eastern, Ancient Jewish, Second Temple Jewish, and Hellenistic materials. The chapter draws upon epitaphs, graves, Roman religions, mystery religions, consolation literature, and Hellenistic philosophy. It addresses particular topics such as anthropology, notions of divine judgment, and the origins of heaven, hell, and Satan.; Chapter two examines the Pauline literature, using 1 Corinthians 15 as a case study. This chapter is often considered the classic statement on Christian afterlife. Chapter three takes up the Gospel of John and compares and contrasts John with Paul's letters. Neither Paul nor John use hell language.; Chapter four is devoted to the gospel of Matthew. Hell language and imagery abounds in Matthew. Matthew's depiction of death and afterlife functions to enjoin ethical behavior, encourage faithfulness, and certify God's character as righteous and just. Chapter five addresses 1 Peter, famous for its supposed depiction of Jesus' "descent into hell" and the subsequent development of the notion of purgatory.; Chapter six summarizes the book's findings and offers concluding comparisons and contrasts among the authors, with consideration paid to their social and cultural millieu.

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