영혼의 그리스도론적 특성에 대한 종말론적 고찰

Abstract

Human beings are not absolute beings that can enable themselves, but sort of accidental beings that airse from inevitable beings. Humans cannot find of themselves the reasons for their existence. The Bible teaches that humans are God’s creatures and ‘the image of God’ (Imago Dei) (cf. Gn 1:26-27). The first characteristics of human beings created in the image of God is that they are born with the spiritual and mental abilities which make them distinct and distinguished from the other creatures. Made of clay, humans are finite and limited, but as the breath (=spirit) of God is breathed into them, they can surpass themselves despite their limit. It is the teachings of the Bible as well as the Church that human beings are the union of the soul and the body, but the function and role of body and soul are not the same. Traditionally, the Catholic Church teaches that ‘the soul is the form of the body.’ Therefore, although humans are the whole unity of soul and body, the former is relatively regarded as more essential and unique.
 In this paper topics related with the immortality of the soul will be dealt with. It will be examined if the soul is immortal, and if so, how that is possible. Especially, this issue will be approached in terms of the relationship with Jesus Christ, who takes the second hypostasis of the Trinity. In this paper, the claim that immortality of the soul is impossible will be examined along with the opposite assertion that it is possible. Next, if the immortality of the human soul is considered possible, discussed will be the intermediate stage which is assumed to exist after the death of an individual, as well as a purgatory, which can be said to be a form of the intermediate state. The most important starting point that will lead and comprise the related topics is Christology. Therefore, this paper will be focused on developing various topics related with eschatology from the perspective of Christology. It is the teachings of the Bible and the Catholic Church that Christology should be the starting point, main concept and conclusion of all the Christian theology and faith. Hence, topics of the immortality of the soul and eschatological subjects thereof will be examined through christological contemplation.