rp christian beliefs

God is omnipotent

God is all-powerful and able to do anything.

God is loving

God shows unconditional love (agape) to all humans.

God is just

God is fair and judges right and wrong.

Problem of evil

The challenge of explaining how evil exists if God is omnipotent and loving.

Free will

God allows humans to choose good or evil, which explains moral evil.

Natural evil

Suffering caused by nature, such as earthquakes or disease.

Soul-making

The idea that suffering helps people grow spiritually and become closer to God.

Oneness of God

The belief that there is only one God.

Trinity

One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Father

God as creator and sustainer of the universe.

Son

Jesus Christ, God in human form.

Holy Spirit

God’s power and presence in the world today.

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Creation by Word

God created the world through speaking.

John 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.”

Role of the Word

Jesus was involved in creation.

Role of the Spirit

God’s Spirit was active in creation.

Literal creation

Belief that Genesis is historically accurate.

Symbolic creation

Belief that Genesis teaches meaning rather than science.

Resurrection

Rising from the dead after death.

Life after death

Belief that the soul continues after physical death.

Judgement

God decides whether a person goes to heaven or hell.

Heaven

Eternal life with God.

Hell

Eternal separation from God.

Importance of afterlife

Encourages Christians to live moral lives.

Incarnation

God becoming human in the person of Jesus.

Son of God

Jesus is fully God and fully human.

Crucifixion

Jesus was executed on a cross.

Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

Ascension

Jesus returned to heaven.

Sin

Acting against God’s laws.

Original sin

The belief that all humans inherit sin from Adam and Eve.

Salvation

Being saved from sin and its consequences.

Law

Following God’s rules to achieve salvation.

Grace

God’s free gift of salvation.

Spirit

Salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Atonement

Jesus’ death restored the relationship between God and humans.