TP - christian beliefs and teachings

explain 2 beliefs about god omnipotence

• this is sometimes misunderstood as god can do anything when it really means god can do anything that is logically possible

• it is believed nothing can defeat gods power

give 2 quotes that show gods omnipotence

• Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth“

• “Nothing is impossible with God“

2 ways God’s omnipotence may influence christians

• to pray for miracles as they believe god can intervene, performed miracles through Jesus e.g. healing the blind and deaf

• Behave morally because they believe he has the power to reward or punish

Explain 2 problems with God’s omnibenevolence

• How can God be omnibenevolent yet evil and suffering still exist in our world, problem of evil

• the inconsistencies in suffering/ unequal, if God loved us all equally he we would all experience and equal amount of suffering

2 quotes showing Gods omnibenevolence

• ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.’ (John 3:16)

• God’s love is shown by his actions in the world e.g. miracles

2 ways belief about God’s omnibenevolence may influence Christians

• to follow Gods model, he shows love to everyone so Christians will want to show love to everyone

• believing God is loving and forgiving may influence Christians to do the same and forgive rather than holding grudges

explain 2 belief about Gods omniscience

• God possesses timeless knowledge ( past, present, future ) meaning that he knows what will happen to each individual, comfort to Christians knowing God has a plan for them

• the fact he knows what has, is and will happen shows him as the truly perfect and true source for knowledge, meaning the bible is a true source as it is God’s words

2 quotes that show Gods omniscience

• “God is greater than our heart and he knows everything“ 1 John 3:20

• “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account" Hebrew 4:13

• Matthew 10 - hair on head

2 beliefs about Gods omniscience that may influence Christians

• May influence Christians not to sin and behave morally because if God sees all then he will know and it could cause them to be punished by him later

• Influence Christians to read the bible because if God knows all then his words are surely true and the bible is essentially God’s word

• May influence Christians to worship/ believe in God if he knows all then he has a plan for them in life, placing their total trust in his guidance and may shrink their worries about the future

2 problems with God’s omnipotence

• Problem of evil, If God is all powerful why does evil and suffering still exist

• the stone paradox - he cant lift he isn’t omnipotent, he can’t create a stone heavy enough he isn’t omnipotent

• if God is all powerful why did it take him 6 days to create the world

• “It was impossible for God to lie“ Hebrew 6:18

2 beliefs about Gods omnibenevolence

• God’s love is AGAPE - unconditional love - for mankind as he wants what is best for them and created them to love them

• Gods love is limitless in time and he will forgive all wrongs

2 problems with Gods omniscience

• How can humans have free will if God knows with certainty what will happen, then the action is necessary not free

• if God knew evil would happen and had the power and love to stop it why didn’t he

2 beliefs that about God as just

• God is fair but in an absolute sense, not under any influence or bias, he can be this because he is transcendent and omniscient so can judge with clarity and hates injustice

• unlimited power and total love means perfect giver of justice

2 ways God as Just may influence Christians

• Influence them to work towards social justice e.g. giving to charities like Christian aid or supporting fairtrade

• God is fair and treats all equally so Christians mat aim to do the same

• even with injustices it influences Christians to have faith that they will be rewarded in the after life

2 quotes that can be used for a question on God’s justice

• “Let justice roll on like a river“ Amos 5 - emphasises that God delights in Justice and righteousness

• “He rules the world in righteousness and judges the people with equity” Psalm 9:8

2 problems with the idea of God as just

• problem of evil

• the idea of eternal punishment is considered disproportionate and unjust in human moral standards

Natural evil

evil that occurs by natural processes e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, disease

moral evil

the acts of humans which are considered to be morally wrong e.g. murder, slavery, severe dishonesty

2 problems with augustine’s argument

MISUSE OF FREE WILL

• The idea of perfection - how can something so perfect go wrong and why would God if so omni… choose to create something flawed, this means he is the root of evil as he created a flawed universe and limits his omnibenevolence

• Requires pre-existing faith - To agree with this idea you need to believe in the fall, and recent developments in science e.g. evolution can make it hard to accept and evidence suggests natural before moral evil so how can it be a punishment for corruption of free will if it came before the fall

Augustines theodicy - response to problem of evil

Augustine argues that evil was a consequence of the misuse of free will by adam and eve. By choosing to rebel against God and give in to temptation they caused free will which is good in itself to be corrupted. This argument shifts the blame from God and protects his attributes

He also argues that natural evil is caused by the moral revolt and it set nature awry destroying Gods perfect harmony, natural disasters are a punishment/ penalties for moral evil

quote for augustine

“all evil is either sin or the punishment for sin“

Irenaen Theodicy + Hick

argues the existence of evil is justified as it leads to greater moral goodness for example after a natural disaster there are more acts of sympathy and compassion

It is central to this theory that humans were created in Gods image “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness“ Genesis 1:26

The idea God purposefully made humans imperfect, but also gave us the capacity and potential to become morally perfect but to achieve this we need suffering

if humans were perfect it would take away their free will and our flaws are what give us the chance to develop and grow through a soul-making process into children of God

epistemic distance

Hick thinks that we have to learn goodness and perfection throughout life, and god brought evil for our benefit

Irenean Theodicy - natural evil

Its argued 2 ways, evil effects can be a source of knowledge for us e.g. if you never felt the pain of hunger you wouldn’t know you need food for survival, Swinburne argues we couldn’t learn the art of goodness, we need evil to distinguish between good and bad, in order to choose the good, and improve as moral beings

secondly it can be seen as a form of soul-making, character building and creates opportunities for humans to grow morally. In this theodicy there is no eternal hell but there is the idea that we might need multiple lives to reach perfection, God wants all humans to eventually reach perfection.

2 problem with Irenaean theodicy

Not in line with traditional christian teaching - rejects the fall and idea of hell and Jesus loses his crucial role as the savior, if he isnt our redeemer and disbelief in christ wont result in eternal punishment does Christ have a role at all.

Not all evil is soul-making - Evil doesn’t always benefit humanity for example natural disasters can show our selfishness by wanting to save ourselves over others

Amount of suffering - Is the amount of suffering necessary, Hume argues the amount of observable human suffering is a powerful argument against the existence of God and his omnibenevolence - counter argument by swinburne is that we have limits to our suffering e.g. passing out once pain reaches a certain intensity

what is the problem of evil

It is one of the most significant objections to Gods existence, Hume argues in his ‘Inconsistent Triad‘ that you either alter Gods attributes but then he wouldn’t be the God of classical Theism or deny the existence of evil in the world which is impossible. Meaning God can’t exist.

Mackies inconsistent Triad

all 3 points of triangle can’t exist at once.

What is Augustine's response to the problem of evil?

Augustine argues that evil is a result of free will given to humans by God, which allows for the possibility of sin and suffering.

Quote from Genesis 8:21

"The inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood."

What are two problems with Augustine's argument?

1. It does not adequately explain natural evil. 2. It raises questions about God's omnipotence and goodness if He allows evil.

What is Irenaeus' and Hick's response to the problem of evil?

They argue that evil serves a purpose in developing moral character and that it is necessary for spiritual growth.

What are two problems with Irenaeus' and Hick's argument?

1. It may seem unjust to allow suffering for growth. 2. It does not address the existence of excessive or gratuitous suffering.

What does the view that evil is a test of faith entail?

It suggests that God allows evil to test believers' faith and strengthen their relationship with Him.

What are two problems with the argument that evil is a test of faith?

1. It can imply that God is cruel for testing people. 2. It does not account for those who suffer without faith.

What does The Book of Job teach about evil and suffering?

It illustrates that suffering is not always a punishment for sin and can be a test of faith and righteousness.

What does The Calming of the Storm teach about evil and suffering?

It shows that Jesus has authority over nature and can bring peace amidst chaos, suggesting hope in suffering.

Quote from 2 Corinthians 4:17

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

What is the Trinity?

The Trinity is the Christian doctrine that defines God as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are all one in essence.

What is the role of the Father?

The Father is the creator and sustainer of the universe, representing authority and the source of divine will.

What is the role of the Son?

The Son, Jesus Christ, is the redeemer who incarnated to save humanity from sin through His death and resurrection.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit acts as the comforter and guide for believers, empowering them to live according to God's will.

Give a quote for each person of the Trinity.

Father: "Our Father in heaven…" (Matthew 6:9); Son: "I am the way, the truth, and the life…" (John 14:6); Holy Spirit: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate…" (John 14:16).

When in the Bible do all three persons of the Trinity come together?

At the baptism of Jesus, where the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.

Explain the importance of the Trinity for Christians.

The Trinity is central to Christian faith as it encapsulates the nature of God and His relationship with humanity, emphasizing community and love.

How might belief in the Trinity influence a Christian?

It encourages Christians to reflect God's relational nature in their own relationships and to understand their faith as a communal experience.

Quote from the Nicene Creed on the Trinity.

"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth… and in one Lord Jesus Christ… and in the Holy Spirit."

What are two problems with belief in the Trinity?

1. It can be difficult to comprehend and explain. 2. It may lead to accusations of polytheism from non-Christians.

Briefly outline the creation story in Genesis 1.

Genesis 1 describes God creating the world in six days, culminating in the creation of humans in His image on the sixth day, and resting on the seventh.

Briefly outline the creation story in Genesis 2.

Genesis 2 focuses on the creation of man from dust, the Garden of Eden, and the creation of woman from man's rib, emphasizing the relationship between humans and God.

Give one quote that can be used for a question on creation.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

Give a quote that shows that Jesus was present at the creation of the world.

"Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:3)

Give a quote that shows that the Holy Spirit was present at the creation of the world.

"The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

Explain a liberal Christian's interpretation of the creation story.

Liberal Christians may view the creation story as a metaphorical account that conveys spiritual truths rather than a literal historical event.

Explain a conservative Christian's interpretation of the creation story.

Conservative Christians typically interpret the creation story literally, believing that God created the world in six days as described in Genesis.

Explain two reasons the creation story is important to Christians.

1. It establishes God as the ultimate creator and authority. 2. It affirms the inherent value and purpose of human life.

Why do Christians believe in the afterlife?

Christians believe in the afterlife based on biblical teachings that promise eternal life with God for believers.

Explain different Christian beliefs about resurrection.

Some Christians believe in a physical resurrection of the body, while others interpret resurrection as a spiritual experience or transformation.

Give a quote on resurrection.

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25)

Explain different Christian beliefs about judgement.

Some Christians emphasize faith in Jesus as the basis for judgment, while others stress the importance of actions and moral living.

Give a quote that teaches that you have to have faith in order to go to heaven.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…" (Ephesians 2:8)

Give a quote/parable that teaches that you are judged based on your actions.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:35-40)

What is personal judgement?

Personal judgment refers to the individual assessment of a person's life and faith at the moment of death.

What is the Day of Judgement?

The Day of Judgement is the future event when all people will be judged by God based on their faith and actions.

Outline the characteristics of heaven.

Heaven is often described as a place of eternal joy, peace, and communion with God, free from suffering and sin.

Give a quote on heaven.

"In my Father's house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)

Explain the different beliefs about hell.

Some Christians view hell as a literal place of eternal punishment, while others see it as a state of separation from God or spiritual death.

Give a quote on hell.

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:46)

What is purgatory?

Purgatory is a state of purification for souls who have died in grace but still need to be purified before entering heaven.

Which denomination in Christianity believes in purgatory?

The Roman Catholic Church believes in purgatory as part of its doctrine.

Explain two ways in which belief in the afterlife might influence a Christian.

1. It encourages moral living and accountability for actions. 2. It provides hope and comfort in times of suffering and loss.

Explain two reasons why belief in the afterlife is important to Christians.

1. It affirms the promise of eternal life with God. 2. It motivates believers to share their faith and live according to Christian values.

What is the incarnation?

The incarnation is the Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ.

Give two pieces of evidence from the Bible that shows that Jesus was fully God.

1. "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30); 2. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Give two pieces of evidence from the Bible that shows that Jesus was fully human.

1. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14); 2. "Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

Why are the birth stories important to Christians?

They affirm the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth and His divine identity as the Son of God.

Explain two reasons why the incarnation is important to Christians.

1. It demonstrates God's love and willingness to be with humanity. 2. It provides a model for how to live a righteous life.

Explain two ways belief in the incarnation might influence Christians.

1. It encourages believers to emulate Christ's humility and service. 2. It strengthens their relationship with God through Jesus.

Give a quote that can be used for a question on the incarnation.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…" (Isaiah 9:6)

What is the crucifixion?

The crucifixion refers to the execution of Jesus Christ on a cross, a central event in Christian theology representing His sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Outline the events leading up to the crucifixion.

Jesus was arrested, tried before Jewish and Roman authorities, condemned, and then led to Golgotha where He was crucified.

What happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross?

Jesus experienced immense physical pain and spiritual anguish, expressing His feelings of abandonment and fulfilling prophecies.

Give two quotes that can be used for a question on the crucifixion.

1. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34); 2. "It is finished." (John 19:30)

Explain two reasons why the crucifixion is important for Christians.

1. It signifies the ultimate sacrifice for sin, offering redemption. 2. It demonstrates God's love and justice.

Explain two ways the crucifixion might influence a Christian.

1. It inspires believers to live sacrificially for others. 2. It reinforces the importance of forgiveness and grace.

What is the resurrection?

The resurrection is the event of Jesus rising from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion, affirming His divinity and victory over sin and death.

Outline the events of the resurrection.

On the third day, women discovered the empty tomb, angels proclaimed Jesus' resurrection, and He appeared to His disciples.

What are the differences between the Gospel accounts of the resurrection?

Different Gospels emphasize various details, such as the number of angels, the individuals who visited the tomb, and the specific appearances of Jesus.

Explain two reasons why one may doubt the resurrection.

1. Lack of empirical evidence. 2. Variations in the Gospel accounts can lead to questions about reliability.

Explain two reasons why the resurrection is important to Christians.

1. It confirms Jesus as the Son of God and the truth of His teachings. 2. It provides hope for believers' own resurrection and eternal life.

Explain two ways the resurrection might influence Christians.

1. It encourages a hopeful outlook on life and death. 2. It motivates believers to share their faith and live in accordance with Christ's teachings.

Give two quotes that can be used for a question on the resurrection.

1. "He is not here; he has risen!" (Luke 24:6); 2. "Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:19)

What is the ascension?

The ascension refers to Jesus' return to heaven after His resurrection, where He is seated at the right hand of God.