Christianity Flashcards

What is the Trinity?

The Christian belief that God is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

What does monotheism mean?

Belief in one God.

What does omnipotent mean?

All-powerful.

What does omnibenevolent mean?

All-loving; perfectly loving.

What does omniscient mean?

All-knowing.

What does transcendent mean?

Beyond and independent from creation.

What does immanent mean?

Present and active within creation.

What is the nature of God?

God is understood as omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient, eternal, transcendent and immanent.

What is the problem of evil and suffering?

The challenge of explaining how evil and suffering can exist if God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent.

What is natural evil?

Suffering caused by natural events such as earthquakes, floods and disease.

What is moral evil?

Suffering caused by human actions and choices.

What is theodicy?

An attempt to explain why evil and suffering exist despite belief in an all-loving and all-powerful God.

How might Christians explain suffering through free will?

God gave humans free will, allowing them to choose good or evil; moral evil results from humans misusing this freedom.

What is free will?

The ability to make genuine choices and decisions.

Why is free will important to Christians?

It allows humans to freely choose to love and obey God rather than being forced to do so.

What is the Augustinian theodicy?

The view that evil entered creation because of human disobedience and the Fall, beginning with Adam and Eve.

What is the Irenaean theodicy?

The view that suffering can help humans develop morally and spiritually towards perfection.

What is agape?

Selfless, unconditional and sacrificial love.

What is justice?

Fairness and giving people what they deserve.

What is forgiveness?

Choosing not to hold wrongdoing against someone and offering reconciliation.

What is reconciliation?

Restoring a broken relationship.

What is the Incarnation?

The Christian belief that God became human in Jesus.

Why is the Incarnation important?

It shows God's love for humanity and allows Christians to believe God entered human life through Jesus.

What does Emmanuel mean?

"God with us."

What is the Virgin Birth?

The belief that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the Virgin Mary.

Why is the Virgin Birth important?

It demonstrates Jesus' unique relationship with God and supports Christian beliefs about his divine nature.

What is the crucifixion?

The execution of Jesus by crucifixion.

Why is the crucifixion important?

Christians believe Jesus' death provided a way for humanity to be reconciled with God and overcome sin.

What is the Resurrection?

The Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.

Why is the Resurrection important?

It demonstrates Jesus' victory over death and is central to Christian belief in salvation and eternal life.

What is the Ascension?

The belief that Jesus returned to Heaven after his Resurrection.

What is salvation?

Being saved from sin and restored to a right relationship with God.

What is sin?

An act or thought that goes against God's will.

What is original sin?

The Christian belief, particularly in many Western traditions, that humanity inherits a tendency towards sin as a result of the Fall.

What is atonement?

The reconciliation between humanity and God through Jesus' death.

What is redemption?

Being saved from sin and its consequences.

What is the importance of Jesus' death?

It is understood as a sacrifice that makes forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible.

What is the Bible?

The sacred collection of Christian scriptures, consisting of the Old Testament and New Testament.

What is revelation?

God making himself and his truth known to humanity.

What is general revelation?

Knowledge of God available through creation, nature and human experience.

What is special revelation?

God revealing himself through specific events, people and scripture, especially Jesus.

What is the authority of the Bible?

Christians use the Bible as an important source of teaching and guidance.

What is the Holy Spirit?

The third person of the Trinity, believed to be God's presence and power active in the world and believers.

What is Pentecost?

The event when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus' disciples after his Ascension.

Why is Pentecost important?

It marks the empowerment of the disciples and the beginning of the Christian Church's mission.

What is Christian prayer?

Communication with God through worship, thanksgiving, confession, asking for forgiveness and requests.

What is liturgical prayer?

Structured prayer following an established form or order of worship.

What is informal prayer?

Spontaneous prayer using one's own words.

What is the Lord's Prayer?

A prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples as a model for Christian prayer.

Why is the Lord's Prayer important?

It was taught by Jesus and expresses key Christian ideas including God's kingdom, forgiveness and dependence on God.

What is private prayer?

Prayer performed individually, often away from public worship.

What is public prayer?

Prayer performed as part of communal Christian worship.

What is worship?

Showing reverence, love and devotion to God.

What is liturgical worship?

Worship following a set structure, readings and prayers.

What is non-liturgical worship?

Worship that is less formally structured and may include spontaneous prayer, preaching and modern music.

What is informal worship?

Personal or spontaneous worship without a fixed structure.

Why is communal worship important?

It allows Christians to worship together, strengthen their faith and support one another.

What is a sacrament?

A Christian rite regarded as having particular spiritual significance and, in many traditions, as a means of receiving God's grace.

What is Baptism?

A rite of initiation into Christianity involving water.

What is infant baptism?

Baptism of a baby or young child, usually involving the parents and godparents making promises on the child's behalf.

What is believers' baptism?

Baptism performed when a person is old enough to make their own conscious profession of Christian faith.

Why is baptism important?

It symbolises entry into the Christian community, cleansing from sin and a new life in Christ.

What is Holy Communion?

A Christian act of worship remembering Jesus' Last Supper.

What is the Eucharist?

Another name for Holy Communion, especially in Catholic and Anglican traditions.

What is the Last Supper?

The meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion.

What does the bread represent in Holy Communion?

Christ's body.

What does the wine represent in Holy Communion?

Christ's blood.

Why is Holy Communion important?

It remembers Jesus' sacrifice and allows Christians to express unity with Christ and other believers.

What is pilgrimage?

A journey to a place of religious significance.

Why do Christians go on pilgrimage?

For prayer, spiritual growth, healing, reflection and strengthening faith.

What is Iona?

A Scottish island associated with St Columba and an important Christian pilgrimage site.

What is Taizé?

A Christian community in France known for prayer, worship and reconciliation.

What is Christmas?

The Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Why is Christmas important?

It celebrates the Incarnation and God's arrival into human life through Jesus.

What is Easter?

The Christian festival celebrating Jesus' death and Resurrection.

Why is Good Friday important?

It commemorates Jesus' crucifixion.

Why is Easter Sunday important?

It celebrates Jesus' Resurrection and victory over death.

What is the meaning of Christian charity?

Showing love and practical care towards others, especially those in need.

What is agape love?

Selfless and unconditional love that seeks the good of others.

Why do Christians help the poor?

Jesus taught Christians to love others and care for people in need.

What is the Golden Rule?

The teaching to treat others as you would want to be treated.

What is the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

A parable teaching that Christians should show compassion and love to others, regardless of differences.

What is the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?

A teaching of Jesus emphasising that helping people in need is a way of serving Christ.

What is the Church's role in charity?

Christians and churches provide practical, financial and emotional support to people in need.

What is Christian Aid?

A Christian charity that works to tackle poverty, injustice and humanitarian problems.

Why might Christians disagree about helping the poor?

They may differ over how much responsibility belongs to individuals, churches and governments.

What is persecution?

Hostility or unfair treatment towards people because of their religious beliefs.

Why might Christians support persecuted people?

Jesus taught love, compassion and concern for others, and Christians may see defending religious freedom as a moral responsibility.

What is the sanctity of life?

The belief that human life is sacred and valuable because it is created by God.

Why do Christians believe life is sacred?

Human beings are created by God in His image and life is considered a gift from God.

What is stewardship?

The responsibility to care for God's creation.

What does dominion mean?

The authority or responsibility humans have over creation.

What is environmental responsibility?

The duty to protect and care for the natural world.

Why should Christians care for the environment?

God created the world and humans have a responsibility to care for it as stewards.

What is sustainability?

Using resources responsibly so they remain available for future generations.

What is global warming?

The long-term increase in Earth's average temperature, largely linked to increased greenhouse gases.

How might Christians respond to global warming?

By reducing waste, conserving resources and acting as responsible stewards of creation.

What is animal experimentation?

Using animals for scientific research and testing.