SOR FA2 Christianity

CORE BELIEFS SECTION

CORE BELIEFS SECTION

Human Dignity / Sanctity of Human Life

• Because humans were created in God's image, human life is sacred, and that the dignity of the person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.

• Informs ethical perspectives on euthanasia, abortion and capital punishment.

Incarnation

Incarnation = God made flesh. The Son the second person in Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Revelation

• The divine or supernatural disclosure to humans of something relating to human existence.

• Associated with prophetic encounter with God as written in Scriptures. Christians have viewed God's revelation s being complete in Jesus.

Salvation

The deliverance from sin and its consequences. Belief that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. Different Christians differ about what this means - faith in Jesus or good works or both.

Many Christians believe that people who die with unforgiven sins will not go to Heaven and may go to Hell (Catholics believe these people may go to Purgatory). Salvation is crucial part of having a relationship with God on Earth and in Heaven. 

Resurrection

Jesus resurrection suggests God raised Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary. It povides validation of the incarnation.

Imago Dei

Humans are made in the image and likeness of God (moral, intellectual and spiritual). Capacity to be God-like. Informs the ethical foundations of Christianity ethical understandings. Underpins western society Human Rights.

Atonement

The idea of the relationship between Humans and God being healed, with God and humanity becoming united. Christians believe that Jesus death and therefore his salvation allowed humans to begin the process of atonement.

Final Judgement

Heaven is a perfect, eternal place where they will be united with God. After death, each person will be judged based on their good and bad deeds, and the nature of their afterlife will depend on this judgement.

Linear World View

Linear worldview aim to be reunited with the divine creator

Catholic

A Catholic is a Christian who follows the Catholic religion as transmitted through the succession of Popes.

Protestant

Any Western Christian who is not an adherent of a Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Church. Emphasise the grace of God; God's unmerited favour.

Orthodox

Orthodox believes that the Christian Faith and the Church are inseparable. It is impossible to know Christ, to share in the life of the Holy Trinity, or to be considered a Christian, apart from the Church

Transubstantiation

Says that the bread and wine are literally changed into the body and the blood of Jesus at Mass without changing the appearance of bread and wine.

IS the body and blood of Christ.

Consubstantiation

Consubstantiation is a Christian theological doctrine that (like transubstantiation) describes the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

SACRED TEXTS SECTION

Contextual

Asks about that the context to be taken into account: time, place, intended audience, purpose.

Liberation Theology

Liberation theology is defined as a theological current integrated by Catholic and Protestant branches that deals with the vital matters of marginalized populations needing social, political, or economic equality and justice.

Literalist

Believe that what is written in the text is the revelation of God and therefore it is God's words and cannot be interpreted or changes

Feminist Interpretation

As the bible is a text written by men for men, often presents a hierarchal model of relationships and even omits women from the narrative.

Canon

A canon is also a religious rule put in place by someone of authority.

Stages of Development of Text

Ritual Section

Eucharist

Eucharist, in Christianity, ritual commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples.

Transubstantiation

Says that the bread and wine are literally changed into the body and the blood of Jesus at Mass without changing the appearance of bread and wine.

IS the body and blood of Christ.

Triduum

A period of three days of prayer that traces the final days of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

Holy Thursday evening till Easter Sunday evening.

Baptism

The Christian religious rite of sprinkling water on to a person's forehead or of immersing them in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving.

an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named