christianity beliefs

nature of God

nature of God

• omniscient

• omnipotent

• omnibenevolent

• judge

• creator

• transcendent

• immanent

immanent

involved in our world

transcendent

beyond the realms of the universe

creator

creator of all living things and the universe

judge

ability to determine good and evil

omnibenevolent

all loving

omnipotent

all powerful

omniscient

all knowing

problem of evil in relation to God’s nature

• omnibenevolent - if God was all loving, why do humans suffer?

• omnipotent - if God has the power to end evil and suffering, why doesn’t He?

problem of evil - example

Infant and children suffering chronic illness from young or from birth

problem of evil - solution

Evil and suffering teaches humanity a lesson and allows them to discover faith

problem of evil 12 marker (for - nature of God)

• evil and suffering teaches humanity allows them to discover faith and demonstrates humanity is worthy of heaven

• the devil created evil and tempts humanity into it

problem of evil 12 marker (against - nature of God)

• David Hume’s Triangle - God can thus not be omnipotent and omnibenevolent

trinity

The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit

nature of the Father

• creator of all life

• father to his children

• omnipotent

• omnibenevolent

• omniscient

• omnipresent

nature of the Son

• God incarnate

• fully human and fully divine

hypostatic union

theology that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine at the same time

nature of the Holy Spirit

• unseen power of God at work in the world

• influences, guides and sustains life on earth

Nicene Creed on the Trinity

• agrees Trinity is 1 God in 3 forms (modalism)

• The Son existed before creation

• The Son had a role in humanity’s salvation

Modalism

believing the Trinity is 3 different forms of God

Partialism

believing the Trinity is split into thirds (e.g. the Father = 1/3)

Tritheism

believing each aspect of the Trinity is a separate being

Subordinationism

believing that the Holy Spirit submits to the Son and the Son submits to the Father

genesis 1

belief that the universe was created by God in seven days

genesis 1 timeline

1. day and night

2. sky

3. sea, land and vegetation

4. sun, moon and stars

5. fish in the sea and birds in the sky

6. animals on the land (including humanity)

7. God rested

literal Christian response to genesis 1

creation story happened exactly as described in genesis

linguistic Christian response to genesis 1

• there may be a misunderstanding in the language of the story

• e.g. ‘day’ in Hebrew doesn’t mean a day in English

mythical Christian response to genesis 1

• the creation story is a myth

• the Bible explains that God is the Creator and why

• but not how God created the universe

scientific Christian response to genesis 1

science can work in conjunction with the creation story

genesis 2 timeline

• God created the Garden of Eden

• God created Adam

• God created vegetation

• God created animals

• God created Eve

What is the crucifixion

When Jesus atoned for humanity’s sins by sacrificing himself on the cross

What is the resurrection

When Jesus was resurrected due to God’s omnibenevolence

jehovah’s witness’ belief about resurrection

the righteous’ (Christians) soul will be resurrected soon after death

other Christian denominations belief about resurrection

everyone will be resurrected on Judgement Day

Catholic and Orthodox beliefs about how resurrection will occur

• physical resurrection

• into a transformed body

other Christian denominations beliefs about how resurrection will occur

spiritual resurrection

how does a belief in resurrection influence Christians

• means life after death is real

• gives hope of a future life with Jesus

• gives confidence in the face of death

• inspires Christians to live their life as God wishes them to

• Show Christians God’s omnibenevolence

Christian beliefs about the afterlife

• Christians believe they will be resurrected and live an eternal life

• this if a gift from God and dependant on their faith and actions on earth

• they will be judged by God and sent to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory (Catholic belief)

Christian beliefs about judgement

Christians believe that after death, God will judge them based on their actions and faith in God

how does the Parable of the Sheep and Goats relate to God’s judgement

• parable teaches Christians that in serving others, they are serving Jesus

• Jesus said that having faith in Him and following his teachings is essential in reaching heaven

Christian beliefs about heaven

• thought to be either a spiritual or physical place

• a reward for both faith and moral actions

Christian beliefs about hell

• state of existence without God

• place of eternal torment ruled by Satan

• cut off from the possibility of God or His mercy

• awaits non-believers and sinners

Christian beliefs about purgatory

• in-between state where souls are cleansed so they can reach heaven

• only a belief for Catholic Christians

Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

• a rich man doesn’t help a poor man (Lazarus)

• Lazarus goes to heaven while the rich man goes to hell

• once dead the rich man cannot go back and undo his sins

what does the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man teach Christians

• teaches them to follow Jesus’ teachings

• and to care for others

• to reach heaven

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

• at a wedding five bridesmaids brought extra oil for their lamps whilst the other five forgot

• whilst they wait for the groom, they begin to run out of oil and are locked out of they party

what does the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids teach Christians

to always be prepared for judgement

Parable of the Fishing Net

• Jesus taught that God’s judgement is like a fishing net put out to sea

• it catches all types of fish but separates the good from the bad

what does the Parable of the Fishing Net teach Christians

that the good will be separated from the bad after resurrection

Parable of the Prodigal Son

• a man had two sons

• one of them asked for a share of the inheritance and left home leading a foolish life

• when this son ran out of money, he returned to his father, who celebrated his return

what does the Parable of the Prodigal Son teach Christians

• that God welcomes back anyone who had previously turned away

• if they return with sorrow and ask for forgiveness

What is the ascension

When Jesus returned to God’s side in Heaven

What is the incarnation

When Jesus became human

7 deadly sins

• lust

• gluttony

• sloth

• pride

• envy

• greed

• wrath

What caused original sin

When Adam and Eve ate fruit from the Tree of Knowledge

Potential causes of Adam and Eve’s transgression

• Devil - tempted Adam and Eve in snake persona

• Free will - Adam and Eve’s free will led them to eat the fruit

How do Christians achieve Heaven

Christians believe they can go to Heaven by salvation through God’s grace

Liberal Christian beliefs on Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell are metaphors for:

• hope

• rewards

• rest

• hopelessness

• punishment

Evangelical beliefs on Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell are physical places

Evangelical beliefs on resurrection

Believe that the physical body will be resurrected - physical body is a “temple for the Holy Spirit”

Baptist Church beliefs on resurrection

Believe that resurrection is spiritual

General judgement

Judgement occurs on the Second Coming of Christ - decides whether you go to Heaven or Hell

Particular judgement

Judgement occurs immediately after you die - decides whether you go to Heaven or Hell

Liberal Christian beliefs on creation

interprets creations stories as metaphors or allegories

Conservative Christian beliefs on creation

creation stories written by people inspired by God’s actions

Literalist Christian beliefs on creation

creation stories actually occurred as the Bible is the word of God