Nature of God

Give 2 qualities that Christians believe describe the nature of God [2]

• Omnipotent

• Loving

• Just

• One

• Trinity

• Merciful

• Forgiving

• Omniscient

• Eternal

Explain 2 ways in which the belief that God is just influences Christians today [4]

• Be fair towards others, because they have experienced the justice of God

• bring about justice, because God cares about justice

• being fair as it will please God and follow his example

Explain 2 ways that belief in an omnipotent God could influence Christians today [4]

• feel comforted, God has the power to save them from problems e.g. saving Israelites from slavery in Egypt

• follow his 10 commandments, as God has the power to punish sinners e.g. sending them to hell

• Believe the bible, God is powerful enough to do things said in the bible e.g. creation

A loving God would not send anyone to Hell [12]

FOR

• John 3:16 ‘God so loved the world’, this kind of love would not include hell

• God is a fair judge, someone who is fair would never sentence someone to pain or torment

• Eternal punishment in hell would be pointless

AGAINST

• The bible refers to hell as a real place (parable of the sheep and the goat) God’s love just includes hell

• Some may understand hell as separation from God, this idea of hell doesn’t mean God is unloving

• Some say hell is an invention by Christians to make people follow Christian teachings, God isn’t going to send anyone to hell

• God gave people free will, so the choice if for people to make. God accepts people rejecting him

Explain two Christian teachings about the nature of God. Refer to Scripture or sacred writing in your answer. [5]

• the teaching that God is omnipotent means that God is capable of doing anything that makes sense for a God to do, like creating the world. ‘God said let there be light’ in Genesis

• The teaching that God is omnibenevolent means God has agape love for everyone. ‘God so loved the world have he gave his only son’ John 3:16