Christian Beliefs

What does it mean to say God is omnipotent?

God is all-powerful

What does it mean to say God is omnibenevolent?

God is all-loving

What does it mean to say God is just?

God is a fair judge and always does what is right

What is the problem of evil?

If God is omnibenevolent and omnipotent, why does he allow evil?

Give a solution to the problem of evil.

The free will defence

What is the paradox of the stone supposed to show?

God cannot be omnipotent

Give a quote to support a belief that God is omnipotent.

"With God all things are possible." Jesus, Matthew 19:26

Give a quote to support a belief that God is just.

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne." Deuteronomy 34:2

Give a quote to support a belief that God is omnibenevolent.

"God is love." 1 John 4:16

What is 'monotheism'?

Belief in only one God

What is the doctrine of the Trinity?

The belief that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate persons, each of whom is fully God.

Quote a verse in the Bible that provides evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity.

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19

How many days did it take God to create the world in Genesis?

Six

What reason did Pope Benedict give to interpret the Genesis story metaphorically?

"The Bible is not intended as a manual of the natural sciences" Pope Benedict XVI

How might evangelical Christians interpret the Genesis story?

As a literal account of how God created the universe.

How might liberal Christians interpret the Genesis story?

As a symbolic account of our dependence on God and on his gift of the natural environment.

How do Christians know the Father was present at the creation?

"God said 'Let there be light', and there was light." Genesis 1:3

How do Christians know the Son was present at the creation?

"In the beginning was the Word…" John 1:3

How do Christians know the Holy Spirit was present at the creation?

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

How might evangelicals and liberals disagree about Hell?

Evangelicals: literal, physical Hell; liberals: symbolic or absence of God

Quote a verse that supports a physical conception of Hell.

"Thrown into the lake of fire" Revelation 20:15

Quote a verse relevant to belief in judgement.

"He will separate the people… as a shepherd separates the sheep and the goats." Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

What is the Resurrection of the Dead?

Humans being brought back to life to be judged at the end of time

How does the Bible describe Heaven?

"No more death or mourning or crying or pain…" Revelation 21:4

What is the word for God becoming flesh?

The Incarnation

Give evidence Jesus is human.

Jesus ate, slept, felt anger, died

Quote a verse about the Incarnation.

"The Word became flesh…" John 1:14

How did Mary find out she would give birth to Jesus?

Angel Gabriel told her

What is the Crucifixion?

Jesus's death on the cross

Two things that happened at the Crucifixion?

Earthquake, temple curtain tore

What were Jesus’s last words?

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Luke 23:46

What is the Resurrection?

Jesus returning to life

Context of "Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'" John 20:16

Mary mistook Jesus for a gardener; she recognized him when he said her name

Two pieces of evidence for the Resurrection?

Empty tomb; Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene

Two things that happened at the Resurrection?

Earthquake; angel rolled the stone

What is the Ascension?

Jesus going up into Heaven

Two things that happened at the Ascension?

Jesus blessed disciples; taken up in a cloud

When did the Ascension take place?

Forty days after the Resurrection

What is sin?

Any action that goes against God's will

What is original sin?

Sin inherited from Adam and Eve

Quote relevant to original sin.

"So the Lord God banished him…" Genesis 3:23

What did God require for atonement in the Old Testament?

Animal sacrifice

What is salvation?

Being saved from sin and its consequences

What is Christ's role in salvation?

Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins

What does it mean Jesus atoned for sin?

He restored moral balance by taking the punishment for humanity

Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God?

Because he was sacrificed for our sins

Quote: Jesus died for our sins.

"For God so loved the world…" John 3:16

What is the Holy Spirit's role in salvation?

Shows us we’ve broken God’s law and need saving (John 16:8)

What is the role of grace in salvation?

Grace is God’s free gift; salvation can't be earned

What is the role of law in salvation?

Law reveals sin; acts like a mirror (Galatians 3:19)