christianity depth study

reverence for creation

Cherishing God’s creation → caring for it because it is a gift from him

Everything is created by God → everything exists for a reason

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” Genesis 1:31

Loss of biodiversity → A ROCHA → Christians working to live out God’s calling to care for creation and equip others to do likewise

stewardship

Taking care of God’s creation → in turn, it will care for you → God placing trust in humans

Live Harmoniously with the environment → deepens connection with God

Humans should act with the conscience that recognises the duty of care to the environment

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” Genesis 2:15

Deforestation → Plant with a purpose → reversing effects of deforestation on global scale → planting trees

Eco-justice

Recognition that protecting environment is about justice and defending it

Earth’s resources are for the benefit of all people → ensuring resources are shared with the poor and are preserved for future generations

“Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” Proverbs 31:18

Climate Change → Laudato Si movement (catholic response) → ecological conversion, full sustainability, prophetic advocacy

“We cannot separate our treatment of the environment from our treatment of the poor” Pope Leo XIV

Mater et Magistra

Mother and teacher of all nations

Social reform, assistance to underdeveloped countries, living wage for all workers

“It is a torch to lighten the pathways of all who would seek appropriate solutions to the many social problems of our times”

Caritas and SVDP

Pacem in Terris

Peace on earth

Addressed to all people of earth → call to live in peace → peaceful coexistence

Recognition of human rights, social rights and responsibilities

“The acceptance of one fundamental principle: that each individual man is truly a person” → context of cold war → current world issues

Pax Christi → Catholic peace movement → “To transform a world shaken by violence, terrorism, deepening inequalities, and global insecurity.

Sacrosanctum Concilium

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

Mass w/ priest facing congreration, liturgy in vernacular, christ acknowledges as being present in congregation, laity more prominent

More intimate connection with God

PJ ecumenism

Called for Christian Unity → Orthodox, protestants, and catholics at the second vatican council

“The restoration of unity among all Christians is one of the principal concerns of the Second Vatican Council” Unitatis Redintegratio

NCCA, St Stephens uniting church event 2013 (“retaining the benefits of Vatican II for Australia”)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19

PJ Interfaith dialogue

Eastern Churches encouraged to embrace their own tradition → end of latinisation → diversity

Said Jews weren’t responsible for Jesus’ death → removed perfidious Jews from Good Friday Prayer

International Council of Christians and Jews

2016 Pope Francis visited Great Synagogue in Rome “strengthen their commitment for peace and justice in a divided world.

Nostra Aetate

SSW Death and resurrection of Jesus

Salvation

Holy Communion/Eucharist for Catholic + Orthodox

→ Spiritual nourishment → individual union with Christ → Christ died so everyone would be forgiven of their sins

Life does not end at physical death → new and eternal life

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” 1 Corinthians 11:26

Expresses belief in eternal life → john 3:16

Sending forth

Christ mission possible “A heart to make a positive impact” → serving and assisting the vulnerable through housing aid, crisis accomidation, food solutions

SSW Holy Trinity

Father, son, holy spirit → verbal and physical affirmation of the holy trinity

Sign of the Cross

Glossolalia → pentecostal → speaking in tongues if the holy spirit moves you to → spiritual unity

Participation grows faith → comprehensive understanding through engagement

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” Acts 2:4

Builds community → spiritual unity that connects all as one body under God’s guidance → belonging and purpose for those in attendance

SSW Word of God (revelation)

Sacred scripture + preach → homily/sermon interprets the Gospel → reminds individuals to be inspired by God → christ becomes present in the community

Take own meaning from gospel readings → follow christs examples by enacting his actions

“For when two or three gather in my name, there I am with them” Matthew 18:20

Linked with active involvement in social justice → salvation army “With one hand reach out to god, with the other reach out to the world