religous education

what is the nature of the trinity?

- Christians believe in One God. It is a monotheistic religion

- Christians believe that there are three equal, yet distinct, persons in One God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

- The word 'trinity' comes from 'tri-unity', meaning three-in-one, showing belief in One God, but three separate and unique roles

How do Christians use the trinity in worship and belief?

- Bless themselves by making the sign of the cross + offer prayers 'in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit'

- Prayers e.g. Lord's prayer, Nicene Creed and Apostles' Creed refer to the trinity

- Some church hymns refer to the trinity

- The belief in the trinity is intended to be at the centre of each Christian's individual daily relationship with God

What does the Nicene Creed state?

- the Father is the powerful creator of everything

- the Son is Jesus Christ, who came to earth as God in human form (incarnation) and was crucified to redeem humanity's sins

- the Holy Spirit is the invisible power of God that works within the world today to guide + inspire us

What do Literalists believe about creation?

- The creation story as it is told in the Bible is literally true as the Bible is the literal 'word of God'

- God created the world in six 24-hour days

- They don't accept scientific explanations as they are "wrong"

What do non-literalists believe about creation?

- God created the world but not exactly how the story in the Bible says -> metaphorical

- Science + religion together explain the creation, there's no conflict

What is a quote from the Bible that introduces the idea that the universe was created at a command from God - at his 'word'

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"

What does incarnation mean?

Becoming flesh - how God took human form through Jesus

Why is Jesus important?

- His birth fulfilled the prophecy of Christ coming to earth as the Saviour who was promised by God - so God took human form to be present within the world

- Jesus is the 'Son' part of the trinity that make up the Christian understanding of God

What are examples in the Bible that shows how Jesus is Divine (God)?

- 'Jesus is omnipotent and omniscient'

- 'Jesus forgave sins'

- 'Jesus performed miracles'

- 'People worshipped and prayed to Jesus'

- 'Jesus was resurrected after death'

Why is it easier to understand Jesus as a human?

- Because he experienced the same problems we do

~ He was born to a human mother

~ He had a human body

~ Jesus got tired, thirsty and hungry

~ He showed human emotions like amazement and sorrow

~ He prayed to God

~ He died

What is 'The Passion'?

The phrase Christians use to describe the last few days of Jesus' life. It is made up of a number of key events

What are the 5 key events of 'The Passion'?

- The last supper

- Betrayal and arrest -> Judas told the soldiers where he was

- Crucifixion -> accused of blasphemy

- Resurrection

- Ascension -> ascended 40 days after his resurrection

What are 3 reasons why the Passion is important?

- Provides evidence that Jesus was the Son of God and came to Earth in human form

- Demonstrates the Christian belief in life after death

- Help Christians understand the sacrifice Jesus made

what is salvation

Being saved from sin through belief in Jesus

what is attonement

The idea that humans are reconciled + forgiven by God

What are 3 different understandings of atonement?

- Jesus' death as a divine sacrifice represents God's love for humanity -> he was sacrificed

- Jesus' death is the victory of good over evil

- Jesus' death represents the price being paid for the forgiveness of humanity

What is the significance of atonement and salvation for Christians today?

- Restore the relationship between God and humanity

- Confirm belief in an all-powerful + loving God

- Allow humans to understand the importance of being reconciled with other humans

What is the Christian belief about the soul?

- The soul is immortal

- Souls have been saved for heaven / purgatory

- Souls that have not achieved salvation will go to hell

What is the Christian belief about judgement?

- God is just and he will decide the destination of every human's soul after death.

- Jesus is also involved in the judgement and will offer every human the opportunity of salvation

What is the Christian belief about heaven?

- Rarely described -> some think its a physical place, others think its a spiritual state of being united with God

- No sin, sadness or suffering in heaven

'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain'

What is the Christian belief about hell?

- Hell is where unrepentant sinners go after death

- Place of pain and suffering, without God

What are the two types of evil?

Moral -> actions carried out by humans who cause suffering e.g. murder

Natural -> things that cause suffering but have nothing to do with humans e.g. natural disasters

What are the questions about God existing if there is evil and suffering in the world?

- How can a loving + righteous God allow people to do evil things

- Why people need to suffer

- Whether, if God does exist, he is all-powerful, as he should stop evil and suffering

What is the triangle of evil and suffering?

Omnipotent - If God is all-powerful, he would be able to remove evil and suffering

Omnibenevolent - If God is all-good, he would want to remove evil and suffering as he cared for his creation

Omniscient - If God is all-knowing, he would know how to remove evil and suffering

What are the Christian responses to the problems of evil and suffering?

The bible says God is benevolent and cares for his creation. Christian believe that God would want to help his creation if it were suffering

'The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.'

What does the Bible say about evil and suffering?

- Genesis says that God created a perfect world

- The Fall : Adam and Eve used their free will in the garden of Eden to disobey God (the fall), which allowed evil and suffering to enter the world.

- Christians believe God sent Jesus to Earth to overcome the Evil in the world and die for the sins of humanity on the cross .

- Some Christians accept that evil came into the world through the Devil, for example when the devil tempted Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

What does the Book of Psalms say about evil and suffering?

It has a purpose, it gives people the opportunity to follow the example set by Jesus in order to live as God intended

What does the story of Job say about evil and suffering?

Job endured many examples of suffering like losing his family, but he did not lose his faith. He trusted in God and believed that suffering was part of God's plan for him.

What are 3 Christian responses to the problem of evil + suffering?

- Book of Psalms ~ has a purpose to give us the opportunity follow the example set by Jesus to live as God intended

- Job ~ endured suffering, but trusted in God and believed it was part of God's plan for him

- Free will ~ We have the choice but some people turn away from God which is why we have moral evil