chapter 1: christian beliefs and teachings

Define catholic. 1.1 the nature of God

A branch of Christianity, led by the pope.

Define orthodox. 1.1 the nature of God

A branch of Christianity, based on "right belief

Define protestant. 1.1 the nature of God

A branch of Christianity, originally protesters against the practices of the Catholic Churches.

Define domination. 1.1 the nature of God

A branch of Christianity, with its own rules and traditions.

What is the importance of Christianity as a world faith? 1.1 the nature of God

Christianity as a world faith is hugely important with 1/3 of the worlds population claiming to be Christian. It has strong routes to at least 2000 years ago and more. Because of this history and number of believers, Christianity has a big influence on the modern world.

Define God. 1.1 the nature of God

The supreme being.

Define monotheistic. 1.1 the nature of God

A religion that believes there is only one God

Define holy.1.1 the nature of God

Separate and set apart for a special purpose by God.

What are the main beliefs about the nature of God? 1.1 the nature of God

Christians believe that there is one God that is neither male or female but posses the qualities of both. That god is holy and worthy of worship and devotion. That god is the creator and sustainer of all life.

Give quote to support this. 1.1 the nature of God

“I am the LORD of your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other Gods before me” Exodus 20:2-3

Define omnipotent. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God.

Define benevolent. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

All loving, all good; a quality of God.

Define justice. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, OR making for a wrong that has been committed.

Why is it important for God to be omnipotent? Give a quote. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

In order to be the perfect “supreme being” it is importantly that God is omnipotent. “Nothing is impossible with God” this tells Christian’s to be strong and trust that God is in control.

Why is it important for God to be all loving? Give a quote. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

Christians believe that God loves humans, god wants what is best for them. So this encourages Christian’s to treat each other with care and respect. Gods greatness act of love was sending his son to earth. “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Why is it important for God to be seen as just. 1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

God is belived to be the perfect give of justice. So this encourages Christian’s to prevent wrongs and forgive.

What are the problems with evil and suffering in relation to the qualities of God.1.2 god as omnipotent, loving and just

Many people question why a living god would allow people to suffer. However many people believe that god cannot make a wrong judgement so this reassures Christian’s can trust god when things go wrong.

Define trinity. 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

The belief that there are three persons of the trinity in the one god; the father, the son and the holy being are separate, but are one being.

Define Holy Spirit. 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

The 3rd person of the trinity of the trinity whom Christian’s believing the inspiring presence of god in the world.

Define son of god. 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

A title used for jesus; the second person of the trinity; denotes the special relationship between Jesus and god the father.

What is the trinity trying to describe? 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

1. There is only one God, 2. Each person of the trinity is fully God, 3. The three persons of the trinity are not the same.

What is the representation of the trinity 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

You can’t see where the lines begin or end, but there are three distinct points that are all interlinked.

Why is the idea of the trinity confusing/conflicting? 1.3 the oneness of god and the trinity.

That god can be seen as one in three and three in one, all at the same time.

Define creation. 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

The act by which god brought the world into being.

Define the word. 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

Term used at the beginning of johns gospel to refer to god the son.

What do Christian’s believe about creation? 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

That god created the earth and all living things on the earth although many Christian’s believe it may not be scientifically accurate but it contains religious truth and the process of creation was gods choice he cause it to happen as well as designing the world.

How does the book of genesis begin? 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

“In the beginning, god created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the spirit of god was hovering over the waters. And god said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light.

How did the story continue? 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

The story continues to how the universe was created, how the earth was built for life, how god created all life including humans (the last of gods creation). This happened in 6 days after which god rested.

What are some beliefs about this? 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

Some Christian’s do not believe that god literally made the world in 6 days bit a belief that God is the creator is essential to the religion.

How does creation link to the trinity? 1.4 different Christian beliefs about creation

The reference to the “spirit of God” hovering over the waters so although God is referred to as the creator, the Holy Spirit was already active in the world which may reinforce the oneness of god rather than the three ‘persons’ of the trinity.

Define incarnation. 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

Becoming flesh, taking human form.

Define resurrection. 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

Rising from the dead.

Define blasphemy. 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

A religious offence which includes claiming to be God.

For Christian’s what is a more important belief than the details of Jesus birth? 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

That jesus is God in human form.

What is important to understand about the incarnation of God? 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

Mary did not conceive jesus sexually however Joseph took jesus and his son. To support this belief, it is told to us in the bible that an angle appears to Mary which explains it was no ordinary contraception. They did not find the details important as the main belief is that Jesus is the son of god.

Why do many people question this + what belief does it give evidence for? 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

Because the Virginia contraception is not a natural thing but it gives evidence for the belief tat jesus is incarnate, fully God, but fully human and it supports the trinity through the son of God. It is a fundamental belief that through the incarnation, God showed himself as human for 30 years.

What is a quote about the meaning of the incarnation of jesus and what does it mean? 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling upon us”- John 1:14 - for Christian’s this gives clear support to the belief that jesus is Gods incarnate. This gives his word authority as they are the word of God. This also makes it easier to accept the truth of his miracles.

Give another quote to support that jesus was the son of God. 1.5 the incarnation and Jesus, the son of God.

“When jesus was baptised, a voice from heaven said “you are my son”

Define cruxifixction. 1.6 the cruxifixction

Roman method of execution where by criminals were fixed to a cross.

What are some beliefs about the cruxifixction and why? 1.6 the cruxifixction

Although jesus was the son of god, it does not mean he was spared the pain of his cruxifixction even though he was fully God, he was also fully human. It is also a belief according to Luke’s story: Jesus forgave the guards who crucified him as they did not realise the significance. He also promised one of the men who were crucified with him that he would join God in paradise.

Give a quote. 1.6 the cruxifixction

“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘father into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he said this, he breathed his last”- Luke 23:46 it also took this event to believe that, as told in Mark 15:39- “surely this man was the son of God!”

What is the impact of the cruxifixction on Christian’s? 1.6 the cruxifixction

It gives Christian’s confidence to accept Jesus sacrifice and the belief that sin can no longer destroy their lives because God forgives those who faithfully ask. It also helps them believe that suffering is a part of life and God will understand What they are going through as he himself suffered.

Define resurrection. 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

Rising from the dead.

Define ascension. 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

The event, 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to god, the father in heaven.

Define heaven. 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

A state of eternal happiness in the presence of god; the place of eternal peace.

Give some knowledge of the resurrection. 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

According to the Bible, Jesus was placed in a tomb on Friday afternoon Later sone of Jesus' female followers went to anoint the body und prepare it tor burial but the body was nowhere to be found. Then the woman met with a man/men who told them Jens had risen from the dead and that they should pass the word.

This is known a resurrection and is a key teaching as it is significant evidence of the divine nature of Jesus.

Give a quote from the ascension. 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he Left them and was taken up to heaven" Luke 24: 50-51

What is the significance of the resurrection on Christians? 1.7 the resurrection and ascension

1. Christinas believe the resurrection shows the power of Good over Evil.

2. Without the resurrection, there would be no Christian faith.

3. Christians believe by accepting Jesus the may also be resurrected so they don’t need to fear death.

What are the different Christian beliefs about resurrection? 1.8 resurrection and life after death.

Some believe a persons soul is resurrected very soon after death but some believe sometime in the future, jesus will return to judge and the dead will be raised

How does a belief in life after death affect the way I which Christian’s live? 1.8 resurrection and life after death.

It makes them more motivated to follow a life based on Gods teachings to be judged favoured after death. It makes them value their life more as they see it as a gift from God. It gives them comfort after losing a loved one as they may believe that god will bring them back together in their next life. It also may make them not fear death as much.

Give a quote. 1.8 resurrection and life after death.

John 11:25-26: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Define afterlife. 1.9 the afterlife and judgement

What Christian’s believe follow a life on earth.

Define day of judgement. 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

A time when the world will end and and every soul will be judged by god and rewarded or punished.

What do Christian’s believe about the afterlife? 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

That human beings receive eternal life as a gift from god and so a belief in the afterlife is dependant on a belief in God.

Give quote. 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

“He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead: i belive in… the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.”

What do Christian’s believe about judgement? 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

That it is God who decides the fate of those who die, that he will take into account the life of the person and the extent of which they try to build a relationship with him.

What is the story of the sheep and the goats? 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

The ‘sheep’ (right) were told that whenever they did good for others, they had done good for God. He then condemned the ‘goats’ for not acting in a similar way. This parable gives Christian’s an idea of the criteria God uses in judgement and what they can do to be saved.

Give quote. 1.9 the afterlife and judgment

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

Define hell. 1.10 heaven and hell

The place of eternal suffering or the state of being without God.

Define purgatory. 1.10 heaven and hell

The intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven.

Define satan. 1.10 heaven and hell

Name for the devil- the power and source of evil.

What are some common beliefs about heaven? Include some literal and modern interpretation. 1.10 heaven and hell

In traditional paintings, heaven is shown as above the clouds. However we know this is not literally true. It is seen as a place of peace and joy, and for many a chance to reunite with loves ones however a big question is if heaven isn’t a physical place, how would loved ones recognise each other? It is unclear whether heaven is a literal or physical existence.

What are different Christian beliefs about who goes to heaven? 1.10 heaven and hell

Some believe only those who believe in Jesus will go to heaven. Others believe heaven is reserved for Christian’s. All Christian’s believe God will forgive sins.

What are some commen beliefs about hell? Including modern and literal interpretations? 1.10 heaven and hell

Hell I seen as the opposite of heaven. It is often seen in paintings as a fiery pit somewhere beneath the earth. It is a place of eternal suffering, ruled by the devil.

What are the different Christian beliefs about who goes to hell?1.10 heaven and hell

This leaves the question of whether non-Christian’s go to hell, if heaven is reserved for Christian’s it would be unfair, which many believe God is incapable of. But surely a loving God condemn people to eternal torment and pain.

Define sin 1.11 sin and salvation

1. Any action or thought that separates humans from God.

2. Behaviour that is against Gods laws.

Define original sin 1.11 sin and salvation

The Adam and Eve sin/ the belief that everyone is born with a built-in urge to do bad things/disobey God.

Define salvation 1.11 sin and salvation

Saving from the soul, deliverance from sin and admission to heaven.

Define grace 1.11 sin and salvation

A quality of God which God shows humans by providing love and support of which they don’t need to earn.

What do Christian’s believe about sin? 1.11 sin and salvation

All humans commit sins/it is impossible not to sin.

What was the punishment/result of Adam and Eve’s sin? 1.11 sin and salvation

Awareness of sin, separation of God and death.

Define forgiveness 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

Showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong.

Define atonement 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

Restoring the relationship between people and God through life, death and the resurrection of Jesus.

Define mass 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

Ceremony, also called Eucharist, in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus which is celebrated using wine and bread.

What can mass also be known as?

Holy communion, Eucharist, the lords supper, the breaking of the bread and the Divine Liturgy.

What do Christian’s believe about the role of Christ in salvation. 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

Christians believe that Jesus cruxifixction makes up for the original sin, to bring people back to God. The cruxifixction was a result of human evil set against an innocent man. As the son of god, Jesus could easily have not been crucified but it was necessary to restore the relationship between humans and God.

What does Jesus resurrection show Christian’s? 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

That death has been defeated. So Christian’s believe that they can receive forgiveness and that God can accept Jesus sacrifice as atonement.

Give a quote about sin + atonement. 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

“If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the father… he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

What did Jesus cruxifiction make possible? 1.12 the role of Christ in salvation

For all those who follow his teachings to receive eternal life with God.