christianity beliefs

God as omnipotent

All-powerful

God as loving

Shows unconditional love

God as just

Judges fairly

Problem of evil

Explains why suffering exists

Free will defence

Humans choose evil

Augustinian theodicy

Evil from original sin

Irenaean theodicy

Suffering develops spiritually

Trinity

One God, three persons

Catholic view on Trinity

Equal, co-eternal, Nicene Creed

Protestant view on Trinity

Accept Trinity, emphasise scripture

Orthodox view on Trinity

Father, Son, Spirit united

Creation

God made the universe

Genesis 1

Creation by command

Genesis 2

God personal with humans

Literal creation

6-day creation

Symbolic creation

Genesis is metaphorical

Catholic view on creation

Compatible with evolution

Word

Jesus active in creation

quote (John 1:3)

"Through him all things were made"

Incarnation

Jesus fully God and fully human

Crucifixion

Jesus dies for human sin

Resurrection

Jesus rises from the dead

Ascension

Jesus returns to heaven

Sin

Against God's will

Original sin

Humans inherit sin from Adam and Eve

Catholic view

Baptism removes sin

Protestant view

Saved through faith

Salvation

Being saved from sin/death

Grace

God's free gift

Law

God's rules

Spirit

Holy Spirit guides

Atonement

Jesus restores God-human relationship

Catholic view on salvation

Faith, works, sacraments

Protestant view on salvation

Faith alone

Afterlife

Life after death

Heaven

Life with God

Hell

Separation from God

Purgatory

Temporary purification (Catholic)

quote (John 11:25)

"I am the resurrection and the life"

God as omnipotent

God is all-powerful, creates and sustains everything, judges humans fairly, motivates ethical behaviour, and all Christians agree but Orthodox emphasise mystery, Protestants focus on trust, Catholics on sacraments.

God as loving

God shows unconditional agape love, guiding, forgiving, caring for humans; Catholics emphasise sacramental love, Protestants personal relationship, Orthodox divine presence in worship.

God as just

God rewards/punishes fairly, judges humans at death, motivates moral living; Catholics emphasise law and sacraments, Protestants personal responsibility, Orthodox divine mystery.

Problem of evil

Evil exists despite God's love and power; Catholics explain via free will and original sin, Irenaean theodicy sees suffering as spiritual growth, Protestants emphasise moral responsibility and God's plan.

Trinity

One God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit; Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants all accept co-eternity and equality, but Orthodox emphasise mystery, Catholics emphasise Nicene Creed, Protestants emphasise scripture.

Creation

God created universe: Genesis 1 shows divine command/power, Genesis 2 shows personal care; literalists believe 6-day creation, Catholics accept evolution, Protestants have varied views.

Word

Jesus is God's Word active in creation; John 1:3 "Through him all things were made"; Catholics emphasise incarnation, Orthodox divine Logos.

quote (John 1:14)

"The Word became flesh."

Incarnation

Jesus fully God and human, sent to save humans; Catholics emphasise grace and sacraments, Protestants emphasise faith, Orthodox emphasise synergy of divine-human.

Sin

Humans inherit original sin from Adam and Eve; Catholics: cleansed by baptism, Protestants: salvation by faith, Orthodox: moral transformation through grace.

Crucifixion

Jesus dies to atone for sin, restoring relationship with God; Catholics emphasise sacramental forgiveness, Protestants faith, Orthodox spiritual healing.

Resurrection

Jesus rises proving divinity, offering eternal life; Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox all see this as central to belief, hope, and morality.

Ascension

Jesus returns to heaven with authority; Catholics emphasise intercession, Protestants personal relationship, Orthodox cosmic rule.

Salvation

Being saved from sin/death; Catholics = faith+works+sacraments, Protestants = faith alone, Orthodox = cooperation with grace; guides behaviour and worship.

Grace

God's free gift enabling salvation and moral growth; all denominations emphasise, Protestants focus on faith, Catholics on sacraments, Orthodox on synergy with human effort.

Atonement

Jesus' death reconciles humans to God; Catholics sacramental, Protestants faith-based, Orthodox spiritual healing; central to salvation.

Afterlife

Life after death; resurrection, judgement, heaven/hell; Catholics include purgatory; all motivate ethical life, hope, and worship practices.