AQA RS GCSE paper 1 - Christian beliefs

What is the main religious tradition in Great Britain

Christianity

4 terms to describe God’s nature

Omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent, just

What is the problem of evil and suffering

The issue of whether God’s nature can reasonably coexist with the fact that sufffering and evil exists in his created world

What is the holy trinity

The central Christian doctrine that God is one being who exists in three distinct persons. These are the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit

John 1.1-3

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

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made

What does John 1.1-3 show Christians about creation

The entire trinity has been present throughout time, as “the word” is Jesus.

God’s omnipotence in creation: “through him all things were made.”

Shows the trinity’s imminence and atonement in the world.

Genesis 1:1-3

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.

What does Genesis 1:1-3 show Christians about creation

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” shows nothing existed until God literally made it.

Mentions the spirit of God, which suggests the presence of the Holy Spirit as well as the Father throughout creation.

God is omnipotent as he said “let there be light, and there was light.”

This more literal creation story supports a creationist viewpoint to a greater extent than John 1:1-3.

3 Christian beliefs about resurrection

When Jesus resurrected after his crucifixion, he literally came back to life after being dead for 3 days.

Jesus’ resurrection symbolises the triumph of God over death and represents the new covenant between God and humanity.

Some Christians believe that all bodies will be resurrected at the end of time for judgement day

Matthew 28:6

“He (Jesus) is risen.”

John 11:25-26

Jesus promises all those who believe in him will have life after death

2 bible verses to reference in a resurrection question

John 11:25-26

Matthew 28:6

Name the 4 gospels in order

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Which are the synoptic gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

This is because they share very similar perspectives on the life and teachings of Jesus.

John’s gospel was written roughly 100 years later and offers some very different perspectives.

2 different Christian beliefs about judgement

Some Christians believe judgement happens to each person immediately after death.

Other Christians believe judgement happens at the end of time, on judgement day.

Define the Christian doctrine of judgement

God’s righteous evaluation of human beings leading to a final verdict: sending them to heaven or hell

Which Christian denomination believes in purgatory

Catholicism

2 different ways Christians might interpret heaven and hell

Literally: heaven and hell are physical places the person goes after death.

Metaphorically: heaven and hell are non-literal states of being which a person’s soul experiences after death.

2 bible quotes to support a literal interpretation of heaven and hell

Mark 9:45 describes hell as “unquenchable fire.”

John 14:2 “In my Father's house (heaven) are many rooms.”

2 reasons to support a metaphorical view of heaven and hell

Christians believe the soul is what continues living after death. If the soul is non-physical (immaterial), how could it experience a physical heaven and hell?

Roman’s 14:17 “the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 14:17

the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Define the Christian doctrine of the incarnation

The belief that the second person of the holy trinity, the Son, became fully God and fully human and came to earth in the person of Jesus.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son

2 ways the crucifixion influences Christians today

Christians interpret the cross as a symbol of Christ and God’s love, often wearing a cross or using one to pray to.

Jesus’ suffering on the cross inspires Christians today to endure suffering stoically, knowing they will be rewarded with life after death.

Luke 23:34 (from Jesus’ crucifixion)

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”

3 Christian beliefs about the crucifixion

Jesus was truly human and therefore genuinely suffered and died on the cross.

Jesus died for our sins, to restore the human relationship with God, meaning humans can now access salvation/heaven.

Jesus told God the father to forgive humans while on the cross.

1 problem with the belief that humans can only access salvation now because Jesus died on the cross

This belief suggests humans who lived before Jesus could not access salvation and all went to hell, even if they were good people. This calls God’s justice into question

2 Christian beliefs about the ascension

The ascension marks the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission, showing the restored relationship between God and humanity.

Demonstrated that heaven is now open to humanity.

Define sin

An act that violates God’s divine law, making it immoral

Define original sin

A Christian doctrine that humans are born with a sinful nature because they are all descendants of Adam and Eve, who committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden

Which bible chapter does the fall of man occur in

Genesis 3

What does original sin suggest about salvation

No human can be good enough to deserve salvation through their own good deeds. Therefore humans need salvation through grace.

Define salvation through grace, law, and spirit

Grace: salvation is a gift from God that no human can ever earn or deserve themselves.

Law: salvation is achieved through following God’s commandments and moral rules.

Spirit: the Holy Spirit offers guidance in humans, helping them have faith in Jesus to achieve salvation.

Define the Christian doctrine of atonement

The belief that Jesus’ death reconciled humanity with God, repairing the relationship originally broken by sin