Christian beliefs

Nature of God beliefs

God is all loving “For God so loved the world he gave us our only son.” New Testament

God is all powerful “Nothing is impossible without God.” New Testament

Problem of Evil

Hick’s Irenaen Theodicy - to understand ‘good’ we must also understand ‘suffering’. We become better people as a result of how we respond to suffering.

Augustinian Theodicy - natural evil is one of the outcomes of the first sin. The original sin of Adam and Eve is an example of this.

Beliefs about the trinity

God the Father - the creator “You lord are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter.” Bible

God the Son - saver and redeemer (sacrifice on the cross paid for our sins) + showed his power by performing miracles e.g calming a storm. He said to his disciples “why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith” New Testament.

How does the trinity influence Christians today?

God the father is loving therefore Christians may demonstrate love to others.

God the Son was an incarnate who felt how it was to be human therefore humans can pray to God because they know that God can understand them.

Christian beliefs about creation

Liberal Christians - see God as the creator, view Genesis symbolically e.g God did not create the world in 6 days but rather 6 periods of time.

Fundamentalists - believe God created the world is exactly how described in genesis which was 6 24-hour days and he rested on the seventh day.

Beliefs about judgement

If you truly repent for your sins you will be forgiven.

Jesus says to a criminal on the cross who has asked for forgiveness, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The belief in Jesus is crucial when getting to heaven. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me” New Testament.

Judgement based on doing good deeds - The parable teaches that God judges people by how they treat others; helping those in need is like serving Jesus. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” New Testament.

Incarnation

God becoming flesh and taking human form. “The word became flesh and made his dwelling upon us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father. “

Jesus came to save humanity

“For God so loved the world he gave us his one and only Son.”

Crucifixion significance

Jesus died to save humanity from sin “He himself bore our sins in the body of the cross.” New Testament

It shows suffering is a part of life, just as it was a part of Jesus’ life and that, having also experienced it, God understands what the sufferer is going through.

It shows Jesus as God - when Jesus dies, Roman centurion says “surely this is man was the Son of God!” As he knew Jesus had done nothing wrong and didn’t deserve to die.

Significance of resurrection

Offers further proof that Jesus is the son of God and strengthens faith for Christians.

Jesus’s resurrection reassures Christians that God will forgive their sins if they follow the teachings of Christianity.

Salvation

(When your soul is saved and can go to heaven)

Salvation through grace and spirit - believing that Jesus died to forgive our sins

‘For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law’ (Romans 3:28)

Salvation through works - the way to achieve salvation is through doing good deeds

‘You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone’ Bible

Heaven and Hell

Firstly, Catholics believe that as soon as you die you go to a place called purgatory. This is where your soul is cleansed before you go to heaven.

Anglican Christians believe that anyone who has lived a good life can go to heaven. In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats Jesus says

“Whenever you refused to help these least important ones, you refused to help me”. This tells Christians that, to enter heaven they

must help the poor and the hungry.

Forgiveness

"If you forgive others their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” New Testament

Gee Walker Case study In 2005 Anthony Walker was murdered while he waited for the bus in a racially motivated attack. Following the attack, his family publicly forgave his murderers. His mother Gee stated:

"I have to forgive them. I can't feel anger and hatred, because that is what killed my son"

Julie Nicholson case study. Her daughter was killed in the 7/7 bombings. She stepped down from her role as priest because she could not forgive her daughter’s killers. The person who killed her daughter is dead and there is no relationship to be restored. She says that she thinks her daughter would have wanted her to live a good life and not worry about forgiveness.