Christian Ethics 20 Unit E

3B's Christianity

To be a Christian meant that they believed, belonged, and behaved.

Believed - Faith in Jesus Christ

Belonged - Part of Christian Community

Behaved - Can be identified as Christian by their way of life

Faith

Confidence in someone/thing that is based on present relationship and is ultimately unexplainable:

mainly spiritual but also involves intellect and emotion

Faith and Relationship

Faith and Relationship happen at the same time, in the present moment

Credo

"I believe", more accurately "to set my heart towards"

Transformation of Zacchaeus

Greedy Tax Collector changes by repaying 4x and giving half of his money away to the poor

How does Faith change a person?

Faith (spiritual) changes the way a person thinks (intellectual), feels (emotional), and acts (physical)

Apologetics

Intellectual Defense of Faith

C.S. Lewis Trilemma

If Jesus Claimed to be God, he was one of 3:

1. Liar - intentionally misleading people (wouldnt do that until point of death)

2. Lunatic - believed that he was God when he wasnt (wouldn't make sense due to his teachings and ministry)

3. Lord - He is God (most reasonable choice)

Flaw of the Trilemma

Faith is still necessary: Needed to believe that the New Testament accurately portrayed Jesus for Lord option to be true

Miracles

Emotional Approach of Faith, Interpretation of Events by our emotions

Most Closely related to Emotional

What are Miracles

Something that is beyond nature or something that is very unlikely / hard to explain

Coincidence vs Miracles

Difference is perspective of faith: with faith one can attribute these unexplainable circumstances to a bigger picture or force such as God while without it it would be a coincidence nothing more nothing less

Miracles & Faith

Miracles cannot produce faith but can reinforce faith

Two Things needed for Meaningful Service

1. Awareness vs Assumptions

Information vs Ignorance

- know the issues before service, develop relationships before service to serve them well

2. Activity vs Apathy (lack of interest)

Doing vs Despair

- Do Something, focus on one thing, service with others for support and less overwhelm

Four Circles of Service

Personal, Local, National, Global

Example of Personal Service

Cooking a Meal for your family members

Local

Clean up your local park / pick up garbage / tutor others / supply homeless shelters

National

Donate to the Red Cross / Donate your Blood

Global

Become more environmentally friendly

Jesus' Biblical Teachings on Service

Serve those who cannot pay back the favor

True Christian Service is given freely

Serving others is serving Jesus

ex - Jesus washing desciples feet

First Organized Service

The Church in Jerusalem appoints 7 deacons to feed and include the vulnerable widows in the distribution program

Relief Work

Responding to an immediate need such as natural disasters by supporting them with food / shelter / warmth

Development Work

Putting Infrastructure (Water Wells) and Education for long-term improvement of the people's lives, also advocating for vulnerable people

Modern Institutions with Christian Roots

Healthcare - hospitals came from church's desire to care for poor / sick / vulnerable people and thus after the Council of Nicaea every catherdral came with a hospital, Pasqua Hospital come from grey nuns, universal health care from belief that all people should have equal access to medical care

Public Education - Protestant reformation that saw education for all people that came form christian belief that all should be treated equally, with education people could become better citizens and serve God better

2 Types of Prayer

Intercessory - Praying for others' needs

Petitionary - Praying for one's needs

ACTS - Components of Prayer

Adoration (praise / honor God)

Confession (Confess Sin and ask for Forgiveness)

Thanksgiving (Gratitude for blessings of Life)

Supplication (Asking for the supplies needed)

First 3 are Reflection of Relationship with God / Faith

Last one can be said after reflection

Jesus Teachings on Prayer

Prayer is not for show - humility and privacy

Prayers should be simple and honest, don't believe that flowery language will impress God

Be concise in your words and believe God knows

Beginning of the Lord's Prayer

'Abba' - Informal way of saying father: shows intimacy and privacy of relationship

Our - indicate a relationship with others

Our Abba means that everything starts with a relationship - relationship with God brings relationship with others which christians call brothers and sisters

God's Will

Love God and Love your neighbors with all your heart soul mind and strength

3 Steps to Prayer

1. Address God / Relationship

2. Be Aware of God's Nature / Will and listen

3. Ask for what you need, not want, allign with God's will

Doxology

Ending to prayer added in the 2nd century - "words of praise"

Amen

affirmation to the words of prayer - 'truly' in Hebrew

Paradox of God

God is both near to us as our breath but is also the creater of everything at the same time

Fundamental Teachings Genesis

1. The world created by God was originally good

2. Human beings are both a normal part of physical creation and also set apart in a unique relationship with God

2 Humanity Ideas in Genesis

1. Human beings are made in God's image

2. Humans have been given dominion over other creatures

Original Sin

Fall of Adam and Eve

traces its consequences for every human being

God's Promise fulfilled with Christ

Rescue Humanity

Atonement

Act whereby God takes away the power of sin and death that separates them from relationship from a person

Samaritan's Purse

Canada relief such as healthcare clean water education agriculture

Salvation Army

Emergency Disaster relief, housing, shelter, social services, thrift stores in the community

Habitat for Humanity

This organization builds homes with the help of the families themselves (sweat equity).

Compassion International

a Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world

World Vision

works with children, families and communities around the world to overcome poverty and injustice (emergency relief, promote justice, transofmrational development, partnerships with churches, public awareness)

Parable of the Prodigal Son

The father's love is consistent, just like God's love expressed through Christ

Significance of Jesus' Ressurection

God's human incarnation, influence the founding of the church, Christ judges and forgives all human sin

Responsibility created by New Commandment

Discern the best path for love

Christianity Prayer Types

Corporate - saints join together

Private - address daily individual concerns / cleansed

Prayer Directed to Mary Congregations

Allow: Catholic, Orthodox and some Anglican

Refrain: Protestant

Universal Sacraments

Baptism, Holy Communion

Baptism - born again as God's child

Holy Communion - spiritual food for energy /.unity with God

Almsgiving

Giving to those in Need

Tithing

the process of giving 10% of your earnings or production to the church or clergy for the poor

Stewardship

Everything belongs to God, Humans are 'stewards' or carers of God's creation

2 Missions of the Church

Evangelism - Gospel Spread

Service - Care for others

Challenge for Evangelism

To Listen to others and become open to the people around them; needed in order to minister and spread god's love

Parable

A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson: 'parabole' - place beside one another as comparison

like a simile

Reasons why Jesus use parables

More memorable than statements, Meaning is hidden from those who might be enemies to Jesus (so that they cannot accuse them of blasphemy)

Meaning is perfectly clear to Jesus' followers

Central Theme of Jesus' Parables

Kingdom of God based on love forgiveness and inclusion