Catholicism (Paper 1)

How does Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam painting reflect or not reflect Catholic beliefs

• God and Adam both look powerful & muscular and are also lying in similar positions, reflects that humanity is made “in the image of God” (Genesis)

• God looks much older than Adam showing He is eternal whereas Adam is not

• However, Genesis says that God created Adam by breathing life into his nostrils which is not shown so does not reflect Catholic teaching

How does the meaning/significance of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam contrast with another Christian art

• Both the Creation of Adam and Meiere’s mosaic show God is the creator, powerful and eternal

• Creation of Adam presents God as an old man which could suggest he is ageing (goes against Catholic teaching) whereas Meiere’s mosaic shows only God’s hand so represents God as more infinite

• Creation of Adam focuses more on the relationship of God and man whereas Meiere’s mosaic is more abstract 

What happens in Genesis 1 and how is the nature of God expressed in Genesis 1

• Genesis 1 describes how God created the universe in six days from nothing

• God is creator - God is the only creator who has created everything and He has created humans in His image and likeness, “in the image of God”

• God is omnipotent - God has the power to do anything so can create from nothing and all of his creations are “very good”

• God is transcendent - God only needs his word to create and is beyond human comprehension, “Let there be light”

What happens in Genesis 2 and how is the nature of God expressed in Genesis 2

• Genesis 2 describes the creation of humans

• Humans share the Spirit of God - God created Adam by breathing “into his nostrils the breath of life” so humans share qualities with God

• Humans have free will - God commands Adam and Eve to not eat from the tree of knowledge and they use their free will to disobey Him

How do beliefs about the creation stories in Genesis influence Catholics

• Free will - Catholics believe we should use free will to live in a way that pleases God and brings us closer to Him

• Stewardship - God tells Adam and Eve to “till it and keep it [the Garden of Eden]” (Genesis) so we have a duty to look after the environment and life

• Dignity - all humans are equal and have dignity as they are made in the image of God

• Sanctity of life - all creation is holy as it is made by God so Catholics are against euthanasia and abortion

What is the structure and origins of the Bible

• The Bible is the sacred book of Christianity and consists of the Old and New Testaments

• Old Testament - describes how God guided the early Jews before Jesus (consists of Law, History, Wisdom and Prophecy)

• New Testament - deals with the life and teachings of Jesus (consists of the Gospels, the Acts of Apostles, the Epistles and the Book of Revelation)

How is the Bible the word of God according to Catholics

• God guided the writers of the Bible through the Holy Spirit who divinely inspired their writings

• The Bible contains the words of God given to prophets

• The Bible contains the actions and teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles

How do Catholics believe the Bible should be interpreted

• The Bible should be interpreted by Catholics through the Magisterium which is the teaching authority of the Catholic Church from the Pope and bishops

• Catholics believe the Magisterium is continually inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit so can be trusted

• “sacred tradition takes the word of God…and hands it on to their successors” (Dei Verbum)

How do Catholics believe the Genesis accounts should be interpreted and give a contrasting view

• Catholics - believe the creation stories are not meant to be scientific explanations of creation and are instead myths so accept scientific theories, still believe that God created everything and made humans in His image

• Fundamentalist Christians - believe the universe and all life was created literally in six days so reject other plausible scientific theories

• “The Big Bang…does not contradict the divine act of creating but rather requires it” (Pope Francis)

How does belief in natural law influence Catholics

• Natural law is the idea that all humans are born with a basic understanding of right and wrong as all people are made in the image of God

• This influences Catholics to follow natural law as part of God’s will for humans and to protect/preserve life due to the sanctity of life

How did the Second Vatican Council affect Catholic beliefs about science v religion

• The Second Vatican Council stressed the importance of supporting advances in science to understand God’s creations

• Religion and science do not contradict as they answer different questions, science answers how? and religion answers why?

• “methodical investigation…never truly conflicts with faith” (Gaudium et Spes)

Why do Catholics believe we should care for the environment

• All of creation is special and “very good” (Genesis) due to belief in the sanctity of life so should be preserved

• God made humans the stewards of the Earth as shown by telling Adam and Eve to take care of the Garden of Eden

• Jesus taught Christians to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark) which includes all people on Earth

What are the different ways in which Catholics might carry out the duty of stewardship

• Local level - throwing away less waste/recycling more and walking or taking public transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• National level - putting pressure on politicians to pass environmentally-friendly laws

• Global level - putting pressure on governments in international meetings (e.g. Rio +20) and boycotting certain companies

What are the ways in which CAFOD supports sustainability

• Encouraging people in England and Wales to live more simply and waste less resources

• Supporting or setting up renewable energy projects e.g. solar panels to reduce CO2 emissions

• Teaching sustainable farming methods in lower income countries

How does dramatised prayer e.g. the Stations of the Cross reflect Catholic beliefs about the Church as a people of God

• The Stations of the Cross are a series of 14 images that remind Catholics of the events that happened in the journey of Jesus carrying the cross

• The Stations are a way for Catholics to accompany Jesus on his last journey and share in his suffering

• This reflects the idea that the Church is the pilgrim people of God on the journey to heaven

• “Christians, on pilgrimage…should seek and think of these things which are above” (Gaudium et Spes)

What is the significance of different pilgrimage sites for Catholics

• Jerusalem - the city in Israel where Jesus died, Catholics may visit his tomb to share in Jesus’ life and suffering and to renew their faith

• Rome - the centre of Catholic faith where St Peter’s tomb in St Peter’s Basilica is located and where the current pope lives, Catholics can show their commitment to the Church and unity with other Catholics

• Lourdes - contains waters from a spring which Catholics visit to be healed physically or spiritually as it is believed the Virgin Mary appeared here

• Walsingham - A copy of the house where Mary lived in Nazareth built in England where Catholics may pray and attend mass to go on pilgrimage without going abroad

How are Catholic understandings of mission and evangelism expressed in drama

• Showing God’s love through doing good actions - shown in Les Miserables where a thief called Valjean steals from a bishop but instead of having him arrested, he shows mercy and compassion

• Having the right attitude is more important than blindly following God’s law - Valjean saves his previous jailer which saves him from imprisonment, goodness wins over the law

• This inspires Christians to preach the Gospel message to others and live by these values

• “The production and showing of films that have value…ought to be encouraged” (Inter Mirifica)

What is the meaning and Catholic beliefs about the Kingdom of God

• The Kingdom of God is a time in which all people live as God intends

• The Kingdom began when Jesus was born as this when God’s power came to Earth

• The Kingdom was established through Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit

• It will be completed at the end of time when all people will have eternal joy in heaven

How are beliefs about the Kingdom of God expressed in the Lord’s Prayer

• “hallowed be thy name” - this is a prayer for God to be accepted as holy, when people respect the power and holiness of God they accept their call to become members of and share the Kingdom of God

• “forgive us our trespasses” - to spread the Kingdom, people need to pray for forgiveness of their sins and forgive others

• “thy kingdom come” - shows that the Kingdom of God will be established at the end of time

What are the Signs of the Kingdom and how do they help to spread the Kingdom of God on Earth

• Justice - Christians should respect the rights of others and fight against injustices in the world to make sure all people’s dignity is upheld regardless of sex, race etc to spread the Kingdom, “to do justice and love goodness” (Micah)

• Peace - Christians should support efforts to establish peace on Earth e.g. through donating to charities to make sure all people can experience the Kingdom

• Reconciliation - breaks down barriers between people to help spread peace and justice through empathy and forgiveness, helps grow the Kingdom

What is the hierarchy of the Catholic Church

• The Pope - head of the Church and successor of the first pope St Peter

• Cardinals - appointed by the pope to elect his successor

• Bishops - successors to the apostles and control a diocese

• Priests - control a small area of the Church (parish), preach the word of God and celebrate mass

• Deacons - preach the word of God and assist priests

• Lay people - non-ordained, baptised members of the Church

What was the significance of the four major documents from the Second Vatican Council

• Dei Verbum - deals with the importance and interpetation of the Bible, stresses that the Bible does not have to be interpreted literally

• Lumen Gentium - deals with the nature and structure of the Church, emphasises the idea of a pilgrim Church on the journey to heaven

• Sacrosanctum Concilium - deals with the liturgy and church services e.g. Catholics can hear mass in their own language

• Gaudium et Spes - deals with issues regarding the Church and modern society, the Church should not be isolated 

What is the significance of Mary as model of discipleship e.g. in the Magnificat

• Mary shows humility - she recognises she is only special because she was chosen by God

• Mary praises God’s greatness - she praises God in the Magnificat as she is aware He has shown love to all people through the coming of Jesus

• Mary accepts God’s will - she consents to being the mother of Jesus as she trusts in God so follows His will

How is the Magnificat a controversial Kingdom prayer

• Some people think the Magnificat supports rebelling against governments particularly by the weak and poor to spread the Kingdom of God

• Some people think that God shows preference to the poor over the rich in the Magnificat so shows inequality

• “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly” (Magnificat in Luke)

What is the meaning and significance of the four marks of the Church

• One - the Church is one united body as even though there are many individual churches, they make up one Body of Christ

• Holy - the presence of God through the Holy Spirit makes the Church holy and through baptism

• Catholic - ‘catholic’ means worldwide showing the Church’s beliefs are universal

• Apostolic - the Church’s teachings are built on the teachings of the first 12 apostles by the bishops and Pope

How does belief in apostolic succession lead to Catholic understanding of the magisterium

• Catholics believe the authority of the apostles has been passed down generations of bishops

• The authority of St Peter who led the early Church is passed down to the current Pope who leads the Church now 

• The combined authority of the bishops and Pope is called the Magesterium, official doctrines declared by the Pope are infallible as he is guided by the Holy Spirit 

What is the nature of the Magisterium like

• Conciliar - councils which are meetings of the Pope and bishops are sometimes held to make important decisions and adapt Church teachings, helps the Pope discuss issues with the Catholic community

• Pontifical - the Pope is the leader of the magisterium and has the highest authority which is passed down from the first pope St Peter, the pope is infallible (without error) in his teachings

How does the magisterium provide Catholic social teaching

• Teaches to help support the weakest and poorest members of society to create equality in Gaudium Et Spes 21 - “all men…ought to work for the rightful betterment of this world”

• Teaches against economic exploitation and greed in society in Evangelli Gaudium 53 - “we…have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion”

How does a local Catholic agency you have studied express the command to love our neighbour

• St Vincent de Paul society (SVP) - has members internationally working in small groups in a local area to offer friendship and practical help to those in need

• e.g. They may run summer camps for children or provide food to the homeless

How does a national/global Catholic agency you have studied express the command to love our neighbour

• CAFOD - its main aim is to help people living in poverty to become more self-reliant through offering help to those in need in other countries or challenging national/global policies

• e.g. They provide emergency aid in places where natural disasters have occured to help rebuild and support the communities

How do kingdom values influence different vocations in Catholicism

• Kingdom values are the values that God wants all people of his Kingdom to abide by e.g. mercy, love, obedience etc

• Priesthood - priests take a vow of celibacy to fully commit their body and soul to God and serve others, they also take a vow of obedience to their bishop

• Family life - Catholic parents are united through marriage and having children as they show their love, teach children to spread the Kingdom

• Religious life - this may include monks/nuns who take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to show total commitment to God and spread his Kingdom through service

How are the kingdom values expressed in the life of one Catholic you have studied

• Pope Francis was the former Pope and leader of the Catholic Church who served others through justice, peace and reconciliation

• Justice - he increased the number of priests working among the poor when he became Archbishop and criticised policies which exploited the poor

• Peace - he brought together leaders of countries at war with eachother through prayer to help achieve peace

• Reconciliation - he goes to a local prison every Maundy Thursday to wash the feet of prisoners including those of other faiths like Muslims

What is the significance and uses of the Paschal candle in the Church

• The Paschal candle contains the Alpha and Omega symbols which reflect that Christ is eternal and five grains of incense which represent the wounds of Jesus during his crucifixion

• Used in the Easter Vigil ceremony to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, in baptism to symbolise the light of Christ filling the person, and in funerals to show the deceased person has joined Christ in eternal life

What is the meaning and significance of the themes in Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement

• Christ is the central figure of the painting emphasising his importance and is raising his right hand which reflects the Parable of the Sheep and Goats in which Jesus promises the good (on his right) will enter heaven and the wicked will go to hell

• There are saints near Jesus holding the tools with which they were tortured showing the importance to Christians of sticking to their faith

• People are being risen from their graves showing that all people will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement by God

How are Christian beliefs about life after death expressed in memorials for the dead

• Tombstones - a large stone with the letters “R.I.P” carved onto them which translates to a phrase meaning “rest in peace”, they may be in the shape of a cross to indicate the person believed in Jesus and now joins Him in eternal life

• Monuments - a structure built to honour and remember significant people like saints, some have the Chi-Ro symbol to indicate belief in Jesus

• Remembrance gardens - areas of peace and beauty containing the cremated ashes of people, helps mourners to reflect on the beauty of heaven

How has the belief in the resurrection influenced Christian eschatology

• Christians believe that at the end of time, there will be large scale events that bring Jesus back to Earth to judge all of creation and establish the Kingdom of God

• The resurrection has influenced Christians to believe that life continues after death in the presence of God

• So they should attempt to live a life of service to others and avoid temptation and sin

• “So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable” (1 Corinthians from St Paul)

What are the four last things and their significance for Christians

• Death - for Christians, death is a transition to a new phase of life. When the body dies, the soul continues to live on and is judged by God

• Judgement - all people are judged by Christ at the end of time and have to take responsibility for their actions, judgement is merciful because Christ died for our sins

• Heaven - people who are judged favourably enter heaven where they experience eternal joy in the presence of God

• Hell - people who are judged unfavourably enter hell where they are eternally separated from God and live in regret

What are the Catholic beliefs about purgatory

• Catholics believe purgatory is a cleansing process where the effects of sin are removed from people to help them fully accept the presence of God and enter heaven

• Catholics believe the process of purgatory can be quickened by prayer from those still alive

• Many other Christian denominations do not believe in purgatory: only heaven or hell

What is the difference between particular and final judgement

• Particular judgement happens immediately after a person dies where God judges someone on a personal level for all of their actions during life, determines if the person goes to heaven or hell

• Final judgement happens at the end of time when Christ returns and judges all of creation. This establishes the Kingdom of God and everything becomes perfect

• Some Christians do not believe in particular judgement, instead all people will wait in their graves until the second coming

What is the significance of the teachings in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

• The parable tells the story of a rich man who never shared his wealth with others including a homeless man named Lazarus. Lazarus joins Abraham in heaven and the rich man goes to hell

• Teaches that hell is a place of eternal torment where people are completely cut off from God - the rich man begs for water in the “agony in these flames”

• Teaches that wealth makes it easier to forget the needs of others - this causes the rich man’s greed to consume him and his eternal fate in hell

What is the meaning and significance of cosmic reconcliation

• God created the universe and made all things perfectly balanced in harmony

• This harmony was broken by sin

• Jesus’ death and resurrection helped to restore harmony

• The whole of the cosmos including all of creation will be fully restored at the end of time

Who was Julian of Norwich and how do her teachings reflect the idea of cosmic reconciliation

• Julian of Norwich was a medieval writer who experienced several revelations from Jesus

• “It is necessary that there should be sin, but all shall be well” (Revelations of Divine Love)

• Reflects the Christian idea that sin is a necessary consequence of free will and that “all shall be well” means sin will be defeated at the end of time when all of creation is cosmically reconciled

What is the importance of the Second Vatican Council for a Catholic understanding of eschatology

• The Second Vatican Council established the idea that no one is predestined to go to heaven or hell so people have the free will to choose to accept God - “God predestines no one to go to hell” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

• Also taught that people should be constantly preparing for the end of time by following Jesus’ teachings - “we know not the day nor the hour” (Lumen Gentium)

What is the significance of the last rites as expression of healing and hope

• The anointing of the sick - one of the seven sacraments, it is given to people who are seriously ill or dying - holy oil is used on the person to show the Holy Spirit is present with them and the person confesses their sins to the priest to feel at peace and have a clear conscience

• Commendation of the dying - a short service held for a person who is dying - the person may hold a crucifix to show they are sharing in Christ’s death and receives their last Holy Communion showing Christ is present with them

What is the significance of the funeral rite in reflecting Catholic beliefs about life after death

• Reception of the body - the coffin is sprinkled with holy water which symbolises the person’s baptism and joining in Christ’s death + resurrection, and the Paschal candle is placed near the coffin to symbolise the light of Christ

• The funeral mass - the priest holds a mass centered around praying for the deceased person, the priest gives readings like in John - “I am the resurrection and the life [Jesus]”

• The burial - prayers are said for the mourners and the person is buried in peace

How does belief in the sanctity of life influence Catholic beliefs about euthanasia/care for the dying

• The Catholic belief in sanctity of life teaches that all human life is holy and sacred so should be treated with the utmost respect and value - influences Catholics to care for and support the ill or elderly

• However, Catholics do not support killing people compassionately (euthanasia) because all life belongs to God so only he can take it, and suffering is joining in the suffering of Christ on the cross

• “we, without in any way hastening the hour of death, should be able to accept it” (Declaration of Euthanasia)