Discovering Sacred Texts

Core Christian Belief (and what it is the foundation of)

Central Christian belief → Jesus is Lord and Saviour

This belief is the foundation of:

• Salvation

• Christian faith

Coptic Christianity: Origins and Idenitty

Coptic church traditionally founded by → St Mark the Evangelist (~55 AD)

Strong historical presence in Egypt

Coptic Christianity: Sources of authority

Two main sources:

• Scriptures

• Writings of the Church Fathers

Coptic Christianity: Liturgies

3 main liturgies:

• St Basil

• St Gregory

• St Cyril

Languages used → Coptic and Arabic

Coptic Christianity: Cultural and Historical Context

Egypt seen as the place where the Holy Family fled for refuge

Coptic language is still preserved in Egypt

Arabic is now the dominant language

Catholic Church: Church identity

Emphasis on unity of the universal church

Catholic Church: Liturgical Life (main form of worship and the liturgical calendar)

Structured liturgical calendar → entire church year is celebrated through feasts and rituals

Main form of worship → mass

Catholic Church: Mass Structure

Liturgy of the Word:

• Scriptures readings

• Sermon/homily explaining texts

Book of Hours (medieval devotion) characteristics

• Medieval prayer book tradition

• Used for structured daily prayer

• Divides the day into “hours” of prayer

• Reflects integration of art and spiritual practice

Church of England and the Reformation: Historical Development

Originally aligned with Roman Catholic Church

Separation from Rome during the Reformation (~200 years process)

• Result → independent Church of England

Church of England and the Reformation: Bible Translating Controversy (Tyndale NT characteristics, controversy, outcome)

Tyndale New Testament:

• First major English translation

• Made scripture accessible directly to people

Controversy:

• Authorities oppose English translation

• Preferred Latin to maintain priestly interpretation

Outcome:

• English translation were banned and burned

Methodism: Founders and Core Ideas

Founders:

• John Wesley

• Charles Wesley

Core Idea:

• Purpose of Church → participation in God’s work in the world

Methodism: Worship Style

Emphasis on:

• Singing as a form of teaching

• Less focus on formal classroom-style doctrine

Pentecostalism characteristics

Core theological framework → “Four Square Gospel”

Present across → all major strands of Pentecostal Christianity