Christianity: beliefs & teachings

What are the 3 main Christian denominations?

Catholic

Protestant

Orthodox

What do Christians believe about the nature of God?

- There is only one God

- God is omnipotent

- God is omnibenevolent

- God is just

What does omnipotent mean?

All-powerful

What does omnibenevolent mean?

All-loving

What is the problem with evil?

It creates an inconsistent triad because if God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent & just then why does evil & suffering exist?

What are some theodices for the problem of evil?

Freewill→ God gifted us freewill & therefore evil can exist

Original sin → evil & suffering is punishment for disobeying God in the story of Adam & Eve

God’s plan → we need evil to demonstrate the love & compassion needed to go to heaven

God’s way of being just → evil & suffering is punishment for sin

What is the trinity?

The belief that there are 3 beings in 1 God: the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit

God the Father is…

The creator & sustainer of all life

God the Son is…

God incarnate through Jesus

God the Holy Spirit is…

The unseen power of God at work in the world & our lives

Why is the trinity important to Christians?

- Helps Christians understand the complex nature of God

- Distinguishes Christianity from other religions since it is a unique belief

- Shows that Christianity is a monotheistic religion

- Models how relationships should be because all components of the trinity are different but equally important; teaches there unity in diversity

What happens in the creation story?

Day 1 → God said let there be light

Day 2 → God said let there be sky & sea

Day 3 → God said let there be land

Day 4 → God separated day & night & created the sun, moon & stars

Day 5 → God said let there be birds & sea creatures

Day 6 → God said let there be land creatures

Day 7 → God rested

Why is creation important to Christians?

- Shows Gods omnipotence

- Reveals that Christians have an orientation to God

- God was pleased with his creation, & therefore Christians have a duty to protect it (stewardship)

- God the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit were all involved in creation, showing that the trinity existed from the very beginning

Where is the creation story in the Bible?

Genesis 1

What is incarnation?

When God become man & lived in human form as Jesus

Why is incarnation important to Christians?

- Shows that God is omnipotent since he was able to become man

- Illustrates the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus was conceived through it

- Reveals the importance of Jesus’ teachings since they are the words of God

What is the crucifixion?

When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for humanity

Who sentenced Jesus to death?

Pontius Pilate

Why did Jesus have to die?

Accused of blasphemy → The Sanhedrin felt threatened by Jesus & accused him of spreading false teachings about God

Not in favour with the Romans → The Romans feared the religious uprising Jesus started & so sent him to be crucified

To save humanity from sin → God sacrificed Jesus to save humanity from sin so that the relationship between God & humans could be restored

Why is the crucifixion important to Christians?

- Shows that God is omnibenevolent since he sacrificed his only son

- Gives Christians hope that their sins will be forgiven & they can enter heaven

- Shows that God understands human suffering because Jesus, who is God, experienced it through death

What is the resurrection?

When Jesus rose from the dead

What happened in the resurrection of Jesus?

Jesus was crucified & buried on Friday (before sunset because of the Sabbath)

Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene visited Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body but the tomb was empty

Mary was told to spread the message that Jesus had resurrected

Over the following days, Jesus visited Mary Magdalene & his disciples to tell them that he had risen from the dead

Why is the resurrection important to Christians?

- Proves that Jesus was the Son of God

- Shows the power of good over evil & life over death

- Gives hope to Christians that they too will resurrect & live after death

- Encourages Christians to obey God’s teachings so they can resurrect & join him in heaven

What is the ascension?

When Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection

What are contrasting Christian beliefs about resurrection?

Some believe resurrection happens soon after death whereas others believe it will happen on the Day of Judgment

Catholics believe in bodily resurrection whereas others believe resurrection is just spiritual & not physical

Why do some Christians believe in bodily resurrection?

- Jesus physically resurrected & appeared to his disciples

- The Gospels show that Jesus was not a ghost because he ate with his disciples & showed his wounds to them

- The body is resurrected in a glorified state, but a body nonetheless

Why do some Christians not believe in bodily resurrection?

- Science shows that bodies decay after death

- Some people are cremated so their bodies no longer exist

- Some believe that Jesus resurrected as a ghost because he could appear & disappear suddenly

- Stories of resurrection may have been exaggerated & the disciples may have just felt Jesus’ presence spiritually

Why is the ascension important to Christians?

- Shows that Jesus really had overcome death because in heaven, he will live forever

- Gives hope to Christians that they too can rise into heaven after death & join God

What is the afterlife?

Life after death

What are contrasting Christians beliefs about when the afterlife begins?

Some believe that it begins immediately after death whereas others believe it will begin on the Day of Judgment

Christian beliefs about the afterlife

- Is a gift from God

- They will be resurrected & receive eternal life after death

- They will be judged by God on their faith & actions during life & this will determine whether they are sent to heaven or hell

Christians beliefs about judgement

- God is the true judge

- Everyone will face God’s judgement in the afterlife, determining whether they are sent to heaven or hell

- Having faith in Jesus & following his teachings will improve God’s judgement

What is heaven?

The state/place of eternal happiness & peace in the presence of God

What is hell?

The state/place of eternal suffering without God

What do Christian believe about heaven?

- Gods kingdom

- State/place of eternal peace, joy & freedom from pain

- Chance to be reunited with loved ones

- Reward for faith & actions during life

What do Christian believe about hell?

- Distanced from God

- State/place of eternal suffering

- Punishment for sins & poor faith during life

- Some believe it is a state of mind since God is all-loving & would not send anyone there eternally

What do Christian believe about who can enter heaven?

- Some believe only Christians & followers of Jesus can

- Others believe anyone who has pleased God can, even if they are not Christian

- Others believe all baptised Christians can, despite how they lived their life

What is purgatory?

An intermediate state/place where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven

Who believes in purgatory?

Catholics

What is sin?

Any thought or action that separates humans from God

What is original sin?

The in-built tendency that humans have to do wrong & disobey God

What do Christian believe about sin?

- Sin separates Christians from God

- Christians should ask for forgiveness & try to make amends when they have sinned

- Sin is a result of freewill

What is salvation?

To be saved from sin

What are the 2 types of salvation?

Salvation through grace

Salvation through works

What is salvation through grace?

The belief that due to God’s omnibenevolence, everyone can achieve salvation by having faith in God & Jesus

What is salvation through works?

The belief that salvation is achieved through good deeds & actively obeying God’s laws

What are some examples of salvation through works?

- Baptism

- Prayer

- Celebrating Christian festivals

- Attending church

- Donating to charities (e.g. CAFOD, Christian Aid)

- Showing love & kindness to everyone

What do Christians believe about the role of Jesus in salvation?

Jesus provided salvation through his crucifixion, restoring the relationship between God and humanity

What is atonement?

Making amends for wrong doing

What do Christians believe about atonement?

- Jesus atoned for the sin of humanity through his sacrifice

- Jesus’ atonement restored the covenant, allowing humans to enter heaven in the afterlife