RS christian beliefs

what is the trinity?

there is one god who is manifest/known through 3 persons.

Father, son and holy spirit are all independent but they are simultaneously interdependent as well.

3 people in the trinity.

father is the omnipotent creator

The son is the human incarnation who saves humanity from sin (Jesus)

The holy spirit is God’s active presence in the world today. Sent down after Jesus ascended. Guides Christians.

All present at creation. Spirit was hovering over waters. Through Jesus everything was made.

Each persons is fully god. Jesus is fully divine and fully human.

they are consubstantial.

the trinity requires a lot of faith

influences of the trinity.

• To read the bible and learn more because bible is foundation of christian beliefs. so they can learn about God the father creating the world as well as Jesus and Holy spirit being present.

• To attend church and worship God because the trinity helps them understand God and the relationship between the 3 persons.

• Live in loving harmony with others because the relationship of the trinity is in loving harmony and they are interdependent, all equally one. SO this can serve as a model.

• to feel close to god. Help build a relationship with God because they understand more about Him.

• To feel confused

trinity quotes

“Baptise people in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit“ (Jesus, greta commission). foundation for belief.

“The father and I are one “ - Jesus in bible. They are 2 different people but they are also one and share the same divine essence and nature

Transcendent meaning.

To be outside the universe. Beyond time and space. (the father)

Immanent meaning

To be active and present within the world (son and holy spirit)

Eternal meaning

has no beginning or end (Father, son and holy spirit)

nature of god - omnipotence (definition, quote, influence)

God is all powerful

“With God,all things are possible“ - Bible. shows he can do anything

we see omnipotence from the act of creation. created the world out of nothing.

influence:

• they would worship god because they would believe he is worthy of worship.

• They would pray to God. Because being omnipotent would mean that he has power to intervene in your life eg perform miracles.

nature of god - omniscient (definition, quote, influence)

God is all knowing

“Nothing is hidden from God’s sight“ - Bible.

shown on day of judgement.

Influence:

• To do good because they know that God knows everything they do.

• To avoid sin because he would know about it and it could result in hell.

• To believe in the afterlife/day of judgement because if god knows everything then he will be able to put you in either haven or hell based on your deeds.

nature of god - omnibenevolent (definition, quote, influence)

God is all loving

God was so loving that he freed humanity from sin by sacrificing his only son.

“God is love“ - Bible

Influence:

• to be loving themselves following the example of god.

• to be forgiving and merciful.

nature of god - just (definition, quote, influence)

God is fair and a just judge.

“He is a God of justice“ - Bible.

shown on day of judgement.

influence:

• to treat others fairly because you would follow the example of God.

• follow his teaching because he would hold you on account on the day of judgement.

Problem of evil and suffering.

• if god was omnibenevolent, he would want to help humanity end all evil.

• if god was omnipotent, he would be able to end all evil.

• the existence of evil challenges the belief of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent god.

resolving evil and suffering - St augustine.

result of original sin. “She took some fruit and ate it“ - BIble

so:

• evil entered the world through human free will, not because God created it.

• Adam and eve disobeyed God by eating from the Tree of Knowledge. (but if god is omniscient wouldn’t he have known that they were going to disobey him and eat from the tree )

• as a result they were banished and this caused original sin

• all humans are born with original sin and this explains the origin of evil and suffering.

But:

• it is unjust to punish all of humanity for the sin of Adam and Eve

• depends on a literalist reading of the creation.

resolving evil and suffering - John Hick.

“Suffering produces perseverance“ - Bible

so:

• The world is not meant to be perfect.

• suffering has a purpose. Suffering is needed to speed up our moral growth. We will grow and develop into good people.

• this world is a school for our souls. It is where we prepare for heaven. This world is temporary for a long term reward.

but:

• if god is all powerful he could have created a better way to develop souls than this

• if god was omniscient then we would have come up wiith a better way to develop souls.

• is children getting cancer needed so we can grow.

• contradicts his loving if he gives children sicknesses.

• if god is really just , why do some people go through more pain and suffering than others.

creation defintion

bring the world into existence. belief that the world is god’s loving creation.

creation ex nihlo- created teh world from nothing.

Day 1

light was created

day 2

sky

day 3

dry land , sea , plants and trees

day 4

sun, moon and stars

day 5

fish and birds

day 6

alnd animals and humans (imago dei - in the image of god)

day 7

god rested.

contradictions of the creation story:

• how was the sun made on day 4 but light was made on day 1?

• How can we have plants day before the sun because we know from science that we need photosynthesis for plants to grow?

• Where are the dinosaurs?

• How do we know what happened on day 1 to 5 if we were not there?

trinity at creation.

• God the father. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earths“ - Genesis.

• God the son. “Through Him all things were made. “ - Bible

• God the Holy Spirit. “The spirit was hovering over the waters“ - Bible.

Literalist Christians.

• believe God created the universe in 6 literal days

• Genesis 1 is a literal and historical account. Literal word of god and it is infallible.

• They reject scientific explanations (Big bang) because it is not in the scripture

but:

• does the ordering make sense

Non- Literalists

• do not believe that Genesis 1 is literally true. Believe the Bible is a metaphor with spiritual truth.

• shows god is the creator- his creation is good and purposeful.

• Science explains how the universe began; genesis explains why.

• They see no conflict between science and faith.

but:

• takes away authority of the bible- infallible word of God.

influence of creation.

1. To worship God. This is because Christians believe that he created the world (omnipotence )and everything in it, making him worthy of praise and thanksgiving/

2. To care for the environment. This is because Christians believe that the world is a loving gift from God that should be protected and treated with respect.

Ressurection meaning

Rising from the dead. Jesus rose from the dead and christians believe they will too.

Judgement meaning

The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life.

Heaven meaning.

Belief that after death christians can enter a state with the presence of God for eternity.

Hell meaning

Belief in a place of eternal suffering or a state after death without the presence of god.

Resurrection of Jesus

• Christians believe that Jesus rose from the death on Easter Sunday, three days after being crucified

• Gives hope for life after death and shows death is not the end. It represents a victory of good over evil.

• Foundation of christian faith and confirms that Jesus was the son of God. It gives Christians hope they will be resurrected with God in heaven.

Parable of the sheep and the goats

• Christians will believe God will judge all people and decide if they go to heaven or hell.

• In parable of sheep and goats, Jesus teaches that judgement is based on how people treat others. eg. feeding the hungry and caring for the sick. Performing these works of mercy shows their love for God.

• The ‘sheep‘ who do good will inherit eternal life; the ‘goats‘ who ignore others will face separation from God.

but:

• can we really invite random people to our house? what if they are murderers?

• am i allowed to go to prison just because Jesus told me to?

• does not say you have to worship. does not say that you need to believe in God.

Life after death quotes.

“hiver believes in me will have eternal life“

purgatory

waiting where your soul can be cleansed for heaven.

Heaven (physical, spiritual, influence)

physical:

• paradise where the resurrected body will live forever with God.

• “My father’s house has many rooms“ - Jesus, Bible. “has“ connotates physical traits.

• identity is tied with our physical bodies.

spiritual;

• “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God“- Bible

• Heaven is a spiritual state of eternal peace and unity with God, where souls live on after death.

influence:

• do good works. - parable of the sheep and Goats

• follow god’s commandments

• pray and stay faithful for God

• Feel comforted and hopeful that there is an afterlife.

hell (physical, spiritual, influence )

physical:

• “Fiery lake of burning sulphur“- Bible

• Hell is a real place of punishment where sinners suffer eternal torment.

Spiritual;

• “state of exclusion from God“ - catholic catechism

• Hell is self-inflicted state of separation form God’s love and presence.

influence:

• avoid sin

• repent and seek forgiveness

• follow god’s laws carefully

• fear separation from God.

“A loving God would not send anybody to Hell“

Agree:

• omnibenvolence “God is love“ “Father si merciful“

• sending people to hell woudl contradict God’s loving and forgiving nature.

• God’s mercy means that he would want to save everyone.

• Jesus taught forgiveness and compassion. “ (forgive )not 7 but 77 times“.

• god prefers mercy than punishment

• Jesus died so we can be forgiven

• god has power to send to hell, but chooses to forgive.

Disagree:

• god’s love includes justice

• parable of sheeps and goats clearly show that it is based on actions

• shows that god’s fairness in holding everybody to account for their choices is also an expression for love

• bible describes hell as a real place of punishment.

• god does not send you to hell, your choices did

• god was loving to give you free will but you used it in the wrong way.

incarnation meaning

“in flesh“. The belif that fod took on a human form in the person of Jesus.

incarnation

• when god took on human form in the form of jesus

• born to virgin mary, who was visisted by Angel Gabriel and told she would miraculously give birth to God’s son.

• celebrate at Christmas

incarnation quotes

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us“ - Bible

importance of incarnation

• shows Jesus was 100 percent God and 100 percent human.

• reveals immanence and omnibenevolence.

• Means Jesus could teach, perform miracles and die for humanity’s sins.

• forms foundation of Christian faith.

influence of incarnation

• to celebrate christmas as a reminder that God became human

• gratitude for god. Loves humanity enough to enter the world.

• To follow Jesus’ example and teachings in daily life.

crucifixion meaning

death of jesus ; a form of death penalty used by romans.

atonement meaning

making amends or payment for a wrong, Reconciliation between God and humanity which was brought about by the death of Jesus as an ‘atoning sacrifice‘.

crucifixion

• Jesus died on the cross, executed by the roman empire

• Christians believe this was the act of atonement- his sacrificial death paid the price of humanity’s sins.

crucifixion quote

“Christ died for our sins“ - Bible

importance of crucifixion

• act of atonement that pays the price for human sin and restores the relationship between God and humanity.

• Shows God’s omnibenevolence, as He sacrificed his Son for us.

• Means sin can be forgiven.

influence of crucifixion

• to feel gratitude to Jesus for dying to save us

• To pray for forgiveness, trusting Jesus has made it possible

• To take part in Holy communion in remembrance of His sacrifice.

Ressurection

• when Jeus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion

• Mary Magdalene found the tomb emoty and an angel old her , “He has risen“

• Jesus then appeared to His disciples and many others over 40 days

resurrection quotes

“If Cjrist has not been raised your faith is pointless and you ar estill and in your sins “

importance of resurrection

• confirms Jesus is divine and the son of God

• victory of life over death and good over evil

• opens the door to eternal life and gives hope for life after death

• foundation for the christian faith

influence of resurrecton

• to celebrate easter, remembering Jesus’ victory over death.

• To feel hopeful about life after death

• to feel comforted that death is not the end but a new beginning

• To put faith in Jeuss and follow his teaching

Ascension menaing

Going or taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven.

Ascension

• when jesus returned to heaven, 40 days after his resurrection.

• He appeared to his disciples and was taken up before their eyes.

• Christians believe that Jesus returning to God the father in glory shows his divinity.

Ascension quote

“I am ascending to my father and your father“ - Bible

important

• confirms Jesus is divine

• Marks the completion of Jesus’ work on earth and his return to glory

• Allowed Jesus to send the holy spirit to guide and strengthen believers today.

influence of ascension

• hopeful for eternal life and reunion with God.

• To follow Jesus’ teachings, trusting in his divine authority.

• To celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, remembering Jesus’ return to heaven.

comparing Crucifixion, resurection and ascension

crucifixion:

• central to christian belief because it shows God’s love and sacrifice.

• allows salvation and atonement

• This could be seen as important because it makes redemption possible for all humanity

Resurrection:

• resurrection proves his divinity and power.

• gives hope of eternal life and confirms death is not the end

• most important because it proves that everything that Jesus taught was true.

ascension:

• shows Jesus’ return to glory completing his mission and confirming his divine authority.

• gives hope of eternal life

• gift of eternal life

• important because it marks the beginning of the church’s mission in the world.

sin definition

behaviour which is against god’s laws and wishes.

original sin definition

belief human nature is flawed and that we all have the tendency to sin; came from Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit as recorded in genesis 3.

original sin

• Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit,

• brought disharmony into creation and caused natural evil.

• human nature is now flawed and we are born with an inclination to sin, leading to moral evil.

Personal Sin

• when individuals freely choose to act against God’s will and moral laws.

• Human are responsible for sin

• For example breaking the 10 commandments or committing 1 of 7 develop sin.

influence of sin

• avoid sin as this goes against god

• follow god’s laws as a sign of obediance.

• pray for forgiveness for any sins committed .

• Have faith in Jesus as the saviour of Sin.

original sin quote “Sin entered….“

“Sin entered the world through one man“ - Bible

• God created a perfect world and placed adam and eve in the garden of Eden.

• They disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit- known s the fall which caused original sin

• This brought suffering and evil

• so human nature is flawed and everyone shares this sin.

Personal Sin quote “for all have sinned…“

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God“

• All humans are imperfect and have a tendency to sin.

• sin includes selfish actions that go against the will of God

• eg- pride , greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger and sloth.

• Therefore, humans need salvation through Jesus in order to be reconciled with God.

Salvation meaning

being saved from sin and its consequence; belief that through God’s grace Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about salvation from humanity. Enables eternal life

Saved by law (god the father)

• salvation is achieved by obeying God’s laes and performing good works.

• “Keep his commandments“- Bible

• 10 commanments

Saved by Grace (Jesus)

• salvation is given as a free gift fom God, achieved Jesus’ death and resurrection

• “It is by grace you have been saved… the gift from God“ - Bible

Spirit (holy spirit)

• salvation is received through the guidance and power of the holy spirit, who strengthen an inspires believers.

• “The advocate will teach you and remind you of everything I have said“- Bible.

“Christ died for…” Salvation quote

“Christ died for our sins “ - St Paul Bible.

This teaches Christians that Jesus died on the cross for human sins, paying the price and restoring humanity’s relationship with God. This shows salvation is possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

“the lamb …..“- bible / Salvation quote

“The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”- bible

Jesus is described as a sacrificial lamb, whose death enables forgiveness and redemption for humanity. This fulfils Old Testament prophecy about sacrifice and points to Jesus as Messiah.

“He is the…“ - bible / sacrament quote

“He is the atoning sacrifice.. for the sins of the whole world“

Jesus’ death is the ultimate act of love and mercy, showing God’s omnibenevolence - salvation is a gift of grace. This teaches Christians to respond with gratitude and love, mirroring Jesus’ self-sacrifice.

“Therew is no other name…“- bible / salvation quote.

“There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved“- Bible

Only Jesus who can bring salvation- Christians believe faith in Christ is essential to be reconciled with God. This inspires evangelism as Christians share the belief that Salvation is only through Christ.

Influence of Christ’s role in salvation

• follow God’s laws as a response to salvation

• have faith in Jesus and trust in his atoning death.

• Evangelise - share the message that salvation is through Christ.

• Have gratitude, knowing salvation is a gift from God.