Christianity: Key beliefs, teachings and practices

For - The Bible is no longer relevant (5)

• Written long ago.

• Don’t dress modern day issues

• Literal interpretation doesn’t make sense in today’s scientific age.

• The work of human hands/fiction.

• Conscience has more authority.

Against - The Bible is no longer relevant (8)

• Source of inspiration to billions

• Source of revelation

• Wisdom can be applied to modern day issues

• Rules influence modern day law

• Used in worship

• Teachings echoed in modern books/films

• Still taught in schools

• Gives meaning, value and purpose to life

For - The Bible should be taken literally (5)

• Written by God - dictated to humans

• Contains no errors - factually correct

• Biblical accounts take precedence over science to literalists

• Should not criticise the Bible as it shows disrespect to God

• Humans should obey God’s authoritative teachings

Against - The Bible should be taken literally (5)

• Proved to have been written by over 40 different authors

• Inspired by God and not dictated (symbolic approach)

• Meaning of the Bible is more symbolic than literal

• Can be interpreted as mythological and doesn’t make sense in the scientific age

• Teachings are moral and spiritual - e.g. it doesn’t matter that Noah built the arc but instead faith to god.

For - Our conscience is enough to guide us in making moral decisions.

• St Paul said our conscience guides us to follow ‘natural laws’ set by God

• These laws are ‘written in our heart’

• Pope John Paul claimed our conscience is an ‘infallible guide’ - never wrong

• Second Vatican council declared our conscience is ‘the most secret core and sanctuary of a man’

Against - Our conscience is enough to guide us in making moral decisions. (5)

• Thomas Aquinas taught that our conscience was sometimes unreliable.

• Needs to be applied with reason and have to think through decisions and consequences.

• Our families play a role in decision making.

• Depends on the situation - sometimes need to do things that go against our conscience.

• Civil law must be followed.

2 quotes about the word of God being authoritative?

1. ‘Hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them to that you may live.’

2. ‘Keep the commands of the Lord, your God, that I give you’

4 perspectives that can be taken on the word of God and what they would say about the bible.

1. Atheist - work of fiction.

2. Literalists - the Bible is the direct word of God and should be taken as fact.

3. Authority - important because it is the word of God and influences millions.

4. Sacred scripture - bible is holy and the writings have religious significance.

5 ways the bible is useful?

• Used as a source of inspiration and contains much wisdom.

• To teach people answers to ultimate questions such as: ‘Is there a God?’

• To highlight peoples sins and teach them to be more moral.

• To correct peoples behaviour and outlook.

• To manage relationships with people and God and also to make wise choices.

The bible as absolute law. (3)

• Contains rules and laws that the Hebrew people were to adhere to in order to receive God’s protection.

• Some laws are conditional e.g. don’t charge interest to the needy, but can charge for the rich.

• Other laws are absolute i.e. ‘do not murder.’

The bible as a source of guidance. (4)

• Explains how God wants people to live their lives.

• General teachings - love God and each other, be faithful and feed the poor.

• Teaches to trust God for direction and wisdom.

• St Paul - ‘Be reformed by the renewing of your mind’ showing how it can change your opinion.

3 uses of the bible in ceremonies.

1. Baptism

2. Marriage e.g. ‘let us love one another’

3. Funeral e.g. ‘I am the resurrection and the life’

4 key interpretations of the bible.

1. Literal

2. Conservative

3. Symbolic

4. Mythical

Literal interpretation of the bible (5)

• Literalists believe the Bible is God’s actual words.

• Must be taken literally.

• Written with deliberate precision by God

• Bible is factually accurate: chronological, cosmology, biology.

• Bible events take precedence over scientific ones.

Conservative interpretation of the bible (5)

• Conservatives believe the Bible contains God’s words as revealed to humans.

• The Bible needs to be interpreted carefully to see the meaning behind the context.

• God’s truths are revealed in the Bible.

• Conservatives accept scientific theories like evolution as a way God works.

• ‘God speaks in sacred scripture through men in human fashion’

Symbolic interpretation of the bible (3)

• Symbolic meaning of biblical texts is more important than their literal meaning.

• Reveals God’s teachings e.g. not important if Noah really built the arc but instead about the story of judgement.

• Teachings are spiritual or moral and not scientific.

Mythical interpretation of the bible (4)

• Most Christians accept it was written is a pre-scientific age.

• Myths are borrowed from other cultures and they are made to make sense of the world around them.

• They think that taking the Bible literally is absurd in scientific modern times.

• Makes teachings universal and not limited to history.

For - The Bible is useful today (7)

• Source of inspiration to billions

• Source of revelation

• Wisdom can be applied to modern day issues

• Used in worship

• Teachings echoed in modern books/films

• Still taught in Schools

• Gives meaning value and purpose to life.

Against - the Bible is still useful today (5)

• Written long ago

• Doesn't address modern day issues

• Literal interpretation doesn't make sense in today's scientific age

• The work of human hands / fiction

• Conscience has more authority

For - Belief in afterlife is the most important religious belief (3)

• If you believe you shall be judged in the afterlife, then it will have a huge impact on how you behave / on your actions

• You will want to please God and pass His test on Judgement Day

• Belief in Angels recording your every move links with the beliefs in an afterlife

For - Belief in afterlife is the most important religious belief (5)

• Belief in God is the most important

• If you don't believe in God—you won't believe in an afterlife

• Better to concentrate on the here and now and not worry about an afterlife

• Humanists don't believe in an afterlife—no spiritual existence after death

• Concentrate on doing good to others ' Love thy neighbour' instead of worrying

For - God must be sorry he gave humans free will (4)

Against - God must be sorry he gave humans free will (5)

• Giving humans free Will means that Humans can freely choose to believe in God

• People who do good and choose to Follow Jesus' teachings can be rewarded

• Humans are not robots

• God can see who is genuinely good

• Most people Choose to be good

Belief in life after death quotes

1. ‘Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ - Bible

2. ‘The one who believes in me will live, even though they die’ - Jesus said

Belief in life after death (7)

• Christianity teaches that the soul lives on after death.

• The soul is immortal. After death, your soul will go to either Heaven or Hell depending on how you have lived your life on earth.

• Heaven is portrayed as a place of great serenity— a paradise where you will spend eternity with God. This is dependent on you having lived a good life and believing in Jesus of course.

• Hell is a place of torment and torture and is regarded as being the final destination for unbelievers and those who have led bad lives.

• Roman Catholics also believe in a place called Purgatory.

• Here, sins are punished and then the soul is able to move on into Heaven. This is not mentioned in the Bible so Protestants reject this idea.

• Some Christians believe that those who have led sinful lives may find salvation thanks to God's saving grace.

Gospel record’s of resurrection of life after death.

Adam through sin, caused death to all people. Jesus changed that by offering resurrection to all how believe in him.

Parable of the Sheep and Goats as an argument for the afterlife. (4)

• Teaches Jesus will separate the good from bad and shepherds separate sheep and goats.

• This is what Christians think will happen on Judgement day where God will choose if they go to Heaven or Hell.

• Humans given free will to decide how to live and if they will follow Jesus’ teachings.

• Free will holds humans accountable when judged by God.

Afterlife - Heaven (4)

• This passage teaches not to worry about death.

• It states that Heaven is big enough for all the good souls and there is a place prepared for them.

• This brings great comfort to Christians, giving them reassurance and hope in an eternal life in paradise.

• ‘My Father’s house has many rooms’.

Afterlife - Hell (4)

• The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches those who are mean and don’t follow Jesus’ teachings will end up in Hell.

• Rich man ignores Lazarus and is greedy.

• follow. If people choose not to follow it's instructions, then they will end being tortured in Hell forever.

• No amount of visions or ghostly apparitions will convince them otherwise.

Baptism quote.

‘Just as Jesus was coming up out oif the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him’.

Why are infants baptised? (6)

• Christian parents want to introduce their Child to the Christian family

• Official 'name giving' ceremony— Christian name announced to community

• Celebration of new life / thanksgiving

• Giving the child a good start in life: appointing God parents etc.

• Cleanses the baby from Original Sin

• Welcoming the child into God's family

How are infants baptised? (6)

• Parents + God-parents make promises to raise the child in the Christian faith

• Baptised at the font

• Sign of the cross drawn on fore head: symbol of the cross

• Holy water is poured over the baby's fore head three times in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• The child is usually dressed in white as a symbol of purity

• A candle is lit and given to the godparents to remind them of their duty to bring the light of Christ into the baby's life.

Why are believers baptised? (5)

• Your own choice to be a follower of God

• Chance to remove / be cleansed of previous sins

• Declaration of personal faith

• Follow Jesus' example of being baptised as an adult

• To be spiritually 'born again'

How are believers baptised? (4)

• The person being Baptised declares

  their willingness to join the Christian family

• They promise to follow Jesus's teachings and practices

• They are immersed fully in water

• Wear white to show purity

Confirmation - Preparation (3) and the ceremony (3)

• Opportunity for those who have been baptised to confirm their desire to commit to Christianity

• The candidate will attend a series of lessons with a vicar exploring what it means to be a Christian.

• Ensures that candidates fully understand the commitment they are choosing to make.

• The Bishop will place his hands on candidates as a confirmation service.

• The candidate will be anointed with oil.

• The candidate may be given a copy of the Bible as a token sign of their full membership of the Church community.

What is the Eucharist + quote. (5)

• The Eucharist (sharing of bread and wine) was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper.

• The bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus given so that people could receive salvation.

• Jesus told his followers to share bread and wine whenever they met In memory of his death for them.

• The word Eucharist means 'thanksgiving. It is a thanksgiving for the life and death of Jesus and for the Christian faith.

• ‘This is my body which is for you’

Eucharist/Communion in a Catholic Church (5)

• Catholics believe the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ.

• The bread and wine are kept in the tabernacle.

• The priest prepares the Eucharist at the altar and holds each item up in front of the congregation.

• The bread and wine are referred to as the ‘Lamb of God'.

• In silence, the members of the congregation make their way up to the altar, kneeling before the altar rail to receive the bread and wine.

Eucharist/Communion in a Baptist church. (4)

• The Eucharist is usually called the Lord's Supper in Baptist Churches.

• It is not considered a sacrament but an ordinance: complying with Jesus' wish to do this in his memory.

• The Congregation usually remain seated whilst the bread and wine are distributed.

• They then consume them at the same time as each other.

Significance of a religious wedding. (3)

• The main difference between a civil marriage and a religious marriage is that God is involved in the religious ceremony.

• 'So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

  A civil marriage can be dissolved by divorcing, but a religious marriage cannot be undone.

• To many Christians, marriage is a sacred bond between two people who love each other.

Significance of matrimonial symbols. (4)

1. Rings - Symbol of devotion and commitment and continuous circle symbolises never ending love.

2. Candle - Lit to represent presence of God.

3. Joining of right hands - Publicly commit to the relationship.

4. Bridal veil - Symbolises purity before marriage and removal symbolises the union.

Significance of marital vows. (3)

• They express both intent and promise

• They are real and meaningful

• They should be remembered and adhered to for the rest of the couples lives.

Significance of a place of worship. (7)

• ‘do not give up on meeting each other, but encourage each other’

• Community of believers who profess faith in Jesus and God.

• Gathering together encourages believers to love and do good deeds.

• Has a powerful influence in society and the teachings have moral influence in law today e.g. homeless shelters.

• Provides regular opportunities for worship.

• Provides rites of passages,

• ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’ - Jesus.

Pilgrimage to St David’s (5)

• St David's Cathedral is actually built on the site of a 6th century monastery.

• It is the holiest site in Wales.

• The shrine at St Davids contains the bones of St David himself.

• There is a pilgrimage centre at St David's (TYs Pererin which offers worship, prayer, hospitality, healing sessions and time to reflect on the life of St David.

• Help some Christians strengthen and deepen their faith.

Why do Christians go on a pilgrimage to Nazareth and Bethlehem?

• The Holy Land is a favourite with Christian pilgrims as it's the land where Jesus lived and pilgrims can 'walk in Jesus footsteps.

• Nazareth is where Jesus was raised and spent most of his life. It was also the place where his birth was announced, so pilgrims often visit the Church of Annunciation.

• Bethlehem is where Jesus was born, so the Church of the Nativity is a place where pilgrims can feel a sense of Closeness to God. Here, pilgrims can touch the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born which is marked in a grotto under the Church by a golden star.