christian beliefs and teachings

a style -what does ‘monotheism’?

The doctrine or belief that there is only one god. For example Christian’s believe in the existence of one god.

a style-omnipotent

Refers to being all powerful. For example in Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

a style-omnibenevolent

refers to being all loving. For example Jesus forgave in mark2:5-7 "Son, your sins are forgiven."

a style- trinity

refers to the three persons of the Christian godhead: the father, the son, the Holy Spirit.

a style- The original sin

The state of being born with the tendency to sin. This is believed to be because of the fall when eve eats the fruit from the tree god made forbidden.

a style- Atonment

the action of making amendments for wrongdoings, for example Jesus was crucified to amend the rift between god and humans

a style- Ascensions

rising to heaven, after Jesus died he joined god in heaven

a style- Resurrection

The action of coming back to life, Jesus came back to life after being crucified

a style- Incarnation

A person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit or quality, for example god in the flesh of Jesus

B style - describe the teachings about the nature of god

omnibenevolent- all loving- god is rich with love psalm 86:15

Omnipotent- all powerful- god has authority Matthew 28:18

Omniscient-all knowing- god knew you before creating you in Jeremiah 1:5

Transcendent- above the range of normal human- god is described as being above in psalms 97:9

Omnipresent- everywhere - Jeremiah 23:24

B style -Describe the trinity

Refers to the three persons of Christian godhead: the son, the father, the Holy Spirit .

The father- source of all goodness, beyond us

The son- god with us, god incarnate,

The Holy Spirit- the god in us, lives on earth

B style - Importance of the apostles creed

1. The Apostles’ Creed is a summary of the core Christian beliefs.

2. It helps Christians to express and share their faith clearly.

3. It is used in worship and baptism, linking believers to the early Church.

4. It unites Christians worldwide by providing a common statement of faith.

5. It helps to teach new believers about the fundamental truths of Christianity.

B style - Describe the role of word and spirit in creation

most Christian’s see “the word” as a reference to god.

John 1:1 says “the word was god” states Jesus is god

The Holy Spirit also had a role demonstrated in

Genesis 1:2-3 where it references the spirit of god hovering over the water and saying let there be light to which there was

This shows the Holy Spirit helped create our world

B style - Describe the Christian teachings about the role of humans

• Christians believe humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), which gives them special value and purpose.

• Being made in God’s image means humans can think, choose, and have a relationship with God.

• Humans are different from animals and are seen as the most important part of creation.

• God gave humans the job of looking after the Earth – this is called stewardship (Genesis 2:15).

• Christians believe they must care for the environment and all living things because it belongs to God.

B style - Beliefs about incarnation

incarnation refers to a person embodying a deity,spirit or quality .

In Christianity god is in the flesh of Jesus

Jesus is fully human- has emotions,human body (Luke 24:39) , hunger and thirst (Matthew 4:2)

Jesus is fully divine- people prayed and worshipped him, made predictions, resurrected (mark 16;1-20)

B style - Describe the resurrection of Jesus

Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after crucifixion

If Christians don’t believe in this then their faith is pointless (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

On Easter Sunday followers went to his tomb and they found the stone had already been rolled away

Jesus was no longer there

B style - Describe the ascension

gospels read that Jesus ascended to his father in heaven

Some Christian’s took it literally- his body physically rose up

Some Christian’s saw it as symbolic- Jesus’ time as human was up

Jesus blessed his followers before ascending to heaven in Luke 24:50-53

B style - Describe crucifixion

jesus’ teaching bought him conflict with Jewish authorities

Accused of blasphemy because he claimed to be able to forgive sins

The Jewish authorities used the argument that he claimed he was the messiah meant he was the king which is treason

Crucifixion is a common practise for death penalties for romans

Two criminals are crucified with him

He has a crown of thorns on his head

Jesus is mocked and he prays

He then dies

Shows Jesus suffered like humans

C style- explain why Christian’s believe in evil and suffering

One reason is Christian’s are given free will ‘the fall’

Free will was given and evil entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed god

Genesis 3 eating the fruit

Suffering is a result of human sin

Another reason is that it bring people closer to god and has purpose

Sees suffering as a test of faith and opportunity to grow

Romans5:3-4 suffering produces perseverance

Help develop stronger bond with god

C style- Explain meaning and importance to Christian’s of the oneness of god

refers to how Christianity is monotheistic and only 1 god

This is expressed in the quote ‘ the lord our god, the lord is one’

Believing in one god gives us a clear focus

Helps live a faithful life

Oneness reflected in the trinity

Matthew 28:19 teaches believer to baptise. ‘ in the name of the father , the son and the holy spirit’

Although godhead is three persons , he is one being and shows how humans can relate to

C style- Explain the importance of the fall in Christian beliefs

the fall explains the original sin

Genesis 3 shows Adam and even breaking the perfect relationship between god and humans due to disobedience

Their sin bought death pain, and separation

Christian’s learn the sin major consequences and reality needs to be fixed

Shows the need for Jesus sacrafice

Roman 5:18 ‘also one righteous act resulted in justification’

Shows that god needed to be crucified to fix what happened

Helps them understanding forgiveness

C style- Explains the beliefs about the nature and role of humans

christians believe they were made in gods image

Genesis 1:27 ‘ god created many=kind in his own image’

This means humans are capable of love,morality and reasoning

Teaches to treat people respectfully

Christians believe they have to care for the world god made

Genesis 2:15 “take care of it’

Shows humans are stewards of earth

Encourages Christian’s to act responsibly

C style-Why is crucifixion significant to Christian’s

Shows Jesus atoned for the sins of humans

Romans 5:8 ‘ Christ died for us’

This means Jesus’ death was a act of love to fix the rift between god and humans

Christians are grateful or this and remember it during Easter

Another point is to show suffering

Gospels show how Jesus is mocked, beaten and nailed to the cross showing he experienced pain and injustice

This allows Christian’s to relate and become closer w its god

Gives them comfort and believe in faith

C style- Why is the resurrection so important

one reason is that it shows Jesus is divine

1 Corinthians says that if Christ has not been raised then your faith is useless

Confirms that Jesus conquered death

Allows Christian’s to place their trust in faith

Another reason is that it shows there is life after death

John 11;25 says the ones who believe in me will live even though they ie

If Jesus rose to heaven then Christian’s can too

Gives meaning to life especially during periods of hardship

C style- Explain teachings about Jesus’ incarnation

god became human

John 1:14 says the word became flesh

Shows Jesus was fully god and fully human who could teach about healing and practices

Important as it shows the lengths to which he would go to save humanity

Shows god love and humility by coming to earth as a human

Phillipians says ‘ being made in human likeness…humbled himself’

This shows god can be related to and is close and loving

Encourages Christian’s to follow teachings and Jesus examples

D style- modern Christian’s shouldn’t believe hell is real

✅

Agree (Hell is symbolic or outdated):

• 🔸 Hell = metaphor for separation from God, not a physical location.

• 🔸 A loving God wouldn’t eternally torture people — contradicts God’s mercy and forgiveness (Luke 6:36).

• 🔸 Source: Revelation 20:10 – speaks of the “lake of fire,” but many modern Christians interpret it as symbolic, not literal.

• 🔸 Liberal Christians argue Hell was a cultural idea to encourage morality in ancient times.

• 🔸 Modern focus: rehabilitation, not eternal punishment.

❌

Disagree (Hell is real and theologically necessary):

• 🔸 Jesus teaches about Hell directly – not just a metaphor (e.g., Gehenna).

• 🔸 Source: Matthew 25:46 – “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

• 🔸 Hell shows God’s justice — without it, there’s no accountability for evil.

• 🔸 Some Christians (Evangelicals, Catholics) still teach Hell as a real spiritual reality.

• 🔸 Belief in Hell motivates repentance and holy living.

✅

Conclusion:

• Most convincing: Hell is not a physical place but a spiritual reality — real in terms of eternal separation from God, which keeps both love and justice in Christian belief.

D style- Christian beliefs about heaven and hell are outdated

✅ Agree – Outdated for modern society

• 🔹 Modern Christians often struggle with supernatural beliefs that cannot be scientifically proven.

• 🔹 Images of Heaven (clouds, harps, angels) and Hell (fire, torment) come from medieval art, not always the Bible.

• 🔹 Revelation 20:14 – uses extreme imagery (“lake of fire”) that many now read as metaphorical.

• 🔹 Modern ethical views reject the idea of eternal punishment as unjust or cruel.

• 🔹 Focus has shifted to present-day justice, love, and improving life on Earth.

• 🔹 Many now see afterlife teachings as psychological or symbolic – Heaven as peace, Hell as guilt or alienation.

❌ Disagree – Beliefs still hold meaning and power

• 🔹 Heaven offers comfort to Christians, especially during suffering, grief, or injustice.

• 🔹 John 14:2 – “In my Father’s house there are many rooms…” – promises eternal life with God.

• 🔹 Hell provides a warning against evil and motivates people to live righteously.

• 🔹 Billions still believe in an afterlife – shows it’s not culturally irrelevant.

• 🔹 Core Christian message involves resurrection and eternal life – not out of date but essential to the faith.

• 🔹 These beliefs influence ethical decisions, e.g. charity, forgiveness, hope during suffering.

✅ Conclusion:

• Literal images may be outdated, but the underlying messages of justice (Hell) and hope (Heaven) are timeless and still guide Christian lives today.

D style-Heaven is the most important belief

✅

Agree (Heaven is ultimate Christian goal):

• 🔸 Heaven = eternal life with God — the greatest promise for Christians.

• 🔸 Offers hope during suffering, e.g. illness, war, loss.

• 🔸 Source: John 14:2 – “I am going to prepare a place for you.”

• 🔸 Christians live their lives with Heaven in mind — motivating moral choices and perseverance.

• 🔸 Many funeral readings and prayers focus on joining God in Heaven.

  
  

❌

Disagree (Other beliefs are equally or more important):

• 🔸 The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the core belief.

• 🔸 Christians are saved by grace through faith, not just to get into Heaven.

• 🔸source; without the belief in resurrection their faith is useless

• 🔸 Shows that heaven is non existent without the belief of resurrection

• 🔸 this shows that resurrection could be the more important belief

  
  

✅

Conclusion:

• While Heaven is crucial for many Christians, the most important belief may be that Jesus’ resurrection offers a restored relationship with God — both now and eternally.

D style-hell is out of date

✅

Agree (Hell no longer fits with modern beliefs):

• 🔸 Eternal torture seems cruel and contradicts God’s mercy and love.

• 🔸 More Christians today believe in universalism (God saves all in the end).

• 🔸 Source: Revelation 20:10 – symbolic, apocalyptic language, not meant to be literal.

• 🔸 The idea of punishment forever feels unfair, especially for temporary sins.

• 🔸 Some denominations no longer teach Hell or only teach it as spiritual separation.

❌

Disagree (Hell still matters theologically):

• 🔸 Hell shows God’s justice – necessary if free will is real.

• 🔸 People must choose between God and rejecting Him – consequences matter.

• 🔸 Source: Matthew 25:46 – Jesus teaches about eternal punishment.

• 🔸 Belief in Hell motivates people to repent, live morally, and share the gospel.

• 🔸 Without Hell, there’s no divine accountability for evil.

✅

Conclusion:

• While Hell’s traditional image may be outdated, the concept of spiritual consequences for rejecting God remains important for many believers.