TEP - Christian beliefs

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Catholic

Based in Rome (Vatican City) and led by the Pope.

Orthodox

Split from the Catholic Church in the Great Schism (1054), generally practised in Eastern Europe.

Protestant

Split from the Catholic Church in the 16th Century; includes denominations such as Methodist, Baptist, and Church of England.

God

The creator of all that exists, who is neither male nor female but has qualities of both.

Omnipotent

God is all-powerful and has unlimited authority.

Benevolent

God shows his love by creating humans and caring for them.

Just

God is a fair judge on humanity, judging the living and the dead on judgement day.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering

The philosophical question regarding how a benevolent and omnipotent God can allow evil to exist.

Free will

The belief that evil is a result of human choices.

The Devil

A being that tempts humans to commit sins against God.

Test of Faith

The belief that suffering is a test of faith from God.

Balance

The idea that suffering is necessary to appreciate good in life.

God the Father

The creator of all life, omnipotent, and a father to his children.

God the Son

Jesus, who is God incarnate, fully human and fully divine.

God the Holy Spirit

The unseen power of God at work in the world, living inside every Christian.

The Trinity

The belief that there is one God who exists as three separate persons: Father, Son, and Spirit.

Genesis Account of Creation

The biblical account of creation detailing the creation of the world in seven days.

Day 1 of Creation

Creation of Day and Night.

Day 2 of Creation

Creation of the Sky.

Day 3 of Creation

Creation of the seas, land, and all vegetation and plants.

Day 4 of Creation

Creation of the lights in the sky; the sun, moon, and stars.

Day 5 of Creation

Creation of the fish of the sea and birds of the sky.

Day 6 of Creation

Creation of animals of the land and humans (Adam and Eve).

Day 7 of Creation

God rested and said it was good.

Spirit at Creation

The Holy Spirit was active in creation, as indicated by Genesis 1: 'The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.'

The Son of God at Creation

The 'Word' refers to Jesus, the Son of God, who was involved in creation, as stated in John 1: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.'

Fundamentalists

Fundamental Christians take the Bible literally, believing the universe was created in 6 days (of 24 hours) and reject scientific theories not mentioned in the Bible.

Liberal Christians

Liberal Christians do not read the Bible literally; they see it as parable/symbol and believe God brought the universe into being, using science to understand it.

The Big Bang

Liberal Christians may view the Big Bang as God's way of forming the universe.

The Incarnation

The Incarnation is the teaching that God the Son became a human (Jesus), evidenced by the virgin conception through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' dual nature

Jesus was fully human and fully God, which explains his powers and the authority of his teachings.

Messiah

Most Jews expected a warrior king as the Messiah, but Christians accept Jesus as the Messiah, often called Christ ('anointed one').

Baptism of Jesus

At Jesus' baptism, a voice from heaven affirmed him as the Son of God, as noted in Mark 1:11: 'This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased.'

Jesus' admission of Messiahship

Jesus admitted to being the Messiah during his trial when asked by the High Priest, as recorded in Mark 14:62-3.

The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion is important because it shows that Christians can be forgiven for their sins if they are truly sorry and that God understands human suffering.

Jesus' suffering

Being fully God and fully human, Jesus experienced pain during his crucifixion and forgave those who crucified him.

Promise of paradise

Jesus promised one of the criminals crucified with him that he would join God in paradise, as stated in Luke 23:42.

Jesus' burial

After his crucifixion, Jesus' body was buried in a cave-like tomb.

Genesis 1:1

'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.' This verse emphasizes God's role in creation.

Genesis 2:2

'On the seventh day God rested from all his work.' This indicates the completion of creation.

Authority of Jesus' teachings

Jesus' teachings have authority because they are considered the word of God.

Virgin conception

The virgin conception of Jesus is seen as evidence of his divine nature and part of the Trinity.

Christian teachings about creation

One teaching is that God created the universe; another is that the Bible should be interpreted with the aid of science.

Christian teachings about the Incarnation

One teaching is that God became flesh and lived among people; another is that Jesus was fully God and fully human.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit played a significant role in both creation and the Incarnation.

Jesus' mission

Jesus' mission was to fulfill the role of the Messiah, which he initially kept hidden to avoid arrest.

Gabriel's announcement

The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus, affirming the significance of the Incarnation.

Crucifixion Influence

The crucifixion teaches Christians to be forgiving and that if you believe in Jesus, you will not die but will go to heaven.

Resurrection

Christians believe that God will resurrect them from the dead, transforming their earthly body into a new imperishable resurrected body.

Resurrection Timing

Some Christians believe that you get immediately resurrected by God as soon as you die, while others believe resurrection occurs only at the end of the world.

Judgment

Christians believe that everyone will be judged and sentenced by God after death.

Judgment Timing

Some Christians believe that judgment happens immediately upon death, while others believe it occurs at the end of the world on the Day of Judgment.

The Afterlife

Christians believe they will be resurrected and receive eternal life, which is a gift from God dependent upon faith in God.

Heaven and Hell

One belief about the resurrection is that Christians believe that our souls will go either to heaven or hell.

Judgment Day

Some Christians believe that judgment will occur on the Day of Judgment.

Soul Sleep

Some Christians believe that after death, individuals enter 'soul sleep' until Judgment Day.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

In this parable, the Son of Man separates people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, rewarding the righteous and condemning the wicked.

Jesus' Resurrection

Jesus' body was not in the tomb, and he appeared to several people after rising from the dead.

Ascension

Jesus ascended into Heaven 40 days after the resurrection.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit came to the disciples when Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Imperishable Body

Christians believe that their resurrected bodies will be imperishable.

Judgment Quote

"People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

Paradise Quote

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42)

Resurrection Body

Christians believe they get a glimpse of their resurrected bodies by looking at Jesus' resurrected body.

Daniel 12:2 Quote

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:2)

Mark 16:6 Quote

"He has risen!" (Mark 16:6)

Luke 24:50-1 Quote

"He left them and was taken up into heaven." (Luke 24:50-1)

Afterlife Influence on Christians

Belief in the afterlife influences Christians to be kinder to other people and to be faithful.

Baptism

People get baptised to show their faith.

Heaven

Heaven is seen as a place of peace, joy, and freedom from pain.

Heaven (Biblical Reference)

'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.' (Luke 23:42)

Purgatory

An in-between state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven. Only a belief for Catholic Christians.

Hell

Hell is thought to be a place of punishment for the unrighteous and wicked.

Hell (Eternal Suffering)

Many Christians believe that it is a literal place of eternal suffering, fire, and darkness.

Hell (Separation from God)

Other Christians believe it is a state of eternal separation from God.

Sin

Thoughts or actions that separate humans from God.

Illegal Sins

Some sins are illegal (e.g. murder).

Legal but Immoral Sins

Others are legal but against the laws of God (e.g. adultery).

Original Sin

The belief that we are born with a built-in tendency to sin, stemming from Adam and Eve.

Salvation

To be saved from sin and its consequences and to be granted eternal life with God.

Salvation through Faith + Works

Some Christians believe that you must have faith in Jesus and perform good works to get to heaven.

Salvation through Faith

Other Christians believe that you only need to have faith in Jesus to get to heaven.

Faith without Works

'Faith without works is dead.' (James 2:26)

Grace and Faith

'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.' (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Role of Christ in Salvation

Jesus died for our sins and restores our relationship with God.

Jesus' Sacrifice

Through his sacrifice, Jesus took the sins of humanity on himself and paid the debt.

Atonement

Atonement removes the effects of sin and allows people to restore their relationship with God.

Eternal Life through Belief

'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' (John 3:16)

Bridge between Sin and God

Jesus is the bridge between sin and God.

Christian Beliefs about Jesus' Role

Explain two Christian beliefs about the role of Jesus Christ in salvation.

12 Markers

'A loving God would not allow suffering', 'The Trinity is the most important Christian belief', 'The creation story is not meant to be read literally', 'The stories of the Bible prove that Jesus was the Son of God', 'The crucifixion is the most important Christian belief', 'A loving God would never send anyone to hell', 'For Christians, it is impossible to understand the nature of God.', 'Belief in Jesus is all that is needed to be saved from sin.'