Eduqas Religious Education Component 1: FCT - Topic 1: Origins and Meaning Flashcards

Omnipotent

All-powerful. God has total control and unlimited power over the universe

Omnibenevolent

All-loving and perfectly good. God's character is infinitely merciful, righteous, and completely benevolent

Omniscient

All-knowing. God possesses universal and complete knowledge of all things

Transcendent

Beyond and independent of the physical universe. God exists outside the constraints of space and time

Immanent

Present and active within the world. God is personally involved, close at hand, and sustaining creation from the inside

Nature of God Key Source 1

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Nature of God Key Source 2

Genesis 1:26-27 - "Let us make humankind in our image."

Creation ex nihilo (out of nothing)

The theological doctrine that God created the universe from an absolute void

Genesis 1 and 2

The opening chapters of the Bible containing two complementary creation narratives.

Genesis 1 - Presents a cosmic and majestic creation by God’s word

Genesis 2 - Focuses intimately on humanity, G of E & Adam and Eve

Literal Interpretation

The belief that Genesis 1 and 2 describe a strict, historically and scientifically chronological account of creation

Literal Sense

The view that the text uses ancient literary and theological language to teach spiritual truths about God

The Big Bang Theory

The leading scientific model describing the early universe as an expansion from a hot, dense state

Georges Lemaître

A Belgian Catholic priest, mathematician, and astrophysicist who first proposed the expanding universe hypothesis

Compatibility of Science & Religion

The perspective that empirical science and religious faith answer different questions and can peacefully coexist.

Creation of the Universe Key Source 1

Genesis 1-2 Creation accounts.

Creation of the Universe Key Source 2

Pope John Paul II (1996) "There is no conflict between evolution and the doctrine of the faith."

Imago Dei

A Latin phrase meaning "Image of God," which asserts that human beings are created in the likeness and image of God

Human Dignity

The intrinsic, inalienable worth possessed by every person simply by virtue of being human

Stewardship

The ethical and practical responsibility given to humanity to care for, cultivate, and protect the created world rather than exploit it

Evolution

The scientific model explaining the biological development and diversification of life over time through natural processes

Original Sin

The Christian doctrine describing the fallen or corrupted state of human nature entering the world through the disobedience of the first humans

Redemption

The act of deliverance, restoration, or "buying back" of humanity from sin, corruption, and spiritual death

Human Nature & Human Origins Key Source 1

Genesis 1:26-27 "Let us make humankind in our image."

Human Nature & Human Origins Key Source 2

Genesis 2:7 "The LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground."

Life is Sacred

The belief that human life possesses an intrinsic, holy, and irreducible value from conception until natural death

God’s Gift of Life

The theological view that human existence originates from and belongs to God

Human Dignity

The intrinsic, inalienable worth possessed by every person simply by virtue of being human

Abortion

The intentional termination of a pregnancy, which traditional sanctity-of-life frameworks oppose

Euthanasia

An action or intentional omission that brings about a person's death to eliminate pain or suffering

Natural Death

The conclusion of earthly life that occurs through natural processes without direct artificial intervention or intentional premature termination

Sanctity of Life Key Source 1

Genesis 1:26-27 Human beings are made in God's image.

Sanctity of Life Key Source 2

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."

Sanctity of Life Key Source 3

Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder."

Social Justice

Fair and just relations between individuals and society

Equality

Fair and just relations between individuals and society

Human Dignity

The intrinsic, inalienable worth possessed by every person simply by virtue of being human

Peace-Making

The active, intentional pursuit of harmony, reconciliation, and conflict resolution grounded in truth, charity, and justice

Catholic Social Teaching (CST)

A body of moral and theological doctrine developed by the Catholic Church that applies Christian values to economic, political, and social life

Justice Key Source 1

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Justice Key Source 2

Gaudium et Spes 78 Peace comes through respect, dignity and love.

Revelation

The process by which God makes Himself and His truth known to humanity

Divine Inspiration

The supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the human authors of the Bible

Bible as Word of God

The belief that the written scriptures are not merely human philosophy or religious history, but the authoritative, trustworthy, and error-free voice of God.

God used real human instruments without overriding their personalities e.g. Moses, King Solomon, Prophet Jeremiah, etc.

Revelation & Inspiration Key Idea 1

God reveals himself to humanity.

Revelation & Inspiration Key Idea 2

Christians believe revelation is complete in Jesus Christ.

Revelation & Inspiration Key Idea 3

Catholics believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Literal Interpretation

The understanding of words exactly as they are defined, without looking for hidden or deeper meanings

Symbolic Interpretation

The practice of looking beyond the surface level to find a deeper, secondary meaning

Myth

A traditional, sacred story

Poetry

A form of literature that uses rhythmic, evocative language, imagery, and sound devices to evoke emotions and convey complex ideas

Metaphor

A figure of speech that directly compares two unrelated things by stating that one thing is the other

Truth through Story

The concept that narrative fiction, myths, and parables can convey deep emotional, psychological, or moral truths about the human condition, even if the events of the story never actually happened

Literary Forms in Genesis Key Source 1

Genesis 1-3

Literary Forms in Genesis Key Source 2

Pope John Paul II (1996) Useful for explaining why Catholics accept evolution and non-literal interpretations.