Lecture Notes on Theology and Religious Concepts

God the Father

• Created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing) through speech.
  • Reminds Christians of God's omnipotence.
  • Makes them feel awe towards creation.

God the Son

• John's account: brings all things into being.
• Essential part of creation.
• Incarnate in Jesus Christ.
• Paid the penalty of human sin on the cross.
• Follow Jesus' example as God incarnate.

God the Holy Spirit

• Prepared the formless void for God, like a bird hovering over its nest.
• Present during creation.
• Fully God.
• Strive to form strong communities.
• Feel reverence and awe towards God.
• Comforted because God is with them on earth.

Trinity

• Distinguishes Christianity from other monotheistic religions.
• Shows them that God is relational.
• Feel grateful God sent down the Holy Spirit.

Resting Heart Rate

• Normal resting heart rate is faulty.
• An artificial pacemaker can be used.
• Double circulatory system pumps blood to the pulmonary system.

Jesus

• Sacrificed his son.
• Follow Jesus' example.
• Pray with thanksgiving because they are grateful for Jesus' sacrifice.

Holy Spirit

• Comforted God is with them on earth.

Salvation

• Only possible because Jesus paid the penalty for human sin.
• Only possible because Jesus reconciled humanity with God.

Grace

• Needed because no one deserves to be saved.
• God's grace meant that the penalty of sin was paid.

Law

• Catholic perspective: faith must be put into action (good works).
• Protestant perspective: sola fide (faith alone).

Holy Spirit

• Spiritually transforms a believer's heart.
• Acts as a guide for believers.

Heaven

• Eternity in the presence of God.
• Only possible because of God's grace.
• Catholics: Heaven is faith and Good works.
• Protestants: Heaven in faith.
• Comforted because suffering is temporary.

Hell

• Hell is a physical place.
• Hell is not a physical place.

Atonement

• Achieved when Jesus died on the cross.
• Symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain.

Ascension

• Evidence Jesus was truly the Son of God.
• Gives Christians hope that Jesus will return.
• Strengthens faith because Jesus was truly the Son of God.
• Gives them hope because Jesus will return.
• Feel comforted because they know that justice will be served.

Parusia (Second Coming)

• All people will be raised from the dead.
• Possible because God has defeated death.
• Feel hopeful because they will be risen.
• Strengthens their faith because it shows that God is omnipotent.

Day of Judgement

• Catholics believe they will be judged on faith and good works.
• Protestants believe they will be judged on faith alone.
• Influences Catholics to do good works.

Incarnation

• Shows humans the way to heaven (Jesus).
• Means that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient.
• Pray prayers of thanksgiving because they are grateful that God became human.
• Follow Jesus' teachings because he is God incarnate.

Crucifixion

• Atonement was achieved when Jesus died on the cross.
• Atonement was symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain when Jesus died.
• Feel comforted because God understands human suffering in times of pain.
• Forgive others because Jesus did on the cross.

Resurrection

• Proves that Jesus truly was the Son of God.
• Evidence to God's power.
• Gives Christians hope because they know God defeated the power of death.
• Follow Jesus' teachings because he is God incarnate.

Creation of the Universe

• God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing).
• Proves God's omnipotence.
• Pray prayers of thanksgiving because they are grateful to God for creating the universe.
• Pray for a place for humans to live.
• Avoid damaging the natural world because it belongs to God.

Creation of Humanity

• Humans were created imago Dei (in the image of God).
• Humans were given a soul from God.
• Act morally because they were created in the image of God.
• Feel safe in creation because humans were given a soul.

Consequences of Sin (Original Sin)

• Proves humans were born with original sin because of the fall.
• The perfect relationship between God and man was broken because of the fall.
• Forgive others.
• Feel grateful because the penalty of sin has been paid by Jesus on the cross.
• Repent because they know they need God's forgiveness.

Divine Attributes

Omnipotence

• So powerful that he created the universe ex nihilo using his voice.
• "Now the earth was formless and empty."
• Powerful enough to defeat the power of death. "Death where is your victory, Death where is your sting."
• Worship God because he is worthy of worship (praise due to God).
• Pray in times of need because God can intervene.

Omnibenevolence

• God sent Jesus to sacrifice him. "For God so loved…"
• God created a beautiful world for humans to live in.
• Pray in times of need because God cares enough to intervene.
• Emulate God's love because God is a perfect being.

Justice

• He will establish perfect justice on the Day of Judgement. "The Lord is a God of Justice."
• He gave humans guidance on how to live righteously.
• He gave the law to Moses.
• Mirror God's justice because God is a perfect being (treating others fairly).
• Feel comforted because on the Day of Judgement, God will establish perfect justice.