AQA RS Short Course Christianity Definitions

Omnipotent: The attribute of God meaning all-powerful, capable of doing anything that is logically possible.

Loving: One of God's key attributes, emphasizing His compassion, care, and desire for the well-being of creation.

Just: The attribute of God which refers to His righteousness and fairness, ensuring that everyone is treated according to what is right.

Oneness of God: The belief in the singularity of God, rejecting any form of polytheism. In Christianity, this is central to the doctrine of the Trinity.

Trinity: The Christian doctrine that God exists as three persons but one essence: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, yet there is only one God.

The Problem of Evil and Suffering: A philosophical and theological issue that questions how a good, loving, and omnipotent God can allow evil and suffering to exist in the world.

Creation: The divine act of bringing the universe and all life into existence. Christian beliefs vary on the nature of creation, including the role of God’s Word (the Logos) and the Holy Spirit.

The Word (Logos): In Christian theology, the Word refers to the pre-existent Christ, who is co-eternal with God and through whom all things were created (John 1:1-3). Logos also means divine reason or plan.

Genesis Creation: The biblical account of creation found in Genesis 1, where God creates the universe, Earth, and humanity, often associated with the role of God's Word and Spirit in the creative act (Genesis 1:1-3).

Afterlife: The belief in existence beyond death, including ideas of resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell.

Resurrection: The belief that after death, individuals will rise again in some form, particularly tied to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing the victory over death and sin.

Judgment: The divine evaluation of human actions after death, determining eternal destiny in terms of heaven or hell.

Heaven: The eternal, blessed state in the presence of God, where believers live after death in communion with God.

Hell: The state of eternal separation from God, often viewed as a place of punishment for those who reject God.

Salvation: The process by which individuals are saved from sin and its consequences, and brought into a right relationship with God.

Atonement: The theological concept of how Jesus Christ's death reconciles humanity to God, often linked with His sacrificial death as a means to pay for sin.

Law: In Christian theology, this refers to the moral and ceremonial commandments given by God, particularly those found in the Old Testament, and their role in guiding human behaviour.

Grace: The unmerited favour of God, through which salvation is offered to humanity, not based on human works but through God’s love and mercy.

Spirit: The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who acts as a comforter, guide, and source of power for Christians in their daily lives.

Christ's Role in Salvation: The belief that Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, plays the central role in humanity's salvation, reconciling them to God.