HSC & Preliminary Christianity – Comprehensive Study Notes

Mentioned as an HSC depth study; transcript supplies no detail beyond name.
When preparing for the exam, still revise:
- His missionary journeys (Acts 13–28).
- Key theological themes: justification by faith ( $Rom\ 3:28$ ), universalism of salvation (Galatians 3), body of Christ (1 Cor 12).
- Impact on Christianity: spread beyond Judaism, authorship of epistles, shaping doctrine on grace and law.

Christian bioethics rests on four core beliefs about the sacredness of human life.
From these flow universal bioethical principles shared across mainstream denominations (e.g.
- Respect for life from conception to natural death.
- Human dignity.
- Stewardship of the body.
- Co-operation with God the Creator).
Application to particular issues (abortion, IVF, euthanasia, genetic engineering) depends on specific denominational rules, which vary in:
- Level of permissible medical intervention.
- Role of church magisterium vs. individual conscience.

A rite of initiation welcoming a person into the Christian community.
May be sacramental (Catholic, Orthodox, some Anglican) or symbolic (many Protestant groups).
Symbolic elements
- Water: cleansing from sin/new life.
- Words of formula: “I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
- Oil/chrism (in sacramental traditions): sealing with the Holy Spirit.
- White garment & candle (Catholic): purity & Christ as light.
Significance
- For individual: union with Christ’s death–resurrection, forgiveness, membership of Church.
- For community: expression of communal faith, continuation of mission (Matt 28 : 19–20).

New Testament testifies to full humanity (weeps, suffers) and full divinity (raises dead, accepts worship).
Scriptural proofs: $Matt\ 1:21$ , $Acts\ 10:36$ .
Council formulations (e.g. Chalcedon 451 CE) use concept of “two natures, one person.”

Central salvific event: crucifixion (historical death) + resurrection on third day.
Hope for believers: eternal life, victory over sin/death.
Key texts: $Romans\ 6:9$ , $John\ 11:25$ , $1\ Peter\ 1:21$ .

Early Christians developed idea of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Water analogy: steam, ice, liquid – distinct forms yet same substance.
Formalised in the Nicene Creed (325 & 381 CE) used in Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox liturgy.

Activity (Page 6) suggestion: Draw symbols (cross, empty tomb, triangle, open book, lifebuoy) to reinforce memory.

Closed canon.
Roughly ⅔ Hebrew Scriptures (Torah, Prophets, Writings) + ⅓ New Testament.
New Testament order: Gospels, Acts, Pauline letters, General letters, Revelation.
Catholic & Orthodox Bibles include 12 Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books (e.g. Tobit, Wisdom); Protestants consider them non-inspired but historically useful.
Contemporary uses
- Liturgical readings (e.g. Liturgy of the Word in Catholic Mass, lectionaries in Anglican services).
- Preaching/teaching, pastoral care, funerals, baptisms.
- Personal devotion, study groups.

Sacramental, hierarchical, under Pope’s authority; eight rites (Armenian, Byzantine, Coptic, Ethiopian, Chaldean, Maronite, Roman, West Syrian).
Eucharist = central; doctrine of Transubstantiation (bread & wine become Christ’s body & blood).
Salvation by faith and good works.
Seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of Sick.
Eschatology: Heaven, Purgatory, Hell.
Latin tradition, strong monasticism, historic role in education/social reform.

Origin: Reformation (16th C) – Martin Luther, John Calvin.
Supreme authority of Bible (sola scriptura).
Denominations: Lutheran, Calvinist/Reformed, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc.
Emphasis on preaching; less liturgical & sacramental.
Highlights God’s transcendence.
Greater openness to female leadership than Catholicism.

Emerged under Henry VIII; influenced by Luther.
No Papal authority; primacy of Archbishop of Canterbury.
Spectrum:
- Low Anglican (evangelical/protestant forms).
- High Anglican (“Anglo-Catholic,” liturgically close to Rome).
Ongoing debates on women priests & bishops; some dioceses ordain women, others dissent.

Heart = Divine Liturgy & Eucharist; lengthy, incense, chant; some actions hidden behind iconostasis.
Heavy use of icons; Greek (or local liturgical languages).
Profound sacramentalism; strong monastic tradition (monks/nuns, but no separate religious orders).
Married men may become priests (celibate episcopacy).

Activity prompt: compare distinguishing features, list other variants (Adventists, Quakers, Salvation Army, etc.).

Love of God & neighbour; extends to enemies.
John’s Gospel frames it as “new commandment” – love as defining mark of disciples ( $John\ 13:34-35$ ).
Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Love viewed as fulfilment of the law – animating virtue behind all ethics.
Denominational differences mostly concern authority emphasis rather than principle itself.

Provide framework for moral decisions across personal and social issues.
Life of Jesus models service to needy & vulnerable (charity, hospitals, relief agencies).
Guide positions on contemporary debates:
- Sexual ethics (marriage, contraception, LGBTQ+ questions).
- Bioethics (abortion, euthanasia, IVF, stem-cell research).
- Economics (fair trade, debt relief), ecology (stewardship, climate action), warfare (just war theory, pacifism).
Conservative vs progressive tendencies evident: traditional on sexuality/bioethics, often progressive on social justice and ecology.
Diversity complicates measurement of overall ethical impact.