Christian beliefs

Question 1

5 features of God’s oneness.

Answer 1

Question 2

Who is God the father and what is his role? (detailed)

Answer 2

God the Father helps Christians to understand the power and creativity of God and his care for the world and its people. It also shows that God creates human life like a father does. God is not a creator who creates and then leaves his creation to get on with things, he has a relationship of love and care with his creation. In the Lord’s Prayer or ‘Our Father’, Christians learn that God will provide their daily bread and protect them from evil precisely because he is ‘our Father’. Because God is the Father, Christians can turn to God as they would to a human father when they are in need.

Question 3

Who is God the son and what is his role?

Answer 3

God the Son helps Christians to understand the love of God. In his life and teachings, Jesus showed God’s love by healing people and feeding people. In his death he showed how much God loves the world.

Question 4

Who is God the Holy Spirit and what is his role?

Answer 4

The Holy Spirit helps Christians to understand the presence of God in the world. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the means by which God communicates with humans, revealing God’s presence in the world. Christians believe that through the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, God can strengthen and empower Christians today.

Question 5

What do Jehovah Witnesses believe?

Answer 5

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the only true God. Jesus was created by God and so is God’s son; the Holy Spirit is God’s power applied to the world and so is not a person.

Question 6

What do Unitarians believe?

Answer 6

Unitarians believe that there is only one God and that Jesus was
a man whose teachings and life give him moral authority, but not
divinity. They believe that there is no difference between God and God
the Holy Spirit.

Question 7

How the Trinity is shown in belief and worship? (5 Points)

Answer 7

• Participants repeat the Nicene Creed in every service of Holy Communion (also known as Mass, Eucharist, the liturgy, the Lord’s Supper, breaking bread), which can be at least once a week for many Christians.
• Catholic and Orthodox Christians (and some Anglicans) express their belief in the Trinity by crossing themselves when they enter a church or when the name of the Trinity is invoked
• Priests (known as ministers or pastors in Protestant Churches) begin their sermons with the words, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.
• Priests bless a congregation at the end of services with the words, ‘May the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and for evermore’.
• Baptisms and marriages are performed in the name of the Trinity.

Question 8

Creation days 1-6 of Genesis 1, SOWAA for the first day.

Answer 8

• He created heaven and earth, light and dark on day 1. “‘Let there be light,’ and there was light”
• He separated the earth from the sky on day 2.
• He created the dry land, plants and trees on day 3.
• He created the sun, moon and stars on day 4.
• He created fish and birds on day 5.
• He created animals and humans on day 6

Question 9

The account of creation in Genesis 2-3. SOWAA about God’s breath is the human’s life.

Answer 9

• God created the heavens and the earth.
• God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. “breath of life”
• God made trees grow out of the ground and formed the Garden of Eden.
• God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden.
• God thought Adam would be lonely, so he created birds and animals which Adam named.
• The birds and animals were not suitable helpers for Adam, so God put Adam to sleep, removed one of his ribs, and from the rib he created woman, Eve.
• Adam and Eve lived in innocence in the Garden of Eden until the serpent tempted them to eat the fruit of the tree that God had forbidden them to eat, telling them that if they ate it they would become like God and know good and evil. Eve ate the fruit and gave some to Adam. As a result of this first (original) sin, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. Eve was condemned to bearing children in pain and to be ruled over by her husband. Adam was condemned to working hard for his living.

Question 10

What are literalists interpretations of the Genesis creation?

Answer 10

They believe that the Bible is the actual word of God. This means that they believe that every word in the Bible is the Word of God and so is true. As far as Genesis 1 and 2 are concerned, such Christians believe that both accounts are correct and do not contradict each other. Genesis 1 gives the overall broad picture of creation, whereas Genesis 2 zooms in on day 6 of creation and gives details of exactly how God created male and female and animals. Literalist Christians do not accept the scientific theories of the Big Bang and evolution.

Question 11

What are conservatives interpretations of the Genesis creation?

Answer 11

They believe that the Bible is the Word of God, but not his actual words. This means that they think the writers of the Bible were inspired by God, and guided by God in what they wrote, but they used their own ideas. Conservatives see the Bible as a book about faith rather than a book about science, and so they do not regard Genesis 1 and 2 as absolute scientific fact. Most of them would see Genesis 2 as a commentary on chapter 1 rather than a different story. Conservative Christians tend to regard Genesis 1 as fairly factual (although they would see the days as eras lasting millions, or billions, of years rather than 24 hours) whereas Genesis 2 and 3 are poetic explanations of such things as how suffering and evil came into the world. Conservative Christians accept the Big Bang and evolution.

Question 12

What are liberals interpretations of the Genesis creation?

Answer 12

They believe that the Bible is a book of words about God rather than the words of God. They feel that the Bible writers were people who had special insights or experiences of God which they wrote in their own way. This means that there may well be mistakes and contradictions in the Bible, but what matters are the great truths about God that the Bible contains. Such Christians regard Genesis 1–3 as a metaphor about creation where what is important is the truth that the universe was created by God, and that that creation was good. They see Genesis 2–3 as written by a different person, and so it is a different story of creation expressing some other truths, such as that evil in the world comes from human misuse of free will. Liberal Christians accept the theories of the Big Bang and evolution.

Question 13

What does Ex nihilo mean?

Answer 13

From nothing.

Question 14

What is the importance of creation for Christian today?

Answer 14

• They show God’s goodness.
• This is the basic Christian belief that God gave humans the stewardship of the earth and its resources.
• God created human beings in his image, meaning that humans occupy a unique place in creation.

Question 15

Give 4 importance and significance of the incarnation.

Answer 15

• It shows Christians that God cared so much about the world that he sent his Son to show humans what God is like and to teach them how to live.
• It is the basis of the Christian faith; without the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, there would be no Christianity.
• In Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, humans can see what God is like. It is hard for humans to understand an infinite, non-material, omnipotent being, but an incarnate God brings God closer to human understanding.
• Through the incarnation, God began the process of salvation from sin, so making it possible for humans to have a full relationship with him and go to heaven after death

Question 16

Explain two reasons why Christians believe Jesus was God incarnate. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.

Answer 16

One reason is because it shows Christians that God cares so much about the world that he send his only son. This shows Christians how merciful and loving God is. Another reason is that God is infinite and Jesus in human form is finite. This means that people can better undertsand God because he is a form that humans are capable of understanding. This is supported by “The word became flesh”

Question 17

What is Sanhedrin?

Answer 17

The supreme religious authority in Israel at the time of Jesus.

Question 18

Where and what day was the last supper?

Answer 18

Maunday Thursday in the upper room

Question 19

What did Jesus do in the Mount of Olives? Give SOWAA

Answer 19

He prayed to God to “take this cup from
me”

Question 20

What did Jesus say when he was on the cross? SOWAA

Answer 20

“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Question 21

Explain two reasons why the events of his last days show the importance of Jesus. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.

Answer 21

One reason is Christians believe that Jesus’ death on the cross brought about salvation from the original sin. This means Christians can go to heaven because their orginal sin was forgiven. Another reason is resurrection is the basis of Christianity. This means that without resurrection Christian’s faith is useless. This is supported by “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”

Question 22

What are the 2 types of sins?

Answer 22

Original sin and personal sin

Question 23

What does salvation mean?

Answer 23

Salvation means being saved from sin, and Christians believe that salvation is essential to have a relationship with God while on earth, and to have eternal life with God in heaven after death

Question 24

What does grace mean?

Answer 24

God’s gift which gives the strength to be good and holy

Question 25

What does **atonement** mean?

Answer 25

**Reconciliation** between God and humans

Question 26

What does **reconciliation** mean?

Answer 26

Bringing **together** people who were opposed to each other

Question 27

What does **sacrament** mean?

Answer 27

An **outward** ceremony through which **God’s grace** is given.

Question 28

What do Christians believe that happened when Jesus **died** on the cross?

Answer 28

The **original sin** was removed because Jesus **paid** for it and it gave people the chance of **salvation**.

Question 29

What is the **Torah**?

Answer 29

The books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the most **holy book** of Judaism

Question 30

What ways do the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and some Anglican Christians believe that they can **recieve the Salvation** of Jesus's death?

Answer 30

* Receiving the sacraments of **baptism and confirmation** * Receiving the sacrament of **reconciliation/confession** * Receiving the sacrament of the **Eucharist** (Holy Communion) * Leading a **Christian life**.

Question 31

State 3 reasons why **salvation of sin** is **important** for Christains.

Answer 31

* Without salvation, a person’s sins will prevent them from having a **relationship with God** in this life and send them to **hell** or **purgatory** after death. * Salvation is the only way that Christians can have **eternal life** with God. This eternal life will be **perfect** and is beyond description. * Salvation from sin was the purpose of the **life**, **death** and **resurrection** of Jesus. Jesus is the **saviour** of the world whose death on the cross brought **forgiveness of sins** and the assurance of eternal life.

Question 32

What does **purgatory** mean?

Answer 32

A place where Catholics believe **souls** go after death to be **purified**.

Question 33

What is the **Roman Catholic understanding** of atonement?

Answer 33

The Catholic Church teaches that Christ offered himself as a **sacrifice** for human sin in an **act of love**. So Jesus’ death on the cross made ‘satisfaction’ for our sins. In his act of **self-sacrifice** (Christ’s Passion), Christ demonstrated his **Father’s love for humanity**. In this view, salvation comes through taking the **sacraments** of the Church. In this view, salvation comes through **taking the sacraments** of the Church.

Question 34

What is the **Evangelical Protestant understanding** of atonement?

Answer 34

Evangelical Protestants’ understanding of how Jesus’ death led to atonement is often known as the Protestant ‘_**penal substitution theory**_’. They believe that God’s justice meant that he needed to **punish** human sin. However, rather than punish humans he **took** **the** **punishment** on himself, through Jesus’ death on the cross. So Jesus acted as a **substitute** and took the punishment of all humans. In this view, salvation comes through **faith** in the **atoning death** of Christ by taking Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour

Question 35

What is the **Liberal Protestant understanding** of atonement?

Answer 35

Most liberal Protestants believe that the way Jesus brought about atonement was by acting as a **moral example to humanity**. They believe that through his teachings, the example he set in his life and most of all through his death on the cross Jesus showed God’s **love for humankind**. In response to the love Jesus showed, humans are inspired to follow his example and **live a good life** and to **repent their sins**. By doing these things humans can be reunited with God. On this view, salvation comes from **living the Christian life** and **following the teachings** and example of Jesus.

Question 36

Why is **atonement** and **salvation** important to **conservative** and **fundamentalist** Christians?

Answer 36

For conservative and fundamentalist Christians, salvation is important because they believe that without salvation from sin, they will never be able to have a **proper relationship** with God, their sins will not be **forgiven** and so they will not be able to **enter heaven**. Atonement is important because the **atoning death** of God’s Son was the only way to bring **salvation to humanity**.

Question 37

Why is **atonement** and **salvation** important to **conservative** and **liberal** Christians?

Answer 37

Because their understanding of the atonement makes it important because it inspires them to live a **good Christian life**, and living the Christian life will bring them **salvation**.

Question 38

What do some **protestants** believe about about what happens **after death**?

Answer 38

Some Protestants believe that when people die, their **soul** remains in the **grave** until the time when God will end the world. This is known as the **Last Day**, which will follow the **Second Coming of Jesus**. This is the belief that Jesus will return to earth to **declare** the end of the world. At that time, the dead will be **raised** and both the living and the dead will be given **resurrection bodies**.

Question 39

What does the **ascension** of Jesus prove?

Answer 39

The **immortality of the soul**.

Question 40

Which SOWAA proves the **immorality of the soul**?

Answer 40

"It is raised a spiritual body"

Question 41

What do catholic believe about the **life after death**?

Answer 41

Christians who are **perfectly purified** will go to heaven, Christians who have died with **unforgiven sins** (and possibly **good members** of **other religions** and **good non-believers**) will go to **purgatory** to be purified of their sins and **evil people will go to hell**.

Question 42

What do most Christians believe about **life after death**?

Answer 42

All Christians will **eventually go to heaven** and that **good followers** of any religion may go to heaven, but everyone else will go to hell.

Question 43

What do **some** Christians believe about **life after death**?

Answer 43

Some Christians believe that only **good Christians** will go to heaven, but bad Christians and all members of other religions will go to **hell**.

Question 44

What do **other** christians believe about **life after death**?

Answer 44

Other Christians believe that there is **no hell**, only **levels of heaven**, so everyone will eventually go to heaven.

Question 45

Give 3 reasons why **life after death** is **important** for Christians.

Answer 45

One reason is because they have to **live a good life** on Earth to be able to go to heaven. Another reason is that some Christians believe that **sins** can stop you from entering heaven so Christians will **avoid sins** on Earth. Another reason is because it give **life a purpose** therefore reducing suicide rates.

Question 46

What is **moral suffering**?

Answer 46

Moral suffering is suffering that is caused by **humans** misusing their **free will**.

Question 47

What is the **natural suffering**?

Answer 47

Natural suffering is suffering that has **not been caused by humans**

Question 48

Why does **evil and suffering** raise problems for Christians' belief about the **nature of God**? (3 points)

Answer 48

1. If God is **omnipotent** he must be able to remove evil and suffering from the world. 2. If God is **omnibenevolent**, he must want to remove evil and suffering from the world because they cause so much **unhappiness**. 3. If God is **omniscient**, he must have known all the evil and suffering that would come from creating the universe in the way he did. Therefore, he should have created the universe in a different way to avoid evil and suffering

Question 49

What is the biblical response to the problem of **evil and suffering**?

Answer 49

Humans can never know **God's plan**, an example of this is in the **book of Jobs**. Satan argued with God that Job only worshipped him because God had given him a **good life** and that if his good life disappeared he would then **stop worshipping God**. God did not believe this and so allowed Satan to **remove Job’s good life** and **afflict him with terrible diseases**. Job asked God why this was happening to him and demanded that God should speak to him directly. However, when Job came face to face with God and was presented with his **greatness** and **holiness**, he realised that God is so **great**.

Question 50

What is the theoretical response to the problem of **evil and suffering**?

Answer 50

God created humans with free will, this means that they **decide** to do the right or wrong. Evil and suffering came to the world due to people **misuseing** their free will. People who suffer will be rewarded by eternal paradice when they die. Christians also argue that life is **preparation** for paradice, so they have to **face** suffering and evil in order for them to become **good** and** kind**. This is known as the '_**Vale of soul making response**_'

Question 51

What is the practicle response to the problem of **evil and suffering**?

Answer 51

All Christians believe that they should respond to the problem by **helping** those who suffer and **trusting** in God for the answer to the problem. The New Testament teaches Christians that Jesus regarded evil and suffering as something to be **fought**. Jesus **healed the sick**, **fed the hungry**, **challenged** those who were **evil**, and even **raised** the **dead**. Christians feel that they should follow the example of Jesus and fight against evil and suffering by: * Praying for those who suffer, these are called **intercessionary** **prayers**. * Becoming **doctors**, **nurses**, **social workers** to reduce suffering and starting up **charities** and **food banks**.