Christianity beliefs Flashcards
(29 cards)
naure of God and source wisdom
Omnipotent – all-powerful
God said ‘Let there be light’
Omnibenevolent – all-loving
‘But you Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God’
Christians believe God is transcendent, eternal and limitless
the trinity who are the 3 persons
Father- refers to all powerful nature of God – God above in in heaven. The creator.
Son – the savior - the belief in the incarnation (‘the Word became Flesh’)
Holy Spirit – God within us. Makes lives holy by bringing God’s blessings.
Each is fully God. This is like water which is one thing, yet it can appear as water, ice or steam
importance of trinity
Helps people understand the nature of God.
Enables Christians to worship God, through practices like speaking in tongues or the Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father”).
Allows recognition of God in the Bible, history, and personal lives.
Affirms Jesus as God’s form on earth, with Jesus’ teachings reflecting God’s teachings.
sources of wisdom for trinity
“I and the Father are one.”
Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—being one in unity.
‘No one comes to the Father except through me.’
salvation is found through Jesus
story of job
Suffering is a test of faith to see if you truly believe in God
This is like the Bible story of Job who was tested by God to see if he would keep his faith
The devil said that Job would curse God for his actions
At the end of the story Job admits his faith in God
He knew that God could do all things
None of God’s plans can be derailed
how does story of job shows gods omnipotence and omnibenevolence
Suffering is a door way to eternal life
Suffering is a result of sin or free will and not God (Adam and Eve)
God shares in peoples suffering
Rewards will be give for those who remain faithful
The Creation Story
The Bible teaches that God created the world in six days and everything in it, including humans. (omnipotence)
It emphasizes that God is responsible for all creation and that everything He made is good.
Humans are special, made in God’s image. ( we are special)
The Bible teaches that humans should reproduce (BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY)
have stewardship over creation (‘FILL THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT)
literal Christians belief of creation story
‘all scripture god breathed’
The Bible is seen as the literal word of God.
The creation story is taken as truth, including the idea that it took seven days.
Any scientific explanation that contradicts this is viewed as incorrect.
There is no reason to doubt the story, as God is omnipotent and capable of doing as described.
non literal Christians belief of creation story
The creation story is not meant to be taken literally but serves to explain that God is the reason the world exists.
Science explains how the world was made (e.g., the Big Bang), while religion explains why.
Science is considered a gift from God, and He wouldn’t give false knowledge.
The Bible doesn’t mention dinosaurs, so “days” in the creation story may represent long periods of time rather than literal 24-hour days.
(Contradiction between Genesis 1 and 2 on
the order humans and animals were
made.)
word and spirit in creation
‘In the beginning there was the Word And the Word was God He was God in the beginning Through him all things were made And the Word became Flesh’
All that existed before the world was God (the Word).
The Word is God
God became flesh (Jesus) and came to Earth
incarnation of jesus and source of wisdom
Involves the belief that Jesus is 100% human and 100% divine.
Jesus performed many miracles showing his divine nature.
Jesus’ miracle birth shows that he was not an ordinary man
‘The Word became flesh’
jesus miracles
Healed the sick (blind man and
paralysed man)
Fed the 5000
Walked on water or calmed a
storm
omnipotence
why is incarnation important for Christians
Jesus helps Christians understand the nature of God by revealing God through His life and actions.
His birth fulfills prophecy, as foretold by Gabriel to Mary and the promise of a savior for atonement.
Jesus’ life shows desirable human traits, offering a perfect example for Christians to follow.
Jesus proves the Trinity is true, being both God and human.
Christians are called to strictly follow Jesus’ teachings, as these are the words of God.
the crucifixion of jesus and source of wisdom
Jesus was mocked by Roman soldiers, crowned with thorns, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha.
While on the cross, Jesus prayed, showing His humanity as He suffered.
Darkness fell when He died, an extraordinary event reflecting His divinity.
The temple curtain tore upon His death, symbolizing the new access to God.
Jesus was crucified for the atonement and salvation of humanity.
‘This is my blood of the covenant,poured for many for the forgiveness of sins’
The quote emphasizes that Jesus’ sacrifice through His blood establishes a new covenant and brings forgiveness of sins for humanity.
importance of crucifixion
Jesus’ death repaired the rift between humans and God caused by original sin.
His sacrifice washed away all sins, offering atonement for humanity.
Through His crucifixion, Jesus rebuilds the relationship between humans and God.
Salvation was offered, promising eternal life in heaven for those saved from sin.
Jesus’ death fulfilled prophecy, revealing God’s omniscience, omnibenevolence, and proving the incarnation.
jesus christ was thew ultimate sacrifice for atonement of sins (‘The Lamb of God’.)
resurrection source of wisdom
The Resurrection is a key Christian belief, where Jesus rose from the dead.
Women discovered the empty tomb, and an angel confirmed Jesus had risen.
It fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy, showing God’s omniscience.
The Resurrection is the greatest miracle and evidence of Jesus’ divinity.
Celebrated on Easter Sunday, it proves the incarnation, as only God could resurrect.
“He is not here; He has risen!” (divinity and the victory over sin and death)-omnipotence
ascension
After His resurrection, Jesus did not die again and ascended to heaven.
The Ascension marks Jesus’ return to heaven and the end of His physical presence on earth.
Before ascending, Jesus blessed His disciples and promised the Holy Spirit would remain on earth.
This event shows Jesus’ immortality, demonstrating He conquered death and is eternal.
The Ascension signifies that Jesus is returning to take His rightful place at the Father’s side.
sin
Sin means going against God’s teachings and moral law.
Original Sin comes from Adam and Eve’s disobedience and affects all humans.
Sin separates humans from God and prevents them from achieving salvation.
Humans often use their free will to sin by giving in to temptation.
Christians believe sin explains why people make mistakes and need God’s guidance.
how can christians achieve salvation
Christians believe they can achieve salvation (freedom from sin) by following God’s teachings.
The Bible is a key source of authority and guidance, especially the Gospels, which reveal Jesus’ life and teachings.
Salvation is also gained by repenting, forgiving others, and living by Jesus’ teachings (e.g., the Golden Rule).
Christians are encouraged to help others as part of their path to salvation.
Free will means humans choose whether to follow God’s way or sin.
Catholics may also take part in sacraments (like confession or communion) to receive grace and forgiveness.
grace
Christians believe that God sends grace through the Holy Spirit
This means that Christians are able to pray to God and receive His
blessings
Grace is essentially the forgiveness given by God
It is the gift of salvation
Many Christians give thanks for this during church services
evidence of gods grace
After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples celebrated Pentecost.
While praying, they experienced a great wind from heaven—the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
Tongues of fire appeared above their heads, symbolising the Spirit’s power.
The disciples were able to speak in many languages.
A crowd gathered and heard God’s message in their own languages, showing the universality of the Gospel.
catholic beliefs on afterlife
Catholics believe after death you go to heaven, hell, or purgatory.
Saints and good believers go straight to heaven (e.g. Oscar Romero).
Evil people go to hell, separated from God (Protestants also accept this).
Most people go to purgatory, a place of cleansing before heaven.
Purgatory is described as a “purifying fire” where sins are worked off through prayer and penance.
protestant views on afterlife
Protestants believe people go to heaven or hell immediately after death.
Heaven is eternal life with God, free from suffering.
Hell is a place of eternal punishment for sin.
Those who accept Jesus and live a good life go to heaven.
Those who reject Jesus and live sinfully go to hell.
the ressurection of the soul and source of wisdom
“The body that is sown … a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
At resurrection, we are given spiritual bodies—perfected and eternal.
The soul is the eternal, spiritual part of a person that goes to heaven after death.
At the end of time, there will be a bodily resurrection—physical bodies will rise again.
A trumpet will signal this resurrection, as described in Christian teachings.
Many Christians, especially Catholics, prefer burial to cremation to reflect belief in bodily resurrection.
