Christianity - Beliefs & Teachings Flashcards
(28 cards)
Monotheism
Omnipotent
= the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
= “ The Almighty is beyond our reach “ ( Job 37:23 )
Omnibenevolent
Just
” He is a God of justice “ (Psalm 50:6)
“ The lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger “ - Psalm 113:8-9
The problem of Evil and suffering
- free will argument
- John Hick says that evil and suffering is apart of God’s plan - we need it to become God
- ST Augustine - Evil and suffering caused by original sin
” Suffering produces endurance “ - Romans 5:3
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. - Romans 5:12
Oneness of God and the Trinity
- son is Jesus who came to earth in human form ( Incarnation ) - ‘ word became flesh ‘ - john
- Father = powerful creator
- The holy spirit is invisible part of God acting within the world
” Baptise them in the name of the Father, the son and the holy spirit “ ( Matthew 28:19 )
- helps to understand the complexity of the nature of God
John 10:30:
“I and the Father are one.”
The apostles creed
Important statement of belief about the trinity . It is the ancient baptismal symbol of the church.
” I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord “
Different beliefs about creation
Old testament
“ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth “ - Genesis 1:1
New testament
“ In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God “ - John 1:1
- understood in a liberal ( metaphorical )or fundamentalist way
Different beliefs about the afterlife
Resurrection - when Jesus came back to life from death. “ I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die “ ( John 11:25 )
Judgement - God decides destination of all souls
” For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
( 2 Corinthians 5:10 )
Different beliefs about the afterlife
Heaven - Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Genesis 28:17
And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Hell - Matthew 13:50
50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In Matthew 25:41, Jesus states that those who are “cursed” will be condemned to “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels
Spiritual and physical state
heaven is the state of supreme, definite happiness . ( Catechism )
” My fathers house has so many room “ - John
Jesus as the son of God and incarnation
- son is Jesus who came to earth in human form ( Incarnation ) - ‘ word became flesh ‘ - john
- When Jesus was baptised by John, God said “This is my son” ( Matthew 3 )
“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” from John 1:14,
Crucifixion - Sentenced to death for Blasphemy
- His death is sacrificial - gave up his life for atonement for original sin
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”: (Luke 23:34)
Resurrection - Bought back to life 3 days after his death and overcomes death
“The Lord is risen indeed”
Luke 24:34
Ascension - Jesus ascended to heaven 40days after his resurrection
‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17)
Sin, including original sin-
Romans 5:12, which states, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned…”.
Salvation - the act of being rescued or saved from sin and its consequences, including death and separation from God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is achieved through faith and grace.
Salvation through law : achieved by following Gods laws and teaching of Jesus in new testament
“ the righteous will inherit eternal life “ - Parable of sheep and goats
Salvation through grace :salvation is a gift, you do not earn it but rather receive it, you are saved by faith. “ It is by grace you have been saved - gift of God “ - Ephesians 2:8
Salvation through spirit : Gods spirit in the world helping Christians achieve salvation
“ The holy spirit will teach you all things “
Types of worships
Liturgic worship - worship on a set pattern on regular basis example Sundays or led by pope using book of common prayer
Let us bow down in worship - psalm 95
Private worship - spend time alone
Types/purpose of prayer
A adoration = praise
C Contrition = Apology
T Thanksgiving = thanks - death of Jesus celebrated
S supplication = request
Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours = Mark 11
Eucharist - means thanksgiving, celebrates Jesus’ sacrifice through his death and resurrection. Eucharist gives thanks to God.
Catholic church - Transubstantiation , bread and wine are the actual body, blood of Jesus
Protestant - bread and wine are the symbol of the body, blood of Jesus
Quakers - not observe Eucharist
’ I am the living bread ‘ - Jesus
Lourdes France - St Bernadette
Every year, it is visited by millions of
pilgrims particularly Catholics. They come to Lourdes to see the site of a famous vision experienced by a young girl called Bernadette Soubirous and to be healed by its supposedly miraculous waters. Mary told Bernadette to drink water of a spring, Even though this area was muddy, the next day, the ground flowed with clear water. Bernadette was then told to have a chapel built in the exact spot where the vision had taken place.
Christian pilgrims now visit and pray in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and
worship
at the
grotto
where the vision is said to have taken place.
Pilgrims also take part in a Torchlight Marian Procession which occurs every evening before a service of
mass
in the grotto. Pilgrims also confess their
sins
at the Reconciliation Chapel.
Iona Scotland
Iona is a quiet island in Scotland where a
monastery
was built by Columba, a
monk
. It is often visited by pilgrims.
Christians go there to study the Bible and pray, which may lead to spiritual growth. People often feel that they benefit from having their lives redirected or feel that they learn something about themselves while in Iona. This can allow Christians to face the challenges of life back at home in a different way.
Pilgrimage
Psalm 84:5, which says “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage,”
Christmas
Christmas celebrates the birth AND INCARNATION of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is unknown, but the Western Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December and the
Eastern Church celebrates it on 6 January.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son
Easter
Easter begins with Lent, which is the 40 days leading up to Holy Week. During Lent, Christians remember when Jesus went into the desert to
fast and was tempted by the Devil. Some Christians fast in remembrance of Jesus’ actions, but many more instead give up something they enjoy eating or drinking, such as chocolate or alcohol, to show their dedication to God.
“He is not here, he has risen!” (Luke 24:6)
Holy Week is the week leading up to Jesus’
resurrection
. There are special services held in churches across Holy Week to commemorate its important events:
Psalm Sunday – On this day, the four
gospels state that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. The people were overjoyed to see him, and they showed their love for him by waving palm branches as he passed by. Palm crosses are given out during Christian services on Palm Sunday to commemorate this event.
Maundy Thursday – This was the day that Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples
. After this, he was arrested in the
Garden of Gethsemane
. This marks the beginning of a time of sadness and reflection for Christians.
Good Friday – This was the day of Jesus’
crucifixion
and death. These events are commemorated with a day of fasting and church services are held close to the time of day when Jesus died.
Roman Catholic
Christians hold a procession called the Stations of the Cross, which re-enacts Jesus’ journey carrying his cross to his crucifixion.
Easter Sunday – This was the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Churches hold
vigil son the Saturday evening before services the following Sunday. For Christians, Easter Sunday is a day of joy to celebrate what God has done for humanity.
