Christianity (keynote)

Question 1

What is the common foundation?

Answer 1

+ believing in God and Jesus
+ God’s love for mankind
+ believing that God sent Jesus to earth to take the blame for every sin and to die on the cross
+ reconciliation (= mankind could reconcile with God through Jesus after being disunited for so long)
+ doomsday (= Jesus will come back and restore a new world)

Question 2

Mention two of the most important events of Jesus’ life.

Answer 2

His arrest + death. The resurrection.

Question 3

Mention some important happenings within Christianity.

Answer 3

1054 - East and West are separated within the church. There is a formal split between the pope and Constantinople. The Patriarch banishes the Pope and Pope banishes the patriarch (control over a geographic area). Orthodox and Catholic Churches formed.

1521 - The Reformation begins to take place. Martin Luther criticizes the Christian church and is banned by the Pope.

Question 4

Which are the three main branches within Christianity?

Answer 4

Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.

Question 5

Mention some important sacraments.

Answer 5

Baptism - The ceremony of sprinkling or immersing a person under water as a sign of washing away sin and becoming a member of the Church.

Holy Eucharist/Communion - they eat a wafer and drink either wine or grape juice as symbols of the body and blood of Jesus.

Confirmation - a ceremony in which a person is confirmed or admitted full membership in the Church.

Penance - the confession of sins in order to obtain forgiveness.

Matrimony - a sacrament in which a man and woman become husband and wife.

Ordination (or holy orders) - a sacrament in which a man is made a priest.

Question 6

Where in the world are Orthodox churches common?

Answer 6

Eastern Europe + North Africa.

Question 7

Mention some sacraments used in the Orthodox church, what makes them special for the Orthodox church?

Answer 7

Baptism - entire child is immersed in water.

Confirmation - right after baptism, uses oil anointment.

Question 8

How can you recognize a Orthodox church?

Answer 8

They have a specific wall with pictures of icons on it (ex: Jesus, Maria) + they have 3 holy doors that priests uses.

Question 9

Which Christian church is the biggest one?

Answer 9

The Catholic Church.

Question 10

What’s the capital of the Catholic church?

Answer 10

Rome

Question 11

What is the pope to the catholics?

Answer 11

He is the representative of God on earth.

Question 12

Name three examples of what makes the Catholic church “special”.

Answer 12

Confession is a central part of the faith.

Marriage is “inseparable”.

In the church: bowl of water by the entrance (this has been blessed by the priest which makes it holy).

Question 13

Which are the 3 branches/churches within the Protestant church.

Answer 13

Liberal, Moderate, Conservative.

Question 14

What/where do the different branches within the Protestant church stem from?

Answer 14

From different reform movements - these go back to the 16th century.

Question 15

Who was the “creator” of the Protestant church and what did he do?

Answer 15

Martin Luther. He protested against the Christian church.

Question 16

Mention two “things” that most protestants believe.

Answer 16

1. Baptism shouldn’t take place until person has reached age of accountability.
2. Bread and wine during communion is only symbolic.

Question 17

Mention some Protestant traditions/”rules” in Sweden.

Answer 17

1. Nattvarden (Last Supper): remembering Jesus and the Last Supper.
2. Baptism = becoming a member of the Swedish church.
3. Confirmation = confirming baptism.

Question 18

Wich are the Christian scriptures? Describe them.

Answer 18

1. The Old Testament - holy scripture shared by Jews and Christians.
2. The New Testament - a continuation to the Jewish part of the Bible. Content of the New Testament: The Gospels: stories about Jesus written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They write about their personal experiences of Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles (Apostlagärningarna): describes the missionary work that took place after Jesus (a lot of letters from Paul the Apostle). The Book of Revelation: Saint John describes the apocalyptic time that is coming.

Question 19

Mention + describe important Christian fiests.

Answer 19

1. Christmas - remembering the birth of Jesus. The date of 25th Dec was set back in the 4th century. There is a Swedish custom is called Advent - Advent means arrival or coming.
2. Easter - celebrated by both Christians and Jews (Passover), but for different reasons. The oldest and holiest holiday for Christians. The feast is about remembering Jesus, his suffering, death and resurrection.
3. Whit Sunday/Pentecost (Pingst) - celebrated 50 days after Easter. Celebrates the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s disciples. This is what the disciples needed to carry on the big task before them, to spread the message of Jesus Christ.