The nature of God

Question 1

Define ‘Omnipotent’

Answer 1

All powerful/unlimited power. The evidence for this includes the creation of the world and the resurrection of Jesus.

Question 2

Define ‘Omnibenevolent’

Answer 2

All-loving, or infinitely good. Christians believe that this is expressed in many different ways. God sacrificed his own son for humanity, which shows how much he loves all human beings without exception.

Question 3

Define ‘Omniscient’

Answer 3

All knowing

Question 4

What is the Holy Trinity?

Answer 4

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The three Persons are distinct, yet are one “substance, essence or nature”.

Question 5

What are some different Christian beliefs about creation?

Answer 5

In Genisis 1
.in the beginning - God started creation
.the first day - light was created
.the second day - the sky was created
.the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created
.the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created
.the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created
.the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of God were created
.by day seven - God finished his work of creation and rested, making the seventh day a special holy day.

In Genesis 2, some people think that the story goes on to give more detail about the creation of humans, seen as two individuals, Adam and Eve. Adam was made from ‘the dust of the ground’ when God breathed life into him. Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs to provide company and help for Adam. They lived in a special place called the Garden of Eden. Both of them were given the task and responsibility to look after the place that God had created for them.

Question 6

What did (John 1:1-3) Say about creation?

Answer 6

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Question 7

What did the (Genesis 1:1-3) Say about creation

Answer 7

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Question 8

What are the main differences between Genesis 1 and 2?

Answer 8

There are some contradictions between the two accounts in Genesis 1 and 2, such as the order of when animals and humans were created:

Genesis 1 - it states that animals, and finally humans, were created on day six
Genesis 2 - it implies that humans were created before animals

Question 9

What is the key point of Genesis?

Answer 9

The key point of the Genesis story is that God is the creator of all things.

Question 10

What is a Theist?

Answer 10

Theist - someone who believes that God exists. Theists do not necessarily believe they can prove God’s existence.

Question 11

What is an Agnostic?

Answer 11

Agnostic - someone who holds the view that it is impossible to know the truth about some things, such as God’s existence or the afterlife.

Question 12

What is an Atheist?

Answer 12

Atheist - someone who holds the view that there is no God. Atheists do not necessarily believe they can prove atheism to be true.

Question 13

Define Just

Answer 13

God is fair to all and he forgives those who say sorry for their actions. The Psalms say, God is fair and just (Psalm 25:8).

Question 14

Define Transcendence

Answer 14

God exists outside of our worldly constraints and physical laws. For example God does not live and die as we do - he is eternal. Complete understanding of God is beyond the human intellect.

Question 15

Define Immanence

Answer 15

The belief that God is ‘in the world’. God has interacted with the world throughout history and continues to do so. For example, Jesus being sent to earth. Nowadays, people believe that God is immanent, working miracles and answering people’s prayers.

Question 16

What is the problem of evil?

Answer 16

Christians can question why evil and suffering in the world still exists if God really is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-loving.

Question 17

What are some solutions to the problem of evil?

Answer 17

.God gave humans free will, so although he exists he cannot interfere in any suffering humans experience either as a result of choices they have made or consequences from the natural world.
.Experiencing bad things could be a test of faith. For example, in the Holy Bible, Job is tested on many occasions but still keeps his faith in God and ultimately receives a reward.
.Humans need evil to appreciate good. According to many Christians, balance is essential.
.God is beyond human understanding, but God is fair so the good will be rewarded in Heaven.
.Experiencing bad things is all part of God’s plan and humans should respond positively.

Question 18

Explain ‘The Father’

Answer 18

Christians believe that God the Father is:

the creator of everything
the sustainer of all
transcendent

Question 19

Explain ‘The Son’

Answer 19

The Son
The gospel narratives reveal that God the Son came into the world in the person of Jesus, who is:

both fully divine and fully human
immanent
personal and so understands human suffering
a model for Christian behaviour
the Saviour

Question 20

Explain the ‘Holy Spirit’

Answer 20

The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the guiding part of the Trinity. Christians believe the Holy Spirit is:

a presence of God in the world today, as stated in the Gospel of John: I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever - the Spirit of truth (John 14:16-17)
the immanent part of God guiding the Church
a source of strength, courage and wisdom

Question 21

What is a Christian Beliefs about the Trinity?

Answer 21

Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the power of God at work on the Earth. In the scriptures it is often depicted as wind, fire or in the form of a dove. It is through the power and workings of the Holy Spirit that God is known today, and how Christians can know what God wants them to do.

Question 22

Define sacrament

Answer 22

a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting divine grace, such as baptism.

Question 23

Different Christian beliefs about the afterlife and their importance, including: resurrection and life
after death; judgement, heaven and hell.

Answer 23

Christian beliefs about life after death are based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of God’s divine plan for humankind. Through his death on the cross, Jesus pays the penalty for humankind’s sin and humankind’s relationship with God is restored. This is called atonement. Christians believe that three days after the crucifixion, God raised Jesus from the dead and he once again appeared to his disciples. This is taken to mean that Jesus’ sacrifice was a victory over sin and death. Although physical death still happens, those who believe in Christ and live good lives will be given eternal life in Heaven.

Question 24

What is heaven described as?

Answer 24

Heaven is described as eternity in the presence of God.

Heaven is the ultimate aim for all Christians in order for their soul to be reunited with God and united with Christ.

In the Gospels, Christ often describes and teaches about Heaven using parables, such as the Mustard Seed and the Pearl.

Question 25

Hell…

Answer 25

Since God has given human beings free will, there must be an opportunity for people to reject God. This is the basis of the idea of Hell.

Hell is very rarely mentioned in the Bible, so little is known about what it consists of. However, Hell has traditionally been depicted as a place of eternal fire that symbolises pain and suffering. This is seen as the result of the refusal to accept the happiness that God wants people to share with him.

Hell is the opposite of Heaven. It is eternity in the absence of God.

In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man describes Hell, which he refers to as Hades, as a place of torment.

Question 26

What happens during judgement?

Answer 26

Many Christians believe that after death, they will be taken into the presence of God and they will be judged for the deeds they have done or failed to do during their lifetime.

Some Christians believe that this judgement will happen when they die. Others believe that there will be a Day of Judgement at the end of time, when everybody will be judged at the same time. Some believe that judgement will happen in two stages: an initial personal judgement when you die, followed by the definitive judgement at the end of time.

Some Christians believe in the Second Coming (Parousia) - the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven to Earth. This will herald the general resurrection of the dead, the last judgement of the dead and the living, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth.