5. Christianity Flashcards
Summarise the life and context of Paul
Born as a Jew and Roman citizen.
He was trained in Jewish theology and was considered talented.
Due to Diaspora, the early church was scattered, and thus the message of Jesus was also spread. On the road to Damascus, Paul had a personal encounter with God and was converted.
He planted churches in Western Turkey and Greece.
Outline three contributions of Paul
- Jesus’ death and resurrection symbolised the end of adherence to the Jewish law for salvation, but rather people can access salvation through God’s grace and faith in Him. He identified the importance of preaching the gospel rather than sacramental activity (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Gentiles are able to have access to a relationship with God. Jesus died for all humanity (Romans 3:23)
- Paul planted churches in many areas and maintained them throughout his ministry. This is evidenced in the number of New Testament books.
Recount Romans 3:23
“There is no different between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Recount Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Outline three impacts of Paul
- Architecture of churches. Paul taught that the ‘Church’ is the community of Christians, rather than the building. Protestant churches are thus more functional to cater to large groups of people, whilst Catholic cathedrals are more ornate to reflect the glory of God. (Ephesians 2:22)
- Approach to worship: Paul teaches that our whole lives are meant to be a ‘living sacrifice’ and act of worship to God, rather than purely musical worship. (Romans 12:1)
- Sexual Ethics: Paul teaches that in response to our redemption, we should honour God in how we behave sexually. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Recount Ephesians 2:22
“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit”
Recount Romans 12:1
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sister, in view of God’s mercy, to offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.”
Recount 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are a temple of the holy spirit….You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.”
Describe the source of Christian sexual ethics
- Protestants view the Bible as the superior authority (Sola Scriptura)
- Catholics believes that papal teaching is of equal authority
- Bible, human reason, institution, natural theology and conscience
- Christians seek to honour God sexually in response to their redemption. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Describe where sexual relations is permitted in Christianity
Christians practice sexual ethics within a heterosexual marriage.
- Marriage is a symbol within the Christian community of God’s intended use for sexual relations (Genesis 2:24) and looks toward’s Christ’s union with the Church
- Sexual relations enables intimacy (Gen 2:24), procreation (Genesis 1:28) and to reflect an other centred love that is present in the Trinity.
- Adultery is prohibited as it violates spiritual bond and fractures martial vows.
- Adherents choose a spouse within the Christian community (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- “Marriage should be honoured by all…” (Hebrews 13:4)
Recount Genesis 2:24
“a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”
Recount Genesis 1:28
“be fruitful and multiply”
Recount Genesis 2:18
“it is not good for man to be alone”
Describe where sexual relations is not allowed
- The body is not meant for sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:13)
- Abstain for homosexuality (Romans 1:27). Uniting church opening supports homosexuals
- Contraception: Protestants can use anything, Catholics can only use natural methods
- Abortion: Protestant believe that God made use (Psalm 139:19) and Catholics believe it is the “deliberate killing of an innocent human being (Pope John Paul II - 95)
Describe how singleness is taught in Christian sexual ethics
- Singleness was modelled by Jesus and Paul.
- Paul teaches of the benefits of singleness in 1 Corinthians 7. He describes that it is better for Christians to remain unmarried as adherents are able to undecidedly focus on God.
- Yet, due to the desires of the ‘flesh’, Paul still endorses marriage in order to avoid sexual sin.
- In Catholicism, popes are not allowed to get married. Yet, Protestants are able to marry.
