Belief in God Flashcards
What does monotheistic mean?
believing in one God
What are five characteristics of God?
-omnipotent (all-powerful)
-omniscient (all-knowing)
-omnipresent (God is everywhere)
-benevolent (all-loving)
-just
What are Bible quotations for God’s omnipotence? (2)
-‘for nothing is impossible without God’
-‘it is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power’
What are Bible quotations for God’s omniscience? (2)
-‘for he knows the secrets of the heart’
-‘he knows everything’
What are Bible quotations for God’s omniscience? (2)
-‘for he knows the secrets of the heart’
-‘he knows everything’
What are Bible quotations for God’s benevolence? (2)
-‘God is love’
-‘his steadfast love endures forever’
What are Bible quotations for God’s omnipresence? (1)
-‘you know when I sit down and when I rise up’
What are Bible quotations for God’s fairness? (1)
-‘God is a righteous judge’
What is the Trinity?
-it is the three forms of the one God.
What is a quote in the Bible for monotheism?
-‘the Lord is one’
What are three features of the Trinity?
-Christians believe in one God, the religion is monotheistic.
-Christians believe there are three equals, yet distinct, persons in one God.
-All three forms of the God have three separate and unique roles.
Give three reasons why the Trinity is important.
-it helps distinguish the Christian faith from other religions.
-it helps to appreciate the complexity of God.
-it helps Christians understand God better as each form has different characteristics for their roles.
Give three reasons how the trinity is used in worship.
-Christians bless themselves by making the sign of the cross and offering prayers.
-prayers such as the Lord’s prayer, the Nicene Creed refer to the Trinity.
-some church hymns refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
How is the Father like and give a quote?
-he is the powerful creator of everything.
-The Nicene Creed states the father is the ‘maker of heavens and earth’
How is the Son like and give a quote?
-the son is Jesus Christ who came to earth as God in human form (incarnation).
-the Nicene Creed states the Son was crucified ‘for us and for our salvation’.
How is the Holy Spirit like and give a quote?
-the Holy Spirit is the invisible power of God that works within the world today to guide and inspire us.
-The Nicene Creed states the Holy Spirit is the ‘giver of life’.
What is the incarnation?
-the word incarnation means ‘becoming flesh’
-it is used by Christians to explain how God took human form through Jesus.
What is the Bible quote for the incarnation?
-‘the word became flesh’
What three ways indicated that Jesus was God?
-he performed miracles.
-he was resurrected after death.
-people worshipped and prayed to Jesus.
What three ways indicated that Jesus was human?
-he showed human emotions such as amazement/sorrow.
-he had a human body.
-Jesus got tired, thirsty and hungry.
What are two quotes about Jesus and his importance and explain them?
‘this man has done nothing wrong.’ shows that Jesus was without sin and was a role model.
-‘by his wounds you have been healed’ he is benevolent as he died for our salvation.
Why is the incarnation important to Christians? (3)
-it shows God is entirely without sin, he was a role-model.
-without Jesus sacrificing himself for our salvation, Christians would not have atonement.
-it gave God a unique perspective of humans, it enabled him to understand and empathise with us.
What is the Passion?
-it is the name used to describe the last few days of Jesus’ life. It is made up of a number of key events.
What happened during the Last Supper, a quote for it and its importance?
-Jesus shared his last meal with his disciples.
-‘do this in remembrance of me’
-demonstrates Jesus’ omniscience as he knew he was going to be betrayed.
What happened during the Betrayal, a quote and its importance?
-soldiers came for Jesus as Judas betrayed him.
-‘turn the other cheek’
-it enabled the crucifixion to happen
What happened during the Crucifixion and its importance?
-Jesus was sentenced to death on the cross.
-It is important as it enabled salvation to happen and allowed Christians to have access to heaven.
What is the resurrection, a quote and its importance?
-Jesus was brought back to life three days after his crucifixion.
-‘on the third day, he rose again’
-it showed Jesus’ omnipotence and that there is life after death.
What happened during the ascension and its importance?
-the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven after 40 days.
-it shows God’s omnipotence.
What three things (quotes) that Jesus said before the ascension?
-‘make disciples of all nations’
-‘be baptised in the name of the Son, Father and Holy Spirit.’
-‘i will be with you always’
What are the two ways Christians interpret the Creation Story and explain it?
-Literally:they believe the world was created in 7 days by God and he made different element of it each day.
-Non-literally:they believe the creation story is a metaphor for a longer period and science and religion work together to explain creation.
What are three features of the Creation Story?
-God made plants and trees on Day 3.
-God made humans on Day 6.
-God rested on Day 7.
What are three key quotes about creation and explain them?
-‘in his own image’ : shows that God created humans perfectly in his own view.
-‘increase in number’ :humans should procreate.
-‘seed-bearing plant’ :God has given us food.
What was the role of the Word in creation and a quote?
-the Word was at the start of creation,he was the source of life.
-‘in the Beginning was the Word’
What was the role of the Holy Spirit in Creation and a quote?
-the Holy Spirit was at the start of creation too and is present in creation.
-the spirit was the guardian of God’s creation.
-‘spirit of God was hovering over the waters’
What are the two opinions on how Christians should treat the world and explain them?
-Stewards: Humans should take care of the world and everything in it.
-Dominion: Humans should rule the world and have authroity over it.
What are arguments for stewardship (3)?
-humans are looking after the earth for God,they are temporary keepers so they must return it in the condition that God would’ve wanted.
-we should care for the environment to ensure God’s creation is passed on to future generations.
-‘the Earth is the Lord’s’
What are arguments for Dominion? (2)
-God made the world for us as a gift so we can be in charge of it and use it as we want.
-‘rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’, we have authority and have been given the role to eliminate.
What is eschatology?
-life after death
What are beliefs about resurrection, a quote and how it impacts Christians today?
-Christians believe death is not the end and this was proven when Jesus came back to life.
-‘on the third day,he rose again’
-this may give Christians hope if they are bereaving.
What are beliefs about judgement, a quote and how it impacts Christians today?
-Christians believe God is just and will decide whether Christians go to heaven or hell. They also believe Jesus will be involved and offer us the opportunity of salvation.
-‘the righteous to eternal life’ (Parable of Sheep and Goats)
-reminds them to follow the commandments of God so they will be judged favourably.
What are beliefs about heaven,two quotes and how it impacts Christians today?
-eternal life with God,no suffering.
-‘holy city’
-‘there will be no death or mourning or crying or pain’
-gives Christians motivation to do good deeds as there will be a reward.
What are beliefs about hell,two quotes and how it impacts Christians today?
-hell is complete pain and absence from the love of God, for unrepentant sinners.
-‘eternal fire’ , ‘torment goes up forever and forever’
-may cause Christians to be fearful of God and therefore,act to please him as best as they can.
Why do Christians believe in life after death? (3)
-God is benevolant and would want to spend time with his followers.
-Jesus spoke about heaven , ‘my father’s house has many rooms’
-‘Jesus rose again according to the scriptures’ if death is not the end for Jesus, it is not the end for us either.
What are two divergent understandings about eschatology?
-some understand heaven and hell as physical places (Evangelical Christians) whereas others see it as spiritual ideas.
-some believe in the Second Coming or the return of Jesus from heaven to earth.
What does salvation, atonement and repentance mean?
-salvation-forgiveness of sins.
-atonement-restoring the relationship with God.
-repentance-changing your actions and attitude in response to God.
What is the role of Christ in salvation(3)?
-he was sent by God to repair the relationship between humanity and God.
-he was free from sin so was able to take the role of being sacrificed.
-the Bible states that God sent Jesus to atone for the sins of humanity in order to be reunited with God in heaven.
What are different understandings of Jesus sacrifice for humanity (2)?
-Jesus’ death as a divine sacrifice represents God’s love for humanity.
-Jesus’ death is the victory of good over evil, as Jesus was used as ransom to stop the devil having any hold over humanity.
What is the importance of salvation to Christians today (2)?
-short term:it allowed us to restore our relationship with God.
-long term:Jesus’ death which forgave our sins allowed us access to heaven.
What are the two types of evil and suffering and two example of each of them?
-Moral Evil: evil caused by humans, murder, war.
-Natural Evil:evil caused by nature,volcanoes,disease
What are two reasons why suffering may raise problems for Christian’s belief in God?
-if God is benevolant, he would want to stop suffering yet suffering still exist so either God is not benevolant or he doesn’t exist.
-if God is omnipotent, he would be able to stop suffering yet suffering still exist so either God is not omnipotent or he doesn’t exist.
What is the Biblical Christian response to the problem of evil (and a quote)?
-The Fall: Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
-This caused Original Sin and the world was no longer perfect.
-The Bible states, ‘ cursed is the ground because of you’.
What are two other Christian responses to the problem of evil (and a quote for one of them)?
-Vale of Soul Making: suffering has been placed by God so we can develop good virtues.The Bible states, ‘suffering produces perserverance’.
-Free Will: humans have freedom to choose between good and bad,some people abuse their freedom which results in moral evil.
