Beliefs and Teachings (Christianity) Flashcards
Define Ascension
Going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven.
Define Atonement
Making amends or payment for a wrong. The belief that reconciliation between God and humanity that was brought about by the death of Jesus as a sacrifice.
Define Christ
Literally means ‘Anointed One’ in Greek; the Hebrew equivalent is Messiah. The leader promised by God to the Jews; Christians believe Jesus to be the Christ
Define Creation
Bringing the world into existence; the belief that the world is God’s loving creation.
Define Crucifixion
The death of Jesus; a form of the death penalty used by the Romans.
Define Evil
The opposite of good; a cause of suffering and against the will of God.
Define ‘the father’
The first Person of the Trinity, the belief in God as creator and sustainer of the universe.
Define Grace
The unconditional and generous love that God shows to people who do not deserve it.
Define Heaven
Belief that after death Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity.
Define Hell
Belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God.
Define Holy Spirit
The third Person of the Trinity; believed to be present with believers since Pentecost and active on earth.
Define Incarnation
Literally ‘in flesh’, or ‘enfleshed;’ belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus.
Who was Jesus?
Believed by Christians to be the Son of God, he was a first century Jewish teacher living and travelling in Palestine/Israel.
Define Judgement
The belief that God will decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment based on their earthly life.
Define Just
Fair or equal treatment, a state of justice. Belief about the nature of God as treating all people justly.
Define Omnipotent
The belief that God is ‘all powerful’.
Define ‘The oneness of God’
The belief that God is one singular divine being (who can be manifest in the Three Persons of the Trinity).
Define Original Sin
Belief human nature is flawed, and that we all have the tendency to sin; traditional belief held by some Christians that this came from Adam & Eve’s eating of the forbidden fruit as recorded in Genesis 3.
Define Resurrection
Being raised from the dead; the event three days after the crucifixion when it is believed that God raised Jesus from the dead.
The form that many Christians believe the afterlife will take, referring to either physical or spiritual bodies.
Define Salvation
Being saved; belief that through God’s grace, Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about salvation for humanity. Saving of the soul and being able to enter eternal life in heaven.
Define Sin
Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes/against Christian principles of morality.
Define Son of God
A title used for Jesus; the second Person of the Trinity. Shows the special relationship between Jesus and God.
Define Suffering
An effect of evil; undergoing pain and hardship.
Define Trinity
The belief that God as One includes God also being manifest in three Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Define ‘the word’
In the Bible, John 1 describes God creating the world through his eternal Word. This links the eternal Word to Jesus in the statement: ‘”The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
“In the beginning…” (Genesis)
“God created the Heavens and the Earth.”
“Nothing is impossible…”
“With God”
“In the beginning…” (John)
“Was the Word, and the Word was with God,”
“The Word became…”
“flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
“When Jesus was baptised…”
“a voice from Heaven said ‘You are my son.’”
“I am the Lord your God…”
“…who brought you out of Egypt. You will have no other gods before me.”
“God so loved the world…“
“that he gave his one and only Son “
“I am the way…”
“…and the truth and the light”
“For the wages of sin is death…”
“… but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Define Omnibenevolent
God’s nature as all-loving
Define Purgatory
a Catholic belief in a ‘waiting room’ before Heaven or Hell is decided.
Define Monotheistic
Belief in one God only.
Nicene Creed
“We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth,”
How does belief in God’s justice influence Christians’ actions on earth?
As the ultimate source of justice, God will never support injustice, ill-treatment, prejudice or oppression. Therefore, Christians should do all they can to prevent these wrongs wherever they encounter them.
What is the inconsistent triad?
If God was omnipotent and omnibenevolent, he would be powerful and loving enough to stop evil and suffering.
What are the 3 different Christian perspectives on Genesis?
Literalists – believe everything that is written in the Bible.
Conservatives – believe each day lasted for an era and the writers were inspired by God.
Liberals – see the Bible as metaphorical and may believe in scientific theories.
Define Transcendent
God is completely beyond the created world.
What does the opening of John’s gospel tell us about creation?
This reference, along with the Holy Spirit in the Genesis, shows that the Trinity were all involved with the Creation story.
How does the Crucifixion affect Christians today?
It gives them the confidence that if they accept Jesus’ sacrifice, sin can no longer destroy their lives because God forgives those who faithfully ask for forgiveness. They believe that suffering is a part of life, just as it was a part of Jesus’ life and that, having also experienced it, God understands what the sufferer is going through.
What is the ‘bodily’ Christian view about resurrection?
Bodily: The Catholic Church and some Orthodox Churches believe resurrection will be a bodily one and that people will once again receive their old body but transformed into a glorified state in which suffering will not exist.
What does the Bible say about resurrection?
“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable”
When do Christians believe they will enter the afterlife?
The afterlife either begins upon death or at the Day of Judgement when Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, as the Apostles’ Creed says.
What is the ‘spiritual’ Christian view about resurrection?
Spiritual: Other Christians, including some Anglicans, believe that the resurrection will be spiritual. Our souls will be brought back and taken to either heaven or hell where they will continue to exist, but our bodies are not returned.
What are differing Christian views about Hell and Heaven?
Real: Some Christians believe that heaven and hell will be physical realities. The descriptions are real descriptions of what awaits humans when they day.
Metaphorical: Other Christians believe that they are spiritual realities, and that the descriptions of hell are metaphorical. These descriptions reflect what eternity will be like outside of God’s presence.
What is ‘Salvation through Good works’?
the Old Testament makes it clear that a person achieves salvation by having faith in God and obeying God’s law.
What is ‘Salvation through grace’?
salvation is given by God through faith in Jesus. It is not earned or deserved but is a gift for the faithful.
What role does Jesus’ Crucifixion have in salvation?
Jesus’ crucifixion made up for the original sin of Adam and Eve.
The death of Jesus, as an innocent man, was necessary to restore the relationship between God and believers, to bring them salvation.
What role does Jesus’ resurrection have in salvation?
Jesus’ resurrection shows the goodness of Jesus defeated the evil of sin. It was proof that God had accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on behalf of humankind.
Jesus’ resurrection means humans can now receive forgiveness for their sins.
Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for all who follow his teachings to gain eternal life.
What is Atonement?
Atonement removes the effects of sin and allows people to restore their relationship with God.
What arguments are there that there is a purpose to evil and suffering?
- Suffering is a test of faith
- Suffering can strengthen faith
- Suffering is a punishment for sin
What are two explanations for the origins of sin?
- Original sin from Adam and Eve
- The influence of the devil
