C2 - beliefs & sacred writing

Question 1

importance of Bible

Answer 1

-comes from Greek term “Bibilicon” & means “book”
-collections of 66 or 73 books btw C. 1000 BCE & 100 CE recognized by Christians
-books were written for diff audiences & purposes but all were guided by the Holy Spirit so they’re still important

Question 2

define Bible

Answer 2

-a collection of books from OT & NT & comes from a Greek term meaning “book”

Question 3

define NT

Answer 3

-27 books about the story of incarnation of God written in Greek

Question 3

describe what is in the OT

Answer 3

-Laws: first 5 book give rules to live by
eg. Books in the Torah
-History: gives history of Jews in OT
eg. Book of Kings
-Wisdom: teachings on God & how to use our God- given talents
eg. Psalms, Songs of Songs
-Prophecy: lives of Prophet who challenged people to stay faithful to God
eg. Isaiah, Micah

Question 4

define OT

Answer 4

-39 or 46 books written mostly in Hebrew about God & Israel before the time of Jesus

Question 5

describe what is in the NT

Answer 5

-Gospels: life of Jesus
eg. Mathew, Mark, Luke, John
-Acts of apostles: start of early Church till 60 AD
-Letters: written to early Church communities by people & explains how to live as a Christian
eg. First letter to the Corinthians, Paul’s letter
-Revelation: Books written by John which some believe describes the end of the world

Question 6

criterias for books to be in the Bible

Answer 6

-Authority has to be one of the Disciples (eye- witnesses/ teachings)
-Accepted by all Churches
-Match other presentations of Christian belief
-Written early on, before the end of 1 century

Question 7

How does the Word of God work

Answer 7

-stirring in the human heart which is the Holy Spirit
-“Ru’ ach” in Hebrew means breath.
-God gave Adam spirit in Genesis 2. The Spirit is always with humans & guides people. It’s called inspiration
-God speaks to people all the time & the bible records the some of the convo. people had with God

Question 8

Matching:
-Prophets & the Word of God
-Gospel & the Word of God
-Epistles & the Word of God

Answer 8

-Inspired by God’s word: pass on God’s message
-teachings & actions of Jesus: Word made flesh means Word’s of God
-Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit & wrote letters to help Christians apply Jesus’ teachings to their lives

Question 9

What all Christians believe & don’t believe

Answer 9

Believe:
-refer to Scripture as “Word of God”
-accept that the words were recorded by diff. people across thousands of years
-God inspires these words
Don’t believe:
-their interpretation of inspiration differ

Question 10

Liberal interpretation of Genesis

Answer 10

-Both accounts are are myths, not to be taken literally
-people reflect on God as the creator & it’s meaning for humans
-Focus on message of accounts: gives understanding on God & his creation
-key messages:
-God made everything
-Everything made by God is good
-Humans are the highest point of God’s creation

Question 11

Fundamentalist interpretation of Genesis

Answer 11

-Bible is accurate in all aspects because it’s the Word of God
-God informed humanity about his truth
-God will not mislead humans by giving wrong info because he loves humans
-Humans cannot prefer their own interpretation to the Words of God
-Some believe in the order of the creation but a day might have been >24h

Question 12

Scientific influence on liberal views interpretation of Genesis

Answer 12

-Look for meaning in scripture; not literally
-Big bang & evolution links to Biblical understanding
-Focus on OT as a myth aside form Jesus’s life in NT
-Since & religion can be compatible
-“The Big Bang does not contradict the divine act of creating but rather requires it” & “The creator gives Being to all things” - Pope Francis (2014)

Question 13

literalist interpretation of Genesis

Answer 13

-Everything from the Bible can be taken word of word: literal
-God won’t mislead humans
-World is only a few thousand years old
-Think the world is younger than scientist claim
-Called Young earth creationist

Question 14

difference in inspiration

Answer 14

-Liberalist: inspiration = message of scripture from God but words written are influenced by authors; time, culture & context shape what is written
-Fundamentalist & Literalist: inspiration = God giving the word directly to the author

Question 15

history in OT literature

Answer 15

-Set of stories about the Israelites conquest from the Promised land to Zion in 539 BC
-2 types of texts: Former prophets, Writings
-Written to show God’s work in history so viewed differently than other history: more theology than history
-Order:
-Joshua - Israelites in Canaan
-Judges & Ruth - apostacy during Judges
-1 & 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles - start of Davidic Monarchy
-1 & 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles - Destruction fo Jerusalem, Babylonian captivity
-Ezra- Nehemiah - Jews who returned form exile
-Esther - Jews who lived in Persia

Question 16

myths in OT literature

Answer 16

-Ways to convey truths & lessons through symbolic narratives
-Written to instruct people about nature of God than be an account of history
-Teach lessons about God’s relationship with people, consequence of disobedience & value of faith
-Some people regard these as historical
-Order:
-Genesis:
-chap1 - 11: story of God & the world
-chap 12 - 50: story of God, Abraham & his fam.
-Genesis 1: God created a good world from nothing & gave it to humans to rule but
they give to evil and ruin it
-Genesis 2: God’s love for humanity as it created it specifically for Adam
-Noah’s Ark: Noah was chosen by God to save himself, his fam & all animal species

Question 17

Psalms in OT literature

Answer 17

-Collection of 150 poems in 5 book in order of the biblical story
-Prayer book for exiles after Babylonial captivity - reconnect with Go’s after temple was destroyed
-Written by Israelite sages, kings & prophets
-2 types of poem:
-lament: how bad the world is
-praise: how good the world is
-Order:
-Psalms 1: mediate on Torah
-Psalms 2: God’s promise to King David that one of his descanted would be king
-Books 1& 2: king David & his fam.
-Book 3: Israel’s exile
-Book 4: brokenness of world
-Book 5: Exodus story & Songs of Ascent
-5 poem : praise God for being faithful

Question 18

Songs in OT literature

Answer 18

-Collection of poetic songs & prayers praising God
-Hymns
-3 songbooks: Psalm, Songs of Solomon (Songs), lamentations
-Literature if complex layered poetry
-Songs of Songs: love poem about God’s love
-Book of Psalms: 10 poetic songs & prayer to help with worship
-Bible has almost 200 songs

Question 18

Prophecy in OT literature

Answer 18

-2 sections:
-Major: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
-Minor: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah,
Haggi Zechariah, Malachi
-Prophets are intermediaries btw God & people
-Written to foretell events & show God had a plan all along
-Isaiah: themes of judgment, redemption & coming of Messiah
-Jeremiah: repentance for Israel’s disobedience
-Micah: themes on social injustice, repentance & salvation through the Messiah
-Amos: themes on social justice, genuine worship & caring for oppressed

Question 19

Gospel in NT literature

Answer 19

-Mathew, Mark, Luke & John show Jesus’ life in similar ways
-Mark is earliest, John is latest
-All shows that Jesus = Son of God, Messiah & his death brings salvation
-Some differences btw them because they were written for diff. audiences

Question 20

Book of Acts in NT literature

Answer 20

-Written by same author as Luke’s Gospel
-Story of early church in Jerusalem & how it spread to the gentile world - including Jesus’ ascension, Pentecost & early church
-Show how Christian practices started
-Ends with Paul preaching Gospel in Rome

Question 21

Epistles in NT literature

Answer 21

-Some written to specific communities/ people; others are general
-Letters are prized by people who received them
-Written to guide Christian faith, correct beliefs, God’s love, Jesus’ death & resurrection

Question 22

Revelation in NT literature

Answer 22

-Comes from Greek word “apokalypsis” & means revelations
-Last & only apocalyptic text in NT
-Written by same authors as John’s Gospel
-Prophetic text focus on John’s visions & he sends them to 7 churches of Aisa minor
-Most difficult book in NT to interpret: lots of symbolism & imagery
-About what has yet come

Question 22

define Trinity

Answer 22

-Christian belief in 1 God which is also 3 different people that share 1 nature; Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Question 23

4 characteristics of God

Answer 23

-Omnipotent
-Omnibenevolent
-Omniscient
-Omnipresent

Question 24

describe Trinity

Answer 24

-3 people with 1 nature
-God is referred as Triune God & means God is Trinity
-Bible never uses “Trinity” but has references to it

Question 25

define creed

Answer 25

-statement of belief

Question 25

describe the 3 people in the Trinity

Answer 25

-Father = creator
-Son = redeemer
-Spirit = how God is active in the world & provides God’s grace & guidance
-All are co- equal & co- eternal

Question 26

Importance of the Apostles Creed

Answer 26

-Expresses unified belief
-Is a summary of what the churches teach & christian belief
-Saying it binds all Christians tgt as a community; joining Christians from the past, present & everywhere in common faith

Question 27

Notes on the Apostles Creed

Answer 27

-1st part is about the Father: shows 1 God, Father’s role of creator of heaven & earth
-2nd part is about Son: redeemer/ brings salvation
-3rd part is about Holy Spirit: small c in “catholic Church” = universal christian church & small s in “communion of saints” = all christians living & dead

Question 27

state the 10 commandments in order

Answer 27

-You shall have no other gods before Me
-You shall make no idols
-You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
-Keep the Sabbath day holy
-Honor you father & mother
-You shall not murder
-You shall not commit adultery
-You shall not steal
-You shall not bear false witness against your neighbors
-You shall not covet

Question 28

Apostles Creed

Answer 28

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven & earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate
was crucified, died, & was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the 3 day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
& he will come to judge the living & the dead

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
& the life everlasting.
Amen.

Question 29

verse which states the Greatest commandment

Answer 29

-“You shall love love the Lord your God with all your heart, & with all your soul, & with all your strength, & with all your mind: & your neighbor as yourself” - Luke 10: 27: 28

Question 30

verse which states the Beatitudes

Answer 30

-“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; & after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, & taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you & persecute you & utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice & be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”
- Mathew 5: 1- 12