CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY Flashcards
What is the significance of God’s role as The Father?
He is the ultimate creator of all life and in the same way a parent cares for their child, God cares for his creations.
What is the significance of God’s role as The Son?
AKA Jesus Christ, God sent his only son to earth as a sacrifice to redeem the sins of humanity and bring salvation in the form of eternal life.
What is the significance of God’s role as the Holy Spirit?
The Holy spirit is the presence of God in the world. (Often represented as a Dove)
Easy way to remember the roles of the trinity
Outside, beside, inside. God the father is outside humanity, watching over us, his creations. Jesus the son is beside humanity, guiding them on the path to salvation. The holy spirit is within, present inside all of us.
SOWA about the trinity (1)
The trinity is one. We do not confess three gods but one god in three persons. - CCC
Who called the council of nicea?
The Emperor Constantine
Why was the council of Nicea important?
Those who attended decided on the divine nature of Jesus and his relationship to God the Father
SOWA for the trinity’s presence at Jesus’ baptism
‘The spirit of God descended like a dove, a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am pleased”’ - MATTHEW
What did god create on which days?
DAYS 1 AND 2 - Light and Sky
DAY 3 - Dry Land and Plants
DAY 4 - Sun, Moon, Stars
DAY 5 - Sea + Flying Creatures
DAY 6 - Land animals and Humans
SOWA FOR CREATION
I believe in One God […] maker of heaven and Earth, of all things visible and invisible
- Nicene creed
Why is it significant that God created humans in his own image?
It is significant because it means we share certain characteristics with him such as being loving and as a result we should use our free will to be closer to him.
What is Imago Dei?
Imago Dei is the idea that humans are made in the image of God. As a result, we are meant to be stewards of the land and have dominion. We must care for the world and maintain balance in nature.
What is the incarnation?
The incarnation is the belief that God took human form to become Jesus. (To take on flesh) This means Jesus is fully God and Fully human.
SOWA about the incarnation
‘And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us’ JOHN
How is Jesus represented as the divine word?
Jesus was omniscient and omnipotent, so he knew Judas would betray him and Peter would deny him. He also performed miracles, such as the curing of the blind man and the feeding of the 5000.
Why is the incarnation important.
It serves as proof God would send a saviour
It shows God as the father wanting to be closer to his creations
Representative of the trinity
What was the process of the Paschal Mystery?
Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension.
What is redemptive efficacy?
A catholic idea that suggested the most effective way to save the sins of humanity was through jesus’ sacrifice.
What is the mysterious aspect of the Paschal Mystery?
Humans cannot truly comprehend the fact Jesus resurrected, with even his disciples doubting that he rose from the dead. This is mentioned in the book of Luke.
Why is the paschal mystery significant to Christians today?
It reminds them that Living, Dying and Rising are part of the Catholic experience, and if they are struggling, as long as they maintain faith and Jesus’ teachings they will eventually reach heaven.
SOWA about the paschal mystery
‘And the word became flesh for us in order to save us’ - CCC
Why is salvation and Grace important?
It reminds Catholics of God’s love for humanity to sacrifice his only son
It represents the reconciliation of God and Humanity through Jesus. As a result Christians feel they have a responsibility to reconcile with other Christians.
What to Catholics believe about life after death?
The soul of a person will go to Heaven or Purgatory.
Purification is for souls with unforgiven sins to be purified.
Souls that have not achieved salvation will go to Hell.
SOWA about eschatology
CORINTHIANS says all Christians will have a non-physical home in heaven and because we aim for heaven we should be doing all we can to please god.
What are some divergent views about life after death
PROTESTANTS do not believe in purgatory. Some argue there is also no hell, just levels of heaven.
Some EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTS believe in resurrection of the body and an ultimate day of judgement which everyone will be raised for.
LIBERAL PROTESTANTS believe the soul lives on in a spirit world depending on how one lived their life.
What is a good mnemonic to remember the 7 sacraments?
BRECHMA
What is a sacrament
A ritual that teaches, strengthens and expresses faith.
What are the 7 sacraments?
BAPTISM
RECONCILIATION
EUCHARIST
CONFIRMATION
HOLY ORDERS
MARRIAGE
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
SOWA about the sacraments
‘The seven sacraments touch all stages and all important moments of Christian life.’
-CCC
Baptism
Jesus was baptised and after his resurrection he told his disciples to do the same and to repeat this for any new disciples welcomed into the church. Many Christians believe Infant baptism cleanses a person of the original sin they are born with.
What is Believers’ Baptism?
Many evangelical denominations believe baptism should only occur once the person is an adult and able to make the choice to accept Christianity into their lives. This person is submerged fully in holy water 3 times.
SOWA about baptism
Jesus’ instructions were to ‘baptise in the name of the Father, the son, and the holy spirit’
Eucharist
Christians use the sacrament of the Eucharist to remember the last supper. It involves Christians being spiritually fed with bread and wine that represents the body and blood of Christ.
What is transubstantiation?
The belief that the bread and wine become the body and blood of christ
Why is the eucharist important
It is considered the ‘The source and summit of all Christian life’ (CCC SOWA) because Christian spirituality flows from it (source) and therefore christian actions should be directed towards it. (summmit)
What are the three sacraments of initiation?
Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.
What is Chrism?
A special oil used for anointing
Confirmation
A sign that a person has reached maturity and can now take responsibility for their own faith. It is because those who are considered new adults in the church (young teenagers) can renew and confirm vows made on their behalf at baptism.
What are the 4 stages of confirmation?
Presentation of candidate - individuals waiting on confirmation are summoned
Renewal of baptismal vows
Laying on of hands - the individual kneels before the priest, and has a sponsor place their right hand on the individual’s shoulder and the priest place their hands on the individual’s head, to call down the blessing of God
Anointing
Whose gifts are sealed at confirmation?
The gifts of the holy spirit.
What is penance?
(aka reconciliation) Voluntary acceptance of punishment to show regret for wrongdoing.
Why is reconciliation important?
It allows Catholics to find God’s forgiveness.
What does reconciliation mean?
‘To be at peace again’
What are the 4 stages of forgiveness?
Contrition - state of feeling remorseful
Confession - priest helps Catholics to confess.
Satisfaction - the priest sets a task or suggests prayers needed in order to achieve forgiveness. (sometimes called penance)
Absolution - Release from feeling of guilt
SOWA for reconciliation
‘You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.’ - MICAH
Anointing of the sick
Given by a priest, this is often a Catholic’s final sacrament. It is given to those who are at risk of becoming more ill or likely to die soon. It is often given in a hospital but can be given at home.