Chapter 2- Incarnation Flashcards
What is the meaning of the incarnation?
The incarnation is when God took on the human condition to become Jesus. For Christians, the fact that God was prepared to experience being human shows how much love God has for the human race. God knows what it’s like to be human and this helps Christian’s to value God’s love.
How is the incarnation announced (Luke’s account)?
The Bible tells the stories of the angel Gabriel’s visits to Mary and Joseph to announce God’s plan of sending God into the world
Luke’s account:
Focuses on Mary’s role with the incarnation. Tells the story of when the angel Gabriel visited Mary, telling her she will conceive and give birth to a son, named Jesus who will be the son of God. Jesus will be conceived through the Holy Spirit and because it was important to God that humans have free will, God gives Mary the choice of whether or not to be Jesus’ mother. Mary gives her consent and agrees with God’s wishes. Jesus os fully human and fully God.
How is the incarnation announced (Matthew’s account)?
Focuses on Joseph’s role in the incarnation. Joseph planned to break up with Mary because she was pregnant before they married but an angel visited Joseph in one of his dreams and told him it was right to marry Mary as her son was conceived via the Holy Spirit. The angel confirms that Jesus is being sent to earth by God to save humanity from it’s sins.
Although there are differences in the accounts. They both make the same points: Mary was a virgin, God worked through human beings to bring about his plan for humanity. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the son of God and the angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth
What is the relationship between the word of God?
The Word of God is another name for the Son Of God. The Catholic church teaches that God is three persons: the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Together these three are referred to as the Trinity. The Son of Gos, being the second person of the Trinity, is also known ad the word of God as it becomes human in the form of Jesus which is why Jesus is sometimes called ‘the word of God made flesh’
The Word of God is eternal as like God the father it has always existed. The word of God is God as it comes from inside God and is his self-expression.
The word of God is also distinct from God, although being united they can be distinguished between
The word of God is how God expresses his power and love as it gives love light and guidance to people. The word came to earth to guide people closer to God and teach them how to share in his love
The word grace means free gift and Jesus is God’s free gift to the human race and is an expression of God’s love for humans
How is Jesus presented as the son of man?
Christians believe that Jesus was fully human and he lived a human life filled with human experience and emotions. Jesus’ nature is emphasised in the phrase Son of Man which he sometimes used to talk about himself. It can be used as a general title of him referring to himself as a normal human being. It can also be used as a title for someone who has been given power or authority by God. Jesus used this phrase when he talked about the suffering he would have to endure during his crucifixion. If Jesus was not fully human then he would not have been bothered by the pain and suffering of his crucifixion but he knew that as a human it would cause him great agony
How is Jesus presented as the Son of God?
Jesus acknowledged he was the Son Of God when he was put before the Jewish council and asked are you the messiah son of the holy one and he replied I am. Jesus goes on to say you will see the son seated at the right hand of the power, using son of man emphasised his humanity but he also had a share in God’s power, emphasising his divinity. God is eternal and therefore Jesus couldn’t become God alter his death. The resurrection proves that he was always God but just limited himself to human condition whilst on earth
Explain the significance of the Itchus
Itchus means fish in greek but Christians use it as an acronym where the letters represent a series of Greek words which make Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. In the early days of christianity it was used as a declaration of faith showing their beliefs in Jesus Christ. When being persecuted they could use this to identify themselves
Explain the significance of the Alpha and Omega
Alpha is the first letter of the greek alphabet and Omega is the last. They are used to indicate how God and Jesus are involved from the beginning to the end. Used as symbols in many churches and christian art. They also have a special place on the paschal candle to represent the risen Christ
Explain the significance of the Chi-Rho
Monogram formed from the first two letters of the greek alphabet word for Christ when written in capitals. For christians it is a reminder of Jesus’ death and how he was sent by God to save humanity through his death. Symbol is worn alternatively to the crucifix as an expression of their faith
What are some of the reasons people are against religious art?
Some religions are reluctant to portray God in art and others forbid it. Reasons include:
.It isn’t possible to portray God accurately as infinite things cannot be represented using finite human means such as paintings and sculptures
.Art can mislead people about God as art cannot portray God accurately and therefore it can give wrong impressions of what God is like
.Praying in front of a statue or painting may mislead people as it looks as if the statue is being worshipped like a God, against one of the ten commandments
.It is against the second commandment ‘You shall not make yourself an idol’
What are Catholic attitudes towards religious art?
The Catholic church approves of the use of religious art, including the ones that depict God. The catholic church teaches that religious art can inspire people, give people something to focus on as they pray. Help people to learn aspects of God’s work and have a positive role in religious life
Jesus was fully human and therefore it makes it acceptable to show him in human form. No one knows what he looked like but he was a man with human qualities and therefore any work of art that captures these qualities has value.
Jesus was fully God which makes it acceptable to show God in human form because God revealed himself on earth in the form of a human and therefore fine to depict him in that form.
Jesus died to save all of humanity and therefore can be represented by whatever ethnicity because the world was affected by his death and resurrection
What is the Sacred Heart?
A Sacred Heart is a statue of Jesus representing his total self-giving love for all people. It usually includes some features such as: an expression of peace and love, flames coming from his chest to represent Jesus’ burning love for all. A hole or piercing through his heart to represent where the soldier stabbed him in the side after he died. Holes in the hands where he was nailed to a cross. Crown of thorns to represent the crown placed on his head mocked by soldiers at his crucifixion. One of his hands pointing to his heart to show attention
For Catholics the sacred heart is a reminder of the total love that Jesus has for all people. This love was demonstrated in particular when Jesus died to save humanity, which is why the Sacred Heart involves elements of the crucifixion.
What are different christian attitudes to art that portrays Jesus?
Most christians approve of art that shows Jesus as it allows them to focus on aspects of his teachings and life. However some Christians are against because of the second commandment, depicting Jesus as human could be misleading, no one knows what Jesus looked like
What is Christ the redeemer?
It is a statue of Jesus with outstretched arms which represents his obedience to God the father and love for all people. Located in Rio de Janeiro
Why is the crucifix significant?
It is a reminder of the crucifixion of Jesus and God’s act of love in freeing people from the power of sin and death
