Christainity: Beliefs And Teachings

Question 1

Omnipotent

Answer 1

All powerful, almighty and unlimited nature of god

Question 2

Omnibenevolent

Answer 2

State of being all loving and infinitely good which is a characteristic often attributed to god

Question 3

Trinity

Answer 3

The three persons of god: Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Question 4

Incarnation

Answer 4

The act of god becoming human in the form of Jesus

Question 5

Atomement

Answer 5

The belief that Jesus’ death on the cross healed the rift between humans and god

Question 6

Resurrection

Answer 6

The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, conquering death

Question 7

Sacraments

Answer 7

An outward sign of a visible and inward blessing by god

E.g. baptism, Eucharist

Question 8

Evangelism

Answer 8

Preaching of the gospel to others with the intention of converting others to the Christian faith

Question 9

The nature of god- what is he like?

Answer 9

Omnipotent
Omnibenevolent
He is three in one
There is evil and suffering in the world, god shares in peoples suffering

Question 10

Literalist views on genesis creation story

Answer 10

The points of the story actually happened the way they we described, literally:

• god’s spirit moved across waters
• there were 6 days of 24 hours in which god created the world
• Adam was formed out of the dust from the earth
• eve was formed out of Adams rib

Question 11

Non literalist views on the genesis creation story

Answer 11

The main point of the story is not to detail how god created the world but to state that he did:

• god did the create the world
• he used the natural processes he created
• there were clear periods of creation, though not 24 hours as such

Question 12

The incarnation of Jesus

Answer 12

The death of Jesus was part of a divine plan to bring about salvation
It was also the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies
Jesus himself referred to his crucifixion as a fulfilment of the prophecies. The crucifixion was necessary to allow the resurrection to take place

Question 13

Why is the crucifixion of Jesus important to Christians?

Answer 13

The death of Jesus was an act of atonement for the sins of the people in the world
The death of Jesus is therefore part of the process for the redemption/salvation of humanity
The death of Jesus was also necessary to allow the resurrection to take place

Question 14

Salvation from the resurrection

Answer 14

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead shoes that death is not the end, but that through faith in the suffering and death of Jesus, people can be restored to a relationship with god- their sins and their punishment are dealt with
In addition, there is no longer a need to fear death, as believers in Christ and his sacrifice will be resurrected to live eternally with god and Christ in heaven

Question 15

Atonement from the resurrection

Answer 15

The story of the fall, where Adam and Eve went against God’s instructions, led to a breakdown in the relationships between humans and god
Christians believe that every person has the inclination to sin, or do wrong
The penalty for this is death and separation from god
However, the suffering and death of Jesus, on behalf of all people, means the relationship with god is restored

Question 16

The resurrection of Jesus

Answer 16

Sunday morning women take spices to the tomb
Stone already rolled away from tomb
No sign of Jesus’ body
Two angels appear, tell them he’s alive
They return and tell the 11 apostles and everyone what happened
Jesus appeared the disciples and others

Question 17

The ascension of Jesus

Answer 17

Jesus lifted his hands and blessed his disciples
While doing so was taken up to heaven
They worshipped him
Continued at the temple, praising god

Question 18

Christian beliefs in the afterlife

Answer 18

There is eternal life after death, received through faith
Entry to heaven depends on a person’s response to Jesus and those in need on earth
Resurrection is expected because of the resurrection of Jesus
There is a hell- the opposite of heaven- a place it separation from god
Catholics believe in purgatory, a place of cleansing that is between earth and heaven; prayers can be said for those in purgatory, to shorten their stay there

Question 19

Christian beliefs judgement

Answer 19

There will be a judgement day, where the quality of people’s lives will be judged by God
This will be the time Jesus comes for a second time, the Parousia
It will be the end of human existence on Earth
There will be bodily resurrection of the dead, and believers will be transformed into a glorified state
A new heaven and a new earth will commence, with no tears, sorrow, sin or death

Question 20

Christian belief in the resurrection

Answer 20

The spiritual part of the person (soul) goes to heaven with God when believers die
At the end of time there will be a physical resurrection, that is brought back to life with physical bodies
All will be judged as to their faith and their deeds, before the final destiny is decreed
There will be a new order: eternal life or immortality

Question 21

What will heaven be like?

Answer 21

Most believe heaven will be the place to which believers go when they die; a place where god can be known clearly, and where earthly life and cares are forgotten
However, Christians also have differing views about heaven: some think it is an actual, physical place; others believe its more of a spiritual dimension or existence
But for most Christians there is also the firm belief that there will be a new heaven and a new earth – place where there is no more sorrow, sin or death
That is the heaven of eternal life and immortality – there God will be the centre and focus of all who live there, forever

Question 22

When will people go to heaven?

Answer 22

Christians believe that those with faith in Jesus go to heaven when they die
Catholics would say only very good people to go straight to happen, and the rest go to Purgatory first, to be cleansed and made ready for heaven

Question 23

Why is heaven important?

Answer 23

Many Christians say that only those who have faith in Jesus and his death and resurrection will go to heaven
It is to be in the presence of God
heaven will be a paradise – Jesus referred to this
Heaven is also seen as a reward for a life of faith and good works
Others would agree argue that as God is omnibenevolent, all will ultimately be forgiven and enter into a new relationship with God in heaven

Question 24

What will hell be like?

Answer 24

Most Christians believe it’s a place of suffering, even torment
This is because, whatever else it might be, it’s a place of absolute separation from God and all that comes from his presence and love
Christians also have different rules about hell: some think it is a physical place, where people burn eternally; others believe that it exists, it is a kind of spiritual dimension, but one that does not include God

Question 25

When will people go to hell?

Answer 25

Christians believe it’s a place to which people go when they die they have been rejected Jesus
Many Christians also believe it is eternal place; a place where, after judgement day, those without faith will remain – always separated from God and his goodness

Question 26

Why is hell important?

Answer 26

Most Christians believe hell is to be absent from the presence of God
Jesus’ teachings refer to it
Some Christians believe hell is a punishment for a life without atonement

Question 27

Events/miracles which show Jesus was divine

Answer 27

Virgin birth
Voice of god at baptism
His miracles
Resurrection

Question 28

Devil

Answer 28

Author of evil
Fallen Angel
Debate as to real or metaphorical idea
May be able to physically possess people
Army of demons
Wants to get between man and god
Tempter- serpent?

Question 29

Theistic evolutionists beliefs on creation

Answer 29

Believe creation story is a myth
Bible story isn’t literally true. Prescientific and ancient way of explaining why the universe looks as it does
Say that the Big Bang theory shows the universe had a cause and believe it was god who caused it