Christian Beliefs Flashcards
The nature of God
God is: omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, benevolent, just
Influences that god is love
Christian’s know they are loved and will spread love to others as God did
Influences that god is just
They know God’s treatment to them are just; Christian’s learn to treat others the same way: to be fair minded in making decisions, and be fair to others, regardless of their treatment
The problem of evil and suffering, why do they exist
Doesn’t align with the omnibenevolent god
Evil and suffering exist as punishment for things we do wrong
Test their faith, show free will he has given to humans
Learn and take responsibility from evil and suffering
Is god responsible for evil/ everything?
Christian’s do not blame god for moral evil: it is the temptations that encourage acts of disloyalty
God and the trinity
Three persons in one
All three are equal, and are different versions/forms of God
Influences of the trinity
They give and receive blessings in the name of the trinity
It influences them to be thankful for the Son, Jesus to be sent to Earth
They think the spirit is always with them, giving comfort and protection
The creation beliefs
God created the world out of love, in seven ‘days’
Day 5 created life
Day 6 created humans that are good
Day7 is dear day and is holy
Influences of the creation
Christian’s want to show respect to God by looking after the Earth, since God made it out of love for mankind
Believe in God’s omnipotence, for “let there be light” and there was light
Beliefs about afterlife
Believe souls leave one’s body, and possibly go to heaven hell or purgatory
Also about resurrection where one’s soul reborns into a new body
Judgement day for god to decide with justice and mercy where one goes
Perishable
Heaven and hell
Heaven is a place of eternal goodness and happiness with god
Hell is a life without god, separation forever. Some believe it’s not torture, just not given a new life
Influences of heaven and hell
They believe there is life after death- follow Jesus’ teachings and behave well like Jesus described
Help people and develop this nature, and transform into the holy spirit
Incarnation
Jesus was born fully human and fully divine at the same time
Jesus taught people how they should live
Influences of the incarnation
Jesus was the Son of God, Christian’s believe whatever he said was the truth because technically he is God in another form
Christians appreciate the love God has to send his only son who later sacrifices for christians -> this gratitude inspires compassion
Jesus is a role model
The crucifixion
Jesus was executed, his sacrifice was capable of breaking down the barrier that humans had generated between themselves and god through sins- ego and selfishness
Influences of the crucifixion
Christians are thankful for his sacrifice, allowing a chance to be reunited with God again. They will thank god by doing good for others, and worship Jesus as God. They pray and reflect what Jesus did for them, and meditate on this idea to develop a deeper understanding
The resurrection
Most important point in Jesus’ life- Easter Sunday
Risen from the dead as he proclaimed
It proves humans can have a life after death in heaven with god, death is not the end
Also proves God’s omnipotence, Jesus as the Son of God
Influence of the resurrection
Helps Christian believe life after death, eg when a close member dies, they know they’ll be with god and see them again
It is also proof that Jesus was the son of god, validating Christian beliefs
The ascension
Four days after resurrection he was taken up to heaven watched by the disciples
It marks his human life had ended in crucifixion, and return to glory as god
Influences of the ascension
The belief Jesus is part of Trinity is confirmed
Jesus gave disciples a task to evangelise before he returned to heaven , so Christians will “go and make disciples of all nations”
Belief that heaven is achievable, so work towards that
Sins
The act that goes against God’s laws(‘love god’, ‘love thy neighbour’) , a barrier to salvation
Try not to sin or truly be sorry when you do
Original sin
Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in Garden of Eden
Humans now inherited this ‘sin’
Not actual sin but the temptation to commit
Baptise to protect against temptation
Atonement
To being one with god again on the right terms
What is Salvation
About getting into heaven by repenting for one’s own sins
Influences of salvation
Thankfulness for Jesus’ sacrifice, without which they can’t have salvation
They try to obey God’s laws, show compassion through good deeds
