Christian Beliefs Flashcards
Define omnipotent
God is all-powerful
Define omnibenevolent
God is all-loving
Define just
God is fair
Define omniscient
God knows everything
Define transcendent
God exists out of our worldly constraints and physical laws
Define immanence
The belief that God is ‘in the world’
What is the problem of evil?
Christians question why evil and suffering and evil still exists in the world still exists if God really is all-powerful, all-knowing and all-loving
Give three solutions to the problem of evil
Humans need evil to appreciate good
God gave humans free will, so suffering could be a result of choices they’ve made or consequences from the natural world
Experiencing bad things could be a test of faith
What is the trinity?
Christians believe in one God but they believe he exists in three parts or ‘persons’. These are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
What do Christians believe God the Father is?
The creator of everything
The sustainer of all
Transcendent
What do Christians believe God the Son is?
A model for Christian behaviour
Immanent
The saviour
What do Christians believe God The Holy Spirit is?
A presence of God in the world today
A source of strength courage and wisdom
What does Genesis 1 explain?
God is the only creator
God blessed creation; all creation is holy
God existed before he created the world
The world was well planned and is sustained by God
What do Christians believe about Stewardship and dominion?
Christians believe that God appointed human beings to be in charge of what he created, and to care for the world as responsible custodians
Give a quote about stewardship and dominion
“Let us make man in our image and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens”
According to St John’s Gospel, what was present at creation?
The trinity
Give a quote that suggests the Holy Spirit was involved in creation
“The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. And God said, ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light.”
Give a quote that suggests The Word was involved in creation
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. Through him all things were made.” - John 1:1
What does it mean when Christians take the bible literally?
Some Christians interpret the creation stories in Genesis literally, and believe the events documented in the Bible happened exactly as written
They believe the bible is the literal word of God and believe it’s completely true
What does it mean if Christians take the bible as inspiration?
Other Christians believe that the Bible was inspired by God, which means that there could be inconsistencies in the stories because they were written by humans, who, whilst inspired, are not completely perfect
What does it mean if Christians take the Bible metaphorically?
Some Christians believe that the stories are metaphors or symbolic descriptions. These Christians will accept scientific theories about the origins of the universe, such as the Big Bang theory
Give Christian beliefs about the afterlife
Some Christians believe in the resurrection of the body on the Day of Judgement, when God will judge everyone individually and they will be sent to heaven or hell
Therefore, death is not to be feared for those who have lived morally and done God’s will
Give a quote about resurrection (judgement day)
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Define Second Coming
Some Christians believe that Jesus will return to earth as a physical body and everyone who has died will be resurrected
Define Personal judgment
Some Christians believe that souls are judged as soon as the body dies. Souls are then sent straight to Heaven or Hell, rather than waiting for a Day of Judgment
Give a Christian belief about heaven
Christians may be happy and surrounded by their favourite things. They will know God on a more personal level
Give a Christian belief about hell
The Bible depicts hell as a terrible place where souls will not know the presence of God
Give a quote about hell
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Describe the incarnation of Jesus
When Jesus was born, God became present on earth as a human. Jesus showed Christians how they should live and demonstrated God’s love
He performed miracles, such as healing a blind man
