Christian Beliefs

Question 1

Agnosticism

Answer 1

Not being sure whether God exists

Question 2

Atheism

Answer 2

Believing that God does not exist

Question 3

Denomination

Answer 3

A distinct group within a religion with its own beliefs and traditions

Question 4

Monotheism

Answer 4

Belief in one God

Question 5

Moral evil

Answer 5

Suffering caused by humans by misusing their free will

E.g. murder, racism

Question 6

Natural evil

Answer 6

Evil caused by nature

E.g. volcanoes, floods

Question 7

The logical form of evil

Answer 7

If God is all-powerful and all-knowing why does suffering exist

Question 8

The evidential form of evil

Answer 8

The amount of suffering in the world

Extreme suffering

Suffering is not distributed fairly

Question 9

Reasons for God not existing due to the problem of evil

Answer 9

Moral and natural evil exists

Evidential form of the problem of evil

Epicurus’ formulation of the logical form of the problem of evil

RR = original sin

Question 10

Reasons against God not existing due to the problem of evil

Answer 10

Ideology of free will

Suffering is punishment for our sins

Suffering teaches us lessons and brings us closer to God

Satan is responsible for evil, not God

The original sin (Adam & Eve, the first humans disobeyed God)

RR = the story of Abraham & Isaac

Question 11

RR for the Trinity

Answer 11

RR = Nicene Creed (A.D. 325)

Question 12

The analogy of The Trinity

Answer 12

The Clover leaf analogy -

Just like a clover is made of three leaves, so is The Trinity made up of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit

Question 13

Qualities of The Father

Answer 13

The creator of the earth and all living things on it

He guides and protects, as a good father does towards his children

Omnipotent

Omniscient

Omnibenevolent

Question 14

Qualities of The Son

Answer 14

He is God in flesh (incarnation)

He came for our salvation (to save us from our sins)

He is fully human and fully God

He will come again to judge everyone (judgement day)

Question 15

Qualities of The Holy Spirit

Answer 15

Present everywhere (omnipresent)

Witnesses everything, guides us and empowers us in our spiritual path

God’s presence on earth

Question 16

RR for The Creation

Answer 16

‘God created the heavens and the earth’

Question 17

Genesis 1 - creation story

Answer 17

Describes the creation of the world from nothing in 6 days.

Question 18

Genesis 2 - creation story

Answer 18

Describes the creation of the first humans, Adam and Eve

Question 19

St John’s Gospels account of The Creation story

Answer 19

Says that The Son of God was present during The Creation

RR = ‘In the beginning was the Word’ - John

Jesus is referred to as the Word

Question 20

Genesis’s account of The Creation Story

Answer 20

That The Father and The Holy Spirit were present during The Creation, no Jesus

RR = ‘The Spirit of God was hovering over the water’

Question 21

RR for literal creationists

Answer 21

RR = ‘And God said let there be light and there was light’ - Genesis

RR = ‘Nothing is impossible for God’ - Bible

Question 22

Progressive creationists

Answer 22

Accept the story metaphorically and say it was inspired by God

The Bible contains religious truth, not scientific facts

Jesus’ parables are also interpreted and appreciated for their deeper meaning

Scientific discoveries are also accurate

Question 23

RR for incarnation

Answer 23

RR = ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us’

Question 24

Jesus’ key events

Answer 24

Born in Bethlem

Grew up in Nazareth

Crucified & resurrected in Jerusalem

Returned to heaven in Bethany

Question 25

RR for crucifixion

Answer 25

RR = 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing'

Question 26

Importance of crucifixion

Answer 26

Out of love for humanity, God sacrificed his own son, Jesus, to reconcile with us His death was necessary because Jesus atoned (made amends) for humanity’s sins Jesus understands human suffering

Question 27

RR for resurrection

Answer 27

RR = 'He is not here; he has risen' - Mathew

Question 28

Importance of resurrection

Answer 28

Means that Christian’s sins will be forgiven if they obey God Means Christians will be resurrected if they accept Jesus, so there is no need to fear death It marks the beginning of Christianity as a world religion

Question 29

Ascension

Answer 29

The event when Jesus returned to his Father, in heaven

Question 30

The Great Commission

Answer 30

'Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them' - Matthew

Question 31

Heaven

Answer 31

A state of eternal happiness in the presence of God

Question 32

Hell

Answer 32

The state of eternal suffering without God

Question 33

Purgatory

Answer 33

The intermediate state where the soul is cleansed fully in order to enter heaven Believed by Catholics

Question 34

RR for day of judgement

Answer 34

RR = 'For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ'

Question 35

Good actions in the eye of God

Answer 35

Obeying The Decalogue (the 10 commandments) - Exodus The Parable of the Sheep and the Goat – Matthew

Question 36

Original sin

Answer 36

The sin committed by Adam and Eve when they ate the fruit from the forbidden tree

Question 37

Salvation

Answer 37

Saving the soul

Question 38

Forgiveness

Answer 38

Showing grace and mercy to someone when they are in the wrong

Question 39

Atonement

Answer 39

Restoring the relationship between Christians and God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus

Question 40

Reconciliation

Answer 40

Act of healing a broken relationship

Question 41

Grace

Answer 41

When God shows love and support to humans which they don't need to earn