Christian Beliefs Flashcards
State the problem of evil by Epicurus
If God is all loving and wants to stop evil, that means he is not all powerful.
If God is all powerful and is able to stop evil but isn’t willing to, God is not all loving.
If God is able to and willing to stop evil, evil should not exist
Conclusion - God does not exist
4 ways in which Christians respond to the problem of Epicurus
Evil is a punishment from God for human sin - Augustine
Evil is a work from the devil
Evil allows humans to develop by showing qualities such as compassion and grow into the likeness of God - Iraneus and Hick
Evil is a result of the abuse of human free will - Iraneus, Hick and Augustine
Evil is a test from God - Iraneus and Hick
Story of Job - why do people suffer and innocent people suffer a lot?
Job loses everything, his home, his family and gets a terrible skin disease. He questions his suffering with his friends and decides:
People suffer as a test of their faith
Good people suffer a lot because the devil wants to turn them from God
8/9 facts about Jesus’ birth
Born in a house
Visited by wise men from the East
Followed by a star
Brought gifts frankincense (worship) myrrh (suffering) Gold (kinghsip)
Visited Herod who told them to let him know where Jesus was born - told by an angel not to go back
Mary told she will give birth to the son of the most high by the Angle Gabriel
Born in a manger in Bethelehem - travelled there for a census but no rooms at the in
Shepherd’s told of his birth by a heavenly host of angels - no gifts - outcast Jews
Meaning of Incarnation, why Christians believe in it
Means God in flesh
Angel Gabriel says she will give birth to the “Son of the most High”
Jesus performed miracles - walked on water- overturned nature. Virgin birth
Baptism God says “This is my son with whom I am well pleased”
What happened before the crucifixion i.e Holy Week
Jesus foretells his death at the last supper, is betrayed to the Jewish high priests by Judas, is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by the Roman soldiers and high priests, is given an illegal trial, Jesus was whipped and mocked by the Roman soldiers
What happened during the crucifixion?
Jesus was made to carry his cross and was helped by Simon of Cyrene. He was offered wine but refused. He was nailed to the cross. Those below mocked him and asked him to save himself if he really was the son of God. He was crucified between two thieves. When he dies the earth shakes.
What is the atonement?
This means to make humans and God one again. Christians believe that through Jesus’ death, he took the punishment for human sin so that God could be reconciled with humans again. Jesus was a sacrifice for the sins of humans.
Why is the incarnation important to Christians?
Enabled God to atone for human sin- Jesus was fully God and sinless so could forgive sins. Jesus was the sacrifice-lamb of God. Made up for the Fall of Adam and Eve- original sin and inherited sin. St Paul- second Adam.
God could understand human suffering. E.g. Went through the pain of crucifixion , was betrayed by his friends-Peter and Judas
God could show humans the perfect way to behave through Jesus and his teaching e.g. love thy neighbour.
Why the crucifixion is important for Christians.
Was the sacrifice for Adam’s sin and the Fall-lamb of God-Isaiah says “he was sent like a lamb to the slaughter” . Jesus is the second Adam-St Paul.
Atoned for sin and so reconciled humans with God-the goat-was the scape goat for evil just as the Jews used the scape goat to take on all their sins in the Old Testament
Helped God to understand human suffering-went through it himself.
Showed God’s grace-suffered to save humans.”For God so loved the world he gave his only son.”
Why is the atonement important for Christians?
It shows God’s grace (love) because he sacrificed his son to bring humans back to him. “For God so loved the world….”
In bridging the gap between humans and God, Jesus opens the way to eternal life. “So all who believe in him may have eternal life.” “I am the way, the truth..no one can get to the Father except through me.”
Jesus overturned what Adam and Eve had done when they sinned. St Paul refers to him as the second Adam. He is the lamb sacrifice. Last supper, Jesus says “This is my blood which I shed for you.”
He fulfils Old Testament prophecy as Isaiah predicts that there will be a suffering servant who will die for the sins of others. “He was pierced for our transgressions.”
Give 5 facts about the resurrection
His tomb was found empty by three women-Mary, Mary the mother of James and Joanna
The women were told by Two angels-why do you look for the living amongst the dead.
In another account, Mary visits the tomb on her own and mistakes Jesus for gardener.
The disciples did not believe the women. Peter has to go and look in the tomb himself
Jesus appeared to the disciples and they only believed once he broke the bread and drunk the wine with them.
Doubting Thomas asks to see Jesus’ wounds.
What is the ascension?
40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, he ascends into heaven in front of his disciples. He tells his disciples that they must spread the message of good news and baptise in the name of the Father , Son and Holy Spirit.
Give three or four reasons why resurrection is important for Christians with a biblical passage to support each point.
It shows God’s grace (love) that he sacrificed his son to offer eternal life to humans. “For God so loved the world he gave his only son, so all who believe in him shall not perish but may have eternal life.” St John’s gospel.
It shows Christians that Jesus has defeated death and so they can defeat death and have eternal life. It offers hope. “No one can get to the father except through me.” Jesus
It shows that the Fall has been overcome. Whilst all humans had inherrited sin from Adam so were condemned to death and hell, Jesus’ resurrection shows that those who believe in him can have eternal life and be rid of original sin.
Give 3 or 4 reasons why the ascension is important for Christians
It shows that even though Jesus is no longer physically on earth, God’s spirit will still be with Christians. This was evidenced at the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and gave them the strength to spread Jesus’ message.
It shows Christians must try to spread Jesus’ message. Jesus said to go and spread the gospel to all nations when he ascended. They must baptise people as Jesus did
It shows Jesus is waiting in heaven for Christians. This is affirmed in the Apostles’ creed, read out in church each week. “He is seated at the right hand of the Father”
Jesus did not die. A further sign that he was the Son of God. He has gone to heaven and is eternally there.
List 3 characteristics for God and an example
Omnipotent-Parts the red sea.
Omnibenevolent-Jesus includes the outcasts in his miracles-cures lepers and the blind.
Creator-Genesis 1 and 2.
Give 6 points about the Trinity
Father-creates the universe and provides.
Son-Incarnation-is the sacrifice and bring atonement and eternal life.
Holy Spirit-brings gifts e.g. love, speaking in tongues. Its presence makes everything holy e.g.cleanses sin in baptism and holy communion.
Give four teachings/biblical passages to support the Trinity.
Jesus’ baptism “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.” Dove-holy spirit.
Jesus “I and the father are one.”
Jesus “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father”
Stated in the Nicene Creed.
Give 3 reasons why the Trinity is important
It is in the Bible (see passages above) and revealed directly by God-at Jesus’ baptism
It helps Christians to understand God i.e. It tells them the different roles which God eternally has.
It helps Christians to understand how they can be saved from sin e.g. The son atones from sin and shows Christians how to live a good life through his example, the Holy spirit sanctifies during the sacraments e.g. Washes sin away during baptism, The Father has sent Jesus to atone and sent the prophets in the Old testament to warn people of their sin
Give three points regarding divine law (the Bible), its link to salvation and different interpretations.
The Bible includes God’s laws which guide Christians in the right way to behave to be saved.
The Bible is split into the New and Old Testaments. The 10 commandments are in the Old Testament (they are not from Jesus!). They tell Christians not to steal, lie, commit adultery, be jealous, to honour your mother and Father.
Christians interpret the Bible in different ways. Fundamentalist Christians interpret it literally as the word of God and should not be updated where as liberal Christians see it as inspired by God but needs updating with scientific discoveries and today’s society.
Give three points about the importance of the Holy Spirit for Salvation.
Believed to be present in the sacraments of baptism and the eucharist. Cleanses huamans of sin during these.
It is a sign of God’s grace that he sent the Holy spirit to save humans.
It is an important part of Evangelical worship and brings gifts such as healing and speaking in tongues.
It came upon the disciples at the Pentecost to show they needed to spread the gospel to all nations.
Give two different Christian approaches to salvation-note key words as reminders
Catholic view
Need - confession, contrition, repentence, penance Eucharist, Baptism. Salvation is through Jesus’ atoning death. Must take mass, be baptised (the sacraments) Holy spirit is present at these and cleanses of sin. Need all 7 sacraments to be saved.
Protestant view.
Don’t need a priest for salvation. Need to be sorry. Don’t agree with confession. Should pray to God to receive forgiveness. Salvation comes through Jesus’ death. Some Protestants believe Holy Spirit will cleanse sins in baptism and holy communion. Most accept the 2 sacraments of Eucharist and Baptism to be saved and the Quakers- none!
What is liturgical worship-give an example and one pros and cons
Set pattern to worship e.g. Anglican church-set service for Holy communion e.g. biblical readings, sermon, prayers, holy communion.
Good-sets the pattern that Jesus set up e.g. Lord’s prayer, sermon on the Mount and his last supper.
Con-Not so much room for people to be moved by the Holy Spirit.
What is non liturgical worship or charismatic worship-give and example and 2 pros and cons.
No set pattern to worship e.g. Quakers.
Moved by the Holy Spirit-speak in tongues etc.
Good-Mirrors the Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they started talking in tongues.
Con-could miss out important practices which Jesus set up e.g. his last supper which is remembered in Holy communion/eucharist.
