Christian Beliefs Flashcards
Why is Christianity a monotheistic religion?
It teaches that there is only one God
What does atemporal mean?
Outside time, meaning He has no beginning or end
What does omniscient mean?
Knowing everything
What does transcendent mean?
Existing outside the universe, time, and space
What does immanent mean?
Involved with the world and human lives
What does omnibenevolence mean?
All loving
What does omnipotent mean?
All powerful
Why is Jesus described as God incarnate?
Incarnate means embodied in human form, and Jesus was God as a human being on Earth
Who was Boethius and what did he say about God’s judgement?
A sixth century Christian philosopher. He said that humans had free will and could choose freely their path in life, so God is fair and right to punish or reward humans for their actions.
What do the Plymouth Brethren believe about God’s nature and how does this influence their actions?
God is holy and pure; in order to remove themselves from evil they live, as far as possible, separately from the rest of the world. This includes not voting among other things.
What do the Amish believe about God’s nature and how does this influence their actions?
Living in accordance with the laws and commands present in the Bible is necessary for salvation, based on teachings like the Parable of the Sheep and Goats. They live in separate communities, separating themselves from the world’s sin.
What do Hillsong churches believe about salvation?
Salvation does not come from actions as a reward; it comes from God’s grace and is a revelation of His benevolence as a gift. All that is required for salvation is belief and acceptance of this.
What do the Free churches believe about God’s nature and how does this influence their actions?
They (e.g. Baptist churches) say God is directly accessible by all believers and priests are not necessary as a bridge. God is personal and accessible, shown by Jesus’ teachings, such as telling disciples to pray using the phrase ‘abba’, meaning ‘daddy’.
What are the parts of the Holy Trinity?
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit
What is the role of God the Father?
Creator of the universe
A loving, parenting figure - ‘abba’
Giving His followers a sense of safety and protection
What are the roles of God the Son?
Revealing God to people, showing His love and power and teaching them how He wants people to live
Sacrificing himself on the cross to pay for human sin
Rising from the dead to show that God has power over death and is eternal
What are the roles of God the Holy Spirit?
A constant guide and comforter to Christians
Helping people to live in the way that God requires, understand His teaching, and giving them the promise of life in heaven with God after death
Known as the ‘paraclete’, meaning it works alongside God
What denominations reject the Trinity and why?
Unitarians, as the Ten Commandments say to have no other Gods. They say it is only possible to believe in one form without being polytheistic.
What is the Nicene Creed?
A text saying early Christian beliefs from 381CE. It is used by Catholics and Protestants in prayer, and was created in the first ecumenical meeting of Christians
What happens in the account of Creation in Genesis 1?
God creates the world in six days with the Spirit present. He describes everything as ‘good’ and at the end as ‘very good’. Humans are created in His image, given the responsibility to act as stewards, told to have children, and are blessed.
What happens in the account of Creation in Genesis 2?
Adam and Eve are created out of dust, with life breathed into them. They are told not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, lest they face punishment, and are given free will. Eve is created from Adam’s rib
What happens in the account of The Fall in Genesis 3?
Eve is persuaded by a ‘crafty’ serpent to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and shares some with Adam. This is known as original sin as mankind disobeyed God for the first time, bringing sin into a perfect world. Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent, as a result God sends them out of the Garden of Eden.
What is the literal interpretation of the Creation story?
The Bible is God’s actual words and the story is an accurate historical account of creation and the Fall. Science is wrong and the world was made in six days. Some say the world is ~5,700 years old. God’s word is infallible, unlike human knowledge, so it must be the absolute truth.
What is the idea of the Creation story as a myth?
It is not literally true but conveys important truths e.g. the relationship between humans and God and the uniqueness of humans. This is backed up be the differences in style and chronology between Genesis 1 and 2, as well as scientific evidence.