Christian Beliefs Flashcards
Outline three beliefs about the trinity
- the three parts of the Trinity are equally important
- It is the idea of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- It helps them to understand that there is one God who is understood in three different ways
What is the importance of the trinity?
The Trinity helps Christians understand the three ways that God can be understood. Christians can understand God better by relating to these three aspects
How is the trinity portrayed in worship and belief?
Prayers such as the Lords Prayer, Nicene Creed and Apostles creed refer to the trinity
Some hymns refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Christians bless themselves by making the sign of the cross and offer prayers “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”
Explain two ways the biblical account of Christianity can be understood
Literalists believe that the creation story as it is told in the Bible is literally true because the Bible is the literal “word of God” and that God created the world in six days. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
Non-literalists believe that God created the world but not exactly how the story in the Bible says (it is metaphorical), e.g. the word day in the Creation story is a metaphor for a much longer period. They also believe that Science and religion together explain the creation. There is no conflict between religious and scientific explanations - the Bible explains why creation happened and science explains how. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty” (Genesis 1:1-2)
Outline three Christian beliefs about Jesus
- He was born to a human mother
- He forgave sins
- He was resurrected after death
What is the importance of Jesus?
His birth fulfilled the prophecy of Christ coming to earth as the Saviour who was promised by God - so God took human form to be present in the world. Jesus is the “son” part of the Trinity that make up the Christian understanding of God.
How was Jesus divine and human?
Divine:
People worshipped and prayed to him
He was resurrected after death
He performed miracles
Human:
He showed human emotions
Got tired, hungry and thirsty
He was born to a human mother
Outline three events in the last days of Jesus’ life
The Last Supper - Jesus shared his last meal with his disciples, where bread was broken and wine drunk. Jesus predicted that one disciple would betray him. “I will not eat it again until if finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God” (Luke 22:14-16)
Crucifixion - Jesus was sentenced to death on a cross as he was accused of blasphemy, tried and found guilty. “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the skill” (John 19:17)
Resurrection - Jesus was brought back to life three days after his crucifixion. “the men said to them “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”” (Luke 24:5-6)
What was the role of Christ in salvation?
Christians believe that through God sending Jesus to Earth, the sins of humanity are forgiven. Jesus, who was perfect and without sin, offered redemption for humans for sacrificing his life
Explain two reasons why atonement and salvation are important to christians today
They restore the relationship between God and humanity which was broken when Adam and Eve were tempted to eat from the tree of knowledge, it was restored by God who sent down his son (Jesus) and sacrificed him for the sins of humanity. Another importance is that they give hope that humans can follow the example of Jesus, to be rewarded in the afterlife. It is said that Jesus led a perfect life so by Christians following his example, they hope to also enter the kingdom of God
Explain two christian beliefs about heaven
Some believe that heaven is a physical place, where their body goes after death. Others believe that it is their soul that lives on, and that heaven is a state of being united with God.
Explain some of the divergent understandings of life after death
Some christians believer that members of all faiths have a place in the “kingdom of God”, while others believe those without faith who have lived good life will be rewarded. Some also believe in the Second coming or return of Jesus from heaven to Earth.
What two types of evil and suffering are there?
Moral - actions carried out by humans who cause suffering
Natural - things that cause suffering but have nothing to do with humans
Explain two reasons why evil and suffering raise problems for Christians about the nature of God
As seen in the inconsistent triad, the triangle doesn’t make sense if one component is removed. If God is omnibenevolent, he would want to remove evil and suffering as he cares for his creation and he would be able to do so as he is supposedly omnipotent. However evil still exists which shows he either isn’t able to do it or doesn’t want to do it which contradicts the inconsistent triad.
Christians may question how a loving and righteous God would allow people to do evil things and why people need to suffer.
What does the bible say about evil and suffering?
The Bible says God is benevolent and cares for his Creation. Christians believe that God would want to help his creation if it were suffering. “The lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (Psalm 108:8-9)
