Christian Beliefs Flashcards
Key attributes describing the nature of God
- Benevolent
- Omniscient
- Omnipotent
- Monotheistic
- Judge
- Eternal
- Transcendent
- Immanent
- Personal
- Forgiving
Biblical evidence for God’s benevolence and forgivingness
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Biblical evidence of a monotheistic faith
- “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)
- “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below” (Exodus 20:4)
- “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:70
- “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8)
What is the trinity?
The belief that God is presented as a Holy Trinity of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
Why can Christianity be a monotheistic faith, but still maintain beliefs about the trinity?
All though all 3 persons of the trinity are distinct, perfect and equal, they are the 3 different parts of God.
Why might some Christians not believe in the trinity?
They believe it would make Christianity as polytheistic faith, and would go against the ten commandments, e.g. “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)
Give one example of a denomination that does not believe in the trinity
Unitarians such as the Christadelphians
Biblical evidence about the trinity
John 14:16–17
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
The Apostles’ Creed, The Nicene Creed and the trinity
Both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are split into 3 sections - 1 section about belief in God the Father, 1 section about belief in God the Son and the final section about belief in God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father in Genesis
God the Father speaks in Genesis, and God the Holy Spirit carries out his commands.
Biblical evidence of God the Father’s commands
Genesis 1:10
“God called the dry land ‘Earth’”
What does God’s commands show about God’s relationship
It shows God has authority and power over the world
Biblical evidence for God’s relationship with the world
Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”
God the Holy Spirit in Genesis
The Holy Spirit carries out God the Father’s commands in Genesis
Biblical evidence for God the Holy Spirit in Genesis
Genesis 1:2
“the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”
Biblical evidence for God’s relationship with humanity
Genesis 2:7
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”
- Could be interpreted as the Holy Spirit being breathed into Adam
Was the trinity present in Genesis?
Yes. There is clear evidence for God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. According to John 1, the “Word” was present in the creation, and we can interpret the “Word” to be God the Son.
Biblical evidence of Jesus in Genesis
John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”
Biblical evidence that humans have authority over the Earth
Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
What are the 3 different types of interpretation of the Bible?
- Fundamentalism (Creationism)
- Conservatism
- Liberalism
What do all 3 types of Christian believe about Genesis?
- God created the universe
- God acted out of love and goodness, even in the sinful state of humans
- Humans are made in God’s image but lack his perfection
What are the elements of the inconsistent triad?
- God is omnibenevolent
- God is omnipotent
- Evil exists
One of these must not be true, as if God loves us enough to get rid of evil and is powerful enough to do so, but he has not done so
Who proposed the inconsistent triad?
J.L. Mackie
What is moral evil?
Suffering caused by the actions of human beings
What is natural evil?
Suffering not caused by humans, e.g. natural distasters
What is the free will theodicy?
The free will theodicy states that moral evil can exist due to the free will God granted us, which is the most benevolent thing God could have done
Who proposed the free will theodicy?
Augustine
What is the soul making theodicy?
God purposely made us imperfect so that we have the opportunity to grow towards God and perfection.
Who proposed the soul making theodicy?
Irenaeus, but it was later adapted by ohn Hick
How does the soul making theodicy justify natural evil?
We need a corresponding evil to compare good to, for example, you can’t know how it feels to be full if you’ve never been hungry
What are the 4 key roles of Jesus?
- Son of God
- Messiah
- Lord
- Saviour
What are the key beliefs about ‘Jesus as the Son of God’
- Jesus was God incarnate
- Jesus was conceived by the holy spirit
What does ‘Messiah’ mean?
‘Anointed one’ (Chosen one)
What are the key beliefs about ‘Jesus as a Saviour’
God the Father sent Jesus to Earth with the purpose of the atonement sacrifice to atone for original sin (to allow humans to enter heaven), and to provide reconciliation between humans and God.
Biblical evidence about Jesus’s incarnation
Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”
What does ‘Immanuel’ mean?
God with us
What does ‘Agape’ mean?
The highest form of love or charity
What are the 2 greatest commandments?
Matthew 22:37–39
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’”
Biblical evidence of Jesus’s miracles as agape
Matthew 8:3
“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
Biblical evidence that we should dedicate ourselves to God?
Luke 10:27
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’”
What happens in the parable of the good Samaritan?
A Jew is attacked, robbed, and left to die. A priest walks by and ignores him. A Levite does the same. A Samaritan (Samaritans and Jews were enemies) walks past and helps the man. Jesus tells the expert in the law to do the same.
What does practising agape love require?
- Forgiveness
- Helping others in need
- Working to achieve peace
What does the sermon on the mount include?
- The Beatitudes
- Jesus and the law
- True discipleship
- True righteousness
- The narrow gateway
- Building on solid foundations
What are the first 3 beatitudes?
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth
What are the second set of 3 beatitudes?
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
- Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
- Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
What are the final 2 beatitudes?
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God
- Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven
What does Jesus say about the law in the sermon on the mount?
Jesus changes the way Christians interpret the law brought by Moses. He says that the obedience to the law should come from the heart.
Where does Jesus reveal the Lord’s prayer
In the sermon on the mount
Biblical evidence about how we should treat enemies (go the extra mile)
Matthew 5:38-42
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Biblical evidence about how we should treat enemies (love your enemy)
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
What is the Lord’s prayer?
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
How should we pray?
In private, and follow the Lord’s prayer. We will be rewarded praying, and forgiven if we forgive those who sin against us.
What does Jesus preach about wealth?
True riches are spiritual treasures, not material riches on earth, therefore, one should dedicate themselves to God to be rewarded in heaven.
Biblical evidence about wealth on earth
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus’s teachings about judging each other
No one is perfect, therefore you should never judge others
Biblical evidence about not judging others
Matthew 7:3
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Jesus’s teachings about the narrow gateway during the sermon on the mount
It is easy to stray into the wide path that leads to the broad gate, but that gate leads to hell. Instead, you need to focus yourself on staying on the narrow path that leads to heaven.
Biblical evidence about the narrow gateway
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
What does Jesus preach about building on solid foundations?
You should build your life on solid foundations (around God), like you would build a house on solid foundations. Jesus uses the analogy of a storm that knocks down a house built on weak foundations, but the house on strong foundations stands strong.
Biblical evidence for building on solid foundations
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash”
What is the incarnation?
God becoming man in the form of Jesus
What was the purpose of the incarnation?
To perform the atonement sacrifice, to atone for original sin and to reconcile the relationship between man and God.
Biblical evidence of the incarnation
Luke 1:35
“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God”
What is the crucifixion?
Jesus’s painful death on a cross
What did the crucifixion mean for Christians?
Original sin had been atoned for, and God’s relationship with humanity was reconciled, therefore, Christians were able to enter heaven again.
Where in the Bible is Jesus’s crucifixion described?
Mark 15:21–41
What does the resurrection demonstrate?
Jesus’s power over death, which is evidence that Jesus is God incarnate. It also proves that God has accepted Jesus’s atonement sacrifice.
How long was it between the crucifixion and the resurrection?
3 days
How do some Christians place more emphasis on the crucifixion?
By wearing crucifixes more often, especially during worship to focus on Jesus’s pain and suffering
Biblical evidence for the resurrection
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay”
What is the ascension?
Jesus’s return to heaven after the resurrection
How long is it between the resurrection and the ascension?
40 days
What does the ascension symbolise?
The end of Jesus’s work on earth, and the beginning of Jesus’s work in heaven
Biblical evidence of heaven
John 14:2
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
Where is an empty cross found and what does it symbolise?
In protestant churches, and it symbolises Jesus’s return from the dead
Biblical evidence for the ascension
Acts 1:9
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
Biblical evidence for parousia during the ascension
Acts 1:11
“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”
What is salvation?
The restoration of the relationship between God and mankind
What is atonement?
God in Christ reconciles the world to himself
What is law?
Rules used to identify sins through (e.g. through the commandments). After the atonement sacrifice, Christians were able to gain forgiveness for any sin.
Biblical evidence that sins can be forgiven
Hewbrews 9:26
“Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself”
What is grace?
God’s redemptive love to save sinners
Biblical evidence for God’s grace
Ephesians 2:8
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”
What does Paul preach about sin?
Sin entered through the fall and brought death with it, and that humans continue to sin. However, Paul preaches that God can offer salvation for your sins due to the atonement sacrifice, but stresses that nothing you do in your life can earn you salvation.
Biblical evidence about the fall bringing sin and death
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Biblical evidence that everyone is equal before God
Romans 3:22-23
“There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
What is redemption?
God paying off our debt of sin
Why do Christians repent?
They believe they need God’s help to be able to live a good life
What are 2 beliefs about salvation?
- You can be saved by being baptised and partaking in other sacraments
- To be saved, you must start a ‘new life’ following Jesus
What does eschatological mean?
Relating to death and the afterlife
What does resurrection mean?
Coming back to life after death
What does ‘life after death’ refer to?
Beliefs about what happens after you die
What is hell?
Eternal separation from God
What is heaven?
Eternal life after death in the presence of God
What did the Early Church believe about the return of Jesus?
Early Christians believed that Jesus would return and replace the sinful world they lived in
What is Parousia?
The second coming of Christ, which signified the end of the world
Example of a denomination that holds beliefs about Parousia
Roman Catholic Church + Orthodox Church
Christian beliefs about resurrection
The physical body will remain dead, but the soul will be resurrected
Biblical evidence about Christian beliefs about resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:42
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable”
Views about hell
- Hell is a place of annihilation, where the soul and the body will both be destroyed
- An eternal existence without God’s presence
One diverging view about heaven
It is not a place, but a state of mind
Biblical descriptions of heaven
- Blinding light
- Singing
- Beauty
Is there evil in heaven?
No, there is no evil or suffering in heaven
What is purgatory?
A place in which purification and removal of sins occurs before you can enter heaven
Who believes in purgatory?
Roman Catholics
What does the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46) teach?
You must help others to gain salvation and eternal life
