Christian Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
what are the tree main branches of Christianity?
- Catholic - led by the Pope in Rome
- Orthodox - formed in 1054, practiced in Eastern Europe
- Protestant - many denominations like Church of England, formed in the 16th century (Reformation)
what do Protestants believe about authority?
the Bible is the only source of authority
What are some beliefs about the nature of God?
- monotheistic - there is only one God
- creator and sustainer
- can have a special relationship through prayer
- holy - set apart for a special purpose + worthy of worship
- God is spirit - neither male nor female (John 4:24)
key quotes on monotheism?
- “We believe in one God” - Nicene Creed
- “You shall have no other God before me” - Exodus 20:3
what are some qualities of God?
- omnipotent
- omnibenevolent
- omniscient
- omnipresent
- just
- transcendent
- immanent
how is God omnipotent?
- God is all powerful and has unlimited authority
- For example he created everything
key quote on God’s omnipotence?
“nothing is impossible with God” - Luke 1:37
how is God omnibenevolent?
- he is all loving and uses his power to do good
- shows his love by creating humans and caring for them
- main example: God sent his only son Jesus onto earth
key quote on God’s omnibenevolence? (hint: remember the song)
“God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” - John 3:16
how is God omniscient?
- he is all knowing
- he knows everything that we are going to do in our lives and everything that will happen to the world
how is God omnipresent?
- he is all present
- he is not bound by space or time and can be anywhere that he pleases
how is God just?
- he is a fair judge of human beings
- he doesn’t support injustice, oppression, ill-treatment and prejudice
how is God transcendent?
- he is beyond human understanding
- he created all things so therefore is separate from it
how is God immanent?
- God is present and active in the world
- he is involved in the lives of people
- example: Jesus (God the Son) being the incarnate of God and coming to earth
what are some challenges against the qualities of God?
- if God is omnibenevolent, why does he allow some people to suffer?
- if God is omnipotent, why doesn’t he stop evil and suffering?
- if God is just, why does he allow injustice to happen?
what is the holy trinity?
the relationship of love between God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
what three persons are in the Holy Trinity?
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
are the three persons necessarily physical beings?
no
who is God the Father?
- a good father for his children
- the creator
- omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient, omnipresent
who is God the Son?
- the Son of God, Jesus - the incarnate of God
- both fully human and fully God
who is the Holy Spirit?
- the power of God at work in the world
- influences, guides and sustains life on earth
what evidence is there for the Holy Trinity?
in the Apostles Creed - reference to ‘The Father Almighty’, ‘his only Son’, and ‘the Holy Spirit’
what happened in the Genesis 1 creation story?
- God created light and dark
- God created the water and the sky
- God created the sea, land and vegetation
- God created the sun, moon and stars
- God created sea creatures and birds
- God created cattle and wild animals and humans
- God rested, blessed the day and made it holy
Key quote from Genesis 1? (creation)
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” - Genesis 1:1