Christian Ethical Teachings

Question 1

Define the term ‘ethics’:

Answer 1

Discussions and theories about our values, right and wrong, rules and virtues

Question 2

Approximately, how old is the Christian religion?

Answer 2

2000 years old.

Question 3

Why is Jesus seen by Christians to be so central to Christian Ethics?

Answer 3

He is the founder of the faith and part of God (the Trinity) and so is the perfect model for how to behave.

Question 4

What is Jesus’ New Covenant?

Answer 4

The updated covenant that replaces and fulfils the old one.

Question 5

Who leads the Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 5

The Pope

Question 6

Who leads the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Answer 6

The Patriarch of Constantinople

Question 7

How many Christians are there estimated to be in the world?

Answer 7

2.2 billion

Question 8

How many Catholic Christians are there estimated to be in the world?

Answer 8

1 billion

Question 9

What is the context in which Christians believe all human ethics can happen?

Answer 9

That God created the world with a purpose and will one day bring it to a conclusion and judge the people of the world for the actions they have taken.

Question 10

Do Christians need to follow the 613 commandments of the Jewish Covenant?

Answer 10

No because Jesus brought the new covenant, that updated the old one making many of the Old Testament laws redundant

Question 11

What is a central Christian ethic that Christians draw from the book of Genesis?

Answer 11

God created the universe and all life and we should love and cherish it to show respect to God.

Question 12

What is the Love Commandment?

Answer 12

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Question 13

Which story did Jesus tell immediately after teaching the love commandment?

Answer 13

The parable of the Good Samaritan

Question 14

What does Jesus bless in the Sermon on The Mount?

Answer 14

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall be called the children of God.

Question 15

What is the meaning of the parable of the Lost Son?

Answer 15

Forgiveness is essential for Christians. The father is also taken as a metaphor for God, demonstrating God’s forgiving nature.

Question 16

What is the meaning of the parable of the Sheep and the Goats?

Answer 16

When you treat others with love, it is as if you are doing it to God and likewise with bad actions, it is as if we are doing them to God when we do them to others.

Question 17

What is the meaning of the parable the Good Samaritan?

Answer 17

Try to love everyone, even your enemy, giving self-sacrificing love towards others as Jesus did on the cross.

Question 18

What writing of St Paul condemned prejudice and discrimination?

Answer 18

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Question 19

What writing of St Paul condemned greed for wealth?

Answer 19

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Question 20

What writing of St Paul upholds peace?

Answer 20

“Do not repay anyone evil…if it is possible, live at peace with everyone.”

Question 21

What writing of St Paul encourages following authority?

Answer 21

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except for that which God has established.”