Christianity Flashcards
Why is the Bible important for Christians?
- Christian services often feature readings from it and hymns may be sung based on biblical texts or stories
- Christians rituals such as the Eucharist reflect events recorded in the Bible
- Christians read the Bible privately to gain more understanding of their faith and for guidance
- Its also a source of moral law for them
- A source of revelation because they believe that through the Bible, God reveals something of himself
Is the Bible the only source of authority for Christians?
- For some protestants, including Evangelicals, it is the only source of authority and they believe it contains all necessary information to reach salvation
- Other protestants as well as catholics accept that christians may also be guided by their conscience and the teachings of the church believing both also come from God
Evidence for God’s omnipotence
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)
Evidence for God’s omnibenevolence
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16)
Evidence for God’s omniscience
“even the hairs of your head are all counted” (Matthew 10:29-30)
Evidence for God’s just nature
“And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it” (Exodus 7:5)
Why are beliefs about God important for Christians?
- Belief in God is seen by many as an essential Christian belief. Many Christian screeds start with belief in God. Apostles creed begins “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and Earth”
- God’s omniscience reassures Christians that God knows what they are experiencing. If a Christian is having problems in their life, they believe that Gid understands their troubles and knows what is best for them
- God’s omnipotence means we are not powerless in the face of life’s challenges. However bad out situation is, there is no one who God cannot help
- God’s just nature reminds Christians of the importance of living a morally good life. Because God is just, he will hold people accountable for their actions after death
What does Genesis 1 and the start of Genesis 2 teach about creation?
- Before the creation of the world there was nothing, then God’s spirit moved and God spoke and things came into being. Over a period of 6 days God created; light, the water and sky, dry land and plants, sun moon and stars, fish and birds, animals and humans (made in image of god and given stewardship)
What does Genesis 2-3 teach about creation?
- man created before animals, creation of woman descried separately
- focuses on relationship between god and first humans
- God creates Adam and asks him to look after Garden of Eden, tells him he can eat from any tree apart from tree of good and evil, make him a companion
- Serpent tempts eve to eat from the tree and eve gives some to Adam and they lose their innocence
- They are expelled from Garden of Eden, Adam made to work and Eve punished by being ruled over by Adam
- They will both now die “for dust you are and to dust you will return”
Christian beliefs and attitudes to creation stories
- Some, such as evangelicals, take a literal view to the Bible and believe that every word of the creation story is true; that god did create the world in 6 days, that Adam and Eve were real people and the ancestors of the human race, and that all humans are affected by original sin
- Many mainstream and liberal Protestants take a non-literal view and believe that the creation story is a metaphor that conveys God’s power and love for creation. May beloved Adam and Eve were not real people, but mythical figures whose story gives us an insight into human nature and our relationship with God. May reject original sin and believe humans are naturally good, but not perfect
Why are creation stories important for Christians?
- Most powerful demonstration of God’s omnipotence
- Show human life is special as we are made in the image of God
- Source for Christian ethics, e.g. showing we should take care of God’s creation or that human relationships should be heterosexual
- The Fall gives and insight into human nature and helps explain why evil and suffering happen in a world created by an omnibenevolent, omnipotent god
The Incarnation
God becoming human in the form of Jesus.
Beliefs about the Trinity
- Christians are monotheists.
- God is one, but made up of three “persons”
Three persons of God
- God the Father: The all-powerful God, who created the world.
- God the Son: Jesus. God in human form.
- God The Holy Spirit: Sent to guide and comfort Christians.
Christian beliefs about the incarnation
- God became human, as Jesus.
- Jesus’ miraculous birth (e.g. born to a virgin) shows Jesus was not an ordinary person.
- Jesus’ birth was prophesied in the Old Testament.
- Because Jesus was God, he existed from the start of Creation: “He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2).
- Jesus said “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30).
Why is the Incarnation important?
- Fulfils prophecy: The Old Testament predicts a Messiah sent by God.
- Love: Shows God’s love for us as he sent his Son to die for humanity.
- Empathy: God understands our suffering as Jesus experienced human emotions such as grief.
- Salvation history: Important moment in salvation history. God sent his son to heal the rift between God and humans, making salvation possible.
- Heart of Christianity: One of the most important Christian beliefs, part of most Christian creeds.
What is advent?
Period of preparation before Christmas.
Starts four Sundays before Christmas.
The beginning of the liturgical year.
How do Christians observe Advent?
- Advent calendars or candles used to count down to Christmas.
- Orthodox Christians fast during Advent.
- Many Christians watch nativity plays.
- Many Christians take part in carol services. Hymns sung in these often celebrate the incarnation.
How do Christians celebrate Christmas?
- May attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. This allows Christians to come together to mark Jesus’ birth.
- At Midnight Mass, may receive the Eucharist.
- Go to church for special services on Christmas Day.
- Giving gifts, as the wise men gave gifts to Jesus.
- Gather with extended family.
Why is Christmas important? (GIFTS)
- God’s love: Reveals God’s love for the world, because he sent his Son to save us.
- Incarnation: Celebrates the incarnation, God becoming human as Jesus.
- Families: Special time for families and children, as Jesus was born to a human family.
- Time to reflect: On the Christian message and teachings such as peace.
- Salvation: Through his death, Jesus makes salvation and eternal life possible.
Why some do not celebrate Christmas?
- Quakers: Every day is equally holy.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Christmas was originally a pagan festival. Jesus said to remember his death, not his birth
Sacraments
Christian rituals which reflect an invisible blessing from God.
What happen at Jesus’ Baptism?
- Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.
- A voice from heaven said. “This is my son”, showing Jesus is the Son of God.
- Marks the start of his public ministry.
What are the 7 sacraments?
- Baptism: Where a person is initiated in the Christian faith.
- Eucharist: Sharing bread and wine to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and death.
- Confirmation: Where someone baptised as an infant is old enough to commit to Christianity.
- Penance: When Catholics confess their sins to a priest and repent for them.
- Anointing of the sick: Performed when a Catholic is seriously ill or dying.
- Marriage: The spiritual union of two people.
- Holy orders: When someone becomes a priest
2 most important sacraments
Baptism and the Eucharist.
Observed by most Christian groups.
Catholic beliefs about sacraments
- Observe all seven sacraments.
- Observing the sacraments is an important part of spiritual life.
- Believe that sacraments can spiritually change a person through God’s grace.
Protestant beliefs about sacraments
Wide range of beliefs among different Protestant groups. However:
- Most Protestants groups practice baptism and the Eucharist only.
- They believe that only these are mentioned in the Bible.
- May believe sacraments are symbolic and don’t spiritually change a person
- Quakers: do not observe sacraments, as every moment of life is sacred.
What happens at an infant Baptism?
- Water: The baby is baptised by water being poured on their head.
- Anointed: Baby’s head is anointed with holy oil.
- Trinity: Parents + godparents declare their faith in the Trinity on behalf of the child.
- Evil: Parents + godparents promise to renounce evil on behalf of the child.
- Raise: Parents + godparents promise to raise the child in the Christian faith.
Why do Catholics + Anglican Protestants perform infant baptism?
- They believe that children should be part of the Christian community.
- Baptism is the start of a person’s spiritual life, so should happen close to the start of physical life.
- It is supported by the Bible, e.g. ‘he was baptised, with all his family’ (Acts 16:33)
- Catholics believe it is necessary to remove original sin.
Why do some Protestant Christians perform believers’ Baptism?
- Believe the church should be a community of people who have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus.
- Young children cannot do this, so should not be baptised
- Follows the example of Jesus, who was baptised as an adult.
- They do not believe baptism removes original sin (this happens when a person chooses to be a Christian), so there is no need to baptise children.
Quaker beliefs about baptism
- Do not practice baptism, as every moment of life is sacred.
- ‘Baptism in the Spirit’ (when a person experiences an inner change as the result of God’s presence) is more important.
Why is the Lords Prayer important to Christians?
- It gives a model for how to pray provided by Jesus
- It has been used in worship by Christians since the earliest days of Christianity
- It is used in nearly all Christian services and ceremonies
- Contains key christian teachings; rowan williams said that if he had to summarise christianity “the best thing to do would be to write Our Lord’s Prayer”
Why is prayer an essential part of Christian faith?
- It follows Jesus’ example
- Way to talk to God
- Can be done together eg during church services
- Means you have a direct relationship with god and don’t have to be instructed by a priest
- Comfort from praying in a group or during worship as they can draw strength from each other as they believe god is present when they come together
Why do christians pray?
Forgiveness
Advice
Thanks
Help
Expression of faith
Relationship with god
What are set prayers?
- Often learnt by heart and have a significant meaning
- Can be used by an individual but often part of collective worship so makes them feel connected to christian community
- Orthodox and Catholic may repeat over and over as part of private worship believing it helps them focus on god and deepen their understanding of the prayer
What are informal prayers?
- Made spontaneously
- Good way of praying to ask for help or give thanks
- Many protestants believe it is important because their relationship with god should be personal
- Some protestants reject all prayers except the lords prayer as they believe formulaic words stop people thinking about the meaning
How do quakers pray?
They sit silently, reflecting on God’s presence and listening to God, rather than asking for things. this follows psalm 46 “be still and know that I am god”
Why do christians go on Pilgrimage?
- To step away from everyday life and dedicate time to God
- Reflect on their own spiritual journey and progress they have made
- To ask for something from god
- To visit sites associated with the Bible and Jesus’ life
- To meet and feel a sense of community with christians of other denominations
- To learn life lessons; pilgrims live simply and the journey can be demanding
What is Walsingham?
A small village in Norfolk. In 1601 a woman claimed to have a vision of Mary, in the vision Mary took the woman to Nazareth to see the house where Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth and told the woman to build a replica at Walsingham
What do pilgrims at Walsingham do?
- Pray or light a candle at the holy house
- Celebrate the eucharist with other pilgrims
- Join one of several annual special pilgrimages to connect with other christians
- Participate in a sprinkling of the well - they hope tp be blessed by the water
- Walk the last mile barefoot as repentance for their sins
What might pilgrims do at Taize?
attend bible study run by the monks
attend prayer sessions
help with communal tasks such as cooking and cleaning
experience or participate in meditative music
develop friendship with other christians
How is the Eucharist celebrated in the Anglican Church?
the church gathers and asks for forgiveness for its sins
they pray together and recite one of the creeds
bread and wine are bought to the alter and consecrated
the priest says the Eucharistic Prayer and then everyone says the Lord’s Prayer
the priest breaks the bread and everyone receives the bread and wine
community is sent out into the world as a ‘living sacrifice’ to live and work for god
What do catholic, orthodox and some anglicans believe about the eucharist?
that the bread and wine actually change and become the blood and body of christ (transubstantiation) and believe christ is present when it is performed
What do Protestants believe about the Eucharist?
they believe the bread and wine undergo a spiritual change so Jesus is spiritually but not physically present (spiritual presence)
What do baptists believe about the eucharist?
They believe the bread and wine dont undergo a change but see them as a reminder and symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice (memorialism)
Why dont quakers practice the Eucharist?
they believe christ is present when they gather for silent worship so there is no need for a ritual to bring him closer
why is the eucharist important?
Jesus’ death is an important moment in salvation history, and the eucharist helps Christians remember this sacrifice
it symbolises the new covenant given by god to his followers - those who have faith in christ will be forgiven for their sins and receive salvation
they believe it brings them closer to each other and christ
some believe christ is present so it is the most important sacrament
What happened at Jesus’ crucifixion?
- He was stripped and made to wear a Scarlett robe
- Crown of thorns put on his head
- He was mocked “Hail king of the Jews”
- He was offered wine, mixed with gall, but he refused it
- Over his head, they wrote ‘this is Jesus, the king of the Jews’
- 2 rebels were crucified with him
- From noon until 3 in the afternoon darkness came over the land
Atonement
Belief that Jesus’ death on the cross made amends for human sin
The Sacrifice Theory
Sees Christ as a scapegoat who took on board the sins of humanity and offered himself as sacrifice to take away human sin. Popular among Catholic Christians
The Substitution Theory
The penalty for human sin is death, because the Bible says “the wages of sin is death”. Jesus was without sin, and so by dying on the cross, Jesus acted as a substitute for humanity, paying the price for humanity’s sin and setting us free. Popular among Evangelical Christians
The Moral Example Theory
Focuses on the whole of Jesus’ life. Throughout his life, Jesus sets an example to us by showing forgiveness, love and obedience to God. By serving as a moral example, Jesus makes it possible to transform our own moral lives, so that we too act in loving ways and it is possible for us to reach salvation. Popular among Liberal Protestants
Why is Jesus’ death important for Christians?
- Shows that the Christian life isn’t easy. His death shows that Christians must be prepared to risk everything for the sake of their Christian beliefs
- Shows that God can empathise with human suffering. Know that God understands their suffering because Jesus suffered too
- Symbolises a new relationship with God, reflects Jesus’ words at the las supper “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” This new relationship is based on faith in Christ
- Shows God’s omnibenevolence because he sent his son to die to make amends for human sin. Reflects the words of the Bible “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life”
Why is Jesus’ resurrection important to Christians?
- Shows that Jesus is God, with power even over death
- Bible itself teaches that it is one of the most basic and important elements of the Christian religion
- Shows that Jesus’ own prophesies about his resurrection were true
- Underpins Christian belief in an afterlife for all believers
- Is his resurrection, then Christian teachings are not true, and Christianity would be a false religion
Resurrection
The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, after his death on the cross
What is Easter?
a christian festival that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection
how do christians celebrate easter?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem and Anglican and Catholic worshippers hold small crosses made of palm leaves
Maundy Thursday commemorates the last supper, and christians commonly receive eucharist and priests may wash some peoples feet
Good Friday remembers Jesus’ death on the cross and christians reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death and sometimes his story is retold in passion plays
easter Sunday remembers Jesus’ resurrection, orthodox christians greet each other by saying “he is risen” and people give easter eggs
Why is Easter important to Christians?
Commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus, which is the most important event in Christianity for some and the start of the religion
reveals gods love because he sent his son to die to save humanity
resurrection gives hope in an afterlife
through his death Jesus paid for human sin, repairing humanity’s relationship with god
What’re other points of views about easter?
quakers dont celebrate - no day holier than the others
Jehovahs Witness dont - rooted in pagan festivals and Jesus only commanded disciples to commemorate death not resurrection
Evangelism
preaching the Christian message to other people
What happened after the resurrection?
- Some believe he physically rose into heaven “he left them and was taken up into heaven”
- Jesus gave instruction to his disciples “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Why is evangelism important for the Church and for Christians?
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make more disciples after he rose from the dead in the Great Commission
St Paul spent much of his time evangelising
some evangelise out of compassion for those who dont know god, esp those who believe christianity is the only way to get to heaven
important way of maintaining church membership
How does the worldwide church work for reconciliation?
some church leaders try to negotiate between conflicting parties to come to an agreement; Pope Francis with the US and Cuba
churches speak out against inequality and campaign; Archbishop Desmond Tutu after apartheid
Ecumenical movement promotes christians working together
Churches of different denominations may have joint service to strengthen links
Local churches may organise joint activities such as fundraising for charity
World Council of Churches wants Christians to works together for a better world and for Christians to feel unity in Jesus
Missionary work
Local:
local church communities hold events
help local charities
food banks run by christian groups
National:
Messy Church - supports families by providing activity sessions for children
charities (Church urban fund) provide support for poor communities
Global:
Many missionaries work in less economically developed countries, helping with practical considerations such as health care, as well as evangelising
What work do tear fund do?
first British charity to promote and sell fair-trade products
campaign to rebalance world economy by changing tax system to reduce gap between rich and poor and by reducing carbon emissions
gives advice to consumers in developed countries on how they can live differently
provide responses to disasters
worked in Nepal to install pipelines that provide safe drinking water
What is liturgical worship?
led by a priest, follows set structure, common in Roman Catholic, orthodox, Anglican
takes place in church, focuses on performance of sacraments
Catholic service of eucharist would include:
- liturgy of the word
- liturgy of the eucharist
What is informal worship
may take place in purpose built church, music often livelier, many evangelical churches use school halls or conference rooms
Holy Spirit plays important part in evangelical worship
what is individual worship?
express faith by reading bible ir studying parts in depth or through prayer
may use objects to help focus - catholics use rosary beads
why is worship important to christians?
- In public worship, may feel God’s presence reflecting Bible quote “wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them
- Liturgical worship allows Christians to participate in the sacraments. Important for catholics as this is the way they receive God’s grace
- Private worship fulfilling Bible’s instruction “Go to your room, close the door, add pray to your father who is in heaven
- Protestants may feel most important thing in life to do is have a relationship with God. May feel private worship is a more authentic reflection if such a relationship
How is christianity embedded in British culture?
important festivals are christian
important moments marked with ceremony in church
laws reflect beliefs about right and wrong, such as laws against euthenaisia reflects commandment “do not kill”
CoE established religion of britain
church and gov united through the queen
what role do Christian churches play in the community?
give christians places to practice religion
church hall can be focus for community activities
help the needy - caring hands in medway
offer activities for children - Sunday school, messy play
host cultural or artistic events
Secularisation (including Census statistics)
- 59.3% in 2011 identified as Christian but this is less than the 71.7% in 2001
- Increasing number belong to other religions or no religion. In 2011: 4.8% identified as Muslim, 25.1% said they didn’t belong to any religion
- Influence over British laws may be declining
- Christmas not focused on religion, now more consumerist
- Increasing preference for non-religious celebration of life events rather than Christian services - 2016 less than 30% of weddings in a church
