Christianity Flashcards
atonement
The belief that Jesus’ death on the cross healed the rift between humans and God.
omnipotent
The all-powerful, almighty and unlimited nature of God
Evangelism
Preaching of the gospel to others with the intention of converting others to the Christian faith.
sacraments
An outward sign of an invisible and inward blessing by God. For example; Baptism, Eucharist.
resurrection
Resurrection is the belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday conquering death.
omnibenevolent
God is attributed with the qualities of being all-loving and infinitely good.
incarnation
- Incarnation means ‘made flesh’ and is the Christian belief in God becoming human in the form of Jesus.
- God became man in the form of Jesus, fully human and fully divine.
Trinity
The Trinity is the belief God consists of three persons
The first part of the Trinity is God the Father
Jesus Christ the Son of God is the second part of the Trinity
The Holy Spirit or Paraclete is the third part of the Trinity
Omnipotent quotes
‘turned the sea into dry land ; and the waters were divided’
‘I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgement I will bring out my divisions’
Omnibenovolent quotes
‘abounding in love’
‘God so loved the world he gave his one and only son’
Trinity (the father)
‘I and my Father are one’
- Creator of everything
- made world in 6 days
- God is a loving father (parable of the prodigal son)
- Father of Jesus Christ
Evil and suffering
‘lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil’
* If God is all-powerful some Christians will question why does God allow evil to happen.
* Many Christians believe evil is something real but that God is more powerful than evil.
* For Christians, life is a test and how Christians confront evil is part of God’s plan.
* Christians believe evil will always be defeated by goodness.
* Christian teaching is God will defeat the Devil.
* If God is all powerful some Christians will ask why does God allow so much evil to happen in the world?
* God is all powerful but Christians believe human beings have been given free will.
* How free will is used has an impact on human lives.
* Evil is caused by sin and Christians turning away from God; God is all powerful and will forgive Christians their sins if they repent.
* Evil is meant to be a challenge to religious belief.
* The death of Jesus and the act of Atonement shows that God is allpowerful.
Trinity (The Son)
- Jesus Christ son of God
- God in human form ‘word became flesh’
- God revealed himself as human in order to spread his teachings
Trinity (Holy Spirit)
- Christians believe the Holy Spirit is present during worship.
- Christians may seek to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit during Bible readings.
- In the informal worship of Evangelical Churches many worshippers feel they are moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit during the act of worship.
- The Charismatic movement is most known for its acceptance of speaking in tongues, divine healing, and prophecies as evidence of the Holy Spirit.
- In charismatic worship services may include praying and spirited singing, dancing, spontaneous shouting “in the spirit,” and raising hands and arms in prayer as evidence of being moved by the Holy Spirit.
- The prayer and blessing, ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’, used at the beginning and end of Sunday services in a number of Christian traditions.
- Many hymns make reference to the Holy Spirit in worship.
Nature and Role of Humans
- Christian teaching about the role of humans is derived from the Old and New Testaments.
- One of the most important of roles is to be a follower of Christ, and worship God and evangelise.
- People must love God and love their neighbour. ‘love thy neighbour’
- People must exercise stewardship over the earth.
- People have been given dominion over the earth. ‘rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’
- People must procreate.’be fruitful and multiply’
Role of word and spirit in creation
- Most Christians believe the reference to the ‘Word’ in John’s gospel is a reference to Jesus.
- Some Christians believe the reference to the ‘Word’ is a reference to the creative plans and purpose of God in his creation of the universe.
- All Christians believe God is the creator of the world and universe as stated in the creeds; ‘creator of heaven and earth’.
- As part of the Trinity, Jesus is involved in creation and pre-exists creation of the world and universe.
- Jesus (the Word) is present at the beginning of creation and before the incarnation.
Jesus’ Incarnation
- The incarnation is God becoming human in the form of Jesus.
- Jesus is the ‘Son of God’.
- The incarnation is God ‘made flesh’ as Jesus but Jesus is not conceived through sexual intercourse.
- Jesus is born of a virgin/young woman.
- Jesus is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus is truly human or ‘made Man’.
- Christians believe the birth of Jesus is a miracle, the miracle of the Virgin Birth.
- Jesus’ birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel and Mary was told that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus.
- The Incarnation is part of the creedal statements of Christianity and a fundamental belief.
- The Gospels of Matthew and Luke record the events of the Incarnation.
Crucifixion
Nailed to a cross on Calvary
Crown of thorns
Hung between two thieves and promised one that he would join him in Paradise
Given vinegar on a sponge
Sign placed above him saying ‘Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews’
Soldiers gambled for his clothes
Asked God to forgive those who sentenced him
Roman soldier pierced his side - blood and water flow out
His mother and other disciples gathered at the foot of the cross
Jesus died saying ‘It is finished’
Darkness over the land
Earthquake
Temple curtain was torn in two
Jesus’ body was taken down and buried in a tomb
Resurrection
- The Resurrection of Jesus is important because it is a miracle.
- The Resurrection of Jesus is the greatest miracle.
- Miracles are a sign of God’s power.
- This event demonstrates Jesus is God.
- It fulfils a prophecy made by Jesus before his death.
- Christians believe Jesus’ Resurrection defeats death.
- The belief in the Resurrection of Jesus is a fundamental belief of the Christian religion stated in the Christian creeds.
- It precedes the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven
‘Christ has been raised from the dead’
Ascension
- The ascension of Jesus takes place forty days after the resurrection.
- Jesus appeared to the disciples and groups of people before his ascension.
- The account in Luke states Jesus was near Bethany.
- Jesus raised his hands and blessed the disciples.
- Jesus left the disciples and was taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God.
- According to the first chapter in Acts, Jesus was taken up in the presence of the disciples and then hidden from them by a cloud, which is a common biblical image signifying the presence of God.
- The account of Jesus’ Ascension is recorded in the gospels.
‘ was taken up into heaven’
Different ways to interpret the Bible
- Fundamentalist Christians adopt a literal approach to interpretation of the Bible and believe the Bible is literally true.
- Liberal Christians interpret the Bible in a non-literal way; this approach may regard some details in the Bible as being symbolic or metaphorical rather than being literally true.
- Credit examples used to demonstrate diversity in approach, e.g., use of the term ‘day’ in the creation story.
- Christians have diverse beliefs about how the Bible should be interpreted because Christians interpret the Bible in different ways; one reason for this is because there are a variety of translations of the Bible.
- Christians have diverse beliefs about how the Bible should be interpreted because the Bible is an ancient text, written over 2,000 years ago and understanding of the Bible needs interpretation.
- Most Christians would agree that the Bible is the Word of God though they may differ in their interpretation of that.
Importance of Bible
The inspired word of God
The Bible explains the origin of human life
The Bible narrates the story of Jesus
The Bible narrates the story of God and his covenants with
humanity
The Bible is the most important sacred text for the Christian
religion
It is a source of authority and wisdom
It is a guide for contemporary living
The stories and teachings of the Bible give meaning to human life
The Bible contains the Ten Commandments
The Bible is read in church services as part of worship because it is considered to be so important
The Bible is used as the basis of many sermons in church
The Bible may be read and studied for personal faith
Role of Holy spirit in Evangelical worship
‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues’
50 days after jesus’ resurrection Holy spirit came down to the Apostles in the form of tongues of fire and rested on each of them without burning them. The Apostles then discovered they coudl speak ‘in tongues’. This event was called the Pentecost therefore the Apostles could spread the word of God to everyone.
Beliefs about Heaven
- Christians have different views about the nature of heaven; there are few biblical descriptions about heaven.
- The Creeds state heaven is a place in the afterlife where Christians will be in the presence of God.
- Belief in an afterlife is a fundamental Christian belief and the idea that the soul goes to heaven after death.
- Christians believe angels live in the presence of God in heaven.
- Some Christians believe heaven is a physical reality.
- Some Christians believe heaven is more of a spiritual dimension.
- All Christians believe heaven is a place where those who are saved will be in the presence of God.
- Credit accurate content which describes Christian beliefs about how to reach Heaven.
‘Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die’
Belief in Hell is out of date
Belief in hell is out of date because some Christians believe God will forgive everyone
If God is a god of love then ultimately no one is in hell
Belief in hell is not out of date because it is a teaching in the Bible that hell is a place of punishment for sinners
A belief in hell is stated in the Christian creeds
Jesus makes reference to hell
There are references to hell in both the Old and New Testaments
Some Christians regard hell as a real physical place
Science proves hell is not under the ground
Some Christians regard hell as separation from God
Belief in heaven necessitates a belief in hell as a place of punishment
Judgement
- decides whether they are going to Heaven or Hell
- ‘for we must all appear before the judgement seat of christ’
- some believe this happens right away (personal judgement)
- other believe that all souls will be judged on judgement day
Liturgical Worship
Liturgical worship follows set prayers and readings that can be found in printed books. Christians often join together in church as a congregation to participate in liturgical worship. They may sing hymns, pray and recite set responses to readings.
In liturgical services, Christians may feel connected to the traditions of their church through taking part in these ceremonies, which may have been the same for many years. Roman Catholic, Church of England and Orthodox Christians worship in this way.
‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’
Individual Worship
Christians believe it is important to form a personal relationship with God and worshipping alone is part of this. However, as
society has changed and individuals have more freedom the idea of private worship has gained ground.
‘close the door and prayer to your father who is in heaven’
Informal Worship
Worship has no set structure for example quakers.Members of the Society of Friends denomination of Christianity are also known as Quakers. Quakers worship together in meeting houses instead of churches. Meetings last an hour and have no set hymns, prayers or sermons. Everyone sits in a circle to worship as equals – there is no leader.
Quakers spend most of their meetings in silence, using the time to connect with God.
Importance of prayer
- Prayer is important for Christians because they are following the example of Jesus.
- Prayer is a way of developing a relationship with God.
- Prayer is regarded as a fundamental practice of the Christian religion.
- Communal prayer allows Christians to join together in prayer as a family or community.
- Jesus told the disciples to pray, e.g. the Lord’s Prayer.
- Prayer is an essential aspect of the celebration of the sacraments.
- Prayer is an essential part of rites of passage.
- Prayer may take many forms: liturgical, informal and individual.
7 Sacraments
- Baptism
- Marriage
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Holy Orders
- Annointing of the stick
- Reconciliation
Infant Baptism
- Makes them a member of Gods family
- Washes away original sin
- Orthodox Christians involves total immersion
- ‘No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.’
Believers Baptism
- Baptists and Pentacostals believe baptism should take place when they an adult so they can choose to accept Christianity
- Total immersion and submerged 3 times in a pool
- Jesus was baptised as an adult
Baptism Process
- Baptism traditionally takes place in a church or chapel.
- An order of service is used.
- A font or baptismal pool is used for baptism.
- Baptism is usually performed by a priest or minister.
- In infant baptism a baby traditionally is dressed in white.
- Parents or godparents make promises to bring up a child within the
Christian religion. - Some denominations, such as the Church of England, present parents or
godparents with a candle. - In Infant Baptism water is traditionally sprinkled on the head of a baby.
- In Infant Baptism the Sign of the Cross is made on the forehead.
- In Believer’s Baptism full immersion in a baptismal pool may take place.
- Baptism is usually witnessed by family, friends and the church community.
Importance of Pilgrimage to Walsingham
- Pilgrimage to Walsingham is important because many Christians believe Lady Richeldis de Faverches, a Saxon noblewoman, lived in Walsingham and received a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1061 CE.
- A copy of the Virgin Mary’s house in Nazareth was built as a result of the vision and it has become a place of pilgrimage for Christians.
- The Holy House is part of the Anglican Shrine or the Parish Church of Saint Mary where a statue of the Lady of Walsingham is placed above the altar.
- Pilgrimage gives a sense of community to pilgrims who worship and travel together to Walsingham.
- It is a physical act of religious devotion.
- It provides Christians with a space from normal life to reflect on their faith.
- It is a journey towards God, representing the journey undertaken by all Christians on their earthly journey towards heaven in the afterlife.
- For Catholics the pilgrimage may be an act of penance; some Catholics walk barefoot from the Slipper Chapel to the Holy House and there are daily services where Catholic pilgrims pray together in saying the rosary and celebrating mass.
- Each year during the Spring bank holiday a national pilgrimage takes place in Walsingham where pilgrims walk in procession from the ruined priory at Walsingham to the shrine.
- Pilgrims may take part in a daily service called the ‘Sprinkling of the Well’ as there is a belief in the special qualities of the water from the church well.
- It is a local site of pilgrimage for Christians in the UK.
- Christians of all denominations may go on pilgrimage together and
worship in an ecumenical way
Importance of Pilgrimage to Taize
- Taize is an ecumenical monastic community.
- Taize attracts thousands of visitors each year, especially young people, on retreat.
- Taize is an ecumenical centre for Protestants and Catholics.
- Taize welcomes visitors of faith or none.
- It is a centre for reconciliation.
- When people visit Taize as pilgrims they join in with monastic worship at the ‘Church of Reconciliation’ and experience Taize worship at first hand.
- Taize chants and music have become popular in many churches in Britain
- Brothers from Taize take part in out-reach activities throughout the world.
How christians celebrate Christmas
During advent Christians may attend carol concerts and attend nativity plays as part of the celebration of Christmas.
* Christians sing Christmas carols in church services.
* Christians may decorate their homes, and may include a crib or nativity scene.
* Christians may exchange Christmas gifts.
* Christians may exchange Christmas cards, especially with cards which have religious images and messages.
* Christians may make a donation to charity.
* Churches may provide practical support for those in need, such as
individuals and families living in poverty and the homeless.
How Christians Celebrate Easter
- Christians may attend special church services during Holy Week.
- Christians may attend the Saturday evening vigil before Easter Sunday.
- Christians may attend ‘sunrise’ services on Easter Sunday.
- Christians may exchange Easter greeting cards.
- Christians may go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ‘walk in the footsteps of Jesus’, especially at Easter.
- Christians may exchange Easter eggs.
- Christians may visit cemeteries to place flowers at graves during Easter weekend.
Christianity in Britain is on the decline
- Christianity in Britain is on the decline because most people do not
worship in church on a Sunday. - Many people claim to be Christian even though they do not attend church.
- Many people in Britain claim to be atheist or agnostic.
- Many customs today remain rooted in the Christian religion.
- There are many other religions in Britain so Christianity has declined as Britain has become more pluralist in religious belief and practice.
- There are many diverse religious and non-religious beliefs and practices found in the UK.
- Many Christian festivals are celebrated in a secular way.
- Many Christians attend church each week and celebrate festivals, such as Christmas and Easter in a religious way.
- 2011 census shows an increase in other religions such as hinduism, sikhism and judaism whilst christianity is on the decline
Role of church in a local community
- Many churches host a variety of social activities; creches and toddler
clubs for young mothers, youth clubs for teenagers, OAP meals, ‘sleepovers’ for the homeless, etc. because everyone is made in God’s image and should be treated with dignity - Jesus’ teachings such as ‘do to others’ and ‘love one another’ means that the Church must engage in social action
- Many churches work with charities to provide social care because
teachings from the Bible such as The Last Judgement, make it clear that helping others is key to salvation - Some churches employ youth workers to do outreach social work
because they may want to evangelise - Churches organise social events and outings because they are a
community of believers
Work of Tearfund
- As a Christian charity the work of Tear Fund is to give practical
expression to Jesus’ teaching of ‘Love your neighbour’. - Tear Fund works through local church groups fundraising to support the
poor in developing countries. - Tear Fund may provide emergency relief in areas where natural disasters
have taken place. - Tear Fund works on long-term aid projects supporting local communities
in developing countries, such as setting up sports clubs. - Tear Fund works in over fifty countries.
- Tear Fund attempts to raise awareness of social issues.
Persecution of Christians
- The persecution of Christians has taken place since the beginning of
Christianity and Christians are still martyred for their faith. - If Christians were not persecuted today there would be no need for
Christian evangelical organisations, such as Open Doors and Christian Freedom International. These organisations are a source of practical assistance for Christians; working to support the human rights of persecuted Christians and supplying Bibles. - Christians may not be persecuted in the UK but are persecuted in other countries, especially where Christianity is a minority religion.
- Examples of persecution today include martyrdom, attack or closure of church buildings, unjust imprisonment, and torture.
- Christians are not persecuted in the UK; laws to protect religious freedom,such as the Equality Act, state it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of their religious beliefs.
- Some Christians believe although they are not persecuted they suffer intolerance and discrimination in the media.
- ‘Christianophobia’ is a new term used by some Christians for ‘intolerance of, hostility towards or discrimination against Christians’ which takes place today.
Ecumenical Movement
Within the Christian church, there are many different denominations and this has led to conflict and tension in the past
The Ecumenical Movement or Ecumenism is an attempt to bring different denominations together and promote unity
The ecumenical movement aims to unite all Christian denominations into one Church
It was founded in 1910 at the World Missionary Conference in Scotland, and has led to more cooperation between denominations
Examples include different denominations sharing the same church building, and ecumenical services, where different denominations worship together
World Council Of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches that works towards ecumenism.
Each year the global organization holds a week of prayer devoted to Christian unity, remembering Jesus’ teaching that they ‘may be one’ so that the world may believe
The organisation runs campaigns to promote unity and works with other religions
