Christianity

Question 1

Describe the historical and cultural context in which Christianity began:

Answer 1

-Christianity began in Judea, the kingdom of the Jewish people

-It began as a Jewish sect. Its leaders and early followers were Jews

-The Jewish were worried that their God had abandoned them -they hoped a Messiah would come to free Judea

-as it grew Christianity adapted religious ideas from societies it moved into

Question 2

What are some principal events of Jesus’ life?

Answer 2

-the last supper
-resurrection
-40 days in the desert
-feeding the 5000
-turned water into wine

Question 3

How is Jesus a model for Christian living?

Answer 3

-embodiment of the reign of God
-Christians model Jesus’ attitude to prayer
-Ministry of Jesus is characterised by service to others
-Jesus as an advocate for the poor
-Jesus’ attitude of love and forgiveness is a model for Christian life

Question 4

Describe the reign of God:

Answer 4

-realisation of God’s vision or dream for the world

-God points to a future yet already present reality where the values of love, justice and peace prevail in a world living in accordance with God’s plan

-central to the preaching of Jesus and is at the heart of his life and ministry

-adherents are encouraged to model their lives on the example of Jesus

Question 5

Describe Christians model Jesus’ attitude to prayer:

Answer 5

-man of prayer

-teaches disciples how to pray

-Christians throughout history have closely studied Jesus’ attitude of prayer and have sought to model their lives on a variety of lessons drawn from Jesus’ example

Question 6

List some scripture passages that demonstrate Jesus’ attitude towards prayer:

Answer 6

‘He often withdraws from the pressures of daily life to pray in a quiet place’ (Luke 5:16)

‘As he approaches key moments in his ministry such as the calling of his disciples’ (Luke 8:12-15)

Question 7

Describe Jesus’ ministry and service as model for Christian living:

Answer 7

-characterised by service of others

-Gospels are littered with examples of healing miracles

-service to others have done so as a direct consequence of the example provided in the life and ministry of Jesus

Question 7

List some scripture passages that demonstrate Jesus’ service to others:

Answer 7

‘Jesus seeks to bring the healing power of God into contact with the needs of others’ (Mark 1:23-45)

‘Washes the feet of the disciples as an example of service to one another’ (John 13:1-15)

Question 8

Describe Jesus as an advocate for the poor:

Answer 8

-calls upon people to stand up for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged

-embraced emphatically in the ministry of Jesus who makes this a central characteristic of his ministry

Question 9

Describe Jesus’ attitude of love and forgiveness as a model for Christian living:

Answer 9

-attitude of love and forgiveness

-shown as being ever willing to forgive the failings of others

-Christians have modelled these attributes in a number of ways

-some denominations have incorporated sacraments or other ceremonies to ritualise the importance of forgiveness

Question 10

List some scripture passages that demonstrate Jesus’ love and forgiveness:

Answer 10

‘Forgiveness of his executioners’ (Luke 23:34)

‘The Lord’s prayer incorporates the petition asking for forgiveness as we also forgive others’ (Luke 11:4)

Question 11

What are the principal beliefs of Christianity?

Answer 11

The divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the nature of God and the Trinity, revelation and salvation.

Question 12

Describe the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ:

Answer 12

-Jesus is seen suffering, eating, tired/sleeping e.g. The Last Supper

-he experienced suffering and death as all humans will

-Jesus was a human being who lived with normal human limitations but he was also the divine son of God

-Jesus’ divinity is evident through Gospel testimonies of the miracles and healing that Jesus performed

Question 13

List some scripture passages that demonstrate the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ:

Answer 13

‘The word was God’ -divinity

‘and the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us’ (John 1) -humanity

‘Jesus was tired, and he slept, was hungry, suffered pain, felt anguish and also cried’.

Question 14

Describe the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Answer 14

-the heart and foundation of all Christian beliefs

-his death shows his selflessness and a model for discipleship

-death is an integral and inevitable part of the human condition

-the cross is an intimate symbol of suffering for Christ

-the resurrection carries the meaning of eternal life which overcomes the limitations of human morality

Question 15

List some scripture passages that demonstrate Jesus’ death and resurrection

Answer 15

‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live’ (John 11:25)

Question 16

Describe the nature of God and the Trinity:

Answer 16

-the holy or blessed trinity is the central dogma and mystery of the Christian faith –> beyond anything we can know or experience

-Christians believe that God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient

-there are three equal persons in one God which dwell within each other: father, son and holy spirit

-there is no hierarchy they share the one divine nature only their relationship differentiates

Question 17

Describe revelation:

Answer 17

-the transmission of knowledge from the divine to the human

-God has revealed himself and interacted with His creation many times throughout human history

-The Bible, Holy Spirit and teachings of the tradition of the Church are vehicles of Revelation

-ongoing process that is still unfolding in the human experience –> involves God communicating with the world

Question 18

Describe salvation:

Answer 18

-salvation is a gift offered from God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

-It is freedom from sin, being reconciled with God through Jesus Christ’s forgiveness and being united with God in heaven

-Jesus in his life and ministry embodies the saving action of God

-Christian reconciliation concerns the first forms of salvation and offers adherents an opportunity to repent: and therefore be saved from punishment for sin

Question 19

Explain the importance of the Bible?

Answer 19

-collection of sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testament

-collection of stories about the life and deeds of Jesus -source of belief for Jews and Christians

-assists with ethical decision making and can be used in ally daily rituals -has a role in guiding Christian behaviour and practices