Christianity Beliefs and teachings

Question 1

What are the three branches of Christianity (in the UK)?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic: based in Rome, Pope as leader
Greek Orthodox: split from Catholic church, based in Eastern Europe
Protestant: split from Catholic church in 16th century, include: Church of England (Anglican), Baptist, Methodists, Quakers etc.

Question 2

Name four things Christians believe about God.

Answer 2

1. There is only one God: We believe in one God The Nicene Creed;
2. People can have a relationship with God through prayer;
3. God is spirit (John 4:24) neither male or female;
4. Jesis is God’s son - the true representation of God on earth (Hebrews 1:3)

Question 3

Christians believe that there is only one God. Refer to scripture of another Christian source of authority to support this idea.

Answer 3

1. ‘We believe in one God’ The Nicene Creed
   OR
2. ‘I am the Lord your God’ First of the 10 Commandments

Question 4

‘Christianity is a major influence on people’s lives’ Write one paragraph to support this statement.

Answer 4

In difficult times, such as during illness or crisis, Christians lean on God for support and strength through prayer and belief. The Church can also offer help to Christians during hardship, for example, the vicar/priest will lead the congregation to pray on behalf of the person in need.

Question 5

Name three qualities of God.

Answer 5

• Omnipotent: all-powerful;
• Benevolent: loving and kind;
• Just: fair judge of humankind.

Question 6

Give two ways in which Christians believe God shows his benevolence.

Answer 6

1. Creating humans and giving us free will;
2. Sending his son, Jesus, to live among us.

Question 7

Write the response a Christian would make to someone who said that a loving God would not allow suffering.
Think of** two**arguments and develop them.

Try and write this as a 12 mark essay.

Answer 7

Intro: How suffering came to the world through ‘original sin’ (Adam and Eve) in Garden of Eden.
*‘sin entered the world through one man’ (Romans 5:12) *
P1: God is loving because he sent Jesus to live among us and he died on the cross to save us from sin. Christians can be redeemed through Jesus.
‘For God loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall have eternal life’ (John 3:16)
P2: Without suffering, people can not develop their strength and faith in God. Christians believe that it is part of His greater plan.
God works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28

Question 8

What is the Holy Trinity?

Answer 8

The three in one:
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit

Question 9

Explain each part of the Trinity

Answer 9

God: the creator of all life, omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and omnipresent;
Jesus: the Son became incarnate to live on earth fully as a human;
The Holy Spirit:the unseen power of God at work in the world.

Question 10

Explain two ways in which belief in creation by God influences Christians today.

Answer 10

1. They value every human because God created them;
2. They believe we should take care of the natural world as it is God’s creation.

Question 11

‘The Bible is the best source of information about creation’ Evaluate (12)

Answer 11

1. The Bible is the best source of information for Christians about the religious truth of creation.
   *‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’ (Genesis 1:1) *
   Literalists believe that God created the world in six days exactly as it says in the Bible and this is because God is omnipotent and omniscient. Liberal Christians do not agree in the literal account of the creation story, they believe it is symbolic and may look to science to understand how God did this.
2. On the other hand, scientists argue about the Big Bang theory and evolution, we can not know for sure because we were not around when this happened.

Question 12

Explain two Christian beliefs about Jesus’ incarnation. Refer to the sacred writings in your answer.

Answer 12

‘The Word became flesh’ (John 1:14)
This is one of the most important beliefs about the incarnation of Jesus is that he was God - part of the Holy Trinity.

Another important belief about Jesus’ incarnation was that he was born to the virgin Mary. He was not conceived in the normal way: ‘She (Mary) was found pregnant through the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 1:18) And that he lived among us for 30 years.

Question 13

Develop this argument to support the statement ‘The strories of the incarnation show that Jesus was the ‘Son of God’ by explaining in more detail, adding an example or quoting.

Answer 13

‘The Word became flesh’ (John 1:14) Tells us that Jesus was God and human when he lived among us. This also helps explain why he was able to perform miracles and his resurrection.
Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus, *‘she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 1:18) *which shows that he was not an ordinary person, but even though he was flesh and blood like us, he was not conceived like us.**

Question 14

Describe two ways in which Jesus’ crucifixion influences Christians today.

Answer 14

1. Their sins are forgiven
2. They have hope when they are suffering.

Question 15

‘The crucifixion is the most important belief for Christians.’ Discuss.

Answer 15

The crucifixion is an important belief because:
1. Although He was fully God, he was also flesh and suffered like we do so it means he understands our suffering;
2. *‘if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ… He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins… (and) the whole world’ (John 2:1) * His sacrifice on the cross was to atone for our sins so we could go to Heaven if we repent our sins,
3. If Jesus had not died, he would not have been resurrected.

It is an important belief for Christians but, I feel that there are other equally important beliefs such as His incarnation and resurrection and ascention.

Question 16

Give two reasons why the disciples believed Jesus was alive after his resurrection.

Answer 16

1. The tomb where he was laid to rest was empty;
2. Jesus appeared to the disciples.

Question 17

‘The resurrection is the most important belief for Christians.’ Discuss.

Answer 17

‘if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…’ (Corinthians 15:14) This quote shows that Christianity would not exist without the resurrection and therefore could be argued as the most important belief for Christians.

When Jesus was resurrected, it was further proof of his divinity and fulfilled the messianic prophecies like when Jesus told his disciples: ‘he will be raised on the third day’ (Matthew 20:19) The resurrection is a pivitol event that distinguishes Christianity from other faiths.

The resurrections assures Christians that there is life after death and affects the way they live their lives and also the way they view (and not fear) their deaths. It is significant because it shows there is a power of good over evil and that their sins can be forgiven if they follow God’s laws. Christians also believe it is evidence of God’s love.

Jesus ascended to Heaven 40 days after His resurrection, this is also an important belief to Christians because it shows that Jesus is in Heaven, however, I believe that the statement is correct that the resurrection is the corner stone for the Christian faith.

Question 18

Explain two ways in which belief in resurrection influences Christians today.

Answer 18

1. Gives hope that there is life after death.
2. Inspires Christians to live in a way God wants.

Question 19

Give different Christian views about how the resurrection affects them.

Answer 19

1. Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe in bodily and spiritual resurrection;
2. Some Christians believe a person’s soul is resurrected soon afer death;
3. Other Christians believe the dead will be resurrected some time in the future and Jesus will judge them;
4. Some Christians believe that the resurrection will just be spiritual.

Question 20

Think of three reasons for bodily resurrection

Answer 20

For:
1. Jesus rose from the dead and appeared before his disciples.
2. The gospels say he was not a ghost and that he ate, drank and showed his wounds;
3. His body had transformed because he could appear and disappear;
4. Paul says ‘the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable’ meaning the natural body can be raised as a spiritual body but it is still a body.
5. Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe people’s bodies are transformed into a glorified state in which suffering will not exist.

Question 21

Give three reasons against bodily resurrection.

Answer 21

Against:
1. Science shows that the body decays after death so it can’t resurrect;
2. Some people are cremated so their bodies no longer exist;
3. Stories of the resurrection appearances may be exaggerated;
4. The disciples may have felt Jesus’ presence spiritually rather than physically;
5. Christians believe in the sould and it is the soul that rises again, not the body.

Question 22

Name three beliefs about the afterlife.

Answer 22

1. Christians believe in an afterlife and it depends on belief in God;
2. The afterlife begins at death or at the Day of Judgement when Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead;
3. Judgement will be based on how people have behaved during their lifetimes and in their faith following Jesus.

Question 23

The parable of the Sheep and the Goats explains how God will judge people.

Answer 23

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, found in the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46), is a teaching by Jesus about the final judgment.

Jesus describes a scene where all nations are gathered before him, and he separates them as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.

The sheep, representing the righteous, are commended for their acts of kindness and compassion, as if they were doing it to Jesus himself.

In contrast, the goats, symbolizing the unrighteous, are condemned for neglecting these acts of mercy.

Jesus emphasizes that whatever was done for the least of his brothers and sisters was done to him, indicating the importance of loving and serving others as an expression of love for God. The parable underscores the significance of compassionate action and warns of the consequences of neglecting those in need when facing the final judgment.

Question 24

Explain two Christian teachings about judgement.

Answer 24

In the Bible, Jesus told a parable about the Sheep and the Goats, from this Christians believe:
1. that they will be judged on how compassionate they were to others and how they lived their lives;
2. as well as their faith in Jesus.

Question 25

Evaluate this statement: ‘The afterlife is a good way to get people to behave themselves and hep others.’ Refer to two developed Chrsitian arguments and two developed non-religious arguements.

Answer 25

Pro: Firstly he promise of heaven could inspire people to live a good life, especially when times get difficult; Secondly, people want to be with Jesus when they die so they will follow his way: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6)
Con: There is no guarantee that there is an afterlife because it is not a physical place where we can visit and report back on; Furthermore, if God is so loving and kind, why would he punish people and send them to hell?

Question 26

Define Heaven

Answer 26

the state or place of eternal happiness and peace in the presence of God

Question 27

Define Hell

Answer 27

place of eternal suffering or the state of being without God

Question 29

Give three different Christian views about who is allowed into heaven.

Answer 29

1. Only Christians (believers in Jesus)
2. Christians and other religious who have pleased God by living and good life;
3. Baptised Christians regardless of how they live their lives.

Question 30

What is purgatory?

Answer 30

This is a Catholic belief - it is an in-between place between heaven and hell, where souls are cleansed before going into heaven.

Question 31

Give two reasons why some people* do not believe in hell.

This means you can give non-Christian answers.

Answer 31

1. A loving God would not condem people to eternity in hell;
2. That once you are dead, you cease to exist, if there is no afterlife, how could there be hell?

Question 32

Give two reasons why some Christians do not believe in hell.

Answer 32

1. Some Christians believe that hell is not a place but rather a spiritual state to be living without the presence of God;
2. Some Christians do not believe a loving God would punish people to eternal hell.

Question 33

Make a list of arguments for and against the idea that heaven and hell were invented to encourage people to behave themselves.

Answer 33

Heaven:
1. Comfort people so they do not fear death for themselves and loved ones;
2. Inspire them to lead good lives;
3. Encourage people that eternal happiness awaits them when life here is difficult;
And Hell is a deterrent from behaving badly.

However, some religious people and athiests may not believe in heaven and hell but still live a good life and behave morally; people don’t often think of heaven and hell when choosing to behave badly; the way you behave has a lot to do with the way you were raised by your parents.

Question 34

Explain two Christian teachings about the means of salvation.

Answer 34

1.Salvation through grace of God, freely given through Jesus.
‘For it is by grace you have been saved’ (Ephesians 2:8)
2. Salvation through good deeds;
‘In the same way faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.’ (Jamees 2:17)

Question 35

‘As nobody is perfect, it is impossible not to sin’ Evaluate this argument.

Answer 35

I don’t think this is an untrue statement. Christians believe in the ‘original sin’ that was committed by Adam when he ate the apple given to him by Eve in the Garden of Eden. ‘Original sin’ means that since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, we, humans, have a natural inclination to sin.
‘there is not one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right an never sins’ Ecclesiastes 7:20
God gave us free will and as a result of this, we have the capacity for sin whether it is in action, words or thought. Only God is perfect, as Jesus said ‘your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48). However, knowing that we are all likely to sin, God gave us the capacity to strive for redemption and salvation. He also gave us Jesus, who died to save us from our sins.

Question 36

Give two reasons why the death and resurrection of Jesus is important to Christians.

Answer 36

1. Jesus’ death made up for the ‘original sin’ committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eded.
2. Jesus’ ascension into heaven was a sign that God accepted his sacrifice.

Question 37

‘Salvation is God’s greatest gift to humans’.

Answer 37

Salvation means to be saved from sin through repentance, faith and acceptance of Jesus as Lord Saviour.
God showed His great love for humans by sending His only son, Jesus to live among us. Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins but some people question why a loving God would would allow the death of his son in payment for human sin. However, humans should be grateful everyday of their lives for Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf because without salvation, humankind would have to pay the price of human sin and everyone needs forgiveness from God.

Atheists do not consider salvation important because they do not think there is a God who saves people. Also there are some religions that may believe there are greater gifts to humans such as nature or life itself. Personally, I think salvation is God’s greatest gift to humans because it balances out God’s other gift of free will to us. We’ve been allowed to make mistakes and to sin, with the knowledge that we can be forgiven for our sins.