Christianity Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards by Mathavi Kumareswaran

What is the Nicene creed ?

widely accepted statements of faith among Christian churches
used for Catholic’s , Anglicans and most Protestant churches

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Summary of Biblical account of Genesis 2 ( second account of creation )

7th day of Creation God rested from work (holy)
No shrub/plant had yet sprung up as there was no rain
Formed a man from dust from ground l breathed into nostrils
Planted a garden in the east , Eden - man lived + took care
Middle of Garden = tree of life + tree of Knowledge
Man not allowed to eat from a specific tree
A river watering the Garden flowed from Eden ( separated into 4 headwaters : Pishon , Gihon , Tigris , Euphrates )
formed wild animals + bird in sky so man not alone
When Adam slept , God took mans ribs and then closed up place with flesh + made woman

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Significance of account of creation in Genesis 2

Adam means humanity and Eve means beginning
Writer shows importance of humanity within Gods creation
God is portrayed to have human characteristics “ anthropomorphic “ reflects on God’s unique bond with humanity
“ you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil … “ - God to Adam
First law given by God to humanity, Adam given free choice to make = free will

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What is the role of the spirit in Creation ?

Agent of God ; Psalm 33:6 refers to Holy Spirit as “ breath of God “ demonstrates creative work of spirit
Spirit led to the creation of Man therefore is a life giver

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Summary of biblical account of The Fall ( Genesis 3 )

Serpent tricked the woman into eating the apple by saying that the apple gives knowledge and makes your eyes open
Woman gave to husband who also ate it , both of their eyes then opened
Woman and Man heard God coming and tried to hide
Man said they were afraid to come out because they were naked
Woman told God she got tricked by serpent
God told the Serpent that it will crawl on its belly and ear dust , and Woman that she will have a painful labour
Man must eat from plants which has thorns and thistles
God banished man from the Garden of Eden to work the ground

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Significance of the fall and what happens as a result ?

Adam and Eve disobey God by eating the fruit , disobedience = SIN
eating the fruit meant sin has entered the world for the first time
original sin = first occasion mankind disobeyed God
“ The fall “ - broke the perfect relationship that had existed between God and Humanity
Christians believe every human born after the fall is affected by original sin : born out of relationship with God + need salvation to bring back relationship
Christians believe in redemption or a person can’t have an eternal life in heaven

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What do all Christians believe about the Creation story ?

God created the universe
God acted out of love and goodness and cares for his creation
Human being made in Gods image but are sinful hence lack his perfection

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Literal interpretation of the Creation story

Some Christians believe the Genesis 1-3 includes Gods actual words
provides accurate historical account of the creation of the world and the Fall
Creationist approach , rejects science that suggest world wasn’t made in 6 cays
Believe bible in inspired by God and Gods word is infallible
Human knowledge flawed therefore Gods creation story should be taken as an absolute truth

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Describe the Christian belief of the creation story as a myth

shouldn’t be taken literally , just convey important truths
Accounts are mythological proved through different between styles + order of Genesis 1 +2 and scientific evidence
Reveals important truths about the uniqueness of humans + possibilities of humans having a relationship with God

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Describe Theistic evolution

Some Christians believe life developed through process of evolution
Characteristics beneficial to a species passed on from one generation to next
evolution was a process started by God

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Describe the Christian belief that creation story is compatible with science

Days mentioned in the Genesis 1 shouldn’t be taken literally
Gods time not the same as our time
Each day could represent a longer period of time , maybe even billion of years
more compatible with evidence provided by science about the age + development of life on earth

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Describe the two categories of evil

Natural evil - suffering created through no direct fault of humans

Moral evil - suffering caused by actions of human beings

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What is Evil ?

opposite of good
good gone wrong / complete lack of goodness
Force that works against everything good , personified as devil / Satan

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Who is Satan ?

expelled by God when he sinned ( Isaiah 14:12)
acts to tempt humans and lead them to disobey God
dangerous enemy to Christians , destroyer and leader of a host of demons
causes suffering that may test faith in God

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Problem of Evil

if God is omnibenevolent , he should care enough to stop the suffering cause by evil
if God is omnipotent , he should stop suffering but he doesn’t

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Explain the Irenaean theodicy

God allows evil and suffering to exist
humans would be able to choose and learn what is right and good
Through suffering we learn and develop spiritually , God wants our soul to develop ( Soul -making theodicy)
God doesn’t interfere with human decisions as it affects human free will
Fall was a human learning process
As Long as humans learn from their actions they can go to heaven

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Explain the Augustinian theodicy

God made a perfect creation as recorded in Genesis
no evil in his creation , believes that evil is the absence of goodness
Adam and Eve made made use of their free will hence causing evil to enter
Human free will , led evil to come into existence
result of fall , all humans inherit a sinful nature
God doesn’t stop them , make use of free will
instead , provides human opportunity for salvation for their sin

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Different views in Evil and Suffering

Conservative Christians , suffering is a natural result of sinful nature of humans explains moral evil but doesn’t explain natural evil
Others , world is a fear , human evil is something humans are responsible for hence should deal with it through Jesus teaching about loving others
Without natural disasters , no opportunity to show life for others when people in need
Others , God has a purpose humans don’t understand , suffering has a purpose , share suffering Jesus experiences

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Gospels

account of Jesus life found in the four gospels in New Testament
Each gospel has a different perspective of him
not much detail of him/ life but more on what he said and did , much more than a good man

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What was Jesus referred to as ?

Messiah
Son of God
Lord
Saviour

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Why is Jesus important ?

Jesus life and examples are important as they give Christians a pattern for their own lives
death is a sacrifice which means human can be bought back into relationship with God

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Jesus as the son of God

Jesus was God incarnated = god in human form
conception wasn’t natural , conceived by Holy Spirit
Old Testament contains prophecies about Jesus miraculous conception

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Jesus as the Messiah

means “ anointed one “ , refers to Jesus as King or Lord
sent by God to be the saviour of humanity
Jews expected he would help them to fight and destroy the Romans
Jesus is anointed with oil in Mark 14:3-9
significant , Messiah for all people
Kingdom and Eule was not a military one but spiritual

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Jesus as Lord and Saviour

Jesus sent to take the punishment of all human sin and restore broken relationship between God and Humanity
Death was enough to pay for all human sins , forgiveness from God
had power to beat death + return to life
made it possible to spend eternity in heaven after physical death
Lord = recognise his divine authority + willing to submit to his rules

What is the Beatitudes ?

“blessings” , Jesus describes the attitudes or qualities that God wants his followers to develop and that he will bless
( 1-3) followers know their needs , to become truer better people , more open to God , share Gods love through actions
(4-7) searching for God and truth and righteousness , God focussed in all you do , not distracted by selfishness
Final , concentrate on suffering as a result of doing what is right in the eyes of God . Suffer to be faith to god = happy , true to themselves , rewarded in heaven

Sermon on the mount

recorded in Mathew 5-7
contains many of Jesus teaching and how Christians should live
divided into 6 sections

Jesus and the law

Jesus does not replace law of God but changes way believers should understand
obedience to law must come from heart , persons thought as bad as actions , persons thoughts influence actions
issue of adultery , lust can lead to adultery , goes against Gods commands
Tells follows to love neighbours and enemies , Old Testament Israelites told not to bear grudges
All humans made I Gods image , hence all have the capacity to sin so need to be loved and forgiven

True discipleship (5:1 - 18 )

Jesus dismisses outward Act if religion that are done for show , think person is righteous
Requires true disciples to be sincere , keeping fasting and charity probate , known only to themselves and God
Only to serve and please God Not to receive praise from humans

What is the Lord’s Prayer ?

structure for believers to base their prayers on

- starts with worship of God , request that God meets their daily needs , repentance and asking for Gods forgiveness

Jesus teaching about wealth

warns believers not to build up treasures on earth or to worry about earthy needs
wants them to have faith that God will for provide for them
true riches are spiritual treasures , which can’t be destroyed nor stolen
person can’t worship both God and money
love of money is wrong , leads to selfishness and greed

Jesus teaching about judging others

no person is perfect so no one is in position to judge anyone else
if people judge others , God will use the same standards to judge them
Human judgment is flawed and limited
unless you are perfect , no fit state to judge the sin on someone else
focus on how to become closer to God and more obedient to him

Jesus teaching on “ the narrow gateway “

warns believers about difficulties of being a Christian
uses imagery of a narrow gate and pathway compared to broad and wide pathway
broad pathway = destruction , life lived without any attention to the laws of God , easier
easier therefore will not lead to Gods blessings or to a place in Heaven
Narrow pathway = difficult , leads to reward in heaven which will be eternal

Agape

sacrificial love
love that places God , other and even enemies above yourself
voluntarily suffers discomfort

Jesus example

God chose to reveal himself through the physical form of Jesus
Teachings allow Christians to see how to love in obedience to God
Jesus showed that Gods Kingdon was open to anyone , God values all people equally
Christians believe they must care for those in society who are rejected
Jesus helped people in need , did miraculous things, Christians responds to the needs of people

Evangelism

Sharing Jesus message and persuading others to become believers

What is the incarnation ?

God came to earth in the human form of Jesus
Jesus life provides perfect example of how God wants every person to live
Able to perform miracles during his time on earth, power over diseases and nature
he provided a glimpse of heaven

Purpose of Jesus incarnation

Take punishment for human sin

- restore broken relationship between human and God

what is Crucifixion ?

Jesus was crucified , nailed to a wooden cross and left to hang till death
extremely unpleasant and used by Romans
Public death , Slow and painful + acts as a deterrent to other criminals
Jesus understand human suffering
Evil won over Good

What type of sacrifice was Jesus crucifixion ?

Atonement sacrifice : death had a purpose that benefits all humans

What does the Old Testament prophecies have ?

Jesus life

- suffering and death on cross

Belief about Jesus resurrection

3 days after crucifixion Jesus rose from dead

- Paul records Jesus was seen alive by 5000 people after death

What does Jesus resurrection show ?

Jesus power over death itself
free from original sin that leads to death and eternal separation
evidence that he was God incarnate
shows God approved sacrifice , sufficient debt to pay for human sins
belief in sharing eternity with Jesus

What does Jesus say to one of his followers ? ( resurrection )

“ I am the resurrection and the life ; he who beloved in me will live even if he dies “ ( John 11:25 )

Belief about the ascension on Jesus

40 days after resurrection , New Testament shows he rose back to heaven
signifies end of his life + work on earth
Rising of Jesus represents his success of good and evil
Jesus loves alongside God and work in heaven continues
no more sacrifice was need , final

What does Jesus resurrection mean to Christians ?

Christians can pray with confidence , knowing they are forgiven and back in relationship with God

What is the apostles creed ?

written by 12 apostles
probably developed between second and ninth centuries
summing up Christian doctrine and challenging any heresies

Different beliefs about the incarnation , crucifixion , resurrection and ascension

huge significance for humans , examples of Gods working in the world
conservative Christians : events took place as described
others thinks it’s metaphorical
different groups emphasise events more than others

Summary of salvation

human relationship with God had been broken therefore had to repair relationship
salvation is the saving process , as humans try to save themselves from punishment for their sins

What is covenant ?

Agreement made between God and Jewish nation , that God would care for them if they obeyed his laws

What happens on the day of atonement ?

occurred once every year
High priest enters the innermost part of the temples “ holy of holies “
priest would make animal sacrifice , blood of animals bring atonement or reconciliation between humans and God
people of God would stand pure before God

What is grace ?

Under new covenant , Gods Grace means that humans have his blessings even if they are imperfect and sinful as long as they have faith in God

What is redemption ?

describe what they believe God has done for them
process of buying something and praying off as debt
salvation God offers is actually him offering to pay their debt of sin

Explain the different Christian views about how Jesus achieved salvation ?

Many Christians believe that Jesus was a sacrifice that paid for human sin once and for all
Jesus death was a random , paid for the release of human sinners
by becoming human , humans could achieve a union with God and this allows them to be saved

Explain different views of how Christians believe they receive salvation

RCC , through sacraments such as baptism
Evangelical churches , believe that through faith in Jesus
good deeds will allow you to enter heaven

What is Parousia ?

refers to the second coming of Christ
Jesus would return to establish a new world to replace the evil , sinful world they lived in
during the end time ( last 10 days of the world ) ‘ Eschaton ‘

Belief about what happens after you die

humans imperfect and mortal bodies will die but their spiritual bodies will be resurrected
end of time all the death will be raised to be judged by God

Christian belief about hell

Old Testament , place of departed spirits but not a place of punishment
New Testament , Jesus refers to “ Gehennah” translated as hell
indescribable, eternal torture for non-believers
annihilation , body and the soul both cease to exist at the point of physical death
place of eternal existence without Gods presence and blessing

Christian belief about heaven

eternal presence of God , state of mind
Bibles describes heaven as having blinding light , singing and beauty ( New Testament )
Throne “ sea of glass , clear as crystal “ perfect and awe inspiring
suffering and evil no longer exist
serve God and obey him , comfort in times of suffering

Belief about purgatory

RCC , not pure enough to come to Gods presence immediately
undergo purification to achieve holiness to enter heaven
Catechism : summary of Roman Catholic beliefs
pray for dead , prayers can help people in purgatory

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Christianity Beliefs And Teachings Flashcards

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