Christianity Beliefs & Teachings

Question 1

3 explanations about evil and suffering

Answer 1

1. Become agnostic or atheist
2. Inconsistent Triad (Epicurus)
3. God’s ways are beyond human understanding, e.g Job

Question 2

Why do Christians believe in the Trinity?

Answer 2

Jesus says “I am one with God”.

Question 3

Describe the Apostles Creed

Answer 3

Statement of beliefs:

Beliefs regarding crucifixion, resurrection and ascension

Question 4

What does Genesis make Christians believe about God?

Answer 4

God is the overall architect of creation.

Question 5

What is the significance of Genesis 3: The Fall?

Answer 5

God’s relationship with humans is broken by ORIGINAL SIN.

Question 6

Explain literalist views on creation

Answer 6

Believe the creation story word for word so therefore, often see science and religion as conflicting.
E.g. Eve was formed from Adam’s rib

Question 7

Explain Non-literalist views on creation

Answer 7

Science and religion work together to give a full picture of creation.
God is often described as the designer and the Big Bang Theory is how he chose to create the Earth.

Question 8

What is meant by ‘the word’?

Answer 8

Jesus = The Word.

God and the word are one, all things were made through the word.

Question 9

Give 2 reasons why Christians believe in the Incarnation?

Answer 9

1. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary.

2. Jesus is the Son in the trinity.

Question 10

Explain 2 significances of the crucifixion.

Answer 10

1. It allows humans to reach salvation & atonement

2. It allows for resurrection (an Old Testament prophecy)

Question 11

Describe the Inconsistent Triad. (Epicurus)

Answer 11

If God is powerful and enough to stop suffering but doesn’t then he can not be omnibenevolent.
If he loves us enough but can’t stop suffering then he is not omnipotent.

If he is neither able, nor willing then why call him God?

Question 12

What does salvation and atonement mean for Christians?

Answer 12

Death is not to be feared as believers will be resurrected to live eternally in heaven.

Question 13

What do Roman Catholics believe about the Eucharist?

Answer 13

1. Transubstantiation - Bread and wine become the flesh and blood of Christ.
2. Jesus wanted it to be done in memory of him.

Question 14

What is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection?

Answer 14

Makes sense of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion

Question 15

How do Christians achieve salvation?

Answer 15

1. Protestants believe it is a gift from God as they had faith (sola fide)
2. Orthodox Christians believe they must live a good life.

Question 16

What are eschatological beliefs?

Answer 16

Beliefs regarding the afterlife. E.g. Heaven, hell and purgatory (only Roman Catholics).

Question 17

Describe 2 Christian beliefs about Judgement day.

Answer 17

1. People will be judged as sheep and goats (if they lived a morally right or sinful life).
2. Jesus will come again on Judgement Day (The Parousia).

Question 18

Describe 3 beliefs about human resurrection.

Answer 18

1. The soul will rise to heaven
2. There will be a bodily resurrection at the end of time
3. There will be a new heaven and Earth with eternal life

Question 19

Explain beliefs about heaven.

Answer 19

Heaven is a state/place close to God and free of suffering. People who have faith may go there or people that live a good life. It is paradise.

Hell is the opposite.

Question 20

What is Purgatory?

Answer 20

Roman Catholics believe in Purgatory, it is a place of cleansing between Heaven and Earth. Prayers can shorten time spent here.