Christianity: Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension

Question 1

What is the significance of the incarnation?

Answer 1

• God incarnate
• Born without the original sin
• To restore the relationship between God and humanity
• Jesus is a second Adam: this is why his had to be a virgin birth. As Adam brought mortality into the world, Jesus brings immortality.
• Mark’s gospel does not include the Virgin birth or incarnation.
• Some Christian groups e.g. the Sea of Faith, do not regard the Virgin birth as accurate
• The Virgin birth is more important for Catholics than Protestants - Catholics believe Mary remained a virgin for the rest of her life and that Jesus’s siblings were also virgin births. Protestants do not believe this.

Question 2

What is the significance of the crucifixion?

Answer 2

• Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice: crucifixion was supposed to be the worst possible death
• An atonement sacrifice
• Very important for Catholic, Orthodox and C of E High Church - Jesus’s actual teachings are very important.

Question 3

What is the significance of the resurrection?

Answer 3

• Jesus defeated death: this is proof that we too will defeat death: John 11:25 - “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies”.
• Full body resurrection is a concept unique to Christianity
• In Mark’s gospel, the fact that Jesus defeated death is not explicitly stated.
• There is a lot of disagreement about resurrection: is it full body resurrection? how long after death? will everyone be resurrected at once? what happens if you don’t get to heaven?

Question 4

What is the significance of the ascension?

Answer 4

• Jesus is the only one who rose into Heaven
• According to the New Testament, Moses and Elijah are in Heaven
• According to Christian tradition, Mary is in Heaven, although this is not stated
• According to Catholic and Orthodox tradition, all the saints are in Heaven
• Those who follow Jesus’s example will also go to Heaven

Question 5

How does the Christian faith demonstrate belief in incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension?

Answer 5

The Apostles’ Creed:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.”