Christianity: Key Beliefs Flashcards
who are monotheists?
people who believe in one God
what are polytheists?
people who believe in many gods
what are agnostics?
people who are not sure if there is a God or not
what are atheists?
people don’t believe in God/gods
omnipotent definition
God is all-powerful
omniscience definition
God is all-knowing
omnibenevolence definition
God is all-loving
immanent definition
God is within all
transcendence definition
God is above all
eternal
God has no beginning or end
just in term of God meaning
God is a fair judge
times when God was all-loving
sending Jesus to die for humanity’s sins
saved the Hebrews from the Eqyptians
times when God was all-powerful
parted the red sea to allow Moses and his people to pass
created the universe
flooding the world
times when God was forgiving/merciful
Jonah being released from the great fish
sending Jesus to save humanity
moral evil is …
evil caused by humans
natural evil …
occurs naturally and is out of our control
how do religious people respond to the problem of evil and suffering?
evil & suffering is caused by humans misusing freewill
evil & suffering is a test from God (Job)
evil & suffering is a part of the world and religions people have a duty to relieve it (suffering as an opportunity)
goodness can’t be truly understood without evil & suffering
what is St. Augustine’s Theodicy for the problem of evil
God created the world good
However the original sin caused inherent sin for man, taking man away from God
so all suffering is the result of this sin (misuse of freewill), and God did not cause it
what is Irenaeus’ Theodicy on the problem of evil
Humans are created imperfectly so that they can develop to perfection (like God)
Genuine human perfection must involve human involvement
so freewill is necessary
it is all a test
this theodicy suggests everyone will eventually go to heaven
what happened to Job
Job loses all his belonging, family and is covered with boils
he does not blame God
his belongings and his family is restored in greater numbers than before
what does the story of Job teach us about suffering
it is all a test
it is a part of God’s greater plan
if we stay close to God even if we are suffering we will be rewarded
what are the three ways God can be understood
God, the Father
Jesus, the Son
Holy Spirit