Christianity Practices Flashcards

Question

‘Christmas is no longer a religious festival.’

Answer 1

For’s: - It has become materialised and is now all about receiving presents, instead of the birth of Jesus. - Advertising for Christmas shows it clearly as you are more likely to see reindeers, snowmen, santa than a nativity scene or any reference to Christianity Secular activities. - Instead of people having nativity scenes in their home, it is more likely that they will have a Christmas tree with many presents underneath. Against’s: - Still at many schools a nativity play is made at Christmas time, showing that even for children Christmas has not lost its religious meaning. - People focus on family, children, the poor and the lonely at Christmas time. This shows that people have not forgotten to “love thy neighbour” at Christmas and are following the kind and compassionate example of Jesus in his life on earth.

Answer 2

For’s: - Jesus showed the example of helping the vulnerable, so Christians should follow his example and do the same. In the parable of the Sheep and Goats it says “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, for I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… whatever you did for one these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. - Christains should follow what Jesus said in Mark’s Gospel – “love your neighbour as you love yourself” – this means that you should help those suffering, just as you would want to be helped if you were in their situation. Christians Against’s: - Hungry people have got themselves into that situation, so it is not a Christians duty to get them out of that situation - Christians main duty should be evangelism.

Answer 3

For’s: - Jesus is explicit about “when you help the least of my brothers and sisters you do it for me” (Matthew’s Gospel) . This means that when you do practical works, as well as prayer, to help the community you are also doing it for God. - Jesus makes it very clear that loving God and loving your neighbour (Matthew) are the two most important responsibilities in his followers. Therefore Christians should listen to this and do something practical (including praying) for those around them. Against’s: - It is possible to be a dedicated Christian without investing time in your local community. You may have responsibilities overseas or in other areas of the world, not just your community. - Some Christians may not be able to help practically in the community. For example, they may have a disability or be too young. Others may be alienated or even persecuted within that community, so they are also unable to engage in practical help.

Answer 4

For’s: - Jesus commands all Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations”, therefore they should follow this command and evangelise. - Every Christian should show love and kindness to those around them which honours Jesus. This type of evangelism may not always be spoken (“always preach the Gospel, using words when necessary” – St Francis) but it is the responsibility for followers of Jesus. Against’s: - Some would say that everyone has different strengths, and therefore not everyone in the Church needs to evangelise. For example, Christians would not expect someone with social anxiety to go out onto city streets with a microphone and preach about Jesus. - Evangelism is a great way to touch peoples hearts, but it is not the only way. Many people may be drawn to faith precisely because someone does not push it in their face, but rather they show certain attractive values (e.g. generosity and tolerance). - the holy spirit could draw you into a different way to love an serve god

Answer 5

For’s: - The final command of Jesus in the great Commission was (Matthew) “Go and make disciples of all nations”. The Church, therefore, should rely on the holy spirit to empower evangelists to tell the good news. There is no other way to grow. - No matter how many people you encourage to come to church, or how many buildings you extend, the only way to extend the church properly is through evangelicalism and making people fall in love with God. Against’s: - Church growth relies on a lot of things (e.g. raising money to preserve and extend buildings, serving the community by looking after the homeless etc); these acts may be unseen and not announced in an evangelical manner, but without them the church will never grow. - Providing resources (whether sending Bibles or building nursery schools) for others around the world grows the church. This allows the holy spirit to convict people of God’s love and does not need a missionary with a megaphone. - no, Christians should rely on the Holy Spirit for Church growth no, growth is every christians responsibility

Answer 6

For’s: - When you reconcile with God, it creates a gateway into eternal life (heaven) that you can spend with him. - God is constant and true, so being at one with his is a perpetual state whereas other people will leave and let you down so it will never last forever. Against’s: - Jesus makes It clear that the most important commandment is to love God, but the second (which is equal to it) is to “love thy neighbour as thyself”. Therefore it is equally important to be in harmony with those around us as well as being in harmony with God. - “when you do this to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me”. This means that, In Christianity where everyone is made in the image of God (Genesis) it is impossible to be reconciled to God until you are reconciled with those around you. - you cant split them / jesus said BOTH important - lobe God AND neighbour

Answer 7

For’s: - If someone is suffering and experiencing physical or mental agony (just due to their faith) it is not physically possible for the human mind and body to rejoice and be happy. The only focus is survival. This is just human nature. - Even if you are a committed Christian, and you do believe in eternal life lived joyfully, at the moment of persecution your thoughts will be on escaping or self-defence, not rejoicing. This is just the realistic way of reacting to the situation. - A christian can remain hopeful and faithful in times of persecution, but they would not want this persecution to continue (and nor would God) so it is not a case if rejoicing Against’s: - It is clear throughout scripture that Jesus does not promise Christians an easy life, as he himself suffered persecution on the cross. However, he promised us that despite the persecution (either here on earth or in the afterlife) you should be confident and happy that all will be well. - Paul’s letters throughout the New Testament instruct Christians to find their joy in Jesus, not there circumstance, Jesus is always with us so we should always rejoice. Paul himself was imprisoned and often beaten due to his faith, yet he wrote (for example to the Philippians) “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”

Answer 8

For’s: - Emergencies are when people are in most need of vital things such as food, water, money, support etc. eg. Famine, flood, earthquake. - Charitable giving should not let Governments escape from their basic responsibilities (education, health, sanitation etc). Therefore, the religious charities should only give emergency aid because it is the governments job to give deliver basic support for its people (eg build schools). Against’s: - The most effective ways for charities to give is to build sustainable strength to local economies e.g. give a cow. “give a man a fish and you have fed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime” (a Chinese proverb). - Often in emergencies the government is in a better place to help. For example, they can deploy the army, or they can use major recourses such as ships and helicopters which charities do not possess.

Answer 9

For’s: - Jesus helped all people in need, so the Church as a people need to follow his example (widows and orphans) - By helping those in need (eg foodbank, Oxfam etc) is the best way to show others what the love of God looks like and therefore to share the good news about God and Jesus (evangelise). Against’s: - The most impprtant duty of the work is to evangelise, and although one aspect of this can be helping people in need, there are many other expressions which are important (e.g. investing in education or preaching). - The most important duty of the Church is to bring people together of all races, ages, genders, backgrounds etc and create one kingdom. Everyone is effectively in need (in need of Jesus)

Answer 10

For’s: - Jesus told his disciples in the end of Matthew’ Gospel, during the great commission, “go and make disciples of all nations”. This shows Christians that it is important to tell others about their faith and give them a chance to understand it. - When a Christian has felt the love of God, they believe that the compassionate thing to do is to share that love of God (through being kind and telling others about God) with other people who may not have experienced it before. This means that they are educating others on the love of God that they can experience. Against’s: - First important duty is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind” (Matthews Gospel). Jesus says that this is the most important commandment and duty in Christianity, and therefore takes priority over telling others about the Christian faith. - After Jesus says this, he also says that (equal to loving God) you should love your neighbour. This message is repeated all throughout the Bible, in the Old and New Testament and is believed to be a very important Christian duty.

Answer 11

For - It celebrates the incarnation – the central belief of Christianity. - It is a time of peace and goodwill which reflects Jesus’ values. Against - Easter is more important – it celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus and gives Christians proof that Jesus is the son of God (not just a great prophet). - Easter is more important as it gives insight into the afterlife and shows Christians that Jesus conquered death so that we may have everlasting life. - Christmas has become confused with materialism and the giving of presents.

Answer 12

For’s: - Giving food to one individual on the rare occasion is not going to change the system. It would be better if Christians prayed for those in need and put pressure on the Government to change the system. - People need to take responsibility for their own difficulties, it is not the responsibility of Christians to pick people up who have let themselves down. Proverbs 12:11 “He who works his land will have abundant food” Against’s: - When Christians feed the hungry (and show love to anyone in need) they are expressing their love for God, and all his creation. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40) - Jesus models a life of service which echoes the Old Testament values “he gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:6-7). Therefore, we should follow his example by at least giving some food to the hungry.

Answer 13

For’s: - Jesus was baptised (told in the Gospels), so this is an example for us to follow to be entered into the Christian faith. Jesus also instructed his disciples to baptises others, so clearly it is necessary in order to follow him and be a Christian correctly, - For Catholics, baptism is a necessary way of removing original sin. In the catholic Church, to be Christian you need to be baptised. Against’s: - In the Parable of Sheep and Goats, Jesus says that the most important thing to achieve salvation is not baptism, but instead helping others. E.g. Ukrainian refugees being welcomed into European homes. - It is possible to follow Christ without being baptised. For example, Quakers.

Answer 14

For - Easter is the most important – it celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus and gives Christians proof that Jesus is the son of God (not just a great prophet). - Easter is most important as it gives insight into the afterlife and shows Christians that Jesus conquered death so that we may have everlasting life. Against - Christmas is the most important because it celebrates the incarnation – the central belief of Christianity. - Easter has become materialised and is now all about receiving chocolate and gifts, so it does not hold great importance anymore for Christians.