extra christianity Flashcards
role of the spirit
genesis 1 - hovers over the waters like bird, caring for it for God to bring life into the world
genesis 2 - Life is breathed into Adam’s nostrils which demonstrates unique relationship with humanity
Outline the purpose of human beings
- made in the image of God
- Be fruitful and multiply 1.28
- Adam created to take care of it and Eve as his helper. They have a perfect relationship with God and he has given them free will.
Outline the Fall
God gives Adam and Eve one rule to not eat from the tree of knowledge. The crafty serpent questions God’s command and convinces them to eat from the tree - original sin. The fall is the destruction of the perfect relationship with God. Some Christians believe that all people inherit original sin through this and they must achieve salvation to achieve eternal life.
Describe literal interpretations of the Bible.
Known as ‘creationists’. They would argue that the world is 5700 years old and God’s world is infallible. They would therefore reject any scientific claims that the world was not made in six days. Genesis 1-3 are Gods word and provide an accurate account of creation.
Describe genesis as myth belief.
- Based on scientific discovery that the world is billions of years old and the clear differences between writings in Genesis 1-2
- Theistic evolution. Life has developed through evolution which was a process started by God.
- The story does not need to be taken literally but teaches about the unique relationship with humanity etc.
Problem of evil and suffering
If God is omnibenevolent, he must care enough to stop evil and suffering but can’t so therefore must not be powerful enough to do it. Vice versa.
Moral evil vs natural evil
Moral evil is evil as a direct result of human sin e.g. famine, disease
Natural evil is evil that is of no fault of humans e.g. tsunamis
three possible causes of evil
Evil is a test and humans are responsible for it.
Evil is necessary for people to show love for others.
No one can understand God’s purpose.
Jesus as God incarnate
Jesus is God in bodily form, he was conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus as Messiah
Messiah means ‘anointed one’. Christians refer to Jesus as a King
Jesus was sent to Earth to take the punishment for human sin. He was able to do this as he himself was without sin. Jesus’ death brings forgiveness to everyone and allows them to spend eternity in heaven. Christians live to follow Jesus’ example.
Matthew chapter 22
‘The most important commandment is love your God with all your heart soul and mind. The second most important commandment is to love thy neighbour’
Agape
Christian love in action. A form of sacrificial love of putting others before yourself. Comes from Matthew Chapter 22 and Christians may help others in soup kitchens, street pastors etc.
a) incarnation
b) crucifixion
c) resurrection
a) Jesus was God incarnate and not born with original sin. He could take the punishment for human sin
b) God understands suffering because he suffered as Jesus on the cross
c) Showed God’s power over death and he was God incarnate - no human has this power
ascension
shows success over death and signified the end of his life and work on Earth.
Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for believers John 14:2
Different views about salvation
some christians believed they are being saved by baptism or taking part in the Church. Others believe that they can be saved through conversion and letting Jesus into their lives.
a) resurrection and life after death
b) hell
c) purgatory
c) heaven
a) all human beings have a soul which sets us apart from other creatures and cannot be seen. Paul says that spiritual bodies will be resurrected. Many Christians believe that we will be resurrected to be judged by God
b) Hell is punishment for those who have not repented or achieved salvation. Some Christians see hell as annihlation
c) A Roman Catholic belief for people who are not holy enough to go to heaven so must be purified. Prayer may help people in purgatory
d) being in the eternal presence of God for those who have achieved salvation. A place where suffering no longer exists.
