Incarnation Flashcards
The incarnation
Means “made flesh”. God takes on human form
The meaning of the incarnation
Jesus was fully human and fully God
He experienced human life- God knows it’s difficulties
God’s love helps Christians feel closer to him
God shared in humanity fully
Emmanuel
A jewish name meaning God is with us.
Features of Luke’s annunciation
The focus is on Mary’s role
Mary has a choice (free will)
Gabriel’s message is for all believers
Luke’s annunciation summary
Tells the story of how Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel who told her Jesus’ll be concieved through the power of the Holy Spirit
Quote from Luke’s annunciation
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High”
Luke 1:32
Matthew’s annunciation features
Focus is on Joseph’s role
Jesus is sent to Earth by God to save humans
named “Emmanuel” - confirms Jesus’ll be the son of God
Summary of Matthew’s annunciation
Joseph planned to divorce Mary but an angel visits him in a dream and tells him Mary’s child was concieved by the Holy Spirit
Quote from Matthew’s annunciation
“For the child concieved in her is from the Holy Spirit…he will save people from their sins”
Matthew 1:20-21
Similarities between Luke and Matthew’s annunciation stories
God works through human beings to carry out his plans for them
Mary was a virgin
Jesus was conceived by the holy spirit
An angel annonced Jesus’ birth
(God) Father
Monotheist, judge, creator and source of all things.
We serve him through prayer and love
He brings us life
(God) Holy Spirit
Power in the world today
Helps people to pray
Represented by a dove
Is a witness
Always present
(God) Son
God in human form
Light of the world
Helps connect us with God
Helps deliver the word of God
We pray to God in Jesus’ name
Joins us with other believers
The word of God
The Word (Jesus) is:
-eternal
-God’s self expression
-giver of life, light and guidance
-united with God yet distinct from him
“The word was God, and the word was with God…and the word became flesh.”
Son of man
Emphasises Jesus’ fully human side
Jesus began teaching that the son of man must undergo great sufferring (Mark 8:31)
The Son of God
When on trial in Jewish court for blasphemy he is asked if he is the messiah, son of God, blessed one and he replies “I am” (Mark 14)
Shows that he is fully God
He limited himself to the human condition while on Earth
(Teachings of John’s Gospel) “In the beginning was the word”
The word existed before all things. Other gospels only show when the word was a human. But this shows it existed before everything else
(Teachings of John’s gospel) “The word was God”
A word is an expression of one’s thoughts and Jesus is an expression of God
(Teachings of John’s gospel) “The word was with God”
Suggests there is a distinction between God and the word.
The word is the expression of God’s power
(Teachings of John’s gspel) “ The word became flesh”
Statement of the incarnation.
The word is a part of God which took on human nature and became a full human being
(Teachings of John’s gospel) The word as an expression of love
Jesus is God’s gift to humans and helps us learn how to respond to God’s love.
Jesus’ teachings were an offer we could accept or reject.
Christians believe following God is a choice
Ichthus
A greek word meaning fish. Whoever recognised the sign of the fish believed in “Jesus Christ, the son of God and saviour”. Used by Christians being ruled by romans and jews because it was easy to draw and only recognised by christians
Letters of Ichthus
I- Iesous (Jesus)
Ch- Christos (Christ)
Th- Theou (of God)
U- Uios (son)
S- Soter (savior)
Alpha and Omega
First and last letters of the greek alphabet. Jesus and God are involved in everything from begining until end. Used to refer to them in the book of Revelations. Used in Churches, vestements and drawings and the Paschal Candle (the candle used at Easter to show the risen Christ)
Chi-Rho (looks like an x on top of a p)
Forms first letters in the greek word for christ. It is an affirmation that Jesus is the messiah and the annointed one of God who was sent to save the world
Why would Christian symbols still be used today
Christians are still persecuted in places like North Korea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan
Reasons against religious artwork (Contrasting Views)
God is infinite and cannot be portrayed accurately through finite means.
“You shall not make for yourself and idol”-it could seem as though the statue is being worshipped
Can give a false impression about God, for example, being an old man with a beard
Goes against second commandment
Best way to worship is to serve others
Some think the statue itself is being worshipped
Reasons for religious artwork (Catholic Attitudes)
Statues of Jesus can help us concentrate on his human nature, various teachings and qualities
Only the person signified is being worshipped (not the statue)
Reminds us that God was incarnate
Art can highlight spiritual ideas
Christ the redeemer staue (Rio, Brazil)
Divinity- he’s big and overlooks the whole area
Humanity-stretched arms similar to his crucifixion (he also looks like a man)
Crucifix statues
Humanity- show jesus at his weakest point, mortal
Divinity- destined to die from his birth
Jesus freed us from sin and death through his sacrifice on the cross
Sacred heart statues
Divinity- heart shows his love for all humans
Shows his peace and love
The writings of St Irenaeus
Shows that the incarnation brings God and humans closer together, describing Jesus as a meeting point between heaven and earth. Jesus displays God’s qualities meaning that people gain a better understanding of God through him.
St Irenaeus quote
“Jesus is the glory of God; a human who is fully alive”
Baptism
When a person becomes a member of the church, water is poured on their head, symbolising washing away of sins. Happens once in a life.
Effect of baptism
The person becomes a child of God
Confirmation
When a person chooses to confirm that they’re a member of the church, they’re annointed with holy oil. Happens once in a life
Effect of confirmation
Their faith is strengthened and deepened. Power of the holy spirit is renewed in thier life.
Eurcharist
The recieving of concecrated bread and wine, the body and blood of christ
Happens on a regular basis (at mass)
Effect of the eucharist
They revieve the life of christ. Help’s them grow in God’s love
Marriage
When a man and a woman give their consent to be married. Usually once in a lifetime.
Effect of marriage
The couple accept that God’s love will be active in their lives
Ordination
Becoming a priest, bishop or deacon. Involves the laying on of hands and the annointing of hands with chrism. Symbolises passing on the power of the holy spirit. Can happen once for each position.
Effect of ordination
They commit themselves to God and the Church. Given power to consecrate at mass, preach and pass on God’s forgiveness during confession.
Reconciliation
When a person confesses sins to a priest and they’re forgiven. Can happen regularly
Effect of reconciliation
Their relationship with God is restored
Sacrament of the sick
When a very ill person is annointed with oil. Can happen more than once in a lifetime
Effect of the sacrament of the sick
Gives them strength and forgives sins
Purpose of the sacraments
A sacrament is a moment of grace when God’s love is received fully
believed to sanctify a person’s life
therefore it deepens our relationship with God
“outward sign of inward grace”
Sacraments in terms of the incarnation
God was distant before the incarnation
When Jesus left he gave us visible, tangible signs of God’s presence - the sacraments
The sacraments make God present for all time
Eg Eucharist
Sacramental nature of reality
the world (and everything in it) is created by God, so it is a sign of God’s love
therefore we call reality sacramental
(as we experience God’s love (grace) through the sacraments)
Heresy
Belief that goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church
Apololistic exhortation
Letter from the pope, encouraging catholics
Original punishments for heritics
Excommunication, but from the 12th/13th centuries punishment ranged from a pilgrimage, to whipping or, if their heretical belief wasn’t publicly taken back, execution
Verbum Domini (a letter/apostolic exhortation by Pope Benedict)
“eternal word became small enough to fit into a manger … so that the word could be grasped by us” - emphasises Jesus’ humanity - balances Dei Verbum which could suggest that Jesus only appeared to be human
Second vatican council on incarnation
“…he sent his son… so that he might dwell among men and tell them of the innermost being of God” - from Dei Verbum - emphasises Jesus’ divinity
Uk law on abortion
1967 Abortion Act states it’s legal if it’s authorised by two doctors on at least one of these grounds
-less than six months pregnant
-the pregnancy creates physical/mental health risk to the mother or existing children
-it risks the life of the woman
-risk of physical or mental abnormalities to the child.
Imago dei
All life comes from God (genesis) and humans are “made in the image of God” meaning all life is holy.
The most vulnerable life (unborn child) needs to be protected (sanctity of life).
The whole person is present from conception
Evidence that the whole person is present from conception
“As soon as I heard your greeting the child in my womb leaped for joy”-Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth
Catholics interpret this as the child being fully alive and present
Countries against abortion
Most Latin American countries.
In 2020, El Salvadorian woman, 34, was released from 15 years of imprisonment for having an abortion
2021, Texas banned any abortion after six weeks of pregancy.
Poland has a near total ban
Pro life organistaions
Often supported by catholics, they aim to ban abortions or reduce the number of weeks at which it’s allowed. Catholics may support pro life because of the sanctity of life or the ten commandments
Sermon on the mount
A sermon (talk) by Jesus which gave a set of rules and values to apply to life to please God. Built on old testament laws - make them more perfect. Jesus speaking from a mount makes him like the new Moses, who gave the 10 commandments from Mount Sinai.
Teachings of the sermon on the mount
Don’t commit adultery - Even looking at someone lustfully is wrong
Don’t commit murder - Don’t even get angry at them
An eye for an eye - don’t take revenge
People’s attitudes are more important - they please God
Beatitudes
Blessed are:
The poor in spirit
Those who mourn
The meek (inherit the earth)
Those who hunger to do gods will
The merciful (receive Mercy)
The pure in heart (see God)
Peacemakers
Those who are persecuted for righteous causes
Differences between Luke and Matthew’s annunciation stories
Gabriel appears to Mary in person and to Joseph in a dream
In Luke, he is named Jesus, and Emmanuel in Matthew
Joseph did not question the role he had to play (Mary did)
What is grace?
God’s love
It gives us the strength to do what God wants
Flows from the trinity to our hearts
Brings us closer to God
