Judgement & Christian Practice Flashcards
Describe a teaching of Jesus. (4)
THE GOLDEN RULE
One of the teachings of Jesus is The Golden Rule.
”Do unto others as you would have them do to you” - Luke 6:31
With this, Jesus teaches us that the basis of all human conduct should be treating others way that we would like to be treated.
Jesus points to the profound dignity of each person regardless of status in society, race, religion, nationality or even whether we like them or not.
Christian love means respecting others and having their well being at the forefront of our thoughts and actions even when we don’t like the other person.
Describe what Christianity teaches about Life after Death. (5)
- For Christians, the belief in life after death has its origins in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This belief is articulated in The Creed
- The Church teaches that when people die, those pure in spirit will go to heaven.
- Those who had a friendship with God, but had unforgiven sins, go to purgatory for their sins to be purified
- Those in a state of mortal sin will go to hell.
- On the last day, God will create a new heaven & new earth where those in heaven and purgatory will live forever.
- At the end of time Jesus will return. This time is known as Parousia
- This teaching is based on the catechism and biblical teachings of the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul.
- Those in Heaven, will join the communion of saints and those in purgatory will be purified first and also join the communion of saints.
Describe what Christians believe about Heaven and hell. (5)
HEAVEN
- Heaven is a state of being united with God. This means that heaven the ultimate goal for Christians
- Heaven is a realm of divine perfection, like Eden before the the fall of man.
- Heaven is where the souls of the righteous go in the afterlife. Many Christians see it as a kind of physical existence after resurrection with a new ‘resurrection body’
- Heaven is where God and Jesus are
- Heaven is a state/condition of existence rather than a physical place. Some think heaven happens on earth when Christians experience the Kingdom of God.
HELL
- Hell is a place of fire and torture where people face the consequences of their sins on earth
- Hell is the absence of God and Jesus
- Hell is the rejection of Jesus and His teachings
- Some Christians don’t see it as a real, physical place, instead they see it as a state of mind.
Explain why following Jesus’ teaching and example is important for Christians today. (5)
Following Jesus’ teaching and example is important for Christians today because, for example, if we followed The Golden Rule, then people would be treated better, and happiness would generally increase.
If all people followed the teaching of the Good Samaritan, then there would be no more rivalry and animosity as all people would see one another as neighbours, and even family. This would lead to peace in the home, in society and in the world.
Following the teaching given us in the Prodigal Son would lead to greater forgiveness and reconciliation at all levels in society. Revenge and anger would be replaced by people moving forward together; learning from mistakes and improving.
In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Christians are encouraged to serve God by serving others. Catholics can put this teaching into practice through participatingin the work of local charities, such as the SSVP, or internationally, by supporting charities such as Mary’s Meals.
The teachings of Jesus encourage people to make the world better by helping and forgiving others, which is very important for Christians, or even those who are irreligious.
Explain why beliefs about heaven and hell are important for Christians today. (4)
- Beliefs in Heaven will give Christians hope in a better existence beyond death. For many people who suffer in this life, the belief in Heaven will spur them on to live with the challenges they face in the hope of being united fully with God in Heaven.
- The existence of Hell helps us to understand that God respects human free will. In other words, God will respect the decision of humans who do not want to be with Him in Heaven.
- Hell is a lifelong torment and eternal separation from God. This is important for Christians because hell can act as a deterrent from sin and keep people on the path towards God.
- Heaven is a place where the pure of souls go. This is significant for Christians because it can affect their moral decision making. The hope of a divine prospect of Heaven can help people make the right decisions so they can be united with God.
“The teachings of Jesus are irrelevant in the 21st Century.”
How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
Following Jesus’ teaching is hard in a world that sees the individual as most important. It doesn’t come naturally to put others first
Following Jesus’ teaching to, ‘Turn the other cheek’ makes you vulnerable, and you could end up being branded a coward. It also goes against human instinct and the widely accepted view that it is right to defend yourself.
There are many people who claim to be Christian yet they do not behave in a way that Jesus taught. This shows that some people do not really value the teachings of Jesus, or they interpret them to suit themselves
People who are not religious are unlikely to see the relevance of the teachings as they do not live by them
AGAINST
The teachings are universal and timeless, so they remain relevant today
Some may say that the world is in need of Jesus’ teachings more than ever as it is full of suffering (war etc)
Jesus taught to reach out to outcasts, this would allow more people to feel included and valued in society, which, in principle, should be too difficult to follow.
Jesus himself warned his disciples that following him would be costly, and that they would need to take up their ‘cross’ by following him. Still today, some people put their lives at risk by being Christians
Jesus’ parables are easy to understand and can be used as a metaphor for situations we face in the modern world, so the teachings are still helpful today
If more people followed Jesus’ teachings today the world would be a better place, it would be filled with love, forgiveness and peace.
“Following Jesus’ teaching and example is too hard!”
How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
It’s not realistic to expect ordinary people to be able to live like the Son of God.
Humans are limited in what they can do for others — we can’t make a blind man see or walk on water.
Jesus was meant to be without sin, so wasn’t subject to the same temptations as ordinary people.
It’s too hard to be loving and kind to people who are hateful to us — it just goes against human nature.
Many wouldn’t give their life for their beliefs or for other people because we naturally want to preserve our own lives.
AGAINST
Even though people don’t have Jesus’ miraculous powers, they can still look for practical ways to love their neighbour, for example, by helping the needy or caring for the sick.
People like Martin Luther King Jr. show that it is possible to love your enemies as Jesus did.
There are many Christians who are trying to live by ‘What would Jesus do?’ in their day-to-day lives, and encouraging fellow believers to do the same.
It’s challenging, but not impossible, and still a goal worth aiming for as it would make the world a better place.
Explain how Judgement affects Christians. (4)
- Judgement helps Christians to understand that the way we live our lives will impact our after-life. This encourages Christians to act responsibly and make the love and goodness of God present in the lives of others.
- Judgement can also affect Christians by have more fear and reverence of God. They do this by taking worship and religious practices with more sincerity and humilty knowing the consequences of divine judgment.
- Judgement also affects Christians by fostering a sense of moral accountability for everything that they do, because they are answerable on the day of judgement.
- Judgement can also affect Christians because they will be motivated to reflect and repent on their sins. They may attend reconciliations more often knowing that they are accountable for their actions.
“A good God would not send people to hell.”
How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
A God who is truly merciful would forgive His servants no matter what they do.
Many argue that a just and fair God could find ways to address wrongdoing without resorting to eternal damnation. This could involve opportunities for redemption, rehabilitation, or some form of corrective justice.
A good God would presumably operate on a level of wisdom and understanding that humans cannot fully comprehend, leading to questions about the necessity and fairness of eternal punishment.
A loving God would not subject their creations to such torment, especially without clear paths to redemption or salvation.
AGAINST
A good God must uphold justice, and part of justice involves holding individuals accountable for their actions.
A good God might allow individuals to make choices, including choices that lead to their own separation from God.
Hell provides a necessary incentive for individuals to seek forgiveness from God and turn away from sinful behavior.
Humans cannot fully comprehend the ways of God, including the reasons behind the existence of hell. While it may be difficult to understand from a human perspective, believers trust that God’s ways are ultimately just and good, even if they are beyond human understanding.
”The world would be a better place if we followed the teachings of Jesus.”
How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
If everyone tried to love their neighbour as themselves the world would be more compassionate and fairer. Wealth and resources would be distributed more evenly and there would be less suffering as a result.
Ensuring that people on the outskirts of society feel more valued and included is essential in creating a more equal and compassionate world.
Jesus’ humility and rejection of great power and wealth is a good example to follow in today’s world where materialism and consumerism has helped create inequality and threatens the worlds environment
People like Martin Luther King Jr. show that it is possible to love your enemies as Jesus did. He lived according to the teachings of Jesus and helped develop a more equal and fair society.
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Following the teachings of Jesus would lead to a world without violence and discrimination.
AGAINST
The world is a competitive and ruthless place and people should look out for themselves rather than consider the wellbeing of strangers.
‘Turn the other cheek’ is an unrealistic teaching. It could allow violent and aggressive people to continue unchecked. People have to demonstrate that they can’t be dominated or there is a danger they could become lifelong victims.
The story of the prodigal son is inherently unfair. People who act out of duty should be recognised as behaving selflessly and as people who contribute to making the world a better place unlike the prodigal son who was rewarded for selfishness.
“Judgement is too negative!” How far do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
- It’s scary to think that God is watching all the time. This could take enjoyment out of life and means people can live in fear about what might happen after death
- Traditional ideas about hell can be very grim and frightening. For example, that it is a place of torment, and that it is eternal
- Judgement isn’t just about the individual, but about their loved ones too, and they may fear for them after they die if they think they might not get a good judgement
- The story of the Sheep and the Goats might be worrying for some Christians as it suggests that people will be judged on how well they have loved their neighbours rather than how religious they were.
AGAINST
• In this life, it can be comforting to know that Jesus loved everyone, and told his followers that they shouldn’t judge others. This can help people to feel valued and welcome in the Kingdom of God
• After death, God is the judge, and because he is all-knowing and all-good they can be reassured that judgement will be fair
• Some Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus paid the price for the sin of every single man and woman in history. This means that all can be welcomed into God’s presence, in this life and the next. It could be comforting to think that a life which has been lived faithfully will be rewarded after death
• The prospect of heaven after death can be enormously comforting as Christians think of it as a place without pain or sadness or death. This would be especially comforting for those who experienced pain, illness or sadness in their life on earth.
Describe what Christianity teaches about worship. (4)
One way for Christians to worship is individually. Some main types of individual prayer could include sorrow and thanksgiving.
Another way to worship is with a community. Community worship involves the sacraments and the liturgical seasons.
Following on with community worship, there are three types of sacraments: healing, initiation and ministry. The sacrament of the Eucharist is where Christians receive the body and blood of Christ and remember how he died for their sins.
Following on with community worship, there are five liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time. During the liturgical year, Christians go to church on special occasions such as Christmas Day and Easter Sunday to remember the birth and death of Christ.
Explain why Christians worship. (6)
• It connects followers with God and helps them to understand him better.
• It shows appreciation to God for what he has done for them. For example, in sending Jesus, or in providing for their daily needs.
• It acknowledges that God is greater than them and that he is the creator and sustainer.
• It brings people together with fellow believers so they can connect as one family and encourage one another in their faith.
• It enables them to participate in the sacraments, for example communion where they remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In the sacrament Christians feel they can experience a special connection with God.
- Worship allows Christians to thank God both individually and as a community.
- Worship helps to improve a person’s relationship with God and others because prayer is a form of communication.
- Worship can help build up a person’s faith because worshipping with others can help to support a person’s faith and be a source of encouragement. Seeing other people put into practice the same beliefs as your own can strengthen your faith, particularly in times of challenge.
“To be a Christian it is essential to worship with others.”
Would all Christians agree? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
FOR
Going to church shows you are associating yourself with other Christians/Christianity.
It is part of a Christian’s witness – a sign to others that your faith is real.
Showing love for God and each other within a Christian community is a valuable source of encouragement, eg in the sharing of “The Peace”.
During formal worship with others there are opportunities to strengthen your faith, eg in recitation of the creed, confession, prayers and hymns.
Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This shows he intended Christians to meet together to worship.
AGAINST
Worship is about your personal relationship with God – not about others.
Many very spiritual Christians have lived solitary lives in meditation and prayer.
The Kingdom of God happens when people show love to those outside the community of faith. This is true “spiritual worship”.
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats suggests the true sign of real faith is love for others who are struggling.
