P1- Incarnation Flashcards
What is the incarnation?
When God took on human condition in Jesus to show his love for humanity
Why is the incarnation important to Christians?
-Know God better as He lived among us
-Why humans can have a loving relationship with God in order to go to Heaven
Summarise Luke 1:26-38
-Angel Gabriel visited Mary telling her she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God
-He will be conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit
-God gives Mary the choice (free will) and she gives consent
-Jesus is fully human and fully God
Quotes from Luke 1:26-38 (Annunciation)
“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son”
“He will be great and will be called the son of the Most High”
What does Luke 1:26-38 teach Christians
Jesus is fully human and fully God (born of a human woman but conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit)
Summarise Matthew 1:18-24
-Joseph was frustrated and annoyed with Mary as he thought she had cheated on him
-An angel of the Lord told him to marry Mary as her child was conceived by the Holy Spirit
-Angel confirms that Jesus is being sent to earth by God to save humanity from sin
-Angel calls Jesus ‘Emmanuel’ meaning ‘God is with us’
Quotes from Matthew 1:18-24 (God’s message to Joseph)
“For the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”
“You are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins”
What does Matthew 1:18-24 teach Christians?
-Jesus is being sent to earth to save humanity from sin
-Confirms he is the Son of God
Similarities between John 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-24
-Mary was a virgin
-God worked through humans to bring his plan for humanity
-Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
-Jesus was the Son of God
-Angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth
Differences between Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-24
-Luke’s also says Elizabeth will have a baby
-Matthew’s talks about how Jesus will be known as Emmanuel
-Written for different audiences (Matthew= Jews and Luke= Gentiles)
Relationship between the Word and God
-Church teaches that God is three Persons
-Together these three are referred to as the Trinity
-The Son of God (second Person) is also the Word of God
-Word of God became human as Jesus
What does the quote ‘In the beginning was the word’ from John 1 teach about the word of God?
-The Word of God is eternal
-Like God the Father, the Word of God has always existed
What does the quote ‘The Word was God’ from John 1 teach about the word of God?
-The Word of God is God
-A word comes from inside a person/ expression of their inside
-Word of God comes from inside God/ God’s self expression
What does the quote ‘The Word was with God’ from John 1 teach about the word of God?
-Word of God is also distinct from God
-Whilst Word and God are united and co-exist, there is also a distinction between them
What does the quote ‘the Word of God became flesh and lived among us’ from John 1 teach about the word of God?
-Jesus is the Word/Son of God
-The Word has always existed but took on human form to live as Jesus
-The Word came to earth to guide people closer to God and to teach them how to share in his love
What does the title ‘Son of Man’ teach Christians about Jesus
-Emphasises Jesus’ human nature (lived a human life)
-It is used either as a general title referring to a normal human or a title for someone given authority by God
Quote about Jesus as the Son of Man
“Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering […] and be killed, and after three days rise again”- Mark 8:31
What does the title ‘Son of God’ teach Christians about Jesus?
-The Son of God means the Son of the Blessed One which means Jesus was the only Son of God the Father
Quote about Jesus as the Son of God
“ ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said ‘I am’ “
What is the Nature of Jesus
Fully God and Fully Human
What does the Ichthus symbol look like and what does it mean
-Symbol of a fish
-Used as an acronym meaning ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God,Saviour’
-Used by early Christians as a declaration of their faith
What do the Alpha and Omega signs look like and what do they mean
-First and last letter of the Greek alphabet
-Indicate that God and Jesus are involved in everything from beginning to end
-Used in Christianity since at least the first century
-Used in churches, vestments, and art
-Special place on Paschal Candle
What does the Chi-Rho symbol look like and what does it mean
-A cross with a P going through it
-A monogram formed from the first two letters of the Greek word for ‘Christ’
-Reminder of Jesus’ death
-Reminder Jesus was sent to save humanity through his death
-Can be worn as an expression of faith
Four features of the Sacred Heart Statue
1) Holes in Jesus’ hands to show he was nailed to the cross to die for humanity
2) Flames from heart to show Jesus’ burning love for humanity
3) Crown of thorns around heart to show the crown placed on Jesus’ head when mocked by soldiers at crucifixion
4) Piercing through the heart to show one of soldiers piercing Jesus’ side with a spear after he died
Why do Catholics use Sacred Heart statues and what are they a reminder of
A reminder of how much love Jesus has for humanity and the extent of the pain and struggle he endured to save out sins
Ways that Catholics use religious art
-As a stimulus for worship and prayer
-To learn about the aspects of God’s work
3 reasons why Catholics agree with the use of religious art
1) Appreciate work done by other Christians which was a talent given to them by God
2) As a stimulus for prayer to worship God “Whoever venerates an image, venerates the person portrayed in it” (Youcat)
3) Educated us on qualities of God and Jesus and some events from bible
3 reasons why Christians disagree with the use of religious art
1) 10 Commandments- 2nd is “You shall not worship false idols” should not make paintings of God which could be wrong
2) God is infinite so He cannot be represented using finite human means
3) Might mislead people into thinking God is a certain way and that we are worshipping the statue/ painting as a God
Why do some Christians disapprove specifically of art that shows Jesus (2 reasons)
1) 2nd commandment indicates it’s wrong to worship images and some may believe that Christians are worshipping the statues
2) Depicting Jesus as human can be misleading as it ignores the fact he is also fully God
Why is religious art of Jesus more effective than religious symbols
-Allows Christians to see everything more visually, prayer is easier
-Can appreciate the work of other Christians
What does it mean that Christian’s believe that Jesus ‘fulfilled the law’
-He generally followed the law, but developed to make it perfect
-Jesus taught it was more important to focus on people’s attitudes rather than their actions (which was what was taught as the laws in the Old Testament)
What is the Sermon on the Mount
-The sermon is a talk that Jesus gave to his followers to teach them how to live a life dedicated to pleasing God
-The first part is the Beatitudes
What does the law (Old Testament) teach about Anger/Murder
‘You shall not murder’
‘Whoever murders shall be liable to judgement’
What does Jesus teach about Anger/Murder at the Sermon on the Mount
You shouldn’t get angry with someone as anger can turn to violence which is a sin
What does the law (Old Testament) teach about adultery
‘You shall not commit adultery’
What does Jesus teach about Adultery at the Sermon on the Mount
You shouldn’t look lustfully at someone as that can lead you to committing adultery
What does the law (Old Testament) teach about revenge
‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth’
What does Jesus teach about Revenge at the Sermon on the Mount
Don’t retaliate or respond to anger or violence with more anger or violence
What does the law (Old Testament) teach about treatment of your enemies
‘Love your neighbour as yourself’
What does Jesus teach about Treatment of your enemies at the Sermon on the Mount
Showing love to your neighbour means everyone even those you don’t like
State 3 Beatitudes and explain what they mean
“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth”- Meekness models Jesus’ humility, and humans should be humble like Jesus
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”- A pure heart has no hidden motives. It is an internal purity from the soul that pleases God.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy”- Christians receive aid by God’s gift of mercy which He showed because He loves us, so we should do the same.
Summarise the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
-Jesus tells his followers that in serving and caring for others, they serve God. Jesus uses the example of a shepherd who separates his sheep from his goats in order for his followers or understand what judgement will be. There will be two groups which are Heaven and Hell
2 ways the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats teach Christians about caring for those in need
1) In serving and caring for others, you are serving God which shows Christians how to respond to someone in need
2) Jesus teaches that caring for others is extremely important. By showing kindness to others, Christians will be judged favourably by God and go to Heaven
What are virtues
A person’s disposition towards doing good and moral actions
4 examples of the Virtues of Jesus
1) Mercy and compassion when feeding the 5000
2) Kindness by healing people
3) Love and bravery by dying on the cross
4) Forgiveness by forgiving Peter
What is grace
The free gift of God’s love to all people
Grace is…
-It is the love uniting the three Persons of the Trinity
-It gives believers strength to do what God wants
-It pours out from the Trinity, giving life to all things
-It pours into our hearts creating deeper relationships with God
-It is a free, unconditional gift of love from God
What is the sacramental nature of reality and what does it mean
-The whole of reality can be seen as a sacrament
-The world and everything in it is a sign of God’s love
-God’s presence and love is seen throughout the world
How did the Incarnation play an important role in helping Catholics view reality as sacramental?
1)Before Incarnation, God was seen as a distant (but caring) being
2) Jesus was the ultimate gift from God to show love for humanity
3) We see God as an active presence since Jesus has lived on earth
4) Jesus’ spirit is still active sharing God’s love with all people
5) Jesus helped bring God’s love and presence into the world making the world sacramental in nature
What are the Seven Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Ordination, Reconciliation and Sacrament of the Sick
What happens at Baptism and why is it important
Water is poured over the head to symbolise cleansing of sins (original sin). The person becomes a child of God
What happens at Confirmation and why is it important
Hands are laid on the head and anointed with oil to strengthen a person’s faith and commitment to the Church
What happens at Eucharist and why is it important
Christians receive Jesus’ body and blood to receive the fullness of Christ and strengthen their relationship with Christ
What happens at Marriage and why is it important
Two people are united to form one body of love by consenting. Accepting their love is the love of God active in their lives
What happens at Ordination and why is it important
The bishop lays hands on a person with oil who then connects to God, becomes a priest and dedicates their life to God
What happens at Reconciliation and why is it important
A person confesses their sins to the Priest for mercy and the person’s relationship with God is restored
What happens at the Sacrament of the Sick and why is it important
An ill person is anointed with oil giving them strength and forgiving their sins
Which sacraments can a person only receive once
Baptism, Ordination and (usually) marriage
What is tradition
Verbal and oral teachings passed on over time since the Apostles. Highly trusted for standing the test of time
Why is tradition important
Allows us to feel closer to Jesus as we are following the teachings he once told the apostles. It also strengthens Christianity as a religion
Main teachings of St Iraneaus
-Jesus is the meeting point between God and humanity
-Jesus helped humans know and understand God through his actions and teachings
St Irenaeus wrote that Jesus ‘revealed God to men and presented men to God’ . What does this mean
Jesus showed people what God was like. People can understand what God is like through Jesus’ actions as their qualities are the same.
What does the quote ‘Life in man is the glory of God’ mean from St Irenaeus
Jesus is the perfect example of a human. He was open to working with God in life which inspired humans to do the same. Man gives glory to God by living his life well.
What does the quote ‘The Word became the steward of the Father’s grace for the advantage of men’ mean from St Irenaeus
Through Jesus, humans experience God’s grace
How does Jesus reveal God to humans
-God is invisible and beyond human sight and understanding
-Christians can get to know what God is like through Jesus
-Because Jesus is the Son of God, he displays God’s qualities
-Means that Christians can develop a better understanding of God’s nature through examining Jesus’ actions
What does the phrase ‘imago dei’ mean
Imago dei is latin for ‘Image of God’. Humans are made in the image of God meaning all life is holy.
What does the quote from Luke 1:39-45 “For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy” teach Catholics
Teaches the Catholic view that human life begins at the moment of conception as Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and her unborn baby reacts to the presence of Jesus
Three reasons why the Catholic Church disagree with abortion
1) Life is a gift from God which should be preserved and valued
2) They believe human life begins at conception so the protection should extend to unborn foetuses
3) Humans are made in the image of God making their lie holy and worth protecting
Two ways the Catholic Church might help to support the protection of unborn children
1) Support a pro-life organisation campaigning to reduce the abortion limit or ban abortion
2) Support an organisation that cares for women who have decided not to abort the child but facing emotional or financial problems as a result
Three reasons why some people agree with abortion
1) It should be the mother’s decision regardless of her circumstances because it is her own body and needs
2) Could put the baby in danger if it carried on growing when it clearly isn’t healthy
3) Some believe a child’s life doesn’t start until birth so it isn’t murder
What does Dei Verbum 4 “For He sent His Son…so that He might dwell among men and tell them of the innermost being of God” teach Catholics about Jesus
God is revealed and speaks through Jesus which is possible as Jesus is the Son of God who brings salvation to all people
What does Dei Verbum 4 “Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, was sent as a ‘man to men’.” teach Catholics about Jesus
The Son of God became human to live amongst other humans so that they cold better understand God
What does Verbum Domini 12 “…the eternal word became small- small enough to fit into a manger, so that the word could be grasped by us” teach Catholics about Jesus
The Word (or Son) of God limited himself to human form so humans could understand God as Him and Jesus share the same qualities
What does Verbum Domini 12 “Christ, the incarnate, crucified and risen Word of God, is Lord of all things” teach Catholics about Jesus
Through the human act of dying, Jesus gave himself into God’s hands leading to his resurrection and glorification as the Word of God
What does Verbum Domini 12 “In his perfect humanity [Jesus] does the will of Father at all times”
Jesus always knows the will of God because he is God and he always carries out the will of God because he is the perfect human being
