Paper 2 - 1.1 Religious Texts and Sources of Authority

Question 1

Ways of interpreting the Bible

Answer 1

Literalists
Conservative
Liberalists

Question 2

Literalists

Answer 2

The bible is the true voice of God, and relays historical fact.
e.g. the world was literally created in 7 days

Question 3

Conservative

Answer 3

was written by humans inspired by God
e.g. when creating the world, one of God’s days may not be equivalent to one of our days

Question 4

Liberalists

Answer 4

Written about God
e.g. Genesis is a story to help show that God is the creator

Question 5

Uses of the Bible

Answer 5

Public Worship
Private Worship
Education

Question 6

Examples of Public Worship

Answer 6

Ceremonies/rites of passage - marriage, baptism, funeral

Question 7

Public Worship - Marriage

Answer 7

Passages about love + honouring your husband/wife
‘Love is patient, love is kind’ - 1 Corinthians 13:4

Question 8

Public Worship - Baptism

Answer 8

Story of Jesus’ baptism, passages about what it means to be a Christian

Question 9

Public Worship - Funeral

Answer 9

A bible is placed on top of the coffin before it is lowered to represent that the dead person lived their life by the word of God

Question 10

Examples of Education

Answer 10

Sunday School
Sermon
Bible Study Groups

Question 11

Education - Sunday School

Answer 11

For children to understand/more engaging
To teach Christian values/stories

Question 12

Education - Sermon

Answer 12

Religious discourse delivered in public
Priest reads passages from the Bible

Question 13

Education - Bible Study Groups

Answer 13

To support eachother in understanding the Bible

Question 14

Examples of Private Worship

Answer 14

Reading
Listening to Music
Prayer

Question 15

Private Worship - Reading

Answer 15

To gain knowledge about Christianity + develop beliefs on modern issues

Question 16

Private Worship - Listening to Music

Answer 16

Contains bible verses

Question 17

Prayer

Answer 17

Meditational / to connect with God

Question 18

Sources of Authority

Answer 18

Bible
Pope
Conscience

Question 19

Conscience

Answer 19

An inner feeling of right or wrong
Seen as the voice of God

Question 20

Conscience - R.C.C.

Answer 20

The conscience is shaped throughout our life based on accumulated knowledge
Based on human formation
Everyone is born with a conscience as we are ‘made in God’s image’

Question 21

Conscience - Isaiah 30:21

Answer 21

‘Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it” ‘

Question 22

The Role of the Conscience

Answer 22

Important in making moral decisions
Christians should never act against their conscience as it is the voice of God

Question 23

Conscience - Thomas Aquinas

Answer 23

The Conscience is a god given guide
Our conscience can be hidden through negativity e.g. greed

Question 24

Does the conscience override the Bible?

Answer 24

Yes, because the Bible can be interpreted in different ways

Question 25

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Teaching on Grace

Answer 25

Most Christians believe that accepting Jesus’ sacrifice is enough to achieve salvation

However he believes that they should be willing to sacrifice things/suffer to achieve salvation -> costly grace
Because Jesus was willing to suffer for them

Question 26

R.C.C. Authority of the Church - Roles

Answer 26

Pope
Cardinals
Archbishops
Priests
Laity

Question 27

Pope

Answer 27

Head of the Church
Infallible - he is always right

Question 28

Cardinals

Answer 28

Pope’s close advisors
The pope is chosen from this group

Question 29

Archbishops

Answer 29

Oversee a number of churches in a certain area

Question 30

Priests

Answer 30

People incharge of individual churches

Question 31

Laity

Answer 31

Ordinary members of the Church

Question 32

Role of the Laity

Answer 32

Proselytize
Hospitality - welcome people
Support eachother
Study to gain better knowledge of Christianity

Question 33

Advantages of R.C.C Church Hierarchal Structure

Answer 33

Prevents false teaching through having one main leader

Maintains unity as everyone has similar opinions

Creates a strong structure - the Church is less likely to split

Question 34

Disadvantages of R.C.C Church Hierarchal Structure

Answer 34

All focus on the Pope, not on everyone playing their part

If the main leader makes a wrong decision it
can be harder for people to object.

People can tend to feel less involved and
engaged in the direction and focus of the
Church.

Question 35

Does Baptist Church have hierarchal structure

Answer 35

Everyone is equal
Congregational (each Church is responsible for itself)

Question 36

CofE hierarchal structure

Answer 36

Vicar
-> prepares + writes Sermon for Church service
-> visits Church members
-> conducts ceremonies - marriages, baptism, funerals

Question 37

Sources of Authority - Advantages of Pope

Answer 37

The most learned human about Christianity - closest to God

Can speak about modern day issues by using the Bible as his basis

‘submit yourselves to Earthly authority’

Question 38

Sources of Authority - Disadvantages of Pope

Answer 38

Influenced by own personal judgements

Human so subject to original sin

The Pope uses his conscience, but can’t people use their own

Not all Popes have the same views

Question 39

Sources of Authority - Advantages of Conscience

Answer 39

An inner feeling, personal - best for you

Always with you, can guide you always

Direct connection to God

Makes us in ‘Imago Dei’

Question 40

Sources of Authority - Disadvantages of Conscience

Answer 40

Influenced by negative feelings

May not be accurate

Original sin

Question 41

Sources of Authority - Advantages of Bible

Answer 41

Broad - can be applied to many issues

‘all scripture is God breathed’ - 2 Timothy 3:16

Foundation of all Christian teachings and all Christian authorities

Question 42

Sources of Authority - Disadvantages of Bible

Answer 42

Outdated

Contradicts itself

Written by man -> not infallible