Paper 2 - origins and impact on community Flashcards
Incarnation (embodiment):
God took on a human form.
“ For God loved the world so much he sent his one and only son”
Shows God’s omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and empathy.
“Jesus appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by the angels, was preached among nations, was believed on in the world, and was taken up in glory.”
shows that Jesus was fully God and fully human. It is an essential part of belief in the Trinity
Jesus’ birth
“The Virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son.” immaculate conception - God’s omnipotence
“He was a child of the Holy Spirit” - the holy trinity
Jesus’ baptism
John the baptist - the second Elijah - prophesied to return to Earth a second time to announce the coming of the Messiah - Jesus
It is when God’s spirit descended and God’s voice was heard. “heaven was opened, the spirit of God descended like a dove, and a voice from heaven said: This is my son”
Beginning of Jesus’ ministry - spreading his message, traveling and teaching.
Jesus’ temptations
Shows he is the son of God - unable to be tempted by sin - perfect (shows how he can atone later on in his crucifixion)
“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit”
Revealed his full humanity
“after he was baptized Jesus headed into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Then, after fasting for 40 days and nights, he was rather hungry!”
Greed is a sin, we must not exchange spiritual rewards for material rewards. Jesus tempted to turn stone into bread: “man does not live on bread alone”
Jesus’ miracles
Miracles showed the compassion Jesus had for people. He did not want to see them suffering unnecessarily. For example, when he healed a leper.
Miracles provided examples for Christians to follow. This can be seen when Jesus healed the paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends. This teaches Christians to have faith. The feeding of the 5000 men teaches Christians to “Clothe themselves with compassion” and be selfless in ones acts.
Miracles demonstrated the close relationship Jesus had with God, his Father. It is through the power of God that Christians believe that Jesus is able to perform miracles.
Miracles proves to Christians that Jesus’ teachings were true. Jesus was who he said he was.
Jesus’ disciples
A commission-
after Jesus’ resurrection, he told his disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”
Jesus - disciples should be like an “oil lamp” - example to others - guide others through hardship
Seen as salt - If Christians have lost their dedication to God, then their effect on others is useless. Jesus encourages his disciples to preserve Christianity. Salt is a metaphor for disciples and followers of Christianity to purify the world and uphold good and justice.
Jesus’ resurrection
The resurrection is important to Christians because it shows them there is life after death - death becomes less frightening. It also shows them how powerful God is. Christians also see the resurrection as further proof that Jesus is the Son of God. This strengthens their faith.
Jesus’ ascension
Pope Benedict XVI said that Jesus was human and went to be with God, the ascension shows there’s a place for all human beings with God. He is now “at the right hand of the mighty God”.
This shows that God is omnipotent
Christians believe that Jesus had done what he was sent to Earth to do, and it was time for him to go back to God. He has completed his minstry and has atoned for our sins..
Jesus’ atonement
Jesus was perfect (without sin) but God placed all the sins of the world with him at his crucifixion. His sacrifice paid for human sin.
Jesus’s actions brought about reconciliation between God and humanity - this is known as atonement.
It Shows God’s omnibenevolence and his love for us
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Bible as a source of authority
Fundamentalist Christians - “All Scripture is God-breathed…”
Conservative Christian - “Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” - believe that the Bible was written by devote followers of God - does not believe it is entirely the word of God - feels the Bible is very important but also looks to other sources of authority
Liberal Christian - not written by God “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. - full of spiritual truth - interpreted differently to align with contemporary societal beliefs
Conscience
conscience is an inner part given to us by God, as guidance. (Christians
Conscience - the voice of the holy spirit (God) - leading them towards the morally right
Conscience - atheists believe that conscience is determined via one’s upbringing (psychological determinism)
Evolutionary biologists suggest that our conscience and sense of right and wrong comes from our evolutionary past.
The ordained as a source of authority
Catholic - ordained is a source of authority and that the ordained our a part of a generation of people elected by Jesus himself (from the very beginning - and passed on)
Baptist: Baptists believe that all are equal and disagree upon any hierarchal system within the church - such as the ordained. They believe that God is the sole head and leader of the church
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Some protestant churches - believe in the priesthood of believers which is that anyone who is baptized is aw priest and can access God directly
