RC - Redemption Flashcards
How do churches help and inspire worship?
Statues of saints encourage and inspire Christians to follow their examples.
Side chapels are smaller areas where believers can pray in a quiet space
Images like ‘Stations of the cross’ inspire to reflect on Jesus’ suffering.
Care is put into the design and decoration of a church to show devotion to God.
What are the two main purposes of the church for catholics?
- Provide a space where they can meet together in order to worship. The most important service in catholic worship is going to mass, so the alter is a central focus in the church.
- Provide a place for individual prayer. Means the church should be a quiet, peaceful space that inspires people to pray for God.
What were catholic churches built before 1965 like?
They were facing east towards Jerusalem, as this is the city where Jesus died and then rose again.
In the shape of a cross, as a reminder of the cross which Jesus died,
With the altar against the east wall, mass was said by a priest speaking Latin with his back to the congregation.
What were catholic churches built like after 1965?
They were built to ensure that as many people as possible could see and join in with the mass.
Altar towards the centre of the church, seats for the congregation some or all the way round an altar.
What are the 4 main features of a catholic church?
Crucifix
Lectern
Altar
Tabernacle.
Why is the altar such an important feature?
Place of sacrifice, where the bread and wine are offered to God at Mass.
Christs offering himself to the father through his death on the cross, and the Bread and Wine.
Christ is truly present on the altar, offering himself to the father on the behalf of humanity
In return, the father strengthens the lives and faith of believers
Why is the tabernacle such an important feature?
A box where the consecrated Bread is kept after the mass.
It houses Real Presence of Christ, so catholics pray in front of it.
It can inspire a deep sense of peace, reminds catholics christ still cares for them after the mass.
The bread from her can be taken by those who can’t attend mass, eg those who are too ill to leave their homes.
Why is the lectern so important to catholics?
Whre Bible readings are given
At least two readings every mass
OT reading reminds how God guided his people from the beginning, NT about Jesus’ actions and teachings.
Lectern should be in a prominent place in the church, so people can see and clearly hear the word of God.
Why is the Crucifix such an important feature?
A model or image of a cross with Jesus crucified on it.
It reminds christians of the suffering Jesus went through to save humanity.
It inspires gratitude and love for all that Christ has done for humanity, including the forgiveness of their sins.
Gratitude which is inspired by the crucufix is clearly expressed in the Eucharist.
What is the difference between an altar and a table?
An altar is a place of sacrifice and thanksgiving, but a table is where people eat from.
Catholics are reminded by the altar of the cross on which Jesus sacrificed life, but the table is a re-enactment of the last supper.
What is the altar used for/remind us of?
Congregation joins in with giving thanks for Christ’s sacrifice. The altar is a reminder that Christ’s sacrifice is being made through the offering of bread and wine.
What does the table remind us of?
By giving himself to his disciples in the form of bread and wine, Jesus was giving his disciples a share in the effects of his sacrifice.
Using a table at Mass is a reminder of this belief.
Differences between the Crucifix, cross or Risen Christ……
Cruxific-
Constant reminder of the suffering Jesus went through for love of humanity
Helps Christians feel grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice and love. Many christians like it present at mass.
Cross -
Christs victory over sin and death, not on the cross as he’s risen. Christians wary of betraying Jesus through art prefer using a cross.
Emphasises Jesus’ ressurection and the fact Christians should be people of new life.
Risen Christ-
Risen, glorified saviour.
In communion catholics recieve Body,Blood, Soul and Divinity of risen christ, emphasises how important Jesus’ resurrection was.
How is Jesus’ death + ressurection veiwed?
One event (over a few days), where both elements are important. Both factors were important for eachother. Some christians however prefer to focus on one of the events over the others, which is why the Cruxific, Cross and Risen Christ are important.
Whats the relationship between sin and free will?
God made creation perfect but gave free will, as he wants humans to activite chose him -> humans can use their free will to sin (reject the will of God) -> All people are born with the tendency to commit sin (orginal sin) -> Sin breaks the relationship between God, humanity and the whole of creation. God the Son became Jesus to help the perfect relationship with God to be restored.
What does Jesus’ death show?
Jesus lived his life in total obedience and to the will of God the Father.
He showed obedience to God the Father throughout his life and death, this helped to restore the relationships between God and humans which was broken by sin.
What does Jesus’ resurrection show?
As Jesus always showed obedience, fullfilled Gods wants and never sinned, he wasn’t held away from God by death or sin, and three days after death was bought back to life. This destroyed the ultimate power of sin and death, so people are still with God after they die.
Jesus helped restore the harmony of creation.
What does Jesus’ ascension show?
40 days after he was resurrected, he rose to heaven and took his place beside the father as Son of God.
This Ressurection and ascension helped to restore the cosmic order, making the whole creation as perfect as God intended it.
What’s the significance of Jesus’ death and burial?
Redeemed humanity through his total obedience to God, this means he made up for the sins of humanity, bringing people back to a relationship with God
Jesus continued to show love even when suffering, e.g he forgave his executioners,
When Jesus died he joined all those who died before him, this shows Christians God is with them even after death.
Whats the significance of Jesus’ resurrection?
‘If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins’.
Jesus’ resurrection made life after death possible by destorying the power of sin and death,
When Jesus was resurrected, all those who died before him rose to heaven with him
Jesus appeared to his followers in a locked room, proving he rose from the dead.
What’s the significance of Jesus’ ascension?
The ascension shows that Jesus is with the Father, sharing his glory for all eternity.
Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, he promised to send his Spirit to all people. This allows Jesus to continue to work in and through his believers.
Gives believers faith that they will also rise up to heaven, as he promised all his people will follow where he has gone.
How can we see Salvation in the past?
Jesus’ death and resurrection were essential to humanity’s salvation.
The events defeated the ultimate power of sin and death, and made it possible for people to enter heaven after death.
Some Christians believe that nothing else is needed for salvation: Jesus’ death and resurrection made salvation complete.
How can we see salvation in the present?
Salvation is an ongoing process.
While Jesus defeated the ultimate power of Sin, this doesn’t mean Sin no longer exists.
Catholics believe that while Jesus’ death and resurrection offered salvation to everyone, people still have to choose to accept it, resisting the temptation to sin.
The Holy Spirit guides people to work towards salvation.
How can we see salvation in the future?
Salvation will be completed at the end of time.
When the Kingdom of God is fully established, th power of sin and death will be completely destroyed.
All believers will be able to share in the Glory of Christ snd experience joy of heaven.
This will be the final victory of God’s grace.
How do we see Redemption and salvation in the liturgy?
In the Mass, Christ’s offerings of himself to the Father on the cross is re-enacted. Catholics also offer themselves up with christ.
Through recieving Holy Communion, Catholics recieve the Body and Blood of Christ.
Christ enters their lives to give them grace and strength to resist sin.
Mass is a chance to experience what the heavenly banquet will be like.
