RE PAPER 2 Flashcards
Sin
Acting against the will or laws of God
Absolutism
The belief that there are certain actions that are always right or always wrong.
The belief that moral laws exist eternally and are not just human inventions.
Relativism
The belief that there is no moral law.
Rules that govern what is right and wrong are human inventions and change from place to place and from age to age
Punishment
The consequences of a wrong decision.
A penalty imposed by a person in authority on the person who has committed wrongdoing.
Salvation
The belief that through Jesus’ death and resurrection humanity has achieved the possibility of life forever with God.
Forgiveness
The act of pardoning someone for the offenses they have caused you.
Overlooking a person’s faults
Evangelism
Literally means spreading the “good news” which we translate as Gospel.
The sharing of the Gospel and life of Jesus with others.
Eucharist
Meaning “thanksgiving”
The name Catholics use to describe the bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Jesus.
Magisterium
The teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the bishops in communion with the Pope.
The magisterium is given grace by the Holy Spirit to faithfully interpret the Scriptures and Tradition.
Death
The end of physical life.
When the physical body ceases completely to function.
Eternal life
The term used to refer to life in heaven after death.
Also, the phrase Jesus uses to describe a state of living as God intends which leads to this life in Heaven.
Soul
The eternal part of a human being given at conception which lives on after the death of the body.
Also a name for a human being’s rational nature - their mind.
Heaven
Those who have accepted God’s grace and forgiveness in this life will enjoy an eternal existence in God’s presence in the next life.
This face to face encounter with God is what we call “Heaven”.
Hell
Lack of God for all eternity.
Those who by using their own free will ultimately reject God’s grace and forgiveness, will have chosen to live eternally outside of God’s presence.
Judgement
At the end of our life, we will be faced with a choice to choose or reject God.
The decision we take leads to judgement and decides whether we “go” to Heaven or Hell
Catholic teaching on Death
Believe that death is not the end of existence. Jesus taught that those who believe in him would have eternal life with God after death.
Resurrection
The raising of the body to life again after death.
Christians believe that Jesus has already experienced resurrection and that all people will experience it at the end of time.
Palliative Care
Care that focuses on reliving the pain of the terminally ill, while retaining as much dignity and quality of life as possible.
Catholics support this because it values person until natural death occurs.
Paul II said that this is appropriate in Evangelium Vitae
Catholic belief in in Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Sanctity of life and it goes against Ten Commandments
Humanist belief on sanctity of life
They don’t believe in God. They believe all individuals have the right to make decisions about their end of life.
Reject palliative care
Other Christians belief in euthanasia and assisted suicide
Argue that these are the most loving things to do.
Some might argue that if a person has a poor QOL then they have a right to die.
For and Against of the right of dying
FOR
Human right to have control about ending your life
Wrong to keep someone alive who has no hope of recovery.
Assisted suicide might be most loving thing to do
AGAINST
Life comes from God so it is up to God to choose
Breaks commandment do not murder
Catholic belief in resurrection
They believe in it. Since Jesus experienced it, everyone will experience it at the end of time.
Nicene Creed “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come”
Immanent Eschatology
Belief that the end of time will come soon.
Early Christians believed that the end of time would come soon after Jesus death so we all needed to get ready.
Realised that they needed to live now and prepare for life with God by following Christ’s teachings.
Beliefs about the soul
Liberal Christians - believe purely in the immortality of the soul
Catholics - resurrection of body and soul
Arguments against Jesus’ resurrection
No historical proof
Swoon Theory - Jesus didn’t die from crucifixion and escaped from tomb.
Humanist belief in death as end of existence
Nothing else exists apart from matter or material.
Humans are just a physical body and there is no soul and spiritual life after death.
Catholic belief in Heaven
Person who has lived a good and holy life will be rewarded in Heaven.
Heaven is being with God eternally.
Heaven is immense love
Catholic belief in Purgatory
Place of purification and cleansing of sin
Place of hope because person is preparing for Heaven
For people who are not yet virtuous enough for Heaven
Hell
Believe that if a soul is in Hell, they have chosen to reject God. They don’t regret their sin and refuse God’s offer of forgiveness.
Beyond redemption
Why does the Pope have authority?
Pope has authority because of Apostolic Succession.
Means that Pope has same authority that Jesus gave to Peter.
Pope is successor of St Peter and can guide Magisterium
Ordinary Magisterium
Everyday teaching of the Church.
Bishops preach Good News and send letters to their diocese.
Pope may write a letter called the encyclical. Addressed to the world on contemporary issues
Conciliar and Pontificial Magisterium
Conciliar
Pope calls the Bishops to form a council to settle problems or explore new questions facing the Church.
Pontificial
Pope speaks ex cathedra meaning what he says cannot be wrong.
Sacrosanctum Concilium
Allowed mass to be spoken in local language so congregation can understand prayers.
Priest now faces congregation instead of having back turned
Bread and Wine now at communion
Gaudium et Spes
Expressed concern over morals, values and human dignity in an age of scientific and technological development.
Encouraged Catholics to respond to the issues of poverty and social justice
Church encouraged dialogue
Dei Verbum
Made clear that Bible is the Word of God, written by humans who were inspired by the HS.
Catholics are encouraged to use the Bible as part of their prayers
Lumen Gentium
Every Christian, not just priests were called to serve God
Catholics were reminded to participate in the sacraments regularly.
Stated that salvation was now possible for all including non-christians
Sarcophagi features
Chi Rho - First two letters of Christ in Greek. Symbol for Jesus and resurrection
Roman Soldiers - Underneath the cross are two amazed soldiers. Express hope that what happened to Jesus will also happen to those who believe in him.
Cross - Reminder of Jesus’ suffering and resurrection. They make eternal life possible.
Paschal Candle features
Alpha and Omega - first and last letters in Greek alphabet showing Christ is the beginning and end of all things
Five Studs represent five wounds during crucifixion
The Year - Candle marked with year to show that Jesus is as real now as he was in the past.
What happens during Easter Vigil
Church is in darkness.
Outside church fire is lit
Paschal candle is lit
Everyone lights their smaller candle from Paschal candle
Psalms in worship
They express joy and praise and despair
Hymns
May reflect Church season and support prayer
Faure’s Requiem
Shows that you can be sad about death while also hoping there is eternal life.
It focuses on the belief that the dead will be with God in heaven.
Helps grieving to have faith, comfort and hope
What happens at a Requiem Mass?
Coffin sprinkled with Holy Water - reminder of baptism and promise of eternal life
Priest places the gospels and a crucifix on the coffin - reminder that the person lived by teaching of Jesus and cross is reminder of Jesus victory over death.
Paschal candle placed near coffin
Mass is celebrated - Bible readings will be about resurrection. Gives comfort
Prayers of intercession
Coffin is incensed
Prayers of final commendation said
Coffin carried out of church
Burial or cremation
What is prayer? (CCC)
“The raising of heart and mind to God”
Meaning being totally focused on God during prayer, setting aside time to be in presence of God
Types of Prayer
Adoration - Praising God. Help people focus on God
Thanksgiving - Prayers thank God. Help people be less selfish
Repentance/Confession - Prayers for saying sorry. Stop a person bottling up guilt
Intercession - Prayers asking for God’s help for someone else. Helps the suffering
Petition - Prayers ask God for something for yourself
Formulaic/Formal Prayers
These prayers have been passed down through generations and can be learned off by heart.
Extempore/Informal Prayers
Prayers use a person’s own words. They are not planned or prepared. Using your own words means that you can express your innermost thoughts to God.
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples to pray using the Lord’s prayer
It is important because:
Unites all Christians
Includes the five types of prayer
CCC says that it is the “most perfect of prayers”
Praying for the Dead
Praying for the dead. They ask God to welcome the dead person into Heaven. They might also ask for the Priest to mention the name during Mass
Aims of punishments
Deterrence - Punishment to put people off committing crime
Retribution - Making the criminal pay for what they have done
Rehabilitation - Helping the offender reform through education, counselling and training so they don’t do it again.
Christian teaching on forgiveness
Jesus makes it clear that there is no limits on forgiveness, tells Peter to forgive “not seven times but seventy seven times”
Jesus forgave the woman who committed adultery. He said “Go and sin no more”
Jesus forgave those who persecuted him “Father forgive them”
St Augustine view on Capital Punishment
Stresses the need to seek out other punishments if possible
States that the guilty must be pitied but offense should be hated.
Prefers to have guilty free rather than “shedding their blood” to avenge victims
Pope John Paul II view on Capital Punishment
Evangelium Vitae - States that Capital Punishment should be avoided unless it is the only way to defend society from offender.
“If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor… public authority must limit itself to such means”
Pope Francis views on Capital Punishment
No longer justifiable and there is a possibility that wrong person may be killed.
Christian arguments for and against Capital Punishment
Agree:
Death penalty upholds the commandment “Do not kill” by showing seriousness of murder as a crime
Jesus never taught death penalty was wrong
Disagree:
5th commandment says “Do not kill”
St Augustine said that we should try to use other forms of punishment
Non religious arguments for and against Capital Punishment
Agree:
In USA, keeping someone in jail for a year cost more than lethal injection
Death penalty shows the value of human life
Disagree:
Wrong person might be convicted. Since 1971, 123 death row inmates have been released having being proven innocent
Stats show that countries without death penalty have lower murder rates than countries who have it
Meaning and Importance of Salvation
Humanity needs to be saved from sin so that their relationship with God can be restored.
Jesus’ death and resurrection freed us from our sins, allowing for our relationship to be restored with God
Importance of Jesus’ death
His sacrifice was perfect as he made it willingly because he was sinless. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb. His sacrifice paid the price for human sinfulness and brought the forgiveness of sins so humanity could have a close relationship with God.
Importance of Jesus’ ascension
His ascension makes it possible for humanity to follow.
Made his mission on Earth complete
Meaning Holy Spirit could take over
Importance of Jesus’ resurrection
Proves Jesus was God as God only has the power over death.
Means that death is not the end, humanity will have eternal life in Heaven
Four marks of Church
One - It’s source the Trinity, is a perfect unity of three divine persons, its founder Jesus reconciled all humanity through his death
Holy - Jesus is holy so Church is holy, Church helps people become holy through its teaching
Catholic - Means Church is “universal” or “whole” meaning Christ is universally present in the Church
Apostolic - Jesus gave special authority to St Peter to act as his representative on Earth. He was first pope. This was then passed down to Pope today
Catholic belief in salvation for outside the Church
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Church as the Body of Christ
All Catholics receive the body of Christ. By sharing body of Christ, they renew their membership of Christ’s body.
People who make up the Church community are part of Christ’s body.
Jesus is described as the head of the Church as the Body of Christ
Mary as a model of church
Model of Discipleship - She accepted angel Gabriel’s request, she is a role model for serving God. She dedicated her life to Jesus
Model of Faith - She had total faith in God. She trusted she would have a child even though she was a virgin. Didn’t leave her son when he was crucified
Model of Charity - St Bonaventure says she is this because she gave her only son to the world. Showed kindness and compassion at Wedding in Cana when she asked Jesus to turn water into wine
Church architecture
Cruciform shape - Design is a reminder of the belief that Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins
Tower or Steeple - Points upwards to present prayer and worship rising to Heaven. Show a connection with Heaven and a desire to get closer to God
Stained Glass windows - Usually show stories from Bible or lives of saints
Sacred Objects in a Catholic Church
Lectern - During Liturgy of the Word, scripture is read from here. Catholics believe they are fed by the Word of God
Font - Place of Baptism and it is a way of achieving salvation
What is a sacrament?
Religious ceremony that uses symbols with special meanings and brings us closer to God.
Baptism meaning and importance
When person enters Catholic church and is cleansed of Original Sin.
Person becomes a part of the family of God, leads to salvation and that without it you can’t do other sacraments (CCC)
Eucharist meaning and importance
When eating and drinking bread and wine, This brings them closer to salvation as they receive Jesus into their lives.
Confirmation meaning and importance
Completes Baptism, it is the sacrament of maturity. Strengthens faith so that the person can become an active Christian and be involved in Church’s mission
The Anointing of the Sick meaning and importance
Gives strength in illness.
Gives forgiveness of sins which bring comfort and peace.
Prepares person for death
Reconciliation meaning and importance
God’s forgiveness and healing is given.
Grace is given to help them to not sin again
Relationship with God and the Church is restored
Marriage meaning and importance
Couple are united as a sign of unity between Jesus and his Church
God is present in the marriage
Holy Orders meaning and importance
Priests are spiritual leaders in the community. Priest is given the authority to give the authority to give the sacraments
Importance of the Eucharist
Mass recalls the Last Supper when Jesus took bread and wine and asked his disciples to “Do this in memory of me”
Mass re-enacts the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Making it the highest form of prayer
Vatican II teaches that Catholics become united with the body of Christ
Why does the Catholic Church evangelise?
Believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection brought salvation.
To be saved, individuals have to have faith in Jesus so the Church believes it has a duty to spread this faith so as many people can be saved
Jesus sent to his apostles “make disciples of all nations”
Message of Evangelii Gaudium
Main reason for evangelizing is to share “the love of Jesus”
Church parishes are important in spreading the Christian message. They should be welcoming places, ready to receive new people into the community.
Catholics should be outward looking; meaning they should look for new ways to spread the Gospel
How does the Church evangelise?
Locally - Through mass, Social events in the parish, Local catholic newspapers
Nationally - Bishops’ Conference of a country, National Catholic Newspapers
Globally - Through the use of social media, through the Pope
Evangelisation in Britain benefits and challenges
Benefits:
Less chance of religious conflict because different faiths get to know each other
Life is more interesting as people experience other religions and traditions.
Challenges:
Church attendance is declining and there are fewer priests. This makes it harder to reach people and spread the Gospel message.
Tensions may exist between different faith groups.
