Redemption Flashcards
How does churches help inspire worship
- care and dedication that has been taken into the design and architecture shows great devotion to God, helps people believe that God is respected
- statues of saint encourage Christians to follow in there foot steps
- side chapels are smaller areas where believers can pray in a quiet place
- images can help Christians to reflect on Jesus’ sufferings
What are the characteristics of churches built before 1965
- facing east towards Jerusalem (the city where Jesus rose and died again)
- in the shape of a cross (a reminder of Jesus’ great sacrifice)
- The altar against the east wall (the mass would be said in Latin, would usually speak very quiet with his back towards the congregation, this meant people didn’t feel involved in the service)
What are the characteristics of churches built after 1965
- To ensure that as many people as possible can see and join in with the mass
- with the altar more towards the centre of the church, and seats for the congregation some or all the way round the altar
What is a Lectern
- The lectern is the reading stand, from where bible readings are given
- at least two readings are given (old testament to remind us how God has guided us, new testament reminds us about Jesus’ actions and teachings)
- as Jesus is the word of God made flesh, Christ is truly present when the word of god is proclaimed
What is the altar
- a place of sacrifice where the bread and wine are offered to God at mass
- we can feel how present God is with us at this time of consecration
What is the tabernacle
- a box where the consecrated bread is kept after the mass
- it can inspire a deep sense of peace, as it reminds Catholics that Christ is caring for them
What is the crucifix
- the crucifix is a model or image of Jesus crucified on it
- it reminds Christians of the suffering Jesus went through for us
- it inspires gratitude and love towards him
Why might we use a altar it
- an alter is a place of sacrifice and thanksgiving, for Catholics the most important altar is the cross on which Jesus sacrificed his life
- at mass the congregation joins in with giving thanks for Christ’s sacrifice
Why might we use a table
- we eat from a table
- using a table at mass reminds the congregation that the mass is a re-enactment of the last supper
What is the crucifix
- Shows Christ crucified on the cross
- a reminder of the suffering that Jesus endured out of his love for humanity
- helps Christians to feel grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice and love
What is the cross
- a cross without Jesus’ figure on it
- a symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death: Christ is not on the cross because he has risen
What is the Risen Christ
- focuses on Christ as the risen, glorified saviour
- reminds Catholics that in holy communion, they receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of the risen Christ
- emphasis on the importance of Jesus’ resurrection
What do Christians believe about free will and sin
- God made all of creation perfect, but God also gave humans free will, this is because God wants humans to actively choose him, rather than follow him because they can’t do anything else
- Humans can use their free will to sin (a sin is any action or thought that rejects the will of God)
- the catholic church teaches that all people are born with the tendency to commit sin, this inbuilt tendency is called original sin
- sin has broken 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
How has Jesus’ death helped to restore the relationship between God and humanity
- Jesus lived his life in total obedience to the will of God the father, helped to restore the relationship between God and humans that had been broken by sin
How has Jesus’ resurrection helped to restore the relationship between God and humanity
- destroyed the ultimate power of sin and death, helped to restore the harmony of creation
How has Jesus’ ascension helped to restore the relationship between God and humanity
- helped to restore the cosmic order
What is the significance of Jesus’ death and burial
- Jesus’ death redeemed humanity through his total obedience to God
- For Christians an important element of Jesus’ death is that he continued to show love, even when he was suffering
- Christians believe that when Jesus died and was buried he joined everyone else who had died before him. Christians believe this shows that God is with them even in death
What is the significance of Jesus’s ressurection
- resurrection made life after death possible by destroying the ultimate power of sin and death
- when Jesus was resurrected, all those who had died before him rose up to heaven with him
What is the significance of Jesus’ ascension
- For Christians, 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, allows Jesus to continue to work in and through all his believers
- gives believers faith that they will also be raised up to heaven
What salvation is there in the past
- Jesus died for our sins, life after death
What salvation is there in the present
- we need to do good, let the holy spirit guide us
What salvation is there in the future
- judgment after death (heaven or hell)
What’s a bible quote in support of conscience
“I toast the pope, but i toast my conscience first” - John Henry Neuman
What does the church teach about conscience
- people shouldn’t ignore what they believe God is telling them in their hearts
- natural law means that all people instinctively know what the right thing to do is
What is St Irenaeus’ metaphors of the three trees
- Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the tree
- Adam and eves rejection of God’s broke humanity’s relationship with God
- the tree of knowledge of good and evil brought death by separating humans from God
What is St Irenaeus’ metaphors of the tree of the cross
- Jesus obeyed God by dying on the tree
- Jesus’ acceptance of God restored humanity’s relationship with God
- The tree of the cross brought life, by offering the possibility of eternal life in heaven to all people
What did St Anselm say
- compared Jesus’ death with the idea of the ransom being payed to allow us Christians to be allowed into heaven
What are the strengths and weaknesses of St Irenaeus’ analogy
- helps to show the parallels between the fall of Adam and Eve and Jesus’ death
- Not all Christians agree with the interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve
What are the strengths and weaknesses of St Anselm analogy
- Reflects the idea that many Christians see themselves as slaves or servants to Christ (now they are no longer slaves to sin)
- It is not clear who the ‘ransom’ is paid to, and some Christians think this implies there is someone greater than God
What are some examples of Redemption in the mass
- The readings( remind the Catholics that God has guided his people, through the gospel, Jesus shows in his words and actions how God loves, heals, restores and forgives all people)
- The offertory ( these are brought to God on behalf of the congregation, as a sign of thanksgiving)
- The eucharistic prayer (the command to eat and drink enables Christians to share in Jesus’ offering made to God on the cross)
- communion ( Catholics receive the Body and blood of Christ, this binds them to Christ and the new covenant)
What do orthodox Christians believe about the eucharist
- heavy emphasis on the symbolism and ritual nature
- the consecration takes place behind iconostasis, the screen that divided the holy part of the church from the congregation, this is because the consecration is too holy to be seen directly by the congregation
What do nonconformist Christians believe about the eucharist
- many believe the eucharist is a memorial of the last supper, this means it’s purpose is to remember the last supper an it’s importance
- Christ is present in particular in the bible readings
- Christ enters peoples’ lives when they receive communion
