redemption Flashcards
what are the two main purposes of the church?
1) provide a space where people can meet to worship together
(altar = central focus)
2) provide a space for individual prayer (church should provide a quiet, peaceful space that inspires people to pray to God)
how does the care put into the design of the church inspire worship?
it shows devotion to God, and helps people feel that God is respected
how do the statues of saints inspire worship?
encourage and inspire christians to follow their examples
how do the stations of the cross inspire worship?
inspire christians to reflect on jesus’ sufferings
how does the layout of the church inspire worship?
side chapels are smaller areas where believers can pray in a quiet space
churches built before 1965:
-facing east towards jerusalem, as this is the city where Jesus died and rose again
-in the shape of a cross, as a reminder of the cross on which Jesus died
-mass was said by the priest in latin, who spoke quietly with his back towards the congregation (people attending mass did not feel very involved in the service)
churches built after 1965:
-ensure that as many people as possible can see and join in with the mass
-altar more towards the centre of the church
-seats for the congregation some/ all the way around the altar
lectern
-where bible readings are given
-at least 2x readings given from lectern every mass
-as jesus is the word of God made flesh, christ is truly present when the word of God is said
-should be in a prominent place in the church, so people can see and hear the word of God
readings from OT vs NT
-readings from OT remind christians how God has guided his people from the beginning
-readings from the NT tell christians about jesus’ actions and teachings
crucifix
-a cross with jesus crucified on it
-reminds christians of the suffering that jesus went through to save humanity
- inspires gratitude & love for all that christ has done for humanity, including the forgiveness of their sins
altar
-place of sacrifice, where the bread and wine are offered to God at mass
-during the consecration, the offering joins with christ’s offering of himself to the father through his death on the cross, and the bread and wine become the body and blood of christ
-the father strengthens the lives and faith of believers when they receive the body and blood of christ
tabernacle
-box where the consecrated bread is kept after mass
-it houses the real presence of christ
-the bread that is saved in the tabernacle can be taken to people who can’t get to mass (eg: sick people)
using an altar vs a table in mass
table:
-where people eat from
-using a table at mass reminds the congregation that mass is a re-enactment of the last supper
-during the last supper, jesus told his disciples to eat his body and drink his blood
-by giving himself to his disciples in the form of bread and wine, jesus was giving his disciples a share in the effects of sacrifice
-using a table at mass is a reminder of this belief
altar:
-place of sacrifice and thanksgiving
-for catholics, the most important altar is the cross
-use of an altar is a reminder that christ’s sacrifice is being made again through the offering of bread and wine
cross
-a cross without christ on it
-a symbol of christ’s victory over sin and death
-christ is not on the cross because he has risen.
-emphasises jesus’ resurrection and the fact that christians should be people of new life
risen christ
-focuses on Christ as the risen, glorified saviour
-reminds catholics that in holy communion, they receive the body, blood, soul & divinity of the risen christ.
-the risen christ emphasises Jesus’ resurrection
the relationship between free will & sin
1) God made all of creation perfect, but God also gave humans free will as he wants humans to choose him, rather than follow him because they can’t do anything else
2) humans can use their free will to sin
3) all people are born with the tendency to commit sin (original sin)
4) sin has broken the relationship between God, humanity & the whole of creation, God the son became jesus to help the perfect relationship with God to be restored
how did the death of jesus restore the relationship between
God and humanity?
death:
-jesus lived his life in total obedience to the father, both in life and through his sacrifice
-this helped to restore the relationship between God and humans that had been broken by sin
how did the resurrection of jesus restore the relationship between
God and humanity?
resurrection:
-because Jesus showed total obedience to the father and never sinned, he was not held away from God by death & sin
-3 days after his death, jesus was raised back to life by the Father
-this destroyed the ultimate power of sin and death, people are now able to be with God after they die