RS Christianity Flashcards
(A) question
Outlining 3 facts
Characteristics of God the Son
Expresses the love of God through his death on the cross
Characteristics of God the Holy Spirit
• Presence of God everywhere in the world
• Strengthens and empowers Christians
• Acts as a comforter and guide
Incarnate definition
God in bodily form
What are the 2 interpretations of the Bible
Liberal and literal
Literal interpretation of the Bible’s creation account
• Creationists believe that the creation account is literally true
• The Bible is the sacred Word of God and should be interpreted how it is
• Any scientific explanations are rejected as there’s no biblical basis
Metaphorical interpretation of the Bible’s creation account
• The creation account is a metaphor and not literally true
• It’s a story that helps people understand that God is the creator of all things
Stewardship meaning
Taking care of God’s creation
Dominion
Having authority over God’s creation
John 1:1 (Oneness of God)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God
John 1:14 (incarnation)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us
Importance of the incarnation
• Jesus reconciled humanity to God
• Shows that God loves the world
• Shows that Jesus can identify with our sufferings after experiencing life on earth
• Jesus is the only one who can provide atonement and salvation
• (Salvation is found in no one else - Romans)
Last Days of Jesus’ Life
• Palm Sunday
• Last Supper
• Betrayal
• Arrest
• Trial
• Crucifixion
• Resurrection
• Ascension
Salvation meaning
When your soul is removed of sin so you can be made perfect and live with God
Grace meaning
God’s unmerited love towards humanity
Atonement
Jesus’ death on the cross made our souls perfect and sins forgiven
Original Sin
Sin inherited from Adam and Eve
Personal sin meaning
Sin done through your own actions
Romans 5:8 (omnibenevolence)
God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Immortality of the soul meaning
The idea that a soul lives on after the death of the body
Purgatory definition
a waiting room Catholics believe souls after death will go to be purified
Agnostic meaning
Someone who is unsure as to whether God exists
Mass/Eucharist definition
Celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection in which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Features of the Trinity
• One God in the form of 3 persons
• Each person is fully God
• Each person is distinct and separate
Beliefs about the incarnation
• Jesus was God incarnate living among the people
• Jesus being God incarnate taught people what God was like
• Jesus’ purpose was to restore our relationship with God through his death and resurrection
Significance of Jesus’ death on the cross
• Proves of his humanity and was God incarnate
• Restored relationship between humanity and God (atonement)
• Shows how God loves us deeply (Romans 5:8)
Significance of the resurrection
• Shows that life after death is possible
• Death can be overcome and Christians are able to have an eternal relationship with God
• (John 3:16)
• Allows our sins to be forgiven (salvation)
• Jesus has reconciled humanity with God (atonement)
• (Acts 16:31)
Divergent Christian views on heaven
Some Christians believe it is a physical place and only those who believe in Jesus will be saved whereas others believe it is a spiritual state and and is open to everyone through Jesus’ death
Eschatology definition
Study of life after death
Divergent Christian views on purgatory
• Catholics believe souls will be purified in purgatory before entering heaven
• Protestants believe purgatory is invented and has no biblical basis
Moral evil
Suffering caused by humans
eg murder and theft
Natural evil
Suffering caused by natural events eg earthquakes and diseases
Biblical solutions to the problem of evil and suffering
• Suffering is a part of life (Job’s faith is tested)
• Christians should put their trust in God (Proverbs 3:5)
• Christians can pray to God for comfort
• All suffering will come to an end (Revelation 21:4)
SOA for a Biblical solution to suffering
‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…’
Revelation 21:4
Who is Job?
A godly man who suffered great hardship after being challenged by Satan with his faith in God
Theoretical solutions to the problem of evil and suffering
• Suffering is the result of free will
• The world is a vale of soul making
• Suffering can help people develop a better character
Source of authority for theoretical solutions to suffering
In Genesis 2-3, Adam and Eve brought evil and suffering into the world after disobeying God with their free will
Vale of soul making definition
The belief that God created this world to develop our souls
Practical responses to suffering
• Christians have a duty to help reduce suffering
• Intercession
• Compassion
• Charity Work
Intercession meaning
Praying for God to help those suffering
Source of Authority for practical responses to suffering
• New Testament teaches Christians that Jesus regarded suffering as something to be fought
• He did this by healing the sick and feeding the hungry
SOAs for Incarnation and Salvation
• John 1:14 • John 3:16 • Acts 16:31 • Romans 5:8
Beliefs about salvation
• Jesus’ death and resurrection brought salvation
• Everyone has sinned against God and is in need of it
• Christians are able to enter heaven after: repenting and having faith in Jesus
• (Acts 16:31)
Beliefs about the Trinity in the Nicene Creed
• There is only one God
• The Holy Spirit is the giver of life
• Jesus is God incarnate
• Jesus is the Son of God
Marriage meaning
[][][]
The legal union of two people in a relationship
SOA for marriage in Christianity
A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Mark 10 : 7- 8
Cohabitation
A couple living together in a sexual relationship without marriage
Importance of marriage in society
• Provides a secure environment for children to grow up in • Provides legal protection for the family • Encourages a stable relationship • Viewed as a civil ceremony
Christian beliefs about marriage
• Sanctity of marriage (Marriage is special because it’s a holy gift from God)
• Catholics believe it’s a sacrament
• Requires faithfulness and is a life long relationship
• A covenant before God
• The Church believes it’s ‘central to the stability and health of human society’
• Jesus believed in monogamy
Promiscuity meaning
Having multiple sexual relationships
Extramarital sex meaning
Having an affair outside your marriage
Premarital sex meaning
Sex before marriage
Homosexuality meaning
Sexual attraction to people of the same sex
Why are some Christians against cohabitation?
• Christianity teaches that sex outside of marriage is wrong (Sex must happen exclusively within marriage - Catholic Church)
• Cohabitation can encourage a casual attitude to marriage
• Increases the likelihood of breaking up
Purposes of sex
• Unitive (brings a couple together) • Marital (Marriage is consummated by sex) • Procreative (to be open to produce children) • God ask Christians to ‘go forth and multiply’ in Genesis
Christian beliefs regarding sex
• It should be between a man and woman (Mark 10:7-8)
• Conservatives believe sex first requires the commitment of marriage
• Adultery is wrong and is forbidden by the Ten Commandments
• Adultery breaks the covenant before God
Conservative Christian views towards homosexuality
Catholics believe:
• Sex should be between a man and woman
• Homosexuality is not a sin but homosexual sexual relationships are sinful
Evangelical Protestants believe:
• Homosexuality is a sin
• However the salvation of Christ can remove all sins, including homosexuality
How has attitudes to marriage and family changed over the years?
More people are likely to:
• Have premarital sex
• Be promiscuous
• Cohabit
• Use contraception
• Not be in a nuclear family
• This could be due to economic pressures or society becoming more accepting of autonomy (Independence) - of people to choose their partner)
• Single parent families have increased as divorces have increased
Contraception meaning
Method that prevents conception during sex
Christian views against contraception
• Catholics believe birth control is not God’s intention and it goes against the procreative purpose of sex
• (Sex should have the possibility of creating new life - Humanae Vitae)
• Some contraceptives have abortifacient effects which are against Church teachings and can be considered blasphemous
Catholic views towards divorce
• They do not allow a divorce unless the marriage is annulled, not consummated or if the partner has died
• Catholics who remarry may be refused communion
• Covenant before God and lifelong relationship shouldn’t be broken by earthly power
• Jesus taught divorce and remarriage is adultery and therefore is a sin
• Alternatives like counselling and therapy should be considered
Non - Catholic views towards divorce
• Divorce is allowed
• Christians are allowed forgiveness and a new chance at marriage if they’re repentant
Atheist and humanist attitudes towards divorce (& Situation Ethics)
• They believe couples should have the right to divorce and also remarry
• It ensures that children are well provided for
• Brings domestic peace
• Ends a child’s exposure to potential parental conflict
• Gives a chance for a fresh start and new relationships
Nuclear family
A mother, father and their children
Disadvantages of divorce
• Expensive process • Can hurt children as they’re forced to choose between their parents
Divorce meaning
Legal ending of a marriage
Annulment
A declaration by the Church that a marriage wasn’t a true marriage
SOAs for men and women in the family
• Genesis 1 says that men and women are created in the image of God (and therefore are equal)
• Colossians 5 says a wife should submit to their husband and a husband should love his wife (so they have different roles)
• Genesis 2 says man was created first with the woman being created as a helper (so men are superior)
Christian views on gender roles in the family
Conservative Christians (eg Catholics & Evangelical Protestants) teach that it’s the mother’s role to look after the children while the father’s role is work • Liberal Christians (eg Liberal Protestants) accept that men and women are equal therefore it’s not necessary to have a head of family
Why is the family important to Christians?
• Jesus loves children
(Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them - Matthew 19:14)
• Children are a gift from God and should be brought up in a loving environment
• Children are introduced to the faith through baptism and Sunday school
(bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4)
• Children have a duty to look after parents and to honour them (10 commandments)
Sacrament meaning
An outward sign of an inward blessing
Monogamy
Marriage to one person at a time
SOA regarding sex outside of marriage
1 Corinthians 6 :18 - Run from sexual sin. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body
Christian views for contraception
Protestants allow contraception as nothing in the Bible forbids it
• Prevents the risk of getting infections
• Sex was created for enjoyment and cements bonds of marriage
Humanist/ Atheist attitudes to sex
• It can happen pre-maritally
• Requires consent
• Contraceptives can be used for safety
• Accepts same sex relationships
Liberal Christian views towards homosexuality
Protestants believe:
• We are to love our neighbour as ourselves including homosexuals (Mark 12)
• We are all created in God’s image so they should be accepted (Genesis 1)
• Some Protestants (eg Quakers) celebrate same sex marriages in their churches and allow homosexuals to be church leaders
Atheist/Humanist attitudes to homosexuality
• Individual liberty and the right to love whoever you want is important
• It’s accepted as long as no harm is caused
SOA against divorce
Matthew 19:9 - whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery
Conservative Christian views on gender roles in the Church
Catholicism teaches that:
• Only men can be priests as they represent Jesus
• Priests are successors of the apostles and they were all men
Evangelical Protestants believe:
• Women cannot speak in Church
• Eve was led astray by Satan so women might be unworthy of speaking
• Only men can be Church leaders
SOAs regarding gender prejudice
• You are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
Therefore Jesus’ resurrection has removed inequality
• God doesn’t show favouritism (Romans 2:11)
Therefore we are equal
• The first person to spread the news of Jesus’ resurrection was a woman (Mary) in the gospel
Liberal Christian views on gender roles in the Church
Liberal Protestants believe:
• Men and women have equal roles in religion
• Women can be church leaders
• Jesus treated men and women equally
Difference between gender discrimination and prejudice
Gender prejudice is a judgement made about someone based on their gender • Discrimination is acting on prejudice
Celibacy
Not having sex
Purpose of local parishes
• Hold baptisms
• Sunday schools
• Youth groups
• Family counselling
• Food-bank donations
Parish meaning
An area around a local church
SOA against homosexuality
Leviticus 18 - You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable
SOA for divorce
Luke 6:36 Be merciful just as your Father is merciful
Five main family types in society today
• Nuclear family
• Same sex family
• Extended family
• Single parent family
• Blended family
Describe what a blended family is
Parents with children from previous relationships
Types of contraception
Artificial:
Condoms • Diaphragms • Injections • ‘Morning after pills’ that prevent ovulation
Natural:
• Rhythm (planning sex around a woman’s most fertile times to reduce pregnancy)
• Pull out method
Situation ethics meaning
The Christian belief in ‘loving thy neighbour’ and basing the situation on whether it’s the most loving thing to do
How does situation ethics promote the use of contraception?
• Improves the health of the woman
• Reduces the need for unsafe abortions
• Protects against STIs
How has Christianity opposed gender prejudice and discrimination?
• The Church of England has given people the option to drop the word ‘obey’ from marriage vows • Church of England has begun to ordain woman as priests • Jesus treated men and women equally
[][][] Characteristics of God the Father
• Omnipotent (all-powerful)
• Omnipresent (all-present)
• Omniscient (all-knowing)
• Omnibenvevolent (all-loving)
• Just
• Transcendent (exists outside of time and universe)
Christian beliefs about God’s omnipotence
• God created the world out of nothing (no human is able to do that)
• God the Son overcame death and defied natural law
• God created the heavens and the earth Genesis (1:1)
Christian beliefs about God’s omnibenevolence
• God created us in His image and a world for us to steward
• God gave up His only son to make atonement and bring salvation
• God saw all that he made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31)
Christian beliefs about God’s omniscience
• The Holy Spirt is everywhere and so knows everything that happens
• God already knows our fate but he gives us free will
• All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16)
Christian beliefs about creation
• God created Adam from dust
• God created the world in 6 days then rested on the 7th
• God created the heavens and the earth on the 1st day
• God created the sun, moon and stars on the 4th day
Importance of the creation
• Humans are special because they’re made in the image of God
• Allows us to have a personal relationship with God
• God gave humans the responsibility of looking after the world on his behalf
• The belief in stewardship means we should protect the environment
• Work in the garden and take care of it (Genesis 2:15)
What happened during the Last Supper? (Luke 22)
• Day before Jesus’ death
• Jesus washed his disciples’ feet
• Mentioned that the Holy Spirit will come down and guide the disciples
• Shared the bread as his body and the wine as his blood
Significance of the Last Supper
• Christians remember the Last Supper when they partake in the Eucharist (Holy Communion)
• Jesus washing the disciples feet teaches Christians to have humility and serve others
What happened during Jesus’ betrayal, arrest and trial?
• Jesus and disciples go to spend the night in the garden of Gethsemane
• Judas Iscariot comes and arrests Jesus
• Jesus is taken before the authorities and is found guilty of blasphemy claiming to be the son of God
• Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentences Jesus to death despite believing innocence
Transubstantiation meaning
Catholic belief that the bread and wine are physically changed into the body and blood of Christ
Divergent Christian views on resurrected bodies
• Some Christians believe resurrection is both spiritual and physical
• After people die their physical bodies are raised to life again and transformed into new spiritual bodies
• Others believe resurrection is just spiritual
• After someone dies their soul is resurrected and goes on forever
Argument of the inconsistent Triad
• God is omnibenevolent so should want to remove evil
• God is omnipotent so should be able to remove evil
• Yet evil and suffering still exists which poses the theory that God cannot exist
[][][]
Purposes of prayer
• Adoration (Adoring God for who He is)
• Confession (Confessing your sins to God and asking for forgiveness)
• Thanksgiving (Appreciating God for his goodness)
• Supplication (Asking for God’s help for yourself or to intercede for others)
Where can the Lord’s Prayer be found in the Bible?
Matthew 6
Liturgical worship
Set form of worship that is usually done publicly
Non liturgical worship
Type of worship that doesn’t follow a set structure and emphasises following the Spirit
Importance of the sacraments for Conservative Christians (ie Catholics)
• Christians receive grace and blessing from God through them
• They mark the journey of faith that Christians go through in life
• They make Christians stronger in their faith
• They bring Christians closer to God
What are the 7 sacraments?
• Baptism
• Confirmation
• The Eucharist
• Marriage
• Taking holy orders
• Reconciliation
• Anointing the sick
What 2 sacraments do liberal Christians have and why?
• Baptism and the Eucharist
• They were the only 2 that were demanded by Jesus in the Bible
• ‘Believe and be baptised’
• ‘Do this in remembrance of me’
Penance meaning
Showing sorrow for a sin
Baptism meaning
Washing away the old life and entering a new one, free of sin
Importance of baptism for Catholics
• It’s seen as necessary for the person to receive salvation
• The person is able to become a member of the Church
• It washes away Original Sin
• Copies Jesus’ example
Importance of baptism for Baptists
• Signifies the end of a person’s old life and now being born again into new life with Christ
• Moment when they receive the Holy Spirit for service to God
• Moment when they make a personal commitment of faith in Jesus as Lord
Importance of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church
• Weekly gift of grace that gives Catholics strength for coming week
• Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection
• Bread and wine is turned into the body and blood of Christ (Transubstantiation)
Characteristics of liturgical worship and their importance
• There is a worldwide set order of service that is familiar to all
• Formal and led by a priest
• Set rules you must follow
• The people receive forgiveness from God through the priest
• The people receive the living presence of Jesus during Holy Communion
• Creates a sense of unity
Characteristics of non-liturgical worship and their importance
• Informal
• Preacher may change order of service or types of prayer
• More freedom is offered
• Makes services more engaging
SOA that encourages private worship
Matthew 6:6 - When you pray go into your room close the door…Then your father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you
Denominations which follow liturgical worship
Catholic and Anglican Churches
Denomination that follow non-liturgical worship
Pentecostal Churches
What is worship?
When believers express their love and devotion to God
Importance and examples of worship
• It helps Christians become closer to God and it promotes inclusion in the community when done publicly
• Examples include prayer, music, Bible readings, sermons
Baptism (7 sacraments)
• Shows that a person has become a member of the Church
• After Jesus was resurrected he invited his disciples into the Great Commission (Matthew 28)
• Infant baptism is most common and is done by Catholic and Anglican Churches
• Baptist and Pentecostal Churches baptise people when they’re old enough to decide
What happens during Baptism?
• The priest pours water over the child’s head 3 times to show that Trinity has entered their life and sins have been washed
• The candle shows that the child has passed from darkness into God’s light
Confirmation (7 sacraments)
• When a person chooses to confirm they’re a member of the Church
• Promises made on their behalf during baptism are restated
The Eucharist (7 sacraments)
• Reminiscent of the Last Supper (Jesus’ final meal with disciples)
• Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ showing Jesus is fully present (transubstantiation)
• Other Christians believe they’re just symbols of Jesus’ body and blood to help remember Jesus’ sacrifice
Marriage (7 sacraments)
• The legal union between a man and a woman
• Covenant before God that they love each other til death
Taking holy orders (7 sacraments)
When a person becomes a deacon, priest or bishop
Reconciliation (7 sacraments)
• When a person confesses their sin to a priest and are forgiven by God
• Involves penance where the guilty person is sorry
Anointing the sick (7 sacraments)
• When a person who is very ill is anointed with holy oil
• The sick person confesses their sins and prays with the priest
Divergent Christian views on the sacraments
• The Church of England believe sacraments are symbols of God’s love
• Eg baptism symbolises the forgiveness of sins
• The Catholic Church believe sacraments are signs that have an actual effect on a person
• Eg baptism actually washes away sin
Characteristics of informal worship and importance
• Faith is expressed in a variety of ways eg dancing, clapping and speaking in tongues
• Worshipers feel Holy Spirit’s presence
• Encourages a personal relationship with God as the Holy Spirit guides them
• The style of worship follows that of some early Christians who received the Spirit after Pentecost
Characteristics of private worship and its importance
• Done individually
• Includes meditation, studying and quiet singing
• Can take place anywhere
• Cultivates an intimate relationship with God
Types of worship
• Liturgical
• Non - liturgical/ Informal
• Private
Pilgrimage meaning
A religious journey to a holy place
Shrine meaning
A place considered holy because of its involvement with a religious event, person or object
Relic meaning
A part of a dead holy person’s body/belongings
Purpose of pilgrimages
• Christians feel closer to God
• They understand their faith better
• Show gratitude to God for something special that happened
• Brings spiritual renewal and devotion to God
• Seek a cure for an illness
4 examples of pilgrimage destinations
• Jerusalem
• Iona
• Walsingham
• Taizé
Types of prayer
• Set prayer
• Informal prayer
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
Prayer books used in the Anglican communion
Set prayer characteristics and benefits
• They’re prayers that have been written down and are usually read/sung eg from the Book of Common Prayer
• Found in Anglican and Catholic Churches
Benefits
• Familiar words are comforting
• The words are authorised by the Church
• Reciting them aloud with others creates a sense of unity
Informal prayer and characteristics
• They’re prayers made up in the moment with guidance from the Holy Spirit
• Used in evangelical and charismatic churches
Benefits
• Feels like a more personal way of talking with God
• Allows believers to express their personal challenges
Characteristics of pilgrimage site Jerusalem
• Where most of Jesus’ ministry took place (focus)
• Includes Mount of Olives where Jesus often taught followers
• Includes Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried his cross on way to crucifixion
• Includes empty tomb (Garden tomb)
• Pilgrims visit here to feel closer to God and follow in Jesus’ footsteps
• Improves understanding of the Bible
• Enhances faith
Characteristics of the pilgrimage site Iona
• Focus is on isolation/prayer
• Island in Scotland where St Columba founded a monastic (monks and nuns) community
• Played important role in spread of Christianity in Scotland
• Relics are found here
Characteristics of the pilgrimage site Taizé
• Focus is on community
• A small village in France where a monastic community was established
• Community encourages pilgrims to find opportunities for kindness, simplicity and reconciliation
Characteristics of the pilgrimage site Walsingham
• A village in Norfolk, England that contains a shrine
• A noblewoman shares a vision of the Virgin Mary showing her the house Angel Gabriel told Mary she would be Jesus’ mother
• A copy of the house was miraculously built here
• Place of miracles where prayers get answered (main focus)
• Brings Catholics and Protestants together
Key events that happen during Holy Week
• Palm Sunday
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Holy Saturday
• Easter Sunday
What happened during Palm Sunday and how is it remembered ?
• Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey, greeted by crowds
• A prophecy in the Old Testament predicted the Messiah would arrive in this way
• Christians receive small palm crosses and wave palm leaves in some churches
What happened during Maundy Thursday and how is it remembered?
• Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and they ate the Last Supper together
• Some churches hold a meal reflecting the original Last Supper
What happened during Good Friday and how is it remembered?
• Jesus was crucified
• Christians take part in re enactments of the events leading up to Jesus’ death
What is Easter Sunday and why is it significant ?
• Last day of Holy Week
• Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus
• Final part of Jesus’ work on earth
• Shows Jesus is alive through the church
• Celebrated through taking part in Holy Communion
What is advent and why is it significant?
• Happens from the 1st to 24th of December
• A time of preparation for Christmas
• Christians tend to think about Jesus’ incarnation and focus on his second coming
• A candle is lighted each week as Christians anticipate the light of Jesus through his birth
• Christmas trees are decorated and nativity scenes are also produced during this period
What is Christmas and why is important?
• Remembers Jesus’ birth and celebrates the incarnation
• Christians believe that through Jesus, God gave himself to us to provide atonement
• Reflects on how the power of sin has been removed so we can have a relationship with God
• Celebrated through:
• giving gifts
• family meals
• carol services
What is Lent and why is it significant?
• Period of 40 days before Easter Sunday beginning on Ash Wednesday
• Time of repentance and humility to God
• Reflects on Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness as he fasted
• Celebrated through Christians giving up what they enjoy
Why do Christians have celebrations?
To remember and give thanks for the most significant events in their faith
Church growth in the Uk
• Pentecostal and Evangelical churches are growing
• Overall number is declining
Purposes of missionary work
• Spread Jesus’ teachings everywhere
• Working among the poor to improve their lives
• Call people to follow Jesus and turn away from sin
What does missionary mean?
Someone who’s sent to a foreign country to promote Christianity and engage in humanitarian work
SOAs that support missionary work & evangelism
• ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’ (Mark 16:15)
• ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you’ (Acts 1:8)
How is missionary work carried out?
• Christians show their faith through everyday actions
• Local Churches take part by reaching out to the community eg providing support for those in need
• Involves helping those in need eg through providing education, running medical facilities abroad
What is evangelism?
Telling people about Jesus and the good news of Christianity
Purposes of evangelism
• Encourages Christians to tell others about their faith
• Helps Christians to obey the Great Commission
• Brings new Christians to the Church
• Keeps the Christian message alive
• Helps the poor and suffering to have hope
Great Commission meaning
Jesus instructing disciples to convert the world to Christianity
How is evangelism carried out?
• Talking about faith in everyday conversations
• Speaking in public places to spread the message to as many as possible
• Handing out materials that inform others about Christianity
Criticisms of evangelism and missionary work
• Trying to change someone’s beliefs can be disrespectful to their culture
• Missionaries may take advantage of the suffering and only offer help if they agree to listen
Parish meaning
A community of local believers belonging to a denomination
What do local churches do?
• Ecumenical work
• Churches organise interfaith events to bring different denominations together through worship
• Prayer
• Churches offer communal prayers asking God to help those in need eg the Church of England offers prayers specifically for refugees
• Justice
• Churches write letters to their MP to work for change
• Eg Cartias Social Action Network encourages Catholics to help the homeless and refugees
• Community events
• Supporting the lonely or elderly eg via Bible study groups or Christmas lunch
• Charity work
• Churches hold fundraisers to raise money for charities
• Outreach work
• Churches open themselves up as community centres bringing people together eg through acting as a foodbank
SOAs that support the role of the Church
• Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them (1 Peter 5:2)
• Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me (Mark 9:37)
Reconciliation meaning
Restoring peace and friendship between parties
SOAs that support reconciliation
• Love your neighbour as your self (Mark 12:31)
• God who reconciled us to himself.. and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)
How does reconciliation impact the Church? (provide example)
• Ecumenical movements bring Christians together to pray and seek guidance
• Eg the World Council of Churches pursues reconciliation by:
• campaigning for peace
• Providing help to those in need
How does persecution impact the Church? (provide example)
• Christians are persecuted in many countries eg China and North Korea
• around 100,000 Christians die annually because of their faith
• History of violence between Islam and Christianity in Nigeria
• Eg the World Council of Churches aim to work towards peace and support the persecuted
Persecution meaning
The ill treatment of someone/a group due to religion, politics or ethnicity
SOA regarding persecution
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10)
Charity meaning
Helping those in need
The parable of the Sheep and Goats
• Found in Matthew 25
• The righteous are separated from the unrighteous
• Jesus tells his followers that whenever they give to the poor they are giving to him
• Teaches Christians to treat others with the same respect they have for Jesus
Christian Aid
• Uk based charity that works with organisations to help those in need
• Founded on principles of justice and love that Jesus often portrayed
SOAs supporting charity
• If I give all I possess to the poor but do not have love I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3)
• Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor and you’ll have treasure in heaven (Mark 10:21)
Arguments against pilgrimages
• Pilgrims may idolise the place itself viewing it as magical
• Not everyone can afford going on pilgrimages
What is the Nicene Creed?
The original list of beliefs to be a Christian
SOAs regarding the trinity
• I believe in one God, maker of heaven and earth (Nicene Creed)
• In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God (John 1:1)
