Syllabus: Christianity Flashcards
The contribution to Christianity of ONE significant person OR school of thought, other than Jesus, drawn from : (Pope John XXIII)
Significant legacy; Vatican II (1962-65) revolutionised view of modern world. Pope said “Open the windows”
New openness to ecumenism;work with other religions and other Christians
“Let us place values on those things that unite us and lay aside that which separates us.”
Previously; “one true church” but now encouraged to share prayer, social actions with other Christians
Called protestants ‘separated brethren’ instead of heretics; “Unity among Christians.”
Vatican II aim for renewal of Church. “Unity in the Church, unity with Christians separated from the Church, and unity with all of humankind.”
If council wasn’t called;church would be cut off from modern world, outdated and irrelevant
Modernised role of priests, nuns etc→ more focused on working for social justice
Renewal of liturgy; now study bible, mass translated to local languages, not said with back to people
ENCYCLICAL: Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher)
Social justice
Need for wealthy nations to support developing one
“Man’s aim must be to achieve in social justice a national and international judicial order.”
“It will not be possible to preserve a lasting peace so long as glaring economic and social imbalances persist.”
ENCYCLICAL: Pacem en Terris (Peace on Earth)
Prophetic call to peace, in world on the brink of nuclear war
Addressed not just to Catholics, but to whole world
“The stockpiles of armaments which have been built up in various countries must be reduced all round and simultaneously by the parties concerned. Nuclear weapons must be banned”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity
Still resistance about renewal; some broke away, decline in nuns blamed on Vatican II
Many organisations took up idea of working for peace and justice;
Some organisations (E.g. Catholic Mission) shifted focus from converting non-catholics to helping poor and third-world developments
Unreasonably harsh church laws dropped; greater emphasis on pastoral care and social justice
1965; Excommunications of Great Schism (1054) in Catholic and Orthodox Churches stop
Ecumenism work; contributed to world peace (end many conflicts between Catholics and Protestants)
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity:
LITURGY
BEFORE
- Mass said in latin (wasn’t understood)
- Celebrated exactly the same throughout the world
- Laity passive observers in liturgy
AFTER
- Mass translated
- Laity given hymns, prayers to help participation
- “Full conscious and active participation of the people in the liturgy”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity:
THE CHURCH
BEFORE
- Church seen as hierarchy (popes, cardinals bishops, priests)
- Religious brothers/sisters had active roles; laity were passive supporters
AFTER
- Church recognised laity and ordained together, all as people of God
- “The baptised,are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood.”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity:
DIVINE REVELATION
BEFORE
- Official version of Bible was Latin
- Laity not allowed to read Bible
AFTER
- Laity encouraged to study Bible, modern analysis and translation allowed
- “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
The effect of that person OR school of thought on Christianity:
THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD
BEFORE
- Church considered perfect; opposed to corruption of secular world
AFTER
- Recognised positives of modern society
- Church “stands in solidarity with humankind.”
- Church contributing to society; issues of human dignity, family, war, peace
WHO IS THE SIGNIFICANT PERSON?
Pope John XXIII
BIOETHICS definition
Study of ethical/moral implications of new discoveries and biomedical advances
ONE of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianity: Bioethics
DESCRIPTION
Foundations in Bible, Ten Commandments. Beatitudes, Commandment of Love
Guided by Bible; live according to God’s word
To live in modern world; have to address problems of life from everyday issues
ONE of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianity: Bioethics
SOURCES OF TEACHING
Ten commandments: religious and ethical guidelines
- “Thou shalt not kill.” “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (EXODUS 20:1-17)
Beatitudes: Model for Christian living; life directed to holiness
- “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” (MATTHEW 5:3-8)
Jesus’ commandment of love; Love God and your neighbour
- “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great Commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 36-40)
Guidelines on how to live ethical life; Christians expected to place value on ethical teachings of tradition; to determine response to number of issues
ONE of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianity: Bioethics
EXAMPLE: ABORTION
Killing or ending of a foetus by artificial means during pregnancy
Legal in some states but poses problem for Christians
Catholic; Abortion is wrong as it goes against 6th commandment; “Thou shalt not kill.”
All life is sacred and must be treated with dignity as humans are made in God’s image (Gen 1: 26)
- Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, (Gen 1:26)
Humanae Vitae 13→ “Human life is sacred.” → Goes against teachings of the Church
Catholic ethics based on natural law→ God set up world and it is wrong for humans to interfere with what is meant to be; abortions are wrong as they prevent new life
Anglican (protestant variant) → permits abortion in cases of rape, deformity of the foetus and where they may be a mental or physical risk to the mother (not advocated but accepted)
Orthodox→ equal to murder but allowed if mother’s life is in danger or rape (perceived as not morally righteous decision and person making decision must repent)
ONE of the following areas of ethical teaching in Christianity: Bioethics
EXAMPLE: EUTHANASIA
Assisted suicide→ taking of life is of concern. Usually when there is little hope for cure in suffering a terminal illness, or the person is experiencing great pain
It’s considered God’s prerogative to take life and not the role of any humans, including Doctors or relatives
Most churches support increased funding for palliative care as an alternative to euthanasia
“See now that I myself am he!There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal,and no one can deliver out of my hand.” (Deut 32:39)
ONE significant practice within Christianity drawn from:
Baptism
OVERVIEW
Significant practice; person is welcomed into Christian community
2 essential elements required: Water (immersion or pouring) and trinitarian formula recited over person
Follows Jesus;s instructions to disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19)
Can occur at any time in a person’s life; but only once
Infants baptism:
- Parents bring godparents and infant to church (usually are active members of Christian community and want the same for their child)
- In ceremony, parents and godparents speak for child; take on responsibility of educating in practice of faith
Adult baptism occurs at the request of the person themselves
