The Truine God Flashcards
Key beliefs on the truine God
There is only one God, in which there are 3 seperate persons (community of persons)
The three persons are all God
They’re all equal, but not the same
The trinity is a mystery - cannot be explained logically (needs faith)
The terms Trinity and Triune God show….
…. that God is a ‘community of persons’. The trinity us a mystery and cannot be fully understood
(Jesus’ baptism) John the Baptist
Jesus’ cousin was the messenger which prophets said would come before the messiah. He preached God’s word and spoke of a messiah.
He was reluctant to baptise Jesus as he’s supposed to have God’s purity (being free of sin) but Jesus DID have sin because he was human.
(Jesus’ baptism) as proof for the trinity
Jesus (the son) is being baptised
John hears God’s voice
A dove (the Holy Spirit) flies above them
(Jesus’ baptism)What does John the Baptist hear God say
“This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased”
Importance of Jesus’ baptism
It shows Jesus is the Messiah
Shows God is three persons who are seperate yet united
God fufilled his promise of sending a messenger and then a messiah
Jesus realises he’s the son of God
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry and leadership
The Trinity at Creation
“God created” - the father creates
“Wind from God” - wind can be translated from Hebrew as breath or spirit - Holy Spirit
“God said” - using his word - Jesus is the Word/Son of God
Galatians 4:6 (and what it shows)
“Because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying Abba!, Father!”
-Christians are children of God - we can have a close relationship with him
-The Holy Spirit is shared with all believers
Catholic teaching comes from three sources…
Scripture
Magisterium
Other writings (of saints for example, called Tradition)
Examples of magisterium teachings
Only males can be ordained (as priests, bishops ect)
Abortion is immoral
Apostolic authority
Jesus gave his Apostles apostolic authority. Is passed down from the original apostles to the college of bishops and is why the magisterium has power today. Is passed down by the laying on of hands.
Apostolic authority quote
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:19)
How does the magisterium make decisions?
It holds councils (meetings) to discuss important issues, make decisions and new teachings. This means the catholic church is conciliar
Why should catholics listen to the magisterium?
The magisterium is guided by the Holy Spirit and initially annointed by christ
What is an infallible decision
One that cannot be declared wrong. A pope would make one in consultation with bishops
Examples: mary is the immaculate conception
Nicene creed
A creed is a summary statement of beliefs (a profession of faith). ‘Credo’ means ‘I believe’
Why was the Nicene Creed written
In early Christianity, there was confusion about wether Jesus was fully God, merely a man or both.
In AD 325 the emperor Constantine called together 120 Bishops from across the Roman empire to discuss the issue (the council of Nicaea) and they created the Nicene Creed.
God the Father in The Nicene Creed
“Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth”
God the son in The Nicene Creed
“Only begotten son of God”
“Consubstantial (same substance) with the father”
“Was incarnate”
God the Holy Spirit in The Nicene Creed
“The giver of life” (ru’ach meaning spirit AND breath)
“Who has spoken through the prophets”
When Jesus died, the Holy Spirit continued Jesus’s work on Earth
Council of Nicaea key teachings
The son is eternally begotten from the Father
Begotten means to have brought something about of the same nature
Consubstantial means same material
Council of Constantinople - Why it happened and what it confirmed
381CE - further disputes led to a second council
-The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is fully God
-Jesus is both fully God and fully human
Importance of baptism
-an initiation and a pledge to join God in heaven
-new stage of life as a Christian
-cleanses original sin
-fills them with holy spirit and gives the strength to resist evil
-shares the life of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with the person
-shares Christ’s victory over the power of sin and death
Symbolism of Baptism
-Pouring of water is the person joining Jesus in the tomb after death
-Rising out of water is joining in Jesus’ resurrection
Water represents:
-cleansing soul from sin
-sharing in death and resurrection
-new life with God as a Christian
-the person is filled with the Holy Spirit
Why don’t quakers practise baptism?
They don’t regard any activity as more sacred than others, nor do they believe that any particular ritual is needed to get in touch with God
Instead they try to live life in Jesus’ example
St Augustine’s understanding of love and the trinity- traditional
Love can’t exist on it’s own; it needs a person who loves, a person who is loved and the love itself
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So the trinity is three persons united in love
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The father and the son love eachother, and the holy spirit is the love which unites them
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The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into the hearts and minds of believers
Catherine La Cugna- modern beliefs on the trinity (they build on those of Augustine)
God’s love constantly flows from the trinity to believers
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The Son came to Earth to bring people into relationship with the father (incarnation)
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The Holy Spirit continually guides people towards the father. (Heaven, Redemption is completed)
Similarities between Augustine’s and La Cugna’s beliefs
The trinity is three persons united in love
Love flows from the trinity to believers
All parts of God are eternal
Differences between Augustine’s and La Cugna’s beliefs
Augustine: the inner relationship of the Trinity is essential
La Cugna: the outward effects are important
Influence of the Trinity today
The trinity today encourages us to undertake mission and evangelism
Mission
Spreading God’s word through going out to help others- taking action
Evangelism
Preaching the good news about Jesus (gospel) to others
Reasons for missions and evangelism
God’s love (grace) flows from the trinity outwards to believers.
This love inspires believers to show God’s love to others through mission and evangelism.
Christians believe this is a duty
Missionary charities care for the needs of others by:
Providing education
Providing medical care
Guiding people on farming techniques
Helping them to access water supplies
Christians evangelise to help others but it can come at great personal cost. For example:
Facing ridicule
In some countries, facing persecution even up to the point of death
Quote to say that charity (love) is God’s work
“If you see Charity, you see the Trinity”
Quote to say that the Church expresses God’s love
“The entire activity of the church is an expression of a love…”
Quote to say that to love God, you must love his creation
“Those who love God must also love their brothers and sisters “ -1 John
Quote telling us to spread God’s word
“Go, make disciples of all nations, baptising them”
Jesuit missions
Widely known for it’s missionary work
Is the international office of the Jesuits in Britain
Existed for 50 years to support vulnerable communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America
What is Prayer?
-a conversation between a person and God
-listening for God’s answer
-inspired by the Holy Spirit
-highest form of Prayer is Jesus offering himself on the cross
Prayer posture- joined hands
A sign of asking / making a request from God
Acknowledges dependence on God
Prayer posture- open hands
Praise and reflection of all that God will send
Prayer posture- sitting
Shows willingless to God as there’d be no physical discomfort to distract them
People often sit down to have a conversation
Prayer posture- standing
Shows respect for God’s authority and accepts that God has permitted them to be there.
Respect for God’s word
Prayer posture- bowing
Sign of praise and respect to God
Acknkwoledges God to be great
Prayer posture- genuflecting
Literally means ‘bending the knee’
Acknowledgement of Christ’s presence, respect
Prayer posture- kneeling
Shows submitting to God’s will
Acknowledges God’s authority
Also asks for forgiveness
Prayer posture- arms raised above the head
Praises God’s greatness
Focuses on the above (heaven) from which God’s power descends
The person is defenceless and totally open to God
Why is music used in the Mass?
gives a sense of God’s presence
helps us feel more involved
expresses God’s greatness
helps us feel more solemn
unites and gives a sense of community
makes worship more beautiful/joyful
creates a sense of mystery/awe
brings us closer to God
Why are acclamations used in the Mass?
to praise God’s greatness and give thanks to him for his love, kindness and creation
(Acclamations of the mass) Gloria
A hymn to praise God’s glory and goodness
Begins with the words “glory to God in the highest heaven” (Luke 2:14)
(Acclamations of the mass) when is the Gloria used
Used near the begining of mass
Not used during more sorrowful periods such as advent and lent
(Acclamations of the mass) Alleluia
Hebrew word meaning “praise God”
A hymn of joy and triumph
Announces Christ’s presence
(Acclamations of the mass) when is the Alleluia used
To introduce the reading of the gospel at mass to greet the presence of Christ.
Also sung three times at the Easter vigil to announce the resurrection.
Not used during lent.
(Acclamations of the mass) Sanctus (Eucharist acclamations)
Sanctus- latin word meaning “holy”
A hymn to praise God’s holiness
Based on Isiah’s vision in the temple, when the angels cried out “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts”
(Acclamations of the mass) when is sanctus used
Used before Eucharistic prayer in mass
Not used during advent and lent
(Acclamations of the mass) Mystery of Faith (Eucharistic Acclamations)
An acknowledgement of the saving event of Christ’s life, death and resurrection has been made present through the consecration
(Acclamations of the mass) when is the Mystery of Faith used
It is used after the consecration when bread and wine become body and blood
Music in worship is important because:
It unites people, creating a sense of community
Makes worship more beautiful, joyful or solem
Creates a sense of God’s presence
Lets congregation feel involved
Expresses God’s greatness through the sounds and volume
Psalms
Are a book of poems, from the old testement, which praise God
Many psalms are also hymns (for example, the lord is my shepard)
Psalms and readings are said by every priest, nun and monk four times a day. This is called the divine office
Contrasting View against music being used in the mass
The words said are important, and don’t need to be set to music
Plainchant
An ancient form of song, usually unaccompanied, and uses a limited range of notes.
9th-13th centuries, used in monastries to sing the divine office in Latin.
Example of writer: Hildegard of Bingen
Sounds spiritual
Traditional hymns
Religious songs used by believers over generations.
Up until the 60s the were only used for benedictions (prayers asking for divine blessing) and xmas.
Examples: sound of my saviour, guide me, be still
They raise hearts and minds up to God
Contemporary worship songs
Religious songs that have been written recently for the praise of God, often with modern instruments.
May be done in a country’s own language or in the language of younger people.
Examples: hillsong, stormzy
May be more personal to some
Contrasting View - upbeat nature is distracting and disrespectful
Mass settings
Parts of mass that should be sung rather than said. Enables people to sing parts of the mass.
Contemporary, simple melodies that are easy for the congregation. They’d appeal to everyone.
Examples: Gloria, Alleluia, Sanctus, Mystery of Faith, Lord have Mercy, Lamb of God
Encourages connection to God and with others
What is traditional/spontaneous prayer?
Traditional
-Set words, used for generations
-Eg Our Father, Hail Mary
Spontaneous
-no set words
-guided by Holy Spirit
Strengths of traditional prayer
Comforting to use familiar words
Don’t have to search for words- can be more open to God
Your mind can go deeper than the words
We can worship together and Jesus told us to use them
Strengths of Spontaneous prayer
More sincere-personal concerns
Comes from the heart
Develops a personal relationship with God
Set prayers can lose their meanings
Evidence for one God in the Old Testament
“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone” (Deuteronomy - in the Shema)
Confirms the existence of one God
