Theology-Expressions Of Religious Identity

Question 1

Catechism

Answer 1

Teaching : a summary of the principles of the Christian religion , given in question and answer style

Question 2

Catholic

Answer 2

(with a small c ) all - embracing , that is ‘the whole body of Christians world - wide

Question 3

Covenant

Answer 3

In the biblical sense, this refers to an agreement between God and humanity , as in the covenants with Adam, Noah , Abraham and Moses. The New Testament refers to the new covenant effected through Jesus

Question 4

Credobaptism

Answer 4

Believer’s baptism

Question 5

Ecumenical

Answer 5

Promoting unity among the different Christian Churches , for example , by services in which different denominations take part

Question 6

Ecumenism

Answer 6

The drive to promote unity between the different Christians Churches

Question 7

Epiclesis

Answer 7

The part of the Eucharistic prayer in which the presence of the Holy Spirt is invoked to bless the elements of bread and wine and those taking part

Question 8

Fraction

Answer 8

The breaking of the bread at the Eucharist , as a symbol of the breaking of Christ’s body on the cross

Question 9

Genuflexion

Answer 9

The bending of the knees or kneeling , as an act of reverence (for example , to God )

Question 10

Liturgy

Answer 10

The pattern for worship used by a particular denomination , in line with its particular beliefs and tradition

Question 11

Ordinances

Answer 11

Any form of law or instruction, for example, from Jesus , such as the instruction to his disciples to make disciples of all nations and baptise them . An ordinance also means a religious ceremony , sacrament ,statute or regulation

Question 12

Paedobaptism

Answer 12

Infant baptism

Question 13

Sacrament (Catholic )

Answer 13

A ceremony seen as imparting spiritual grace . In the RC Church there are seven sacraments .

Question 14

Sacrament ( Protestant )

Answer 14

The main sacraments are the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and baptism

Question 15

Transubstantiation

Answer 15

In the RC Church the change of substance by which the bread and wine used in the sacrament of the Eucharist during mass become , literally , the body and blood of Jesus

Question 16

Baptism summary

Answer 16

• The washing away of sins
• In Christianity goes to John the Baptist who baptised Jesus in the River Jordan
• Jesus saw this as spiritual and physical
• Jesus commanded his disciples to baptise people in the name of the Father , Son and Holy Spirit

Question 17

Catholic Baptism

Answer 17

• baptism is a sacrament
• enables people to overcome the stain of original sin by re-enacting dying and rising again , and by joining the Church
• That is the main reason why Roman Catholics practice infant baptism

Question 18

Baptist Baptism

Answer 18

• They do not believe in the sacraments
• Baptism is simply important as an ordinance from Jesus
• They practice credobaptism

Question 19

Arguments in favour of infant baptism

Answer 19

1) It has sacramental value
2) Remedy for original sin
3) Signifies the start of life in the Christian Church
4) The Early Church seems to have practised infant baptism
5) Jesus may have approved because mothers brought their children to them in some stories

Question 20

Arguments against infant baptism

Answer 20

1) Baptism is an ordinance that babies cannot understand
2) Jesus was 30 when he was baptised
3) Children cannot understand how to live in faith
4) The argument that the Early Church practised baptism is weak because they probably baptised adults

Question 21

Roman Catholic Mass

Answer 21

• The focus of the mass in on transubstantiation
• Mass is celebrated as a sacrament by an ordained priest and only to those who are baptised
• Important sacrament
• The Mass is full of symbolism and mystery

Question 22

Baptist Mass

Answer 22

• The focus is on the Bible
• Baptists celebrate the Lord’s Supper because it is an ordinance from Jesus
• Involves Bible readings and a sermon to explain them
• Conducted by a minister but can also be someone authorised from the congregation
• No belief in transubstantiation

Question 23

Different understandings of the significance of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper

Answer 23

• For Catholics and some CofE , Jesus was instituting a formal ritual based on the Jewish Passover Meal
• Catholics focus on transubstantiation and that means the sacrament has a special effect on the soul
• In the Baptist Church , Holy Communion has a lower status than baptism
• It is one ordinance among others from Jesus

Question 24

The mission of the Church

Answer 24

• Evangelism
• Mission to the poor and disadvantaged
• Mission to the Christian community

Question 25

Holy Communion

Answer 25

• For Roman Catholics it is a sacrament
• Protestants believe it is an ordinance
• Quakers and Salvation Army do not celebrate Holy Communion at all
• It has different names in different denominations