Unit 1 - Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
Significance of Unity of God
Shows God is One
Mentioned in Bible, Creed and CCC
Christianity is monotheistic
Trinity in worship
Sign of Cross is made at beginning of Mass (to remind us of Trinity)
Catholics use Trinity to being members into Church during baptism
Role of Father (in Trinity)
Creator
Shows fatherly love
Jesus teaches us to call God “our father”
Role of Son (in Trinity)
God incarnate
Brings salvation
Shows complete love
Messenger (made God the Father known)
Role of Holy Spirit (in Trinity)
Inspires (inspired Bible)
Helps Catholics live holy lives today
Communicates with people today
Development of Trinity
Arianism deemed heretical in Council of Nicaea (Jesus = God, not just similar)
Nicene Creed also put together in Council of Nicaea
Holy Spirit deemed also as God in Council of Constantinople
Apollinarism also deemed heretical
Arianism definition
Belief that God created Jesus so Jesus isn’t coeternal or consubstantial with Him
Apollinarism definition
Belief that Jesus had a normal human body but with a divine mind instead of a normal human soul
Trinity in the Bible
Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) (shows all 3 persons of Trinity)
(John 1:1-18) shows how “Word” (Jesus) has always been present with Father and HS
Matthew 3:16
“And a voice from heaven appeared and said this is my Son, whom I am well pleased”
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
How God is a Creator in Creation Story
“God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light” (Genesis 1:3)
How God is benevolent in Creation Story
“God saw the light was good” (Genesis 1:4)
How God is omnipotent in Creation Story
“God said, “Let the waters under the heavens gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”. And it was so” (Genesis 1:9)
How God is eternal in Creation Story
“In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
Catholic belief of Creation Story
Metaphorical
Shows God’s power, who brings out Big Bang
Shows how we need God and how we turn away from Him
Creationist belief in Creation Story
Literal view
Big Bang and Evolution are not accepted
World literally made in 6 days
Mainstream Protestants belief in Creation Story
World is made in 6 time periods (e.g. millions/billions of years)
Big Bang and Evolution are accepted
Other Christian beliefs in Creation Story
Metaphor so not true
Mythical story with religious truth
How humans are made in imago dei
Humans are rational Humans have free will and conscience Humans can relate to God Humans can give and receive love Humans are answerable to God
How humans are rational
Given intelligence so by reflecting on things in created world, we can find our way to God
How humans have free will and conscience
We know the difference between right and wrong, true and false
How humans can relate to God
We can enter into a relationship with God and enjoy eternal life with him after death
How humans can give and receive love
God is a community of persons who give and receive love to one another and Creation, like us
How humans are answerable to God
God has authority over humanity and we should use our lives to serve him
Dominion definition
The right for humans to have full control over God’s creation, given to us by God
Stewardship definition
The duty for humans to look after God’s creation, given to us by God
Genesis 1:26
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness and let them have dominion”
Dominion and stewardship divergent beliefs
Humanists and non-religious may care about environment for other reasons (e.g. may care about environment for future generations)
Significance of incarnation
Shows God’s love to send his Son to Earth
Shows what God is like as he reveals himself through Jesus
Means we can have salvation through Jesus
Means Jesus is fully human as he experiences the same things
Redemption definition
Belief humans are forgiven of they sins by Jesus’ sacrifice
Salvation definition
Process of being saved from sin and returning back to God
Justification definition
Belief that humanity can be brought back to God because of Jesus’ death but only if we live good and holy lives
Significance of Jesus’ life
Through life and Jesus’ actions, we can see the love of God
Also shows how we can life a good and holy life
Significance of Jesus’ death
Shows how good defeats evil / life defeats death
The cross is ultimate sign of love and forgiveness, we are given complete salvation
Significance of Jesus’ resurrection
Basis of Christianity
Shows there is life after death
Shows Jesus is truly Son of God
Significance of ascension
Shows Jesus is God, as he ascended into heaven
Allows beginning of Church’s mission as it allows Holy Spirit to descend and inspire apostles
Luke 24:7
“The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life”
Importance of salvation
Removes sin, which prevents us from having full relationship with God
Gives purpose to Jesus’ death
Importance of grace
Gift of God’s love which helps us in our lives
Received in sacraments and helps us live good, holy lives
How salvation is made known in baptism
Forgiven from original sin and enter into the Church
How salvation is made known through other sacraments
We receive God’s grace and helps us to live a good Christian life, like Jesus
How salvation is made known through Mass
We receive the Eucharist
We hear the Word of God and teachings that help lead to salvation
John 3:17
“God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”
Particular judgement definition
Judgement that hell s immediately after death
Last judgement definition
Last day when all will be judged, both living and dead
Soul will be judged where it will end
Parable of sheep and goats
Resurrection definition and significance
Belief that the soul lives on when we die
When last day happens, our souls will be reunited with our improved bodies
Not all Christians believe in resurrection of body, just resurrection of soul
Heaven significance
Place of perfection with God
Complete with goodness and love
Where one is in the beatific of God always
Hell significance
Place of eternal pain and suffering
Complete absence from God
Place where those who have refused God’s love go
Purgatory significance
Place of waiting where our sins are forgiven and are made ready for heaven
Purposeful suffering
Importance of teachings about life after death
Helps us to lead good, holy lives
Helps us feel like our lives have a purpose
Divergent beliefs of hell
Some Christians believe there is no hell as God is benevolent
Divergent belief about life after death
Non-Catholics don’t believe in purgatory as it isn’t in Bible
Evangelicals believe soul and body remain in grave until last judgement
Many Christians believe soul foes to heaven or hell immediately after death but is reunited with body on last day
