Unit 1: Catholic Beliefs Flashcards
How do Catholics show their belief in the Trinity during worship?
- At baptism, Catholics use the Trinity to bring members into the Church.
- During the Mass, the sign of the cross is said at the beginning which again reminds us of the Trinity.
- During the Eucharist the Trinity is called upon to bless the gifts of bread and wine.
What are the three persons of the Trinity? Describe them.
- The Father: Creates just like our own fathers; continues to show this love; Jesus teaches us to call God ‘our father’- he provides.
- The Son: Jesus is God made man, the incarnation; the Son has lived among us and made God the Father known; He brings salvation; He shows complete love.
- The Holy Spirit: the Holy Spirit communicates with humanity today; it inspired the Bible and the Church today; the Holy Spirit helps Catholics live holy lives today; it is present in the world now
Examples of the Trinity in the Bible.
- At the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17) the three persons of the Trinity are mentioned.
- In the Gospel of Matthew 28 Jesus instructs the disciples to go and make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Trinity).
What happened at the Council of Nicea?
It was decided that Jesus was equal to God the Father.
What happened at the Council of Constantinople?
It was decided that the Holy Spirit was also part of the Trinity.
What do we learn from the biblical account of creation? (Genesis 1-3)
- Genesis 1 shows the power of God the Father; how He creates out of nothing.
- It shows His benevolence, how what God creates is good.
- The eternity of God is also shown; He is there before the heavens and the earth.
- Genesis 2 & 3 shows how humanity disobeys God, leading to sin.
What do Catholics view the creation story as?
A metaphor.
What do Creationists believe about the creation story?
Believe that the Creation account should be taken literally. Therefore the world was made in 6 days. The Big Bang and Evolution is not accepted.
How do some Liberal Christians may see the creation as?
Some Liberal Christians may see the Creation account as just a story which has messages in which can be understood.
What do we learn about humans from God’s creation?
Humanity are made in the imago dei. This means:
1. Human beings are rational.
2. Human beings have free will and conscience.
3. Human beings can relate to God.
4. Human beings can give and receive love.
5. Human beings are answerable to God.
What is stewardship?
Humanity has a duty of caring for the world / the creation of the world.
What is dominion?
God orders that humanity is to rule over the world.
Christian beliefs about Stewardship
Humanity has a duty of caring for the world / the creation of the world (stewardship).
God orders that humanity is to rule over the world (dominion).
Whilst at the same time is to cultivate and treat the planet with love as its stewards. ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion.’
What is another word for humanist?
Atheist
What is an atheist?
A person who doesn’t believe in God.
Humanist beliefs about stewardship
- Many humanists and those who are non-religious believe that humanity has a duty to care for the environment but this has nothing to do with God.
- Humanity may care abut the environment for future generations.
Who is the Incarnation?
Jesus
Why is the Incarnation important?
- The incarnation is important because it shows the love of God the Father to send his Son to earth.
- It shows us what God is like as He reveals himself through Jesus.
- It means that we can achieve salvation- belief in Jesus can lead to eternal life.
Biblical evidence for the Incarnation
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- Jesus performed miracles such as healing the sick.
- Jesus taught that he was the Incarnation. (“I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me”.Jn14)