Christianity beliefs

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  • Created by: Sia11
  • Created on: 26-04-21 18:07
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  • Christianity beliefs
    • The nature of God
      • Omnipotent
        • God is the creator – he created from nothing and by speaking commands.
        • He will judge us all at the end of the world and decide if we go to heaven or hell.
        • God performs miracles and breaks laws of nature
      • LOVING (omnibenevolent)
        • “God so loved the world he gave his only son” – he incarnated to save us from sin
        • God commands us to be loving – Two Great Commandments
        • The Bible says “God is love” – omnibenevolent
      • JUST (fair)
        • God judges people fairly – those who do wrong will go to hell, those who are good are rewarded. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (sending to hell is cruel - why would a fair God do this?)
        • God treats us all as equals “neither male nor female…you are all one” “God has no favourites” (The Bible has been used to support sexism and racism “women should remain silent in Church”)
        • Irenaeus argues that God will give everyone the chance to go to heaven in the afterlife
        • God’s teaches support justice and encourage us to be just eg to look after the poor and needy
    • The problem of evil and suffering
      • An atheist argument suggesting that logically God cannot be omnipotent and omnibenevolent if so much evil exists.  
      • Natural and moral evil create vast amounts of suffering. A loving God would want to stop it and an all powerful one would be able to.
      • Theodicies defend God. EG Augustine blamed all evil on humans, the devil and the fall “cursed is the ground.” Irenaeus argued God uses evil to help us grow and develop.
    • Creation
      • Role of spirit in Genesis 1 1-3: Hovers over the waters at creation – shows the spirit has always existed. 
        • This is evidence for the Trinity. The spirit of God brings order to chaos.
      • Role of word in John 1 1-3:  Word later becomes flesh as Jesus which shows Jesus is with God at creation.
        • Justifies the Trinity and incarnation.
        • Word could also mean God speaking to create like in Gen.
      • Importance of the Creation story: God as omnipotent, God’s creation is good and valuable, the sanctity of life, explains where sin comes from, shows the role of humans as stewards of creation.
      • Literalists: the Genesis story is 100% true. Some may say the earth is 6000 years old and deny scientific evidence. 
      • Liberal/ non-literalists: The Bible is a myth with spiritual truths but not exactly true.
      • Challenges to the concept of God as creator: What created God? Different accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 – which is right? The world is badly designed and cruel so seems it happened by chance? Big Bang explains scientifically.
    • Jesus as the son of God
      • Jesus was the son of God
        • Most Christians believe that ‘Son’ of God means in the sense of the incarnation
        • When Jesus was baptised God’s voice said “This is my Son”
        • The birth of Jesus, through the immaculate conception, shows him to be the ‘Son’ of God – he was born
      • Jesus was not the son of God
        • The Messiah/ saviour
        • Perhaps people like John exaggerated in the Gospel – he tried to show Jesus as God incarnate to elevate him
        • He performed miracles
    • The Trinity
      • Father
        • For: “I and the Father are one” “Our Father who art in heaven” Lord’s Prayer. The creator and judge.
        • Against: If God is in heaven is he distant from the world? Is it right to judge people for eternity? Can science explain how we were created?
      • Son
        • For: “For God so loved the world he gave his only son” “I thirst” “The word became flesh” 
          • Jesus performs miracles but also dies as a human – he is God and human. Died to atone for humanity’s original sin. The Messiah/ saviour.
        • Against: Islam – Surah 112 “He begets not nor is he begotten” Isa was a prophet, not the incarnation. 
          • Atheists would say he is just a human who taught a good message – there is no God. Stories not written down until after his death and are distorted.
      • The Holy Spirit
        • For: Pentecost – disciples filled with the Holy Spirit and can speak tongues. Gifts include: ability to preach, heal, love, spread wisdom, prophesy. 
          • Dwells in followers today. Was over the waters at creation. Known as the Paraclete – comforter – you can pray to it. Faith healing churches.
        • Within Christianity, some question the concept of speaking in tongues or faith healing through the holy spirit. 

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