R.E, Christianity

The Fundamentalist View

• The Bible is without error
• Everything the Bible says is true (Literalists)
• For example, Fundamentalists believe that God created the work in 6 days ie, the theory of evolution is wrong.

The Liberal View

• The Bible was written by Humans and may therefore contain mistakes
• Christians should be free to interpret the Bible...
• ...Particularly involving modern day issues, such as genetic engineering.

The Moderate View

• Humans who wrote the Bible could (and did) make mistakes in describing ideas in the Bible.
• The writers were inspired by God and expressed the truth as they believed it.

Fundamentalist: someone who believes in the Bible as a factual record; miracles are accepted as events that happened exactly as described. Fundamentalists believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and without error.

Liberalist: someone who interprets the Bible freely.

"All scripture is inspired by God." 2 Timothy 3:16 - supports the Liberalists.

Uses of the Bible:

• For prayer: for instance The Book of Psalms (Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd)
• For study: to undestand how God wants Christians to live. For understanding and guidance.
• Guidance: For following rules and seeking guidance in passages about marriage, sexuality and abortion (for instance)
• Obedience: FUNDAMENTALISTS live their lives in strict obedience to the Bible.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth;

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into Hell. The Third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Catholic Church; the Communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.

Key beliefs in the Creed - God is a 'trinity' of persons.

Impact of these beliefs on Christian lifestyle:

• They should respond personally to God in prayer
• Jesus is a role model, and Christians should follow his example and live a life close to God.
• They can take comfort and guidance from the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.

Incarnation: God taking the human form of Jesus.

Through his crucifixion and death, Jesus opened the way for human salvation.

IMPACTS: -When people are genuinely sorry, God forgives sins. - Christians have to accept the possibility of suffering and death. - After death there is an end to pain.

The resurrection is the central teaching of Christain faith. "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." - Paul (1 Corinthians 15:17)

• By accepting Jesus, Christians can also be resurrected.
• Christians remember Jesus' Resurrection by prayer, church serives and celebrating Easter.
• The Ascension - paves the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who guides and comforts Christians in their everday lives.
• Christians can look forward to being united with God in Heaven.

ASCENSION: 40 days after Easter (the Resurrection). PENTECOST: 10 days after Ascension (50 days after Easter)

Gifts of the Spirit: Speaking wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, miracles.

Uses of the Gifts of the Spirit:

• Preaching, speaking in tongues to spread Christianity
• Use in daily lives (teachers, doctors, nurses)

Impact of the work and gifts:

• Spirit gives life to the Church, and guides the daily life of Christians.
• Charismatic Movement: emphasise the gifts of the spirit.
• Quakers believe that the Holy Spirit inspires and directs their acts of worship.

Role of a Priest (Apostolic Succession, inheritance of authority given by Jesus to the disciples):

• leading church services
• administering ceremonies (such as baptism, marriage, funerals)
• running a parish.
• Visiting the sick
• Organising charity work, prison visits, youth clubs etc.

Role of a Bishop (Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox Christians are episcopal [bishops])

• Ordain priests
• Pastoral care of the clergy
• Confirmation of young people

• Ministers: (Non-conformist churches such as the Methodist church)

Belief that all members are equal before God so ministers will often wear normal clothes. Similar to the role of the priest.

• Pastors: (Baptist and Lutherean Churches)
• Elders: mature people who have leadership roles within the the church.
• Members of the community: a general memeber of the church who may contribute their own spiritual gifts or help with administration. (Quaker worship: All members can contribute...Charismatic worship: Those with spiritual gifts may contribute.)