Christian Beliefs and Teachings

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1.1 The Nature of God

Essential Info: Christianity is the main religion in Great Britain. There are three main traditions: Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox. Christianity is Monotheistic, meaning that Christians believe there is only one supreme being, God.

Catholic Christianity is based in Rome and led by the Pope.

Orthdox Christianity split from Catholic Christianity and is practised in Eastern Europe.

Protestant split from Catholic Christianity in the 16th century and branched out into different denominations such as Baptist and Methodist groups.

What do Christians believe about God?

  • He is the creator and sustianer of life.
  • People can have a relationship with him through prayer.
  • God is neither male nor female; he has qualities of both.

1.2 God as Omnipotent, Loving and Just

Essential Info: God has unlimited power, is all-loving and is just, the perfect judge of human behaviour who will bring about what is right and fair or make up for a wrong that has been comitted.

Omnipotent: God is the supreme being who is all-powerful. He has unlimited authority.

Benevolent: God uses his power to do good. He has shown love by creating humans, caring for them and sending his only son Jesus to Earth.

Just: God is a just judge of humankind. He will never support injustice, ill-treatment, prejudice or oppression.

The problem of Evil and Suffering: If God has all these qualities some people question why he allows evil and suffering to take place in the world. Some Christians think it is a natural punishment for wrongdoing from God or perhaps a test of faith to see if they renmain loyal to God.

1.3 The Oneness of God and the Trinity

Essential Info: Christians believe there is three persons in God - The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is fully God. The persons of the Trinity are not the same.

God The Father: Creator of all life, Omnipotent (all powerful), Omnibenevolent (all loving), Omniscient (all knowing), Omnipresent (present everywhere).

God the Son: Became fully incarnate through Jesus. Fully God and Fully human. He endured human suffering when he died for our sins.

God the Holy Spirit: Unseen power of God at work in the world to influence, guide and sustain life on Earth.

1.4 Different Christian beliefs about Creation

Essential Info: God the Father chose to design and create the Earth with all life on it. The Holy Spirit was active in the creation. The Word, God the Son or Jesus, was active in the creation therefore the Trinity exsisted from the beginning and was involved in the creation.

Liberalists believe that while it may not be scientifically accurate, the story of genesis contains religous truth. They think of it as a more symbolic story, and whilst accepting God as the creator they are open to other theories such as The Big Bang Theory and Evolution.

Literalists believe that God made the world in literally six days, and that humans are descended from Adam and Eve.

1.5 The Incarnation

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