Christianity

• Christianity


  Based on the belief in Jesus Christ being the Son of God, the main religion in Britain
• The Bible


  The Christian Sacred Text, divided into the Old and New Testaments
• Old Testament


  • At least 39 books, including the Creation story and the Ten Commandments, also considered sacred by Jews
• New Testament


  • 27 books, including the 4 Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and the letters of St. Paul
• Christian Denominations


  • Roman Catholics
  • Protestants
  • Church of England
  • Orthodox Christians
• Roman Catholics


  Respect the authority of the Bible, Church tradition, and the Pope's teachings, the sacraments including the Eucharist are an important part of their faith
• Protestants


  Base their beliefs and practices on the Bible, rather than Church tradition or the teachings of the Pope, include Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Quakers, and the Salvation Army
• Church of England


  Has both Roman Catholic and Protestant features, its beliefs are set out in the 39 Articles, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion
• Orthodox Christians


  Found mainly in Eastern Europe, Russia and Greece, have sacraments and honour (but don't worship) icons
• Characteristics of God


  • Omnipotent
  • Benevolent
  • Just Judge
  • Omniscient
  • Eternal
  • Transcendent
  • Immanent
  • Personal
• The Trinity


  The idea that God exists in three persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit
• The Trinity is a key belief for most Christians, but some groups like Christadelphians don't believe in it</b>
• God the Father


  The God of the Old Testament, the creator and sustainer of Heaven and Earth, the transcendent part of God
• Jesus (the Son)


  The incarnation of God in human form, the divine and human, immanent and personal part of God
• The Holy Spirit


  The presence of God in the world, the immanent yet impersonal part of God, guides the Church and individual Christians
• The Bible describes how the Trinity was involved in creation
• Creation Story in Genesis

  • God created everything in 6 days, rested on the 7th day
  • The Holy Spirit and the Son (the Word) were involved in creation
• Creation of Humans


  God created humans in his own image, male and female, gave them dominion over creation but also expected them to care for it
• Interpretations of Creation Story

  • Literal creationism
  • Symbolic/metaphorical, accepting scientific theories like Big Bang and evolution
• The creation story helps Christians understand God's nature as eternal, omnipotent, and benevolent
• Free Will


  Humans were given free will, which led to evil entering the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience (The Fall)
• Types of Evil


  • Moral (human-made) evil
  • Natural evil
• Moral Evil


  Suffering caused by the actions of people, who have the choice to do right or wrong
• Natural Evil


  Suffering caused by the natural world, like disease, natural disasters, not due to human choice
• Christian Responses to Evil and Suffering

  • Suffering as a test of faith
  • God helps people in their suffering
  • Suffering is not meant to be perfect, focus should be on reaching heaven
  • Christians should help those who are suffering
• Afterlife


  Christians believe the soul continues after the body dies, and that there is a heaven and hell where people are judged by God
• Heaven


  A place of great beauty and serenity where believers will spend eternity with God
• Hell


  Where those who reject God and live sinful lives will be punished
• Job 13:15 NIV: '"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him..."'
• Christians believe they should try to help people who are suffering


  Practically (charity)
• Matthew 25:40 NIV: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"
• Evil is the cause of suffering for humans
• Christians believe in Heaven and Hell
• Heaven


  A place of great beauty and sweetness where you'll spend eternity with God if you believe in Jesus and have followed his teachings
• Hell


  A place of torment and pain - the final destination for those who have led bad lives
• Not all Christians believe that heaven and hell are literal places - many see them as states of mind
• Some Christians, for example Roman Catholics, believe that going to hell means that any separation they have from God will be eternal
• Some believe God would not allow anyone to go to hell, as a loving God would not punish people
• Purgatory


  A place or state of existence where souls are punished and undergo purification before moving on to heaven (believed by Roman Catholics, rejected by Protestants)
• Christians believe that Jesus will return to Earth in the Second Coming, and everyone who has died will be resurrected