Christianity

• The Bible is the Christian Sacred Text
• The Bible


  Divided into two main parts - Old Testament and New Testament
• Depending on the version, the Old Testament has 39 books
• The New Testament has 27 books, which are accounts of the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the Acts of the Apostles and the letters of St Paul
• Christianity is divided into different traditions
• The different branches of Christianity

  • Roman Catholic
  • Protestant
  • Orthodox
• Roman Catholic


  • Respect the authority of the Bible and Church tradition
  • Believe in the Eucharist as an important part of their faith
• Protestant


  • Base their beliefs and practices on the Bible, rather than Church tradition or the teachings of the Pope
  • In England and Wales, Protestant denominations that are not part of the Anglican Communion are often called non-conformist
• Orthodox Christian


  • Found mainly in Eastern Europe, Russia and Greece
  • Have sacraments and honour (but don't worship) icons of Saints
• Beliefs about the nature of God in Christianity

  • Omnipotent
  • Benevolent
  • Just Judge
  • Omniscient
  • Eternal
  • Transcendent
  • Immanent
  • Personal
• Christians believe God has the characteristics listed, though they differ in the emphasis placed on each
• Christians try to follow God's example of love and caring in their actions
• Those who reject God and live sinful lives will be punished, but God forgives people who are sorry and become faithful to him
• Protestant denominations not part of the Anglican Communion in England and Wales


  • Methodists
  • Baptists
  • Pentecostals
  • The Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Salvation Army
• Nonconformists


  Protestant denominations not part of the Anglican Communion in England and Wales
• Orthodox Christians


  • Found mainly in Eastern Europe, Russia and Greece
  • Have 7 sacraments
  • Honour (but don't worship) icons
• Anglicanism


  The worldwide 'communion' of Churches in fellowship with the parent Church of England
• Anglicanism is defined in the 39 Articles
• Christians believe in one God (monotheistic religion)
• Characteristics of God in Christianity

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


  God is all-powerful, although he still allows each person free will
• Benevolent


  God is loving and caring
• Just Judge


  God judges people's actions fairly
• Those who reject God and live sinful lives

  Will be punished
• God forgives people who are sorry for what they've done and become faithful to him


  As shown in the story of the prodigal son
• Omniscient


  God knows everything - in the past, present and future
• Eternal


  God has always existed, and he will continue to exist forever
• Transcendent


  God is beyond this world, he doesn't depend on it to exist
• Immanent


  God is present in the human world, and takes an active role in humanity
• Personal


  God is a 'person', albeit an almighty and divine person, so a relationship is possible through prayer