Christianity: beliefs and teachings

• What do Christians believe about God

  ·        There is only one God.

  ·        God is the creator and sustainer of all that exists.

  ·        God works throughout history and inspires people to do God’s will.

  ·        People can have a relationship with God through prayer.

  ·        God is spirit – neither male or female – but has qualities of both.
• Qualities of God

  ·        Omnipotent – all powerful

  ·        Benevolent – all loving

  ·        Just – fair
• The problems of evil and suffering

  The problems of evil and suffering challenge the belief in these qualities of God:

  ·        If God is benevolent, why does God allow people to suffer, and to hurt others.

  ·        If God is omnipotent, why does he not prevent evil and suffering.

  ·        If God is just, why does he allow injustice to take place.

  Christians believe a just God treats people fairly, so they trust God even when things go wrong.
• The trinity

  ·        The father

  ·        The son

  ·        The holy spirit
• ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.’ – The bible

  ·        Many Christians believe that the story of creation, while not scientifically accurate holds some religious truth.

  ·        Some Christians believe that God made the world in literally 6 days.

  ·        Everything God created is ‘good.’

   
• The Crucifixion

  ·        Jesus died on the cross so humans’ sins will be forgiven.

  ·        Christians believe God understands human suffering from this and believe it’s a part of life.

  ·        ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’

   

   
• The resurrection of Jesus

  • Early Sunday morning some followers visited Jesus' tomb and his body wasn't there.
  • He had risen from the death.
• The ascension


  After meeting hid disciples and telling them to carry on his work. Jesus rose to heaven returning to the farther.
• The significance of the resurrection

  • Shows the power of good over evil and life over death.
  • Means Christians' sins will be forgiven if they follow God's laws.
  • They don't need to fear death.
• A belief in resurrection...

  • Means life after death is real.
  • Gives hope of a future life with Jesus.
  • Gives Confidence in the face of death.
  • Shows Christians hoe much God loves them.
• The afterlife


  Christians beliefs abouts the afterlife vary, but many believe that:

  • The will be resurrected and receive eternal life.
  • They will be Judged by God and either sent to hell or heaven.
  • This is called the day of judgement.
• Judgement

  • Christians believe that after they die, God will judge them on their behaviour and actions during their lifetime.
  • In the Bible, Jesus ' parable of the sheep and the goats,' describes how God will judge people.
  • 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.'
  • This parable teachers Christians that in serving others their serving Jesus.
• Heaven and Purgatory

  • Heaven is thought to be either a physical place or spiritual state of peace, joy and freedom from pain.
  • Purgatory is an intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven. This is a catholic belief.
• Hell

  • Hell is seen as the opposite of heaven.
  • It is often pictured as a place of eternal torment.
  • However, many people question if a loving God would condemn people to eternal torment and pain.
• The origins and meanings of sin

  • A sin is any thought or action that separates humans from God.
  • Christians believe that all humans commit sins. Some Christians also believe that humans are born with the original sin.
  • This comes from Adam and Eve
• Salvation

  Salvation means to be saved from sin and consequences. There are two main Christian beliefs about how salvation can come about:

  • Through doing good work.
  • Through grace - given by God through faith in Jesus.