Nature of God

• What does the history of Christianity begin with?


  The History of Christianity begins with Judaism
• What is Christianity based on?

  Christianity is based on the belief in Jesus Christ being the Son of God. It is the main religion in Britain
• How many parts are there in the Christian Bible?

  - (The Torah) Old testament

  - (Jesus) New testament
• What does the Old Testament include?

  Depending on the version, the Old Testament has at least 39 books, which include the creation story and the ten commandments
• What are these 39 books?

  These 39 books are the Jewish scriptures - they are also considered sacred by Jews
• What's the New Testament apart of?

  The New Testament is the part of the Bible that is specifically Christian
• How many books are in the New Testament?

  Its 27 books include the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) which are accounts of Jesus's life
• What describes the early years of Christianity?

  The Acts of the Apostles and the letters of St Paul describe the early years of Christianity
• What are denominations?


  The different branches of Christianity are called denominations
• What do the different denominations share?

  They share key beliefs but interpret some points of the faith differently and worship in different ways
• What do Roman Catholics respect?

  Roman Catholics respect the authority of the Bible and Church tradition, plus the authority of the Pope and his teachings
• How many sacraments are there for Roman Catholics?

  The seven sacraments are an important part of their faith
• Where are Orthodox Christians found?

  Orthodox Christians are found mainly in Eastern Europe, Russia and Greece
• How many sacraments are there for Orthodox Christians?

  They also have seven sacraments and honour (but don't worship) icons - pictures of Saints
• What do Protestants base their belief on?

  Protestants base their beliefs and practices on the Bible, rather than Church tradition or the teachings of the Pope
• What are 'Nonconformists'?


  In England and Wales, Protestants denominations that are not part of the 'Anglican Communion' are often called 'Nonconformists
• What do 'Nonconformists' include?

  These include Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, The Society of Friends (Quakers) and the Salvation Army
• What does the Church of England have both of?

  The Church of England has both Roman Catholics and Protestant features. Its beliefs are set out in the 39 articles. Anglicanism is the worldwide 'communion' of Churches in fellowship with the parent Church of England
• What happened in 3000 BC?

  Genesis Creation
• What happened in 2000 BC?

  - Birth of Abraham the founding father of Judaism

  - Moses and the Exodus from Egypt

  - Joshua leads the Israelites into the land of Israel
• What happened in 1000 BC?

  Building of the first Temple
• What happened in AD

  The teachings of Jesus were added to the original Jewish scriptures. Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah became known as Christians
• What was in the Hebrew Bible/ Torah?


  Creation, Law, Prophets and prophecies (including the coming of a Messiah)
• What remains unchanged?


  The Torah remains unchanged
• What do Jews not accept?

  Jews do not accept Jesus was the Messiah
• What type of religion is Christianity?

  Christianity is a monotheistic (one God) religion
• What does the Ten Commandments say?


  "You shall have no other gods"
• What is a characteristic?

  A feature belonging to a person, a way to describe them
• How would you describe God?

  They note we can't ever describe God perfectly, because we're only mortal human beings and he's beyond our language - ineffable
• What characteristics do Christians believe God has?

  - Omnipotent

  - Benevolent

  - Just judge

  - Eternal

  - Omniscient

  - Personal

  - Transcendent

  - Immanent
• How do Christians differ in the emphasis placed on each characteristic?

  Christians differ in the emphasis placed on each characteristics e.g. some focus more on God's loving nature than his role as judge
• How do Christians believe God is just?

  Christians believe God treats everyone equally he is fair and just - God judges people's actions fairly
• What quote encourages us all to do the same?

  He encourages us all to do the same '"do to others what you would have them do to you"
• How does the afterlife help the idea that God is just?

  In a world where people face suffering on a daily basis, the idea that God is just and the afterlife can reward and punish people is of high important
• Who will be punished?

  Those who reject him and live sinful lives will be punished, as shown in the story of the sheep and goats
• Who does God forgive?

  But God forgives people who are sorry for what they've done and become faithful to him - the story of the prodigal son shows God will forgive anyone who returns to his ways
• What does omnipotent mean?

  All-powerful
• How do Christians believe God is omnipotent?


  Christians believe that God can do anything, nothing is beyond his power
• What does God allow even though he is omnipotent?

  God is all-powerful, although he still allows each person free will
• What does omnibenevolent mean?

  All loving