Chapter 3 - Triune God

• Define the psalms, liturgy, mission and evangelism

  - Psalms: A book in the Old Testament containing pieces of poetry that are sometimes set to music.

  -Liturgy: The practices and rituals that make up the communal worship of God.

  - mission: ‘Sending out’ people with a job or function to perform.

  - evangelism: Preaching the good news about Jesus to other people.
• Name two types of music used in the Catholic liturgy and how they are used in worship

  - plainchant, an ancient form of music, sung in Latin, usually unaccompanied and sung to a limited range of notes.

  - traditional hymns, religious songs that have been used by believers over generations
• Name two acclamations used in the Mass and why they are important

  - the Gloria, a great hymn of praise to God

  - Alleluia, a hymn of joy, triumph and praise of God
• Where can we find the Trinity in the Bible?

  In the new testament when Jesus is baptised. The spirit of God is shown as a dove, free to go where it wills. The spirit comes down on Jesus and stays with him, reflecting the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Spirit. Jesus is called by God the Father 'my Son, the Beloved'. This is a statement of eternal fact. The Father is unseen but makes his presence felt through his Word.
• Why are Jews against the idea of the Trinity?

  In Deuteronomy, it states 'The Lord is our God, the Lord alone'. This passage states the oneness of God.
• What does the Nicene Creed tell us about the trinity?


  - It teaches us that God the Father is the almighty creator of all things, and the source of all life.

  - It teaches us that there was never a point when the Son did not exist. It stresses the fact that there is no distinction in nature between the Father and the Son.

  - It teaches us that the Spirit inspires people to let them know the will of God
• What does Genesis 1 tell us about the trinity?

  - "God" = the Father; the Father created the universe

  - "Wind from God" = the Holy Spirit

  - God created the universe with the power of his word = the Word of God = the Son
• How does the Trinity influence Christians?

  -pray and have a personal relationship with him

  This is because the father according to the Lord's Prayer will hear our call

  
  

  -encourages them to not lose hope

  This is because the Holy Spirit is always guiding them and living inside their spirits
• What does Galatians tell us about the Trinity?


  - Jesus took on human nature so that all people might come close to God the Father

  - It is the Spirit of God that gives the believer the strength and conviction to accept this relationship with God the Father
• What is the Magisterium and why do they have authority?

  The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church. They have authority because Catholics believe that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit therefore they are infallible and also due to apostolic succession.
• Explain how the early councils affect Christians today

  
  

  Nicaea: They teach that the Son has no beginning or end but is eternal. The Father and Son have always existed together: co-eternal.

  
  

  Constantinople: They reject the idea that Jesus wasn't fully human. They teach that the Holy Spirit is the Lord.
• Name two reasons why baptism is important

  - it symbolises joining in with Jesus' death and resurrection

  - a sign of initiation into belief of Christ
• Describe the two different types of prayers that Christians use

  Traditional prayer: prayers which have been passed down for generations such as the Hail Mary

  Spontaneous prayer: prayer done suddenly without any set format and involves choosing what you say
• Describe two strengths of traditional prayer

  - when people are upset they can use familiar words and phrases to bring comfort

  - it can be useful for people who don't feel like praying but recognise that prayer is the thing that they most need
• Describe two strengths of spontaneous prayer

  - it comes from the heart and reflects how the person is feeling at that moment

  - it's more sincere than traditional prayer as it reflects the person's individual relationship with God
• Describe two postures used by Christians when praying

  - kneeling, shows that the person is submissive to the will of God

  - prostrating, a position of total humility and self-giving to God
• What is LaCugna's ideas about how the trinity can be compared to God's love?

  Lacugna focuses on the outward effects of the Trinity. It is only possible to experience and understand what God is through his actions in people’s lives. Christ came to earth to bring redemption and restore the relationship with the Father. The Holy Spirit guides believers to complete the work of redemption.
• What is Augustine's ideas about how the trinity can be compared to God's love?

  Augustine: focuses on the inner relationship of the Trinity. Love cannot exist on its own: it needs someone to give it and someone to receive it. Love needs to be in three parts, just as in the life of the Trinity there are three Persons united together in love.
• Explain two ways in which music expresses beliefs about God

  1. Modern or popular music can express the belief that God is relevant in the 21st century and relevant to young people. The youth catechism encourages music and states, "Where we do not have the words to praise God we should use music instead."
  2. The words sung or heard may directly express such beliefs. For example, Psalms 23 says "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me"
• Define apostolic succession

  The idea that those who are ordained as deacons, priests, and bishops share a physical link back to the first apostles through the laying on of hands which occurs during ordination
• Describe what mission is

  The Church sends people out to care for the needs of others. For example, there are many Catholic charity organisations whose mission it is to help poor people develop better lifestyles, by providing education, medical care etc. ("those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also" - John) This care is given because missionaries believe they should love others as they love God, and as God loves them. John Allen Chau was an American missionary who was killed by the Sentinelese, a tribe in voluntary isolation, in attempt to introduce the tribe to Christianity.
• Describe what evangelism is

  Evangelism means preaching the Gospel by words. for some Christians, their knowledge and experience of the love of God is so great that they want to share it with other people. One of the driving forces of Christianity has been the power of the Spirit speaking through preachers, to influence the lives and attitudes of other people. Jesus' last instructions to his followers were: ("Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew)