RE: Christianity
Christian Beliefs
● Nature of God
● Trinity
● Creation
● Teachings of Jesus
● Incarnation
● The Last Supper
● Crucifixion
● Resurrection
● Atonement
● Salvation
● Life After Death
● Problem of Evil & Suffering
Marriage & Family
● Marriage
● Divorce
● Sexual Relationships
● Same-sex Relationship
● Family Planning
● Family Life
● Support by Parish
● Gender Equality
Living the Christian Life
● Worship
● Sacraments
● Prayer
● Pilgrimage
● Religious Festivals
● Charity
● Importance of Church
Matters of Life & Death
● Origin of Universe
1
, ● Evolution
● Death & Afterlife
● Abortion
● Euthanasia
● Animal Rights
● Natural World
Christian Beliefs:
Nature of God:
● Christianity → monotheistic religion
● Ten commandments → ‘you shall have no other Gods’ (Exodus 20:3 NIV)
2
, God’s Characteristics:
● Omnipotent → all-powerful; although still allows free will
● Benevolent → loving + caring
○ ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son’ (John 3:16 NIV)
→ Christians try follow his example
● Just Judge → God judges people actions fairly
○ Those who reject him + are sinful will be punished BUT forgives people who
repent + become faithful to Him
● Omniscient → God knows everything; past present + future
● Eternal → God has always existed; will exist forever
● Transcendent → God is beyond world; doesn’t depend on it to exist
● Immanent → God isn’t present in human world + takes active role in humanity
● Personal → God is a ‘person’ although almighty + divine ‘person’
○ If is personal, relationship through prayer possible → conversation with
God
Trinity:
The Trinity → The Father (creator), The Son (Jesus Christ) & Holy Spirit (presence of
God)
● At Jesus’s baptism → He ‘...saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting
on him. And a voice from heaven said. ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased’ (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV)
● St. Paul described Jesus as having ‘equality with God’ (Philippians 2:6 NIV)
Nicene Creed
● 325 AD → worldwide Church leaders gathered in Council of Nicaea
● Creed (statement of beliefs) made + developed at Council of Constantinople
in 381 AD → Called Nicene Creed
"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth… We believe in
one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God ... of one Being with the Father… was made man…
he suffered death and … he rose again… We believe in the Holy Spirit… the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and the Son… who has spoke through the prophets’
● Before not everyone agreed Son of God (Jesus) was one w/ God → rather than
being made by God
● Now agree he was equally important
● Importance early Church placed on Trinity in Nicene Creed means is a key belief for
most Christians → usually recited in Eucharist service
● Some groups (like Christadelphians) don't believe in Trinity
3
Christian Beliefs
● Nature of God
● Trinity
● Creation
● Teachings of Jesus
● Incarnation
● The Last Supper
● Crucifixion
● Resurrection
● Atonement
● Salvation
● Life After Death
● Problem of Evil & Suffering
Marriage & Family
● Marriage
● Divorce
● Sexual Relationships
● Same-sex Relationship
● Family Planning
● Family Life
● Support by Parish
● Gender Equality
Living the Christian Life
● Worship
● Sacraments
● Prayer
● Pilgrimage
● Religious Festivals
● Charity
● Importance of Church
Matters of Life & Death
● Origin of Universe
1
, ● Evolution
● Death & Afterlife
● Abortion
● Euthanasia
● Animal Rights
● Natural World
Christian Beliefs:
Nature of God:
● Christianity → monotheistic religion
● Ten commandments → ‘you shall have no other Gods’ (Exodus 20:3 NIV)
2
, God’s Characteristics:
● Omnipotent → all-powerful; although still allows free will
● Benevolent → loving + caring
○ ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son’ (John 3:16 NIV)
→ Christians try follow his example
● Just Judge → God judges people actions fairly
○ Those who reject him + are sinful will be punished BUT forgives people who
repent + become faithful to Him
● Omniscient → God knows everything; past present + future
● Eternal → God has always existed; will exist forever
● Transcendent → God is beyond world; doesn’t depend on it to exist
● Immanent → God isn’t present in human world + takes active role in humanity
● Personal → God is a ‘person’ although almighty + divine ‘person’
○ If is personal, relationship through prayer possible → conversation with
God
Trinity:
The Trinity → The Father (creator), The Son (Jesus Christ) & Holy Spirit (presence of
God)
● At Jesus’s baptism → He ‘...saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting
on him. And a voice from heaven said. ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased’ (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV)
● St. Paul described Jesus as having ‘equality with God’ (Philippians 2:6 NIV)
Nicene Creed
● 325 AD → worldwide Church leaders gathered in Council of Nicaea
● Creed (statement of beliefs) made + developed at Council of Constantinople
in 381 AD → Called Nicene Creed
"We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth… We believe in
one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God ... of one Being with the Father… was made man…
he suffered death and … he rose again… We believe in the Holy Spirit… the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and the Son… who has spoke through the prophets’
● Before not everyone agreed Son of God (Jesus) was one w/ God → rather than
being made by God
● Now agree he was equally important
● Importance early Church placed on Trinity in Nicene Creed means is a key belief for
most Christians → usually recited in Eucharist service
● Some groups (like Christadelphians) don't believe in Trinity
3
