Christian Beliefs:
Explain two ways in which belief about creation influences Christians today?
- Humans were created with dominion over the worlds; protection of the environment
and animals
- God planned every detail of creation; believe in God’s plan for their lives also
Explain two ways in which the creation story influences how Christians understand God
and the universe?
- The creations story leads to a greater understanding of God’s power; ‘the spirit of
God was hovering over the waters’
- Understand that God is benevolent since he cared for creation and put us in charge
of everything he made; idea of stewardship
Explain two different ways that Christians can interpret the Biblical story of creation?
- Fundamentalists believe creation is the literal truth; made in six days, accept the
authority of its teachings as the real truth, see the Bible as the Word of God
- Liberals interpret the creation story in a metaphorical way, may be scientifically
accurate, contains the religious truth, means science and religion can explain
creation together, Big Bang and the Bible can work together, how and why
Beliefs about Jesus’ death:
- Teaches forgiveness as Jesus forgave those who crucified him
- Even the most righteous Christians can suffer unjustly, through Christ’s sacrifice sin
cannot destroy our lives but suffering is a part of it.
Beliefs about hell:
- Hell is a metaphor for separation from God, influences them to maintain a
connection with God and follow the laws of Christianity
- They will be judged when they die, sheep and goats, eternal torment is a real
possibility so they may decide to follow Jesus’ teachings
Salvation:
- Available for all humans, his death restored the right relationship between humans
and God, the result of disobedience (Adam and Eve) is separation from God but
salvation from sin comes from the life and teachings of Jesus
- Through work and faith, way of keeping close to god
Responses to the problem of evil:
- God created people with free will, choices, choice could lead to evil but not God’s
fault, life is a test for believers; evil should be responded in the way God taught to
reach heaven in the afterlife
- Natural evil cannot be blamed on humans, suffering is excessive and unnecessary,
such a high scale, existence of such extreme evil doesn’t necessarily teach moral
lessons
Nature of God:
- Omnibenevolent, sacrificed his only son to humanity
- Omnipotent. Created the universe and everything in it, ‘In the beginning…
, Christian Practices:
Explain 2 different reasons Christians go on pilgrimages:
- To feel closer to God: visiting a holy place helps believers focus on prayer without
distractions and strengthens their relationship with God – ‘Draw near to God and
he will draw near to you’
- To seek healing: e.g Lourdes because they believe God’s power can bring cure
through the sacred place – ‘for with God all things are possible’
Explain 2 different types of Baptism:
- Infant Baptism: done to welcome them into the community, cleanse them for
original sin and to show God’s grace is a gift given before faith is even chosen
- Believer’s Baptism: for adults who are able to make a personal declaration of faith
and they are usually fully immersed in water to symbolise rising again with Christ –
‘Repent and be baptised’
Explain 2 reasons why prayer is important:
- Helps Christians build a closer relationship with God: believers feel supported and
guided through prayer and it often strengthens their faith and trust in him.
- To seek help or strength: pray during difficult times because they believe God will
prove the hope and that they need in their lives and reassurance that God is
involved – ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’
Explain 2 different ways pilgrimage is experienced in Lourdes:
- Bathing in the spring water: many believe it has healing properties, and it
symbolises cleansing, renewal and hope for healing
- Taking part in worship and processions: Pray together and share stories which
creates a strong sense of community and shared faith, making pilgrims feel united
with other Christians – ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am
I with them’
Explain 2 different ways pilgrimage is experienced in Iona:
- Quiet reflection and prayer: The island is remote and peaceful, so pilgrims spend
time there to help them feel close to God by escaping the distractions of everyday
life – ‘Be still and know that I am God’
- Joining in community worship: Taking part in services, prayers or hymns which
creates a strong sense of fellowship and allows Christians to share their faith with
others
Explain 2 different types of Christian worship:
- Liturgical worship: follows a set structure or pattern which helps connect believers
to Christian tradition and gives a sense of order and familiarity – ‘Everything must
be done in an orderly manner’
- Non-liturgical worship: does not follow a fixed structure, faith can be expressed in a
variety of ways, which appeals to a wider range or people – ‘Worship in spirit and
truth’
Explain two reasons the sacraments are important for Christians:
Explain two ways in which belief about creation influences Christians today?
- Humans were created with dominion over the worlds; protection of the environment
and animals
- God planned every detail of creation; believe in God’s plan for their lives also
Explain two ways in which the creation story influences how Christians understand God
and the universe?
- The creations story leads to a greater understanding of God’s power; ‘the spirit of
God was hovering over the waters’
- Understand that God is benevolent since he cared for creation and put us in charge
of everything he made; idea of stewardship
Explain two different ways that Christians can interpret the Biblical story of creation?
- Fundamentalists believe creation is the literal truth; made in six days, accept the
authority of its teachings as the real truth, see the Bible as the Word of God
- Liberals interpret the creation story in a metaphorical way, may be scientifically
accurate, contains the religious truth, means science and religion can explain
creation together, Big Bang and the Bible can work together, how and why
Beliefs about Jesus’ death:
- Teaches forgiveness as Jesus forgave those who crucified him
- Even the most righteous Christians can suffer unjustly, through Christ’s sacrifice sin
cannot destroy our lives but suffering is a part of it.
Beliefs about hell:
- Hell is a metaphor for separation from God, influences them to maintain a
connection with God and follow the laws of Christianity
- They will be judged when they die, sheep and goats, eternal torment is a real
possibility so they may decide to follow Jesus’ teachings
Salvation:
- Available for all humans, his death restored the right relationship between humans
and God, the result of disobedience (Adam and Eve) is separation from God but
salvation from sin comes from the life and teachings of Jesus
- Through work and faith, way of keeping close to god
Responses to the problem of evil:
- God created people with free will, choices, choice could lead to evil but not God’s
fault, life is a test for believers; evil should be responded in the way God taught to
reach heaven in the afterlife
- Natural evil cannot be blamed on humans, suffering is excessive and unnecessary,
such a high scale, existence of such extreme evil doesn’t necessarily teach moral
lessons
Nature of God:
- Omnibenevolent, sacrificed his only son to humanity
- Omnipotent. Created the universe and everything in it, ‘In the beginning…
, Christian Practices:
Explain 2 different reasons Christians go on pilgrimages:
- To feel closer to God: visiting a holy place helps believers focus on prayer without
distractions and strengthens their relationship with God – ‘Draw near to God and
he will draw near to you’
- To seek healing: e.g Lourdes because they believe God’s power can bring cure
through the sacred place – ‘for with God all things are possible’
Explain 2 different types of Baptism:
- Infant Baptism: done to welcome them into the community, cleanse them for
original sin and to show God’s grace is a gift given before faith is even chosen
- Believer’s Baptism: for adults who are able to make a personal declaration of faith
and they are usually fully immersed in water to symbolise rising again with Christ –
‘Repent and be baptised’
Explain 2 reasons why prayer is important:
- Helps Christians build a closer relationship with God: believers feel supported and
guided through prayer and it often strengthens their faith and trust in him.
- To seek help or strength: pray during difficult times because they believe God will
prove the hope and that they need in their lives and reassurance that God is
involved – ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’
Explain 2 different ways pilgrimage is experienced in Lourdes:
- Bathing in the spring water: many believe it has healing properties, and it
symbolises cleansing, renewal and hope for healing
- Taking part in worship and processions: Pray together and share stories which
creates a strong sense of community and shared faith, making pilgrims feel united
with other Christians – ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am
I with them’
Explain 2 different ways pilgrimage is experienced in Iona:
- Quiet reflection and prayer: The island is remote and peaceful, so pilgrims spend
time there to help them feel close to God by escaping the distractions of everyday
life – ‘Be still and know that I am God’
- Joining in community worship: Taking part in services, prayers or hymns which
creates a strong sense of fellowship and allows Christians to share their faith with
others
Explain 2 different types of Christian worship:
- Liturgical worship: follows a set structure or pattern which helps connect believers
to Christian tradition and gives a sense of order and familiarity – ‘Everything must
be done in an orderly manner’
- Non-liturgical worship: does not follow a fixed structure, faith can be expressed in a
variety of ways, which appeals to a wider range or people – ‘Worship in spirit and
truth’
Explain two reasons the sacraments are important for Christians:
