Christianity paper 2

Christianity paper 2

1. Key definitions

   • Confirmation
     • This allows someone who has gone though infant baptism to confirm their Christian faith
       • People attend confirmation classes to know what this entails
   • Babtism
     • The ceremony that welcomes people into the Christian Faith
       • Water is used to symbolise the washing away of sin
   • Bible
     • The holy book of Christianity
       • Made up of old and new testament
   • Eucharist
     • This service remembers the sacrifice of Christ
       • Wine represents blood and bread represents the body of Christ
   • Free will
     • The idea that humans are free to make their own choices
       • Particularly in moral choices
   • Heaven and Hell
     • Heaven is a place of salvation and happiness in the presence of God
       • Hell is torment, fire and smoke without God
     • The life where christians believe our souls will be sent after death
   • Judgment
     • The belief that God will judge us for our actions on earth
       • This will determine if we go to heaven or hell
   • Marriage Symbols
     • Symbols at a wedding to tell us more about the purpose of marriage
       • For example Wedding rings symbolise eternal love
   • Pilgimage
     • A Holy journey as an act of worship
       • Christians don't have to go on worship but some may go
   • Reason
     • Process based on logical thought
       • To think about the consequences of your actions before acting
   • Revelation
     • God making himself known to humankind
       • This is done though the Bible
   • Vows
     • Promises made at a wedding between the couple and God
       • For example 'To have and to hold'

2. The Bible & authority

   • The Bible as...
     • Authority
       • As the Bible is the word of God the Rules in the Bible should be upheld as they are true
     • Revelation
       • God makes himself known through the Bible
     • Inspiration
       • The Bible is dictated by God or written by authors inspired by God
   • Bible is used as
     • Absolute Law
     • Guidance
     • During worship
     • Holy ceremonies

3. The Bible & interpretation

   • Biblical Myth/Symbolic
     • The Bible was written in a pre-scientific era and so there are factual inaccuracies. It is open for interpretation as it is based on myth/it has symbolic meaning. Not literal
   • Conservative
     • The Bible was written by people inspired by God. Science and religion can work together. The bible is metaphorical
   • Literal
     • Everything said in the Bible is the direct word of God. There are no errors and it is factually accurate

4. Life after death

   • Parable of the sheep and the goats
     • Goats were stubborn and did not follow their shepherd so they were punished
     • Sheep followed orders and so good came to them
   • Heaven/Hell
     • Christians disagree where these are physical places or just metaphorical
     • Some say only your spirit will go while dualist Christians believe spirit and body will go to heaven/hell
     • Most Christians say that if you have faith in Jesus you will go to straight to heaven
     • Catholics believe only the pious will go straight to heaven. The rest go to purgatory to be cleansed before heaven.
     • If you reject Jesus you will go straight to hell and remain there
     • Hell is a punishment without God
     • Heaven is a reward for the good with eternal life in in the presence of God
   • Treasures in heaven (see christianity 1)
   • Resurrection
     • 3 days after crucifixion Jesus was resurrected
       • Shows Christians there is a life after death
     • At the final resurrection Jesus will come to judge the living and dead.
       • Called Parousia (the second coming)

5. Initiation Rights

   • Baptism
     • Believers
       • Done for adults and normally in baptist churches
         • They believe people should have the choice so reject infant baptism
       • Full body submersion where the body is completely submerged in water
         • This symbolises rebirth into the Christian faith as well as it is what John the Baptist did to Jesus
       • Promises to follow Jesus themselves
     • Infant
       • Done young
         • Catholics believe this rids children of original sin that all humans are born wiht
       • Water poured over the head 3 times to represent the Father, Son and Holy spirit
       • Parents/godparents make promises to bring the child up in a Christian household
     • Water washes away sin and Jesus was baptised
   • Confirmation
     • People who are baptised as infants may go to confirmation to confirm their beliefs as a christian
     • 'Laying on of hands' Is performed by the bishop
       • Invited the holy spirit into the persons life
     • Allows them to take ownership of their religion

6. The Eucharist

   • Anglicans
     • Holy Communion
       • Believe in consubstantiation which means that Jesus' spirit is present in the bread and wine after being blessed
       • All drink from one chalace
       • Kneel to take it
   • Catholics
     • Mass
       • Transubstantiation
         • The bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ
       • Stand to take it
       • When not in use the bread and wine is stored in a tabernacle
   • Baptists
     • The lords supper
       • Bread and wine are taken in remembrance of Christ (memorialism)
     • Take bread and grape juice sitting down at the same time as the minister
   • Quakers
     • Don't do it because God is present with everyone all the time so there is no point doing it

7. Christian Weddings (Holy Matrimony)

   • Vows
     • In sickness of in health
       • This means that even if they are sick and unwell they will always love the other as much as they would if they were well
     • Till Death do us part
       • They will love until they die
     • From this day forward
       • This marks a new chapter in life
   • Symbols
     • Candles
       • Symbolises Jesus as the light of the world
     • Ring
       • Symbolises eternal love
     • Veil
       • Symbolises purity
     • Vows
       • Promises between the couple and God

8. Places of worship

   • Church (capital C)
     • A community of christians
       • Jesus said 'where two or three are gathered in my name I am with them'
   • church (lower-case C)
     • A building devoted to worship
       • 'Have them make a sanctuary for me and I will dwell among them'
       • Makes worship more meaningful
       • People feel closer to God
       • Going to church gives a sense of belonging
       • Separates daily activity from worship

9. Pilgimage

   • The holy land
     • The places were Jesus was born, resurrected, died, was arrested and preached
     • Christians feel a personal connection to Jesus. Get to walk in his footsteps
   • Loudres
     • Spring in France where it is said the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858.
     • Said to have healing powers
     • Allows Christians to be cleansed of sin (healing powers) and heal their illness. Gives time for reflection on changing their ways
   • Bardsey Islands
     • Last stop on the the North Wales' Pilgrims way
     • A Christian community (monnestry) since 6th century
     • Allows Christians to reflect on their Christian herritage
   • Done by Christians since the 3rd century