Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings
Map Your Gaps
Card 1 of 11
Swipe right if you know it, left if you don't
✔ Know
✖ Don't know
The Nature of God
God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnibenevolent (all-loving), and just (fair). God is both transcendent (beyond the physical world) and immanent (active in the world).
The problem of evil asks: how can God be omnipotent and omnibenevolent if suffering exists?
The Nature of God — Key Knowledge
- Omnipotent all-powerful
- Omnibenevolent all-loving
- Just fair
- Transcendent beyond the physical world
- Immanent active in the world
The Trinity
Christians believe in one God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. This is monotheism — not three gods, but three distinct persons in one God.
The Trinity is a distinctly Christian belief — Islam rejects it as compromising the oneness of God (Tawhid).
The Trinity — Key Knowledge
- Trinity one God, three persons
- Father Creator
- Son Jesus — Redeemer
- Holy Spirit Sustainer/guide
- Nicene Creed statement of Trinitarian belief
Creation
Genesis 1: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Humans were made in God's image and given stewardship (responsibility to care for creation) and dominion (authority over creation).
Literalist vs liberal interpretations — some Christians take Genesis literally, others see it as symbolic alongside science.
Creation — Key Knowledge
- Creation Genesis 1–3
- Stewardship responsibility to care for creation
- Dominion authority over creation
- Logos/Word present at creation — John 1:1
The Incarnation
Jesus is God in human form — fully God and fully human. He was born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation shows God's love and desire to be close to humanity.
The Incarnation makes salvation possible — God entering the world to save it.
The Incarnation — Key Knowledge
- Incarnation God becoming human
- Virgin Birth conceived by the Holy Spirit — Luke 1:35
- Chalcedonian Definition Jesus is fully God and fully human
The Crucifixion
Jesus was crucified at Calvary under Pontius Pilate. Christians believe his death was atonement — he died to pay the price for human sin, restoring the relationship between God and humanity.
The Crucifixion was not a failure — Christians believe it was part of God's plan.
The Crucifixion — Key Knowledge
- Crucifixion death on the cross
- Atonement Jesus dying to pay for human sin
- Calvary/Golgotha place of crucifixion
The Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The empty tomb was discovered by Mary Magdalene. He appeared to disciples over 40 days, then ascended into heaven.
The Resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God and gives Christians hope of eternal life. It is not resuscitation — it is transformation to a new kind of existence.
The Resurrection and Ascension — Key Knowledge
- Resurrection rising from the dead
- Ascension rising to heaven — Acts 1:9
- Empty tomb discovered by Mary Magdalene
Afterlife — Heaven and Hell
Christians believe in life after death. Heaven is eternal life in God's presence. Hell is separation from God. Catholics also believe in purgatory — a state of purification before heaven.
Debated whether hell is literal fire or spiritual anguish. Not all denominations agree on purgatory — it is specifically Catholic.
Afterlife — Heaven and Hell — Key Knowledge
- Heaven eternal life with God
- Hell separation from God
- Purgatory Catholic: purification before heaven
- Resurrection of the body physical resurrection at the end of time
Judgement
God will judge all people. The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31–46) teaches that judgement is based on how people treat others, especially the vulnerable.
Judgement is based on actions, not just beliefs — this links beliefs to practices.
Judgement — Key Knowledge
- Day of Judgement God judges all people
- Sheep and Goats parable about judgement based on actions
Original Sin
Original sin is the idea that all humans inherit a sinful nature from Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden (the Fall). This is why humans need salvation.
Original sin explains why suffering and evil exist — humanity chose to disobey God. Baptism is linked to washing away original sin (Catholic teaching).
Original Sin — Key Knowledge
- Original sin inherited sinfulness from the Fall
- The Fall Adam and Eve's disobedience — Genesis 3
Salvation
Salvation means being saved from sin and its consequences. Christians believe salvation comes through God's grace — a free gift, not something earned. Protestants emphasise faith; Catholics emphasise faith and works.
The faith vs works debate is a key difference between Protestant and Catholic theology.
Salvation — Key Knowledge
- Salvation being saved from sin
- Grace God's free, undeserved gift
- Faith trust in God
- Works good deeds
Context Notes
Context Notes — Key Knowledge
Map your gaps
Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings
0%confident
✔
0
0
❓
0
0
✖
0
0