7.1 Catholic Christianity Key Beliefs: The Nature of God (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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Define denomination.
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Cards in this collection (72)
Define denomination.
A branch of the Christian Church (e.g. Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox).
Which is the largest branch of Christianity worldwide?
The Roman Catholic Church (over a billion followers).
Who do Catholics regard as the first Pope?
Saint Peter, one of Jesus' apostles.
Define apostolic succession.
The belief that the authority Jesus gave his apostles has been passed down through the ages to the bishops and the Pope.
From where does the Pope lead the Catholic Church?
Rome.
On how many sacraments does Catholic Christianity place great emphasis?
The seven sacraments.
Name the three main branches of Christianity.
Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.
True or False?
The different Christian denominations are separate religions.
False.
They are all branches of the one religion, Christianity — all are Christians.
The ______ of England, which has both Catholic and Protestant features, is the most common denomination in the UK.
The Church of England, which has both Catholic and Protestant features, is the most common denomination in the UK.
Why is the authority of the Pope and Church tradition so important to Catholics?
Because of apostolic succession — authority traced back through the bishops to the apostles and Jesus.
Define Christianity.
A monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Define the Trinity.
The Christian belief that God is one but exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit ('three-in-one').
Who are the three persons of the Trinity?
God the Father
God the Son (Jesus)
God the Holy Spirit
Does belief in the Trinity mean there are three gods?
No — the Catechism says 'not three gods, but one God in three persons'; Christianity is monotheistic.
What is the role of God the Father in the Trinity?
The creator of everything — the transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent part of God.
What is the role of God the Holy Spirit?
The invisible power of God at work in the world, a source of spiritual strength guiding individuals and the Church.
Why is the Trinity described as a 'mystery'?
So Christians can accept there are things they cannot fully know about God.
Is the term 'Trinity' found in the Bible?
No — it was developed later by the early Church, though there is biblical evidence for it.
How does the Baptism of Jesus show the Trinity?
All three persons appear: the Father (the voice from heaven), the Son (Jesus, being baptised) and the Holy Spirit (descending as a dove).
In the Great Commission, Jesus told disciples to baptise 'in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy ______' (Matthew 28:19).
In the Great Commission, Jesus told disciples to baptise 'in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit' (Matthew 28:19).
At which councils was the Nicene Creed drawn up?
The Councils of Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD).
Define the Nicene Creed.
The statement of agreed Christian beliefs (about the Trinity) drawn up at Nicaea, still recited by Catholics at Mass.
True or False?
Belief in the Trinity means Christians worship three separate gods.
False.
It is belief in one God in three persons — Christianity remains monotheistic.
Who first used the name 'Trinity', and when?
Theophilus of Antioch, in the second century.
The word 'Trinity' comes from 'tri-unity', meaning '______-in-one'.
The word 'Trinity' comes from 'tri-unity', meaning 'three-in-one'.
How might belief in God as the Son help Christians?
Because the Son was incarnate and lived and died among humans, Christians know God understands them and can pray to him for help.
In which book of the Bible are the creation accounts found, and what does its name mean?
Genesis, meaning 'beginnings'.
How many creation accounts are in Genesis?
Two — one in Genesis 1 and one in Genesis 2.
How does the creation process differ between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2?
Genesis 1 describes a week-long process (six days + rest); Genesis 2 describes a one-day process (man first, then animals, then woman).
Define ex nihilo.
'Out of nothing' — Catholics believe God created the world from nothing.
What does it mean that God is transcendent?
God is outside the universe and beyond all things, eternal, and cannot be fully comprehended by humans.
How do the creation accounts show God is omnipotent?
He created the whole world unaided, from nothing (ex nihilo), simply by speaking ('Let there be light').
Define Imago Dei.
'Image of God' — the belief that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
What is the difference between dominion and stewardship?
Dominion is the power God gave humans over creation; stewardship is the responsibility to care for it.
Why do Catholics believe all human life is sacred?
Because humans are made in the image of God and share his Spirit ('breath').
True or False?
All Christians believe God created the world literally in six days.
False.
Literalists (Creationists) do; non-literalists believe the accounts are symbolic or metaphorical.
What do Creationists (literalists) believe about creation?
That God created the world exactly as Genesis describes, in six days, and they reject the Big Bang and evolution.
How do non-literalists reconcile science and religion?
Science explains how the universe began; religion explains why — so there is no conflict.
Genesis 1:27 says: 'So God created man in His own ______'.
Genesis 1:27 says: 'So God created man in His own image'.
Which Pope, with a science background, supports the non-literal interpretation of creation?
Pope Francis.
Humans are called to be ______ of creation — responsible for caring for the world.
Humans are called to be stewards of creation — responsible for caring for the world.
On which day were man and woman created together, in Genesis 1?
The sixth day.
Define the Incarnation.
From Latin 'to put on flesh' — the belief that God took on human flesh (became human) in Jesus.
Was Jesus half God and half man?
No — Jesus was fully human AND fully God, the meeting point between God and humanity.
Which Old Testament prophecy did the Incarnation fulfil?
Isaiah's prophecy of 'Immanuel' ('God with us') (Isaiah 7:14).
Give one way the Gospels show Jesus was fully human.
He was born to a human mother (Mary), had a human body, felt hunger, thirst and compassion, and suffered a human death.
The shortest verse in the Bible, 'Jesus ______' (John 11:35), shows his human compassion.
The shortest verse in the Bible, 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), shows his human compassion.
How does John's Gospel describe Jesus to show he is fully divine?
As the Divine Word — 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us' (John 1:14).
Which power did Jesus have that only God has?
The authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5).
Give one miracle that showed Jesus' divine power.
Healing the blind (Bartimaeus), raising Lazarus from the dead, or his own resurrection.
Define consubstantial.
'Of the same divine nature' — the Nicene Creed says Jesus is consubstantial with the Father.
What are the four Gospels, the key source on the Incarnation?
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
True or False?
Jesus experienced every part of human life, including sin.
False.
Jesus had a full human nature except sin.
Why did the Incarnation happen, according to the Catholic Church?
To show God's love, teach humans how to live, bring salvation from sin and make eternal life possible.
'Immanuel' means '______', which Jesus fulfils as God present in the world.
'Immanuel' means 'God with us', which Jesus fulfils as God present in the world.
How does the Incarnation help Catholics relate to Jesus?
Because he shared human characteristics and experiences they go through.
What did Jesus' answer 'I am' at his trial reveal?
That he is fully God — it echoes the name God used to identify himself to Moses.
The Nicene Creed says Jesus was 'incarnate of the Virgin ______, and became man'.
The Nicene Creed says Jesus was 'incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man'.
Define salvation.
Being saved from sin through belief in Jesus and God's grace, restoring the relationship between God and humanity.
Define redemption.
To redeem or make up for the wrongs done by humans — which Christians believe Jesus achieved.
Why is salvation needed, according to Catholics?
To mend the relationship with God broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed — all humans are born with Original Sin.
Define Original Sin.
The tendency to sin that all humans are born with, damaging their relationship with God.
Why is Jesus called 'the Lamb of God'?
Like the innocent lamb sacrificed as a sin offering, Jesus (perfect and sinless) sacrificed his life to achieve redemption for human sins.
What did the tearing of the Temple veil at Jesus' death symbolise?
That the barrier between God and humanity had been removed.
What did Jesus' resurrection show?
That he was victorious over sin and death and was truly God incarnate.
What does the ascension show about redemption?
That the work of redemption was complete and reconciliation with God achieved; it gives hope of joining Jesus in heaven.
Define grace (in Catholicism).
All the good things given by God, including life itself; God's mercy and forgiveness.
True or False?
Catholics believe salvation can be found through many different figures.
False.
'Salvation is found in no one else' — Catholics believe it comes through Jesus alone (Acts 4:11-12).
Jesus showed perfect ______ to God's will by allowing himself to be crucified.
Jesus showed perfect obedience to God's will by allowing himself to be crucified.
Which four events in Jesus' life are central to redemption?
His life, death, resurrection and ascension.
'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only ______' (John 3:16).
'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son' (John 3:16).
What does belief in salvation and grace give Catholics?
Hope of an afterlife where they are rewarded and reunited with God for eternity.
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