REVISION GUIDE: THE NATURE OF DEITY (GOD)

Focus:

  • Christian beliefs about God,
  • Reasons why Christians believe in God (and some people may not)
  • The importance of the Bible for different Christians
  • The different ways in which God can be known – REVELATION: Through Scripture/Through direct intervention in the world. E.g. Miracles

Key Points

  • Christians believe in one TRINITARIAN God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit
  • This God has many aspects: He is creator, sustainer, and judge, forgiving and loving. He is OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNI-BENEVOLENT, INFINITE, and ETERNAL. He sent His only Son, Jesus, so that we might all be saved.
  • Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah/Saviour, one with the Father, a teacher, healer, miracle worker, friend and guide to most Christians
  • Christians can find out about God from the Bible, prayer, personal experience, other Christians and their experiences
  • Many Christians believe that God intervenes in the world through miracles (Acts that defy the laws of nature). Examples of these include: the parting of the Red Sea, healing of the lepers, healing of the paralysed man, feeding of the five thousand, raising Lazarus

Key Teachings

  • “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” Genesis 1
  • “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3.16
  • The representation of the Holy Trinity in Luke Ch 3: The baptism of Jesus and Luke 9.28-36: The transfiguration
  • The miracle stories in the gospels
  • “All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3.16
  • The Apostles Creed (Google it)
  • The Holy Spirit: Acts Ch 2: “ Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind, came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

How to

  • Read the questions carefully, and answer them
  • Use as many key points and teachings as possible for (c,d,e) questions. Explain the meanings of terms used
  • For (d) questions, ensure that you explain, use evidence and explore different Christian ideas/perspectives
  • For (e) questions:
  • ensure that you have explained TWO points of view, each one backed by examples and evidence.
  • Remember this is a discussion. You must evaluate the different views (say what you think about each view).
  • Don’t forget to give your own view in detail. It is worth half of the marks.

Other Useful Points

  • All Christians believe in one Trinitarian God. All Christians follow the example and teachings of Jesus
  • Christians have different views about miracles and the authority of the Bible. You should be able to explain some of these differences.
  • Some Christians take the Bible stories of creation, miracles and other interventions literally. Others see them as largely symbolic.