Christianity: beliefs and teachings · GCSE Religious Studies

The nature of God

Christians believe in one God (monotheism) who is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnibenevolent (all-loving) and just.
The Trinity: one God in three persons, the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed sets out this belief.
The problem of evil and suffering challenges belief in a God who is both all-powerful and all-loving.

Genesis 1–3 describes God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, with humans made 'in the image of God'. John 1 teaches that the Word (Jesus) was involved in creation.
Some Christians read Genesis literally. Many others read it symbolically and accept the Big Bang and evolution as the way God created.

The incarnation: God became human in Jesus, born to the Virgin Mary. Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead on the third day (the resurrection) and later returned to heaven (the ascension).
Jesus' last days (Luke 22–24): he shared the Last Supper with his disciples, was betrayed by Judas and arrested, was tried before the Jewish council and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, and was crucified. On the third day his tomb was found empty.
Christians believe humans inherit a tendency to sin (original sin) from Adam and Eve's disobedience. Salvation comes through God's grace and Jesus' atonement: his death restores the relationship between God and humans (John 3:16).

Jesus' resurrection shows Christians that there is life after death. God will judge everyone; heaven is eternal life with God, and hell is separation from God. Catholics also believe in purgatory, where souls are cleansed before heaven.
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25) teaches that people will be judged on how they treated those in need.

Monotheism: Belief in one God.
Omnipotent: All-powerful.
Omniscient: All-knowing.
Omnibenevolent: All-loving.
Trinity: One God in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Incarnation: God becoming human in Jesus.
Resurrection: Rising from the dead.
Atonement: Restoring the relationship between God and humans through Jesus' death.
Original sin: The tendency to sin, inherited from Adam and Eve.
Salvation: Being saved from sin and its consequences.