Vocab Part 2

Paragraphs on concepts:

Concept of God

Words: trinity, miracle, logos, incarnation

In the Christian religion, the belief is there is One God and he created the Universe and all that is in it. Humans are both physical and spiritual and created in God's image, but God himself is purely spiritual. In Judaism, the covenant that humans have with God is the basis of the religion, but in Christianity the teachings of Jesus are more important, since he is the physical incarnation of God. This brings up the concept of logos, in which God is the ultimate word and reason. Unlike Judaism, God is not involved in all historical events. He can affect events through miracles, events that seem otherworldly and not possible otherwise, but ultimately, humans have free will. This shows that God cares for humans, and in the Christian religion, worshippers can have a more personal religion with God, and pray and talk to him directly. The belief that God is a person led to the idea of the Trinity. The Trinity is composed of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. These three entities are the holy beings that rule the Universe.

The Human Condition

Words: Salvation, Redemption, Atonement

-All humans are born with "original sin", which is the nature of mankind. People must pay for the sins they make in this life, not for the ones committed by mankind in whole. Humans have a tendency to gravitate towards evil deeds in speech or action. Humans do not possess divine power to "save" themselves through salvation, so they must turn towards God. The only way for humans to save themselves is to accept Jesus and God as the Lord and Savior. Humans must first be atoned by righting their wrongs. This is for personal improvement, God doesn't really care about each individual's choices. It is up to them. After this is performed, humans pray to God to ask for forgiveness, or redemption, but this is not for God's approval, it is for the human's personal gain to check if they are on the right track. God provides the example of what is right in life. The analogy of a teacher and students can be used to explain this Christian concept of the Human condition. For example, a teacher teaches the classes and provides the material for the students to learn, setting an example for them if they wish to succeed. Just like God, God provides the example of the right path, and it is up to each person to decide if they wish to follow his example. Also, with a teacher, at the end of the year, they give out grades, to show each student how they did overall in the class, if they followed his example or not. Like God, people can ask for redemption and forgiveness from God, and God can tell them if they are on the right track or not.

Goal for Humans

Words: Agape (love for all humans), Gospel, Parable, Kerygma

There are many goals set for humans in the Christian religion. Among them are salvation, which as explained earlier is shedding oneself of original sin through correcting one's wrongful deeds (atonement) and praying to God for forgiveness (redemption). Through this, one can live in fellowship with God. Another goal is to have inner happiness that doesn't depend on material goods. A third goal is to have respect for all types of authority, such as parental, political and spiritual. A fourth goal is to be successful in such areas such as financial, health, professional, friends, family and social life. A fifth goal is to have victory over sin, which ties into the first goal of shedding original sin. When one is free of sin, they are free from suffering from fear, worry, cruelty etc. One has more freedom. A sixth goal is to develop the ability to give and receive love, or agape, first of all between you and Jesus and God, and secondly for all Christians and human beings in general. This includes all family and friends whom we should truly care for and love.
The last goal, which is perhaps the umbrella goal of all is to follow God's example as stated in the bible through Parables, testaments and passages. Parables help the reader comprehend the material better through a historical example. God's teachings are also preached in the Gospel and through the teachings of Jesus' life. Kerygma is also used to preach the Christian goals through an early version of Christian beliefs. This was used much more in early churches than today.


Christian Beliefs of Eschatology/ Cosmogony/ Cosmology

Cosmology: nature of universe
Cosmogony: beliefs about the origin of the universe, Christianity believes in a universe less than 10,000 yrs old. Believe God created everything.
Eschatology- what happens when we die. Our final judgment by God whether we go to heaven.

Words: Heresy, Eschatology, Cosmogony, Cosmology

The Christian belief of Cosmogony is that God created the Universe and everything we know. The world is less than 10,000 years old, and everything on the Earth is here because God created it. God first created the heavens and Earth. He then created light and dark, and made a balance for everything. Humans were last to be created, and God told them they had dominion over all things on Earth. The nature of the Universe is known as Cosmology . Everything God created was good in the beginning, and still is. Humans are the ones who have strayed from their original path. God made humans in his image, but over time, the nature of Humans became sinful.
The Christian concept of Eschatology is that our souls separate from our body and go immediately to heaven when we die. We wait there for our final judgment of whether we can stay in heaven or not. Many Christians believe that there is no hell, but if needed, some form of reform before one can enter heaven. The Christian religion is more focussed on the here and now, and becoming a more purified person by actions in this life. Overall, Christians believe that if they act well, and are good people in this life, after death matters will sort themselves out. For the beliefs of Cosmogony, Cosmology and Eschatology Christians are varied on how strongly they support these beliefs. However, these are the beliefs that must be accepted by all Christians, and all heresy otherwise is not acceptable. Heresy is defined as all beliefs that contrast Christian beliefs, and are unacceptable in the Church and preaching.