Religious Studies (UK GCSE)
GCSE Religious Studies (AQA/Edexcel spec A) covering Christianity and Islam beliefs and practices plus thematic studies: relationships, life, the existence of God, peace and conflict, crime and punishment, and human rights.
Ämne: Religion · Nivå: Högstadium (13–15) · 407 kort
Innehåll
- Christians believe in one God who exists as three persons in one: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is called the Trinity.
- Omnipotent means all-powerful. Christians believe God is omnipotent — he created the universe and has power over everything.
- Benevolent means all-loving and all-good. Christians believe God is benevolent and cares for all his creation.
- Omniscient means all-knowing. Christians believe God knows everything that has happened and everything that will happen.
- Christians believe God is just, meaning he is fair and brings justice. A just God judges human actions and treats everyone fairly.
- Christians believe God is the creator. The book of Genesis describes God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh.
- The Word (logos) refers to Jesus. The Gospel of John teaches that the Word was with God at creation and the Word was God.
- Imago Dei means 'image of God' in Latin. Christians believe humans are made in the image of God, giving every person value and dignity.
- The incarnation is the Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ — God 'in the flesh'.
- Christians believe Jesus was both fully God and fully human at the same time. This dual nature is central to the incarnation.
- The crucifixion is the death of Jesus by being nailed to a cross. Christians believe he died to save humanity from sin.
- The resurrection is the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, defeating death.
- The ascension is the belief that 40 days after the resurrection, Jesus rose up to heaven to be with God the Father.
- Sin is any thought or action that goes against God's will and separates people from God. Christians believe everyone sins.
- Original sin is the Christian belief that all humans are born with a tendency to sin, inherited from Adam and Eve's disobedience.
- Salvation is being saved from sin and its consequences, and being granted eternal life with God. It is a key Christian goal.
- Grace is the free and undeserved love and forgiveness God gives to people. Christians believe salvation comes through God's grace.
- Atonement means the restoring of the relationship between God and humans. Christians believe Jesus' death atoned for human sin.
- Salvation by faith is the belief that people are saved through faith in Jesus rather than only through good works. Emphasised by Protestants.
- Christians believe in an afterlife. After death, the soul lives on and faces God's judgement, leading to heaven or hell.
- Heaven is understood by Christians as a state of eternal happiness in the presence of God, given to those who are saved.
- Hell is understood by some Christians as eternal separation from God, the destination of those who reject God. Others see it symbolically.
- Purgatory is a Roman Catholic belief in a state after death where souls are purified before entering heaven. Protestants reject this idea.
- Judgement is the Christian belief that God will judge each person after death, or at the end of time, based on their actions and faith.
- The parable of the sheep and the goats teaches that people will be judged on how they treated others, especially the poor and needy.
- The problem of evil asks how a God who is omnipotent and benevolent can allow evil and suffering to exist in the world.
- Free will is often used to explain evil: God gave humans the freedom to choose, and some choose to do evil. This causes moral evil.
- Moral evil is suffering caused by human actions (e.g. murder, theft). Natural evil is suffering caused by nature (e.g. earthquakes, disease).
- Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah (the 'anointed one' or saviour) promised in the Old Testament. The Greek term is 'Christ'.
- Liturgical worship follows a set structure or ritual, often led by a priest, using set prayers and readings. Common in Catholic and Orthodox churches.
- Non-liturgical worship does not follow a set structure. It may be informal, focusing on Bible readings, sermons and spontaneous prayer.
- Private worship is when a Christian worships alone, for example through personal prayer, reading the Bible, or quiet reflection at home.
- The Lord's Prayer is the prayer Jesus taught his followers. It begins 'Our Father' and is used by Christians worldwide.
- A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace — a religious ceremony believed to bring God's grace. Catholics recognise seven sacraments.
- Baptism is a sacrament that welcomes a person into the Christian church, using water as a symbol of washing away sin and new life.
- Infant baptism is the baptism of babies, common in Catholic and Anglican churches. Parents and godparents make promises on the child's behalf.
- Believers' baptism is the baptism of adults who can make their own decision, often by full immersion. Common in Baptist churches.
- The Eucharist (also called Holy Communion or Mass) re-enacts the Last Supper, with bread and wine representing the body and blood of Christ.
- Transubstantiation is the Catholic belief that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist.
- The Last Supper was the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, where he shared bread and wine.
- Pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place for religious reasons. Christians may go to deepen faith, seek healing, or feel closer to God.
- Lourdes in France is a Christian pilgrimage site where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared. Many go there seeking healing.
- Iona is a Scottish island and Christian pilgrimage site, known for its ancient abbey and as a place of peace, reflection and community.
- Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus (the incarnation). It is celebrated on 25 December with church services, gifts and nativity scenes.
- Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is the most important Christian festival, following Good Friday and Lent.
- Advent is the four-week period before Christmas when Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and look forward to his return.
- Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when Christians fast, pray and reflect, remembering Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness.
- Mission is the work of spreading the Christian message. Christians believe they are called to share their faith with others.
- Evangelism is spreading the Christian gospel (good news) by preaching or sharing personal testimony, in order to convert others.
- The Great Commission is Jesus' instruction to his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them — the basis for mission.