Protestant Approach Catholic Approach

FUNDAMENTALISM – the understanding that upholds the strict, literal interpretation of the Bible

INTERPRETATIVE – the understanding that the Bible should be interpreted and made relevant to our lives

P3 investigates religious traditions and belief systemsP4 examines significant aspects of religious traditions

P8 Uses appropriate terminology relates to religion and belief systems

The belief that God has interacted with the world in

three different ways:

God the Father, Creator of the Universe (bringing God’s new life to all creation)

God the Son, Jesus Christ, Redeemer and Sustainer of Life (turning all

creation from sin and darkness and more fully to God)

God the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier (blessing and making Holy)

Christians believe in a monotheistic, transcendent God that is the Creator of all things

This SAME GOD is known as THREE DISTINCT PERSONS: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

It is the deepest Mystery and central dogma

All three persons of the Trinity act together as the One God; each person of the Trinity is distinct but never separate

Nature of God and the TrinityGenesis 1: 1Exodus 20: 2-4Matthew 28: 19John 14: 6-7John 14: 26Acts 2: 1-51 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-8

Extracts from the Bible that illustrates

the Christian belief in a monotheistic,

transcendent God and the Trinity:

Passage Summary Explanation

Genesis 1: 1

This teaching defines the nature of Jesus as a historical, tangible human person AND

‘of the same substance’ as God the Father, thus divine.

HUMAN: Jesus was born, ate, drank, slept, knew joy, suffering, uncertainty and loss.

Could be tortured and killed. DIVINITY: Jesus’ role on earth was to be

the Saviour of humanity and defeater of death. He was capable of miracles,

defeating death via the resurrection and ascended into heaven.

Disputed throughout early Christianity, the argument over whether Jesus was human or divine was decided at the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

It was accepted that Jesus was both human and divine and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity was formulated

Therefore, Jesus was a human person that lived in a particular time and place with the normal human experiences and limitations, yet he was divine, capable of miracles and the resurrection from the dead.

Divinity and Humanity of Christ

John 1: 14Luke 1: 31 and Luke 1: 35Matthew 17: 1-9 and 2 Peter 1: 16-18Luke 22: 44

Extracts from the Bible that illustrates

the Christian belief in the divinity and

humanity of Christ:

Passage Summary Explanation

John 1: 14

The belief that Jesus’ death was important to destroy sin and

give humanity the opportunity for eternal life

The belief that the resurrection of the body will occur for all at

the Final Judgement

Salvation is the belief that human beings require deliverance

by God from the power of Sin

The Gospels’ record the trial, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Referred to as his PASSION.

AS HUMAN, Jesus was capable of suffering and dying. In Jesus’ death, Christians believe that SALVATION has been made available to

ALL PEOPLE and SINS forgiven AS DIVINE, a part of GOD, Jesus was capable of defeating death. He returned in

a glorified state. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof of the future resurrection of all people.

THE HEART AND FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY

Humanity and Divinity +

Death and Resurrection+

Salvation

Salvation can be experienced NOW but is fully REVEALED in Heaven, in

the presence of GodThere are obstacles in life, as human

Jesus experienced some of these. As such, people cannot achieve it for

themselves and only through God’s grace can it be truly realised.

Jesus Christ is central for Salvation

Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Mark 15: 37Mark 16: 6-7Mark 16: 19

Salvation • John 3: 16• John 10: 10• John 11: 23-27• John 14: 6-7• Acts 15: 11

Extracts from the Bible that illustrates the Christian beliefs

in the death and resurrection of Christ

AND Salvation:

Passage Summary Explanation

Mark 15: 37

The transmission of knowledge from

the divine to the human

Biblical Revelation

JESUS

God’s interaction with humanity

Exodus Event

AnnunciationProphets

Revelation is the interaction between God and Humanity; of God actually interfering in HUMAN HISTORY

It reveals truths previously hidden or partly knownProof of God’s love and desire for a relationship with

all humankindUltimate revelation = JesusThe Bible is a record of Revelations and is Revelation

Revelation

Revelation• Exodus 3: 1-6• Jonah 1: 1-2• Matthew 3: 16-17• John 3: 16• Acts 2:1-12

Extracts from the Bible that illustrates

the Christian belief in Revelation:

Passage Summary Explanation

Mark 15: 37

Nature of God and the Trinity Genesis 1: 1 Exodus 20: 2-4 Matthew 28: 19 John 14: 6-7 John 14: 26 Acts 2: 1-5 1 Corinthians 12: 1, 4-8Divinity and Humanity of Christ John 1: 14 Luke 1: 31, 35

Death and Resurrection of Jesus Mark 15: 37 Mark 16: 6-7 Mark 16: 19

• Revelation• Matthew 3: 16-17• John 3: 16*

• Salvation • John 3: 16*• John 10: 10• John 14: 6-7*• Acts 15: 11

Explain how these passages relate to each of the major beliefs of Christianity.

Note the doubled passages which are indicated by the *