Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings

What you'll learn

This guide covers the core Christian beliefs and teachings required for OCR GCSE Religious Studies. You'll explore the nature of God, key doctrines about Jesus Christ, Christian views on creation and the afterlife, and how these beliefs shape Christian practice. These concepts form the foundation for understanding Christian theology and are essential for achieving top marks in your exam.

Key terms and definitions

Trinity — The Christian belief that God exists as three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) in one divine being, co-equal and co-eternal.

Incarnation — The Christian doctrine that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, fully divine and fully human.

Atonement — The reconciliation between God and humanity achieved through Jesus's death on the cross, restoring the relationship broken by sin.

Salvation — Being saved from sin and its consequences, enabling eternal life with God, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Resurrection — The Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, demonstrating power over death and sin.

Original Sin — The flawed state of human nature inherited from Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden.

Eschatology — The study of 'last things' including death, judgement, heaven and hell.

Omnipotent — The belief that God is all-powerful and able to do anything that is logically possible.

Core concepts

The nature of God

Christianity teaches that God possesses several key attributes that define His nature:

God as omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent

Christians believe God is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient) and all-loving (omnibenevolent). These attributes work together in Christian understanding of how God relates to creation.

• Omnipotence: God has unlimited power and can do anything consistent with His nature. Genesis 1 demonstrates this through the creation narrative where God speaks the universe into existence.
• Omniscience: God knows everything past, present and future. Psalm 139 expresses this: "Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely."
• Omnibenevolence: God's love is perfect and unconditional, shown through sending Jesus Christ. John 3:16 states "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son."

The Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian theology. Christians are monotheistic but believe God exists as three distinct persons sharing one divine essence.

Biblical evidence includes:

• The baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17): Jesus is baptised, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove, and God the Father speaks from heaven
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19): Jesus instructs disciples to baptise "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

Different Christian denominations emphasise the Trinity in various ways:

• Catholics use the Nicene Creed in Mass to affirm Trinitarian belief
• Orthodox Christians use icons depicting the Trinity
• Some Protestant traditions focus on personal relationships with each person of the Trinity

The Nicene Creed (325 CE) was formulated to define orthodox Trinitarian belief against heresies that denied either Christ's divinity or the distinct persons.

Creation

Christians hold diverse views on how God created the universe, though all agree God is the ultimate Creator.

Literal interpretations

Some Christians, particularly fundamentalists and many evangelical Protestants, interpret Genesis 1-2 literally:

• God created the universe in six 24-hour days
• The earth is relatively young (6,000-10,000 years old)
• Adam and Eve were literal historical figures
• All species were created in their present forms

This view often rejects evolutionary science in favour of creationism.

Non-literal interpretations

Many Christians, including most Catholics and liberal Protestants, accept scientific explanations alongside religious belief:

• The 'days' in Genesis represent long periods (day-age theory)
• Genesis is metaphorical or mythological, conveying theological truth rather than scientific fact
• Evolution is God's method of creation
• The Big Bang was the moment God initiated creation

Pope Francis stated: "Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve."

Key theological points

Regardless of interpretation, Christians affirm:

• God created ex nihilo (out of nothing)
• Humans are made in God's image (imago Dei), giving inherent dignity and worth
• Creation is good but affected by the Fall
• Humans have stewardship responsibility for the natural world

The person of Jesus Christ

Christian beliefs about Jesus are fundamental to the faith.

The Incarnation

Christians believe Jesus is both fully God and fully human (the hypostatic union):

• John 1:14 — "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us"
• Jesus experienced human limitations: hunger, pain, temptation and death
• Yet performed miracles demonstrating divine power and forgave sins (Mark 2:5-12)

The Incarnation means God directly experienced human suffering, making Him accessible and able to empathise with humanity.

The crucifixion and Atonement

Jesus's death on the cross is central to Christian soteriology (theology of salvation). Different theories explain how the Atonement works:

Substitution/Penal theory: Jesus took the punishment humans deserved for sin. God's justice required payment; Jesus became the substitute. Popular in evangelical traditions.

Moral influence theory: Jesus's death demonstrates God's love, inspiring humans to repent and live morally. Emphasised by liberal Christians.

Christus Victor: Jesus's death and resurrection defeated the powers of sin, death and Satan, liberating humanity. Important in Orthodox theology.

Biblical support includes:

• Mark 10:45 — "The Son of Man came...to give his life as a ransom for many"
• 1 Peter 3:18 — "Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous"

The Resurrection

Christians believe Jesus physically rose from death on the third day:

• The empty tomb discovered by women followers
• Post-resurrection appearances to disciples over 40 days
• Physical body — Jesus ate fish, invited Thomas to touch his wounds

The Resurrection is evidence of:

• Jesus's divine nature and authority
• Victory over death and sin
• Hope for believers' own resurrection
• Validation of Jesus's teachings

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:14: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

Salvation and grace

The problem of sin

Christianity teaches all humans inherit Original Sin from Adam and Eve's disobedience. Romans 3:23 states "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Sin separates humans from God and leads to spiritual death.

Salvation through faith and grace

Christians believe salvation comes through:

• Grace: God's undeserved love and favour
• Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour
• Repentance from sin

Different denominations emphasise various aspects:

Catholic view: Faith and good works together. Sacraments (baptism, communion, confession) are means of grace. Salvation is a process of sanctification.

Protestant view: "Sola fide" (faith alone). Martin Luther's Reformation doctrine states salvation comes through faith, not human works. Good works are the result, not cause, of salvation.

Key scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 — "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith...not by works, so that no one can boast."

Life after death

Christian eschatology includes beliefs about judgement, heaven and hell.

Judgement

Christians believe all face judgement after death:

• Particular judgement: Individual assessment immediately after death (Catholic teaching)
• Final judgement: At Christ's Second Coming, when all will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46)

Jesus's parable of the Sheep and Goats teaches judgement based on how people treated the vulnerable.

Heaven

Heaven is eternal life in God's presence, characterised by:

• Perfect relationship with God
• Freedom from suffering, sin and death
• Reunion with loved ones
• Worship and joy

Biblical imagery includes paradise (Luke 23:43), the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21), and "many rooms" in God's house (John 14:2).

Hell

Christians hold different views on hell:

Traditional view: Eternal conscious torment, separation from God for those who reject Him. Supported by passages like Matthew 25:46.

Annihilationism: The unrepentant cease to exist rather than suffer eternally. Some evangelicals hold this view.

Universalism: Eventually all people will be reconciled to God. A minority view, seen as unorthodox by most denominations.

Purgatory

Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe in purgatory — a state of purification before entering heaven. Protestants reject this, affirming justification makes believers ready for heaven.

Resurrection of the body

Unlike Greek philosophy's immortal soul, Christianity teaches bodily resurrection:

• 1 Corinthians 15 describes resurrection bodies as transformed but continuous with earthly bodies
• Jesus's resurrection is the model and guarantee
• The Apostles' Creed affirms "the resurrection of the body"

Worked examples

Example 1: 4-mark question

Question: Explain two Christian beliefs about the Trinity.

Model answer: One Christian belief is that God exists as three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit — who are distinct but share one divine essence. This means Christians worship one God who reveals Himself in three ways. (2 marks)

Another belief is that each person of the Trinity is co-equal and co-eternal, meaning none is superior or existed before the others. This is expressed in the Nicene Creed, which states the Son is "eternally begotten of the Father." (2 marks)

Why this scores full marks: Each belief is clearly explained (not just stated), with appropriate development. The answer uses accurate terminology and references the Nicene Creed to demonstrate knowledge.

Example 2: 5-mark question

Question: "The resurrection is the most important Christian belief." Evaluate this statement. Give arguments for and against, including reference to Christian teaching.

Model answer: Many Christians would agree because without the resurrection, Christianity has no foundation. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:14 that if Christ wasn't raised, faith is useless. The resurrection proves Jesus's divine nature and power over death, validating all his teachings. It also gives Christians hope for their own resurrection and eternal life. The resurrection distinguishes Christianity from other religions and is celebrated every Sunday and especially at Easter, showing its centrality to worship.

However, some Christians might argue the Incarnation is more important because without God becoming human, there would be no sacrifice for sin. Others might emphasise the crucifixion as most important since that's when atonement for sin actually occurred. The resurrection demonstrates the effectiveness of the cross, but the death itself achieves salvation. Additionally, beliefs about God's love and grace could be considered more important as they motivate Christian living daily, whereas the resurrection is a historical event.

In conclusion, while the resurrection is undoubtedly central to Christianity, its importance is tied to other beliefs like the Incarnation and Atonement, making it difficult to isolate one belief as absolutely most important. (5 marks)

Why this scores full marks: Presents balanced arguments with specific Christian teaching and scripture. Shows evaluation by considering alternative views. Reaches a justified conclusion without sitting on the fence.

Example 3: 2-mark question

Question: Give two Christian beliefs about life after death.

Model answer:

• Christians believe in resurrection of the body. (1 mark)
• Christians believe in judgement after death, leading to heaven or hell. (1 mark)

Why this scores full marks: Two distinct beliefs, clearly stated. Sufficient detail to show understanding.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing the Trinity with three gods: Christianity is monotheistic. Avoid saying "three gods" — instead use "three persons in one God" or "one God in three persons."

• Mixing up Incarnation and Resurrection: The Incarnation is God becoming human at Jesus's birth; the Resurrection is Jesus rising from death. Be precise about which event you're discussing.

• Vague references to "the Bible says": Always cite specific books, chapters or verses when possible (e.g., John 3:16, not just "the Bible"). This demonstrates detailed knowledge.

• Treating all Christians as identical: Acknowledge denominational differences where relevant, particularly between Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant views on salvation, sacraments and purgatory.

• Stating beliefs without explanation: A 4-mark question requires explanation and development, not just listing facts. After stating a belief, explain what it means or why it matters.

• Writing evaluation questions as one-sided: For "evaluate" or "discuss" questions, always present arguments for and against, even if you personally disagree with one side. Then give a justified conclusion.

Exam technique for "Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings"

• Command words matter: "Explain" requires detail and development. "Evaluate" or "Discuss" needs balanced arguments with a conclusion. "Outline" needs less depth. "Give" or "State" just needs facts.

• Use the mark allocation strategically: For 4-mark questions, make two developed points (2+2). For 5-mark evaluation questions, present multiple arguments on both sides plus a conclusion. Don't write more than necessary — a 2-mark question needs two brief points, not a paragraph.

• Include specific Christian teachings: Reference Bible passages, creeds (Nicene, Apostles'), denominations, theologians or official Church teaching (like Papal statements) to demonstrate depth of knowledge.

• Structure evaluation answers clearly: Use phrases like "Some Christians believe..." and "However, other Christians argue..." to signpost different viewpoints. Always conclude evaluation questions with your own reasoned judgement.

Quick revision summary

Christianity teaches God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent and exists as Trinity. Jesus Christ is both fully God and human (Incarnation), whose crucifixion achieved atonement for sin and whose resurrection proves victory over death. Salvation comes through grace and faith, freeing humanity from original sin. Christians believe in judgement after death, leading to heaven or hell, and resurrection of the body. Different denominations interpret creation accounts and salvation theology differently, but all affirm God as Creator and Jesus as Saviour.