S16 E5: The One About GCSE RE Christian Beliefs Sin, Salvation And Atonement

SPONSORED BY REIMAGINING EDUCATION https://reimaginingeducation.uk/

Over the summer, I recorded a series of episodes to support GCSE RE - specifically AQA Islam and Christianity.  Suppose you are a student of GCSE RE, or a teacher of GCSE RE who is new to teaching GCSE, or new to AQA, or you are a teacher from another subject teaching GCSE for the first time. In that case, I hope these episodes are beneficial to you in consolidating your learning, preparing for exams if you are a student, or helping you feel more confident if you are a teacher.

The first episode provides an overview of Paper 1 - Religious Beliefs and Practices, covering the exam structure, how to approach the various question types, and offering some top tips for the exam. Each subsequent episode will provide an overview of the main content and apply it to key exam questions. Last week I released one on The Nature of God, the oneness of God and the Trinity, different Christian beliefs about creation including the role of Word and Spirit (John 1:1-3 and Genesis 1:1-3) and last week was Jesus' incarnation crucifixion resurrection ascension

This episode focuses on one bullet points on the Christian beliefs spec;

• Beliefs and teachings about: 

  • sin, including original sin

  • the means of salvation, including law, grace and Spirit

  • the role of Christ in salvation including the idea of atonement

Sin

4-markers

Explain two ways in which belief in original sin influences Christians today.

Explain two ways in which belief in sin influences Christians today.

Belief in sin influences Christians to be more aware of their own actions and to not break God's laws.This is because by committing sin, they are turning away from God and damaging the relationship that they have with Him.Christians might pray to God to seek forgiveness.This is because everyone has the ability to turn away from God, so they must repent and aim to become better people.6-markers

Explain two Christian teachings about sin. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Explain two Christian teachings about original sin. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Many Christians believe that original sin was when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge.This was the first act of disobedience against God.In the Bible God said ‘you shall not eat the fruit of the tree that is in the garden, neither shall you touch it or you will die.This shows that when God gave the instruction not to eat the fruit, that Adam and Eve disobeyed to cause original sinMany Christians also believe that original sin is inherited by everyone from Adam and Eve, meaning people are born carrying sin with the ability to disobey God themselves.

Salvation

4-mark questions

Explain two ways in which belief in salvation through law influences Christians today.

Explain two ways in which belief in salvation through spirit influences Christians today.

Explain two ways in which belief in salvation through grace influences Christians today.

Explain two ways in which belief in salvation influences Christians today.

Belief in salvation influences Christians to give thanks to God.

This is because it's through God's all loving nature and gift of grace that they believe salvation is possible.

Christians could be encouraged to do good deeds, and this is because some Christians believe salvation can be earned by doing good deeds because they can please God

6-markers

Explain two Christian teachings about salvation. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Explain two Christian teachings about salvation through grace. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Explain two Christian teachings about salvation through spirit. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Explain two Christian teachings about salvation through law. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.

Many Christians believe that salvation is what is possible by following God's law.In the Old Testament of the Bible, the ten commandments are given by God and by following these Christians will be cut carrying out God's will in order to earn a place in heaven.Other Christians believe that by doing good works they will go to heaven.This can be seen in the Bible where it says faith without works is dead.This shows that by doing things like helping those in need they will be pleasing God and then not relying on faith alone in order to get into heaven.

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