SOR II HSC Course - Christianity Notes

Significant Person – Martin Luther
Contribution of Martin Luther to the development and expression of Christianity	Luther transformation of 16th century christianity has made him seen as one of the most influential men of the past millennium within christianity. From 1510 to 1520, Luther lectured on the Psalms and the books of Hebrews, Romans and galatians. He began to teach that salvation cannot be earned or bought, it can only be achieved through God's grace and faith. “Jesus christ, our god and lord died for our sins and was raised again for our justification… Therefore it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us… nothing of this article can be yielded or surrendered, even though, heaven, earth, and everything else falls” ~ Martin Luther Luther opposed the selling and concept of ‘indulgences’ put forward by the catholic church. On October 31 1617, Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a church, protesting indulgences The theses were written in Latin, but soon were translated into german and printed to be mass produced all around Germany and Europe. Pope received a copy and was unimpressed. Luther continued to write in protest of the church until he could no longer be ignored In 1520, he was warned that he must withdraw 41 sentences of his writings, or would face excommunication from the church. Luther did not care and sent the pope his most recent work, and was excommunicated in 1521 Later that year luther was called to the ‘Diet of worms’ in order to disown his beliefs or be ridiculed Luther attended and answered his attackers, but hid out of fear for his life before the diet of worms had concluded. While in hiding, Luther translated the new testament of the bible into german, which was not allowed by the catholic church, but was the first step to give the german people a bible of their own. In 1534 he translated the old testament with some colleagues and the german people had a full bible.
The Impact of Martin Luther on Christianity	Luther's bible was the first of its kind and is credited with contributing to the emergence of a national german language. Luther translated the bible so that anyone could read it, not just priests In his sermons he counselled with careful reform as he wanted to protect the faith of all believers Luther worked to reintroduce the practice of receiving both bread and wine in communion, rather than denying wine Also recognised that the wine and bread were only symbolic of the body and blood. Luther felt that christians should have some freedom in their public worship but in that freedom their should be concern for their fellow Christians who might be offended or confused by such changes. For Luther, liturgical uniformity expressed unity in faith yet variations were permissible. Luther was also instrumental in highlighting the significance of music in worship and composed and arranged his own hymns Consubstantiation He believed that the bread and wine did not change into the body and blood of Christ. Rather he insisted on the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the bread and wine instead He introduced a new way to believe. Some did not like the idea of the bread and wine literally turning into the body and blood of christ Priests in non-catholic denominations, do not ‘turn’ the bread and wine into the body and blood of christ, but instead they welcome the presence of the body and blood of Jesus. Sola Scriptura “Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason I do not accept the authority of Popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.” Changed where the source of authority was from. Bible ONLY. If it cannot be backed up by scripture, it cannot be validated by anyone, not even the Pope. Taught that the bible was the only source of truth. Changed the adherents’ view of the validity of the Pope. Sola Fide “Christ says if your concept of mercy is no better than that of the Gentiles, you will not inherit eternal life.” (Complete Sermons of Martin Luther, vol. VI, pp. 269-70) Achieve Salvation through faith only You can only get salvation through faith, rather than committing good deeds and attending reconciliation. Priesthood of Believers:    Luther rejected the idea that people needed a medium such as a priest to receive reconciliation from God, believed people could approach God themselves and seek forgiveness. “this word priest should become as common as the word Christian because all Christians are priests” People started putting their faith into their own hands; do not need to seek a priest for forgiveness, can obtain it themselves through understanding the bible Removed the need for Reconciliation and other Sacraments Stopped a hierarchy occurring Rejection of Indulgences “Those who believe that, through letters of pardon [indulgences], they are made sure of their own salvation, will be eternally damned along with their teachers.” He caused the Catholic Church to re-evaluate itself and face its own corrupt practices. Challenged the Authority of the Church Salvation could not be bought or earned Sins could not be fixed by money, the rich could not buy to remove their sins. Belief that by buying indulgences, you will be damned, as will those who teach that indulgences will cure all sin.
Ethics – Bioethics
Describe and explain Christian ethical teachings on bioethics	BIOETHICS- The study of ethical and moral implications of new biological discoveries and biomedical advances. CHRISTIAN ETHICAL ISSUES -Honoring God’s image – [Genesis 1:26-17]; one must consider God’s wisdom and power in the creation of the mankind. -Prevention of Suffering – [Acts 10:38, Luke 9:2]; when it comes to embryonic stem cell harvesting as the embryo is in fact destroyed when the transfer takes place. -Freedom of choice – People who care capable of making their own decisions should be free to do so. In the case of euthanasia, all decisions must be made with due consideration for the common good. -Stewardship of Creation – [Genesis 1]; Exploitations and manipulations that would destroy natural balance or degrade God’s created world should be prohibited. -Human Dignity – [Genesis 1:27, Acts 17:28] – should not be reduced to scientific investigation only. People (despite their life stage) should be treated with respect for their individual qualities. -Healthfulness [1 Corinthians 10:31] – Christians have a responsibility to maintain the health of their bodies. ABORTION Catholic Anglican Russian Orthodox Stance The Roman Catholic Church says that deliberately causing an abortion is a grave moral wrong. And hence is totally forbidden in ALL circumstances. The Church says that the human life begins when the woman’s egg is fertilised by a male sperm. Life begins at conception. “gravely contrary to the moral law” Avoid at all costs The Church of England encourages its members to think through issues themselves in the light of the Christian faith and in dialogue with the Christian community. It is believed that the foetus is God given life, with the potential to develop relationships, think, pray, choose and love. - The Church has always condemned abortion - The embryo has potential - The solution to these problems require great spiritual discernment and decisions must not be taken lightly -The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, (1 Corin 6:19); → the ending of the life of any other person is considered to be a crime not only in regard to that person, but likewise in regard to the Holy Spirit. - Even if the child is to be born deformed, it is still created in the image of God and cannot be terminated. Exceptions No Exceptions → Although there is another circumstance that if a woman falls pregnant, and their life would be put in danger to keep the child, it is permissible to save the life of the mother -- although it is not directly linked with abortion Under some circumstances it is permissible if the woman is in a position where pregnancy is fatal. If an abortion takes place after 24 weeks it is to be only due to the fact that the child will have serious disabilities or a short lived life. → Then an abortion is to be permissible. There are no other exceptions to this rule. - Each woman has control of their own body = The Church rejects this argument outright → no right to terminate the life of another, even if this life has the appearance of a still not completely formed embryo. - When child will be born deformed = In this instance, the Church teaches that such children are also created in the image and likeness of God and, therefore, it is not allowed to terminate their life - In general, the Church calls upon all of society in helping mothers who are faced with difficulties connected with bearing children. References Exodus 20:1–17 → The Fifth Commandment - thou shalt not kill Genesis 1:26 → God created all life in his image and likeness Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Jeremiah 1:5 → Before we were born God gave us life “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “The Church of England combines strong opposition to abortion with a recognition that there can be - strictly limited - conditions under which it may be morally preferable to any available alternative.” General Synod “Thou Shalt not kill”- Exodus 20:13 - The sixth Commandment prohibits the taking of life Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.” “For God so loved the world… whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) → Human life is the supreme gift of the Creator. "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) Euthanasia Catholic Anglican Antiochian Orthodox Stance The Roman Catholic Church regards euthanasia as morally wrong. It is the absolute and unchanging value of “thou shalt not kill” Value of life Pain and suffering do not stop life being valuable, and is not a reason to end a life. Each person should enter the dying process with all its mysteries with trust in God. Affirms that life is a gift from God not to be taken, and is therefore not subject to matters such as freedom of individual choice They believe that assisting a person to die is a moral evil and that this might make sick and dying people vulnerable The church believes god has given people life and they have no right to take it away as only god has the power to do that Orthodox Christian ethics, writes Orthodox theologian Fr. Stanley Harakas, "rejects euthanasia; it considers it a special case of murder if done without the knowledge and consent of the patient, and suicide if it is requested by the patient"  The Orthodox Church understands life as a gift from God and that this gift must be valued. Euthanasia is wrong from the Orthodox Christian ethical perspective. (Genesis 9:6). This means that life is good and that we should not try to end it due to any amount of pain. Exceptions Catholics are expected to respect each others decisions, so they must respect their decisions about the end of their life. Since it is morally wrong to commit suicide it is morally wrong to help someone commit suicide. NIL The Orthodox Church teaches that euthanasia is the deliberate cessation of human life, and, as such, must be condemned as murder. However, the headlong progress of contemporary medical technology and the various means of artificially sustaining life require that theologians make more precise the Church's approach to the problem of euthanasia and "the right of a person to put an end to his life." References “Thou shalt not kill” - Exodus 20 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” - Job 1:21 Sixth commandment - “thou shalt not kill” “Thou shalt not kill” - Exodus 209 Organ Donation Catholic Anglican Greek Orthodox Stance Both donation and transplants are acceptable View organ donations as an act of love and charity Believed that it helps people live and recover without altering life Nothing in the ten commandments and scriptures prevent the giving of blood to save another. Both donation and transplants are acceptable - The offering of life to and for others reflects the Christian principle of interdependence within the human community - Emphasise the importance of the role of hospital Chaplains in providing spiritual and human support throughout the organ transplant process - Both donation and transplantation is acceptable - Reveals a profound act of loving solidarity and sacrifice among people - Accepted as a selfless act of giving - Must preserve the sanctity of life Reception and donation of organs = act of loving solidarity and sacrifice among people. Exception Church has explicitly stated that both types of transplants are allowed. the Church accept the transplantation of human organs, it recognizes the donation of organs and blood to those in need as acts of charity. No exceptions Has no objection (moral or doctrinal) to these on medical advice, although must preserve sanctity of life As long as it does not affect the life of the donor References - “… love your neighbor" was stated by Jesus (Matthew 5:43), Paul (Romans 13:9), and James (James 2:8), but it can actually be traced all the way back to Leviticus 19:18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). “To love your neighbour” Matthew 5:43 “It is more blessed to give than receive” - Acts 20:35 IVF Catholic Anglican Greek Orthodox Stance - Catholic teaching prohibits in vitro fertilization, maintaining that a child has the right to be conceived in the marital embrace of his parents. - Human sexuality has two components, the unitive and procreative; IVF separates these components and makes the procreative its only goal. The Anglican Church is more liberal on the use of IVF/ET and allows semen collection by masturbation for artificial insemination by the husband for IVF. - IVF is acceptable in all its forms, including the donation of eggs and sperm by third parties. However, individual Anglicans may decide not to use donor gametes. - The Anglican Church allows contraception. It is, therefore, argued in the 1985 document that it would be illogical not to allow artificial insemination by husband (AIH). Contraception interferes with the course of nature by separating procreation from the act of intercourse. In either case 'sex' is separated from procreation. Hence, "approval of AIH would seem to follow naturally from the Church of England's stance on contraception”. The same argument is said to apply to "in vitro" fertilization (IVF) within marriage. Were it not for the fact that the procedure is bound up with embryo research and embryo wastage, there would be no moral problem from the Anglican majority point of view. In vitro fertilization is looked upon with great doubt because present methods cause the destruction of numerous human fertilized ova and even developing fetuses; this is still a form of abortion. - Not permitted, especially in single parents as baby is produced in unwed relationship Exceptions None Gamete donation and surrogacy are prohibited. None References - Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” - Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Nil. - “Married couples may use medical means to enhance conception of their common children, but the use of semen or ova other than that of the married couple who both take responsibility for their offspring is forbidden.” 1992 OCA Synod of Bishops’ Affirmations, “On Marriage, Family, Sexuality and the Sanctity of Life”—The Procreation of Children
Significant practices – Baptism
Describe baptism	Baptism may take one of three basic forms The sprinkling of water on the head, which is called aspersion The submersion of the entire body in the water, called immersion Affusion, which involves water being poured over the head. Full immersion is most practiced by baptists and pentecostals Most other denominations (Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Uniting Church etc.) view any of the forms as being acceptable Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Demonstrate how baptism expresses the beliefs of Christianity	Water plays an important role in baptism as it is symbolic of death of the old sinful self and rebirth into a new life as an adherent of Jesus christ Emerging from the water, symbolises new life. Different denominations hold varying views on what baptism means and whether or not it gives salvation
Analyse the significance of baptism for the individual and the community	Individual: It shows that the individual/or parents of the individual desire to… To follow the command of Jesus as in Mt 28: 19… Ties with the earliest Christian communities and with Jesus’ life and ministry: Connects an individual to the rich scriptural tradition… Individuals walk the same path and share the same rite that…. Theological reflection Repentance and cleansing of original sin…. Transforms people… Saving action of God & formation of a Christian community Community: A positive concept of an individual submitting to the concepts and will of Christians and the community nurtures and supports the individual by its example. According to Galatia, all differences disappear after Baptism “For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:27-28). Within the group of baptised people, there is an establishment of a common concept of identity i.e. the community of faith who are baptised- unification /spiritual equality Believe that as individuals they are separate and unique but by being baptised, they are part of a community of believers that extends to the past and into the future and to all others baptised. “As each of us has one body with many members, and theses members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” Romans 12:4-5 Baptism is the entry point to the oneness of the church- welcomed and initiated into sharing the mission of Jesus in the world. Community is enriched by the faith of the individual-Their commitment to the life of the community encourages those whose own commitment may have waned. According to the Uniting Church ‘united in one fellowship of love, service, suffering and joy’

c. Madison F and Alison L