In Christianity, creeds play a significant role in enhancing faith. First, the creed is the rule of faith for all Christians. It provides clear ways on how Christians think about God and the whole history of salvation. Thus, the creed prevents Christians from making wrong decisions. Additionally, the Creed is a renewal of the Christian faith professed at baptism. It articulates the implications of entering into Christian life after baptism. The creed is also a liturgical prayer and a powerful evangelical tool.
Q33) Describe two distinctive features of Evangelical Christianity (2-3 sentences)
One of the distinctive features of evangelical Christianity is that it places significant emphasis on the trusting the Scriptures through Biblicism (Weaver & David 107). Therefore, the Bible is considered a holy book, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Besides, evangelism emphasizes on Jesus Christ death and resurrection so that people can be saved and reconciled to God (atonement). Therefore, Christ death is key to evangelism which reconciles Christians to God through repentance and commitment to God.
Q34) why does Schillebeeckx consider Christ and church to be the two "basic sacraments"? (2-3 sentences)
Schillebeeckx believes Christ and the church to be two basic sacraments since he believed that the knowledge and understanding start with the visible things in order to arrive at the intelligible and intangible things, thus, religion supports of spiritual experiences through visible revelation and symbolism could make sense out of the relationships that people had with Christ and the church (Azkoul). Therefore for Christians, the only sacraments that they could use to keep their faith and to reach God were Christ and the church. Through Christians experience and authority in the church, they could create an important sacrament which is Christ and the church.
Q35) how do Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians understand the concept of sin and salvation differently? (2-3 sentences)
Sin is one of the contagious issues between the Catholics and the Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox Church views sin as having come out of the works of St Augustine. On the other hand, the Catholics believe that the introduction of sin to humanity was as a result of Adam and Eve actions at the Garden of Eden. Thus, thy do not accept St Augustine notions. The Orthodox Church believes in original and hereditary sin. On salvation, the Orthodox Church believes that salvation of human beings is achieved by the Jesus Christ, who is the son of God based on Mark 10:45 and Matthew 20:28. On the other hand, the concept of salvation in Catholic is dependent on one’s faith according to Philippines 2: 12.
Q36) Describe one theological similarity between Islam and Judaism (and "they both believe in God and a Holy Scripture" doesn't count) (2-3 sentences)
One of the similarities is that both faiths recognize prophets with Adam being the first prophet in these two religions. In both religions the have directions of prayer with an emphasis on praying with a congregation. They also have prayer times and language of prayer (Judaism Islam).
Q38 and Q39
First, the reconstruction of the Noah ark in Netherlands and the USA, is one moral issue in this article. There is no need for people to reconstruct Noah ark since it brings moral questions to the Christian faith. The conscience of most Christians will not allow people to reconstruct the Noah’s Ark. In additional natural laws does not permit the two groups to reconstruct Noah Ark.
It is evident that no group will set up the exact ark as that which was built by Noah, therefore any means to reconstruct it will not bear any fruits. It is also a sin to reconstruct the ark for the purposes of making profits. The Noah’s Ark in the United States is meant for profit purpose and as a competitor for the Noah’s Ark in Netherlands, such activities, and competition are sinful.
The intention in this two incidences is to make profits. This intention is wrong based on the Christians foundations. Besides, there is a need for any Christian organization to be good disciples and accommodate people from different social and religious backgrounds.
Implication for social justices
This article highlights some of the key issues of social justices as based on Catholic teaching. One of the key Catholic social teachings is solidarity (Singer-Towns 52). Catholic believes that we are one human family hence the need for equal opportunity. Catholic believes that despite our differences in colour, religion, ethnicity and race all human beings are brothers and sister who should love one another. However, in this case, the employer wants only the Christian employees to work in the ark.
Catholic social teachings place a significant emphasis on family and community participation (Singer-Towns 81). People have the right and duty to participate in any societal activity. Therefore, they must have the right to participate in the building of the Noah Ark and any other activities. They must have their say on whether the activity is ethical or not.
Lastly, all people must have the dignity of work and the rights of the workers (Singer-Towns 93). The people basis rights of all people must be respected in the society whether they are Muslim, Christian, Catholics or any other denomination.
Work Cited
Azkoul, Michael. "ORTHODOXY AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM". Ocf.org. N.P., 2016. Web. 6 May 2016.
Judaism Islam, "Judaism And Islam – Comparing The Similarities Between Judaism And Islam | Discover Similarities Between Judaism And Islam". Judaism-islam.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 6 May 2016.
Weaver, Mary J, and David Brakke. Introduction to Christianity. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth, 2009. Print.
