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The Christian Church Munity of Christians, Whereas Church Refers to Buildings Where Christians Worship Together

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The Christian Church Munity of Christians, Whereas Church Refers to Buildings Where Christians Worship Together The Dormston School Knowledge Organiser Religious Studies (Year 7) Key Concepts: Church is the worldwide com- The Christian Church munity of Christians, whereas church refers to buildings where Christians worship together. Christian Denominations Denominations are different Churches within Christianity. The Great Schism of 1046 16th Century Reformation The Church Today They share lots of similarities (e.g. the authority of the Bible, Emperor Diocletian divided the Ro- During the European Renaissance, The Christian Church today is the the belief in the Trinity etc…) but man empire into two parts in 285CE: people began to access new ideas and largest religion on planet earth,, also have some differences. the Eastern and Western parts. recall old ideas from the classical era having over 2billion adherents. There Symbols have always been used These developed into two separate before Christianity. Since then, are hundreds of Christian denomina- in Christianity. The cross is the and distinct cultures, but still Chris- Christians in Europe were living in tions, and Christianity is a very di- most common symbol. They represent Christian beliefs (e.g. tian. The Eastern Church disagreed the Dark Ages. Martin Luther, a verse religion. Some Christians are the lamb represents Jesus was with the Papal authority (where the German monk, was one of these very traditional, others are very the sacrifice). Pope had complete authority from reformers who criticised the Catholic modern. These differences are found God). They also disagreed with using Church. He wrote the 95 theses’, a both within and between denomina- Transubstantiation is the Roman Catholic belief that the Latin in services, preferring their own list of things he questioned about the tions. The Roman Catholic Church is bread and wine become the body language of Greek. The Catholic Church. They included papal authori- the largest denomination worldwide, and blood of Christ, whereas West added words to the Nicaean ty, use of papal finance, the concept but the Church of England is the Consubstantiation is the Protestant belief that the bread Creed, and believed in transubstantia- of indulgencies (where people paid largest denomination in Britain. In and wine symbolize the body and tion (the belief that the bread and the church in exchange for God’s the UK today however, church at- blood of Christ. wine become the body and blood of forgiveness). He was excommunicat- tendance has declined in some Worship is the act of showing Christ), both of which the Orthodox ed from the Church, but with the churches. This could be due to a worthiness, adoration and praise East disagreed with. The Roman help of the printing press his ideas more multicultural society (other to God. Different Christians empire had become too large and were spread and became popular religions such as Islam and Sikhism), worship in different ways, some publicly others privately. Litur- widespread to have total control, especially in central and northern the rise in secularism whereby more gical worship follows a set pat- making a split easier. This created Europe. Changes in the Protestant people identify as atheist and agnos- tern, like a Roman Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox Church and Churches included simpler church tic. It could be due to the church not Church of England Sunday ser- vice. Non-liturgical worship the Roman Catholic Church. design, worship in the vernacular seeming to modernise and lacks doesn't follow set times or pat- (language of the country), Bible being appeal to the younger generations. terns, and can include glossolalia written in local languages etc… Some Churches (e.g. Pentecostalism (speaking in tongues) and medita- Some Protestant Churches have and some free churches) have in- tion. continued to make changes such as creased attendance however. Some allowing women to lead worship and of these churches put on youth clubs conduct same-sex marriages. or Christian rock concerts. Church Design Alter is the focal point of worship Font is a bowl on a stand filled where the priest/vicar conducts the with holy water to baptize an in- Church buildings come in all shapes service. fant. and sizes. Some are modern, others are traditional. Some are in the Pulpit is a raised box/platform Baptistry is a small pool fitted to Christian Symbols shape of a cross symbolizing Jesus’ where the minister says a sermon the floor of a church for believer’s resurrection. Many are built facing (a speech/reflection about a bible baptism. Found in some Protestant Cross: a hopeful symbol about Jesus’ resurrection the rising sun, symbolizing focusing passage). churches such as the Baptist and the belief in life ever- on the ‘light of Christ’. The following Church. lasting. Lectern is where the Bible is read. are some features of architecture or Tabernacle is a small decorated Crucifix: A cross with furnishings found in church buildings: It could be made from brass and in Jesus on symbolism Jesus’ the shape of an eagle. box where the consecrated bread death as a sacrifice for us humans. Spires focus our attention onto and wine is kept when not in use, Reredos is the painted or sculpted the heavens. in a Roman Catholic Church. Chi-Rho: Two letters in screen behind the alter (often Greek that make up the word ‘Christ’., combined Graveyards are considered con- found in Anglican and Roman Cath- Sanctuary Lamp is a red lamp to make a cross. secrated (sacred) ground, and olic churches) that is kept burning in a Roman Alpha & Omega: The gravestones show where a burial Catholic church to symbolize the first and last letters of the Iconostasis is the painted or Greek alphabet, referring was made. presence of the Holy Spirit. to God saying ‘I am the sculptured screen in front of the alpha and omega’. Lych-Gate were where coffins alter, filled with icons to conceal Confessional Boxes are found in used to be left to await the arrival Ichthys: Christians used the most sacred parts of the ser- Roman Catholic churches, and are during the Roman empire of a minister to conduct a funeral. vice (found in Orthodox churches). where Christians go to a priest to to escape persecution. ask forgiveness from God. Evangelism and the Christian Mission Evangelism is the idea that Christians should attempt to convert others to the faith. The Christian Mission is the act of going out into the world and spreading the teaching of Christ. Argumements in favour... Arguments against... Jesus said ‘I am the way, the truth and the life, those Patronising to others, kind of like ‘we know better who live and believe in me shall never die.’ than you’. Some people dislike evangelists, gives a negative image Ecumenism is the belief that It is an act of love to want to save others by convert- of Christianity—does more harm than good. Christians should work together ing them to Christ’s ways. as one worldwide Church. Some Pluralism is the belief that there are many ways to churches put on carol services, People still have a choice, it doesn't take away Christingles, youth clubs and God (Quakers believe this) freewill. charity events that are for all It is not about faith, but about action that God is Christians no matter what Jesus told us to ‘Go, proclaim the good news to the denomination. They believe in interested in (Salvation Army pay more attention to working together, and inter-faith poor.’ (Good News = Gospels) action than faith). dialogue (talking between religions) can help this. Other Christians disagree and are exclusivist, believing their denomination is the one true form The Eucharist and Sunday Worship of Christianity. Eucharist is the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper. Orthodox Christians call it the ‘Breaking of Bread’, Catholics call it ‘Mass’ and many forms of Protestantism call it ‘Holy Communion’. Roman Catholics believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. This is called transubstantia- tion. Other Christians, including the Church of England believe the bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ. This is called consubstantiation. The Eucharist usually happens on a Sunday. This was traditionally set aside as the Christian sabbath , to differenti- ate between the Jewish sabbath on a Saturday. Sunday was probably chosen as this is the day Jesus resurrected from the dead. A small number of denominations still practice the sabbath on a Saturday as that is what it says in the Old Testament. Other Christians point out that every day of the week should be considered a holy day, as nothing God created can be considered unholy. Prayer and Pilgrimage Prayer is communicating with God. This can be done privately or publicly. A public prayer is the Lord’s Prayer.. Christians might say this aloud in church services. Christians might also say the Nicaean Creed aloud in church. Pilgrimage is a special journey to place of religious importance. Examples include Iona and Lourdes. Many Chris- tians also visit the Holy Land in Israel to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The Role of the Church in the local, national and international community The Church (as a community of Christians) has many roles, including: Local Community (bringing the community together, counselling for individuals [e.g. Relate helps couples expe- riencing marital problems], putting on events to raise money for charities, local food banks, acting as street pas- tors, youth clubs, mother and toddler groups, offering education programs such as the alpha course). National Community (the Queen is the head of the Church of England, and works with the Archbishop of Canterbury in running the Church, the Church puts pressure on the government on areas they feel are crucial, the government supports Christian establishments such as faith schools and the sanctity of marriage).
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