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Component 1: An introduction to
Christianity
Theme 3: Religious Life

Scriptural references only

TRUTH
AGAPE LOVE
SOCIA
L
JUSTIC
FORGI
E
VENES
S
Theme 3: Religious Life
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A: Religious Life-Faith and works

Key questions: Does a Christian life depend on right actions?
Does a Christian life depend on an inward acceptance of saving grace?
To what extent are both faith and works aspects of justification?
To what extent do the New Testament letters support arguments for justification by
faith alone?
You will need the handouts on Luther, Council of Trent (response
to Luther) and EP Sanders

Romans 1:17

17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The
one who is righteous will live by faith.”[a]

Footnotes:

a. Romans 1:17 Or The one who is righteous through faith will live

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Romans 5:1

Results of Justification

5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ,

Footnotes:

a. Romans 5:1 Other ancient authorities read let us

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Ephesians 2:8-9
8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

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Galatians 2:16

16
yet we know that a person is justified[a] not by the works of the law but through faith in
Jesus Christ.[b] And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by
faith in Christ,[c] and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the
works of the law.

Footnotes:

a. Galatians 2:16 Or reckoned as righteous; and so elsewhere

b. Galatians 2:16 Or the faith of Jesus Christ
c. Galatians 2:16 Or the faith of Christ

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James 2:24

24
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

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B: Religious life-the community of believers

Key questions: To what extent is the New Testament Community a model for churches
today?
Is the main role of the church to provide religious teaching?
To what extent should contemporary Christian churches follow the New Testament model?

Acts 2:42-47
42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

43
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the
apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell
their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds[a] to all, as any had need. 46 Day by
day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home [b]and ate
their food with glad and generous[c] hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the
people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Footnotes:

a. Acts 2:45 Gk them

b. Acts 2:46 Or from house to house
c. Acts 2:46 Or sincere

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C: Religious life-key moral principles

Key questions: How do the texts listed illustrate the key moral principles of Christianity
(agape, love of neighbour, social justice, truth, forgiveness)?
How do Christian ethics link with God as a loving parent?
How does God as a loving parent link with the models of redemption and atonement?
Is the love of neighbour the most important moral principle in Christianity?
To what extent is God’s behaviour towards humans the basis for Christian morality?

Points to note:
 You should try to make links between Christian ethics and God as a loving
parent, and link this with the models of redemption and atonement (Theme 2C)
 You should be aware that the key moral principles link to being part of the
community of believers (Theme 3B) e.g. both 1 Samuel 12:24 and Ephesians 4:25-27
link truth to the fellowship of believers using the illustration of the one body.

Leviticus 19:34 (Love of neighbour and social justice)

34
The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the
alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

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Luke 10:25-28 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan and social justice)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.[a] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27
He
answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”28 And he said to
him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 30
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied,
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who
stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was
32
going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a
33
Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a
Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with
pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then
35
he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day
he took out two denarii,[b] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when
I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you
think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

Footnotes:

a. Luke 10:25 Gk him

b. Luke 10:35 The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer

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Exodus 34:6-7 (to make links between the character of Christian ethics and God as a
loving parent)

6
The LORD passed before him, and proclaimed,

“The LORD, the LORD,

a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
7
keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation,[a]
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,
yet by no means clearing the guilty,
but visiting the iniquity of the parents
upon the children
and the children’s children,
to the third and the fourth generation.”

Footnotes:

a. Exodus 34:7 Or for thousands

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1 John 4:19- 21 (to make links between the character of Christian ethics and God as a
loving parent)
19
We love[a] because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers
or sisters,[b] are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister[c] whom they have seen,
cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this:
those who love God must love their brothers and sisters[d] also.

Footnotes:

a. 1 John 4:19 Other ancient authorities add him; others add God
b. 1 John 4:20 Gk brothers
c. 1 John 4:20 Gk brother
d. 1 John 4:21 Gk brothers
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1 Samuel 12:24 (linking truth to the fellowship of believers (Theme 3) using the illustration
of the one body).
24
Only fear the LORD, and serve him faithfully with all your heart; for consider
what great things he has done for you.

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Ephesians 4:25-27 (linking truth to the fellowship of believers (Theme 3) using the
illustration of the one body)

Rules for the New Life

25
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are
members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your
anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil.
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2 Corinthians 1:12 (The idea of Christians possessing a clear conscience; linking back to
the idea of love)

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

12
Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world
with frankness[a] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all
the more toward you.

Footnotes:

a. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Other ancient authorities read holiness

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Timothy 1 1:15 (The idea of Christians possessing a clear conscience; linking back to the
idea of love)
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Colossians 3:12-13 (linked to the importance of forgiveness for Christians)

12
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint
against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord[a] has forgiven you, so you also must
forgive.

Footnotes:

a. Colossians 3:13 Other ancient authorities read just as Christ

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Matthew 6:14-15 (linked to the importance of forgiveness for Christians)
14 15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but
if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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