Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: GRADE 12 HUMSS/GAS
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 4 – World
Subject Teacher: Humanities & Philosophy Faculty
Religion

MAJOR MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS IN THE WORLD:

CHRISTINIATY
By the end of this module, the learner should demonstrate understanding of the following elements of Christianity:
1. Founder: Jesus Christ (c. 7 BC-30 A.D.)
2. Sacred texts: Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
3. Doctrines: Trinity, Virgin Birth, Resurrection, Last Judgment
4. God: Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
5. Sects: Roman Catholic, Greek/Eastern Orthodox, Protestantism, etc.
6. Issues: Ecumenism, Sexuality issues (e.g., contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women)

Christianity
 It is the largest of the world’s religions.
 It is about one-third of the human population.
 It is one of the great traditions for more reasons than its sheer number of adherents.
 It is one of the great cultural as well as spiritual forces in the world.
 Its impact on human history, whether positive or negative, cannot be underestimated or ignored, and a general
awareness of its beliefs and practices and of the context in which these emerged and developed is an essential
component of an understanding of world affairs.
 On a very general level, it is the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and Christians are the
followers of these teachings.

CREED
FOUNDER
Jesus was born in Nazareth and lived in 7 BCE to 30 AD. Jesus was later on referred to by his followers as “Jesus
Christ” in recognition of being his Messiah prophesized in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. The term Christ is Greek
for the title “The Anointed One”, which in Hebrew is translated as “Messiah”.
We know about the life of Jesus through the Four Gospels (the books of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John) of the
Holy Bible. According to their account, Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary through the Holy Spirit. Mary was
chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, of which she was made aware though an angel. Joseph, a carpenter to whom
Mary was engaged, stood as the foster father of Jesus. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger, he was visited by
shepherds and the three Magi or wise men from the East who, guided by a star, cam toe bring gifts to the baby Jesus (gold,
frankincense and myrrh). Jesus grew in wisdom. At the age of 12, he was intelligently conversing with the Jewish scholars
on matters concerning the Hebrew Scriptures. At the age of 30, Jesus began his ministry to fulfil his divine mission.
Jesus was one of the people who when to the Jordan River to be baptized by the prophet John the Baptist. He
announced and preached that the Kingdom of God was coming soon and that the people needed to prepare for it by
repenting for their sins and undergoing baptism or the purification ritual of water immersion. During Jesus’ baptism, the
Holy Spirit appeared and descended on Jesus like a dove, and a voice proclaimed that he was the Son of God. John the
Baptist then publicly proclaimed that Jesus was the prophesized Messiah. Afterwards, Jesus went to the desert alone and
spent 40 days fasting. There the devil appeared and tempted Jesus but was able to overcome the temptations.
Jesus, accompanied by his twelve apostles, then proceeded to preach at different places in Israel. The apostles
were Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas. Jesus
preached about a lot of topics which included the Kingdom of God, his being the Messiah and the Son of God,
forgiveness, love for God and one’s neighbour, the power of faith, humility, the proper attitude toward the law of the
prophets, helping the needy, his fulfilment of the prophecies, the last judgement, the great commission, and others. Jesus
often used parables in his teaching. While preaching, Jesus performed several miracles.
The teachings and missionary work of Jesus got him into conflict with political and religious authorities. Some of
his pronouncements and actions were found blasphemous by the Jewish high priests. He was also considered a threat to
the stability of the control the Romans had on Israel. The Romans feared that he might cause an uprising against them.
Specifically, Pontius Pilate, the Roman authority who presided on the case of Jesus, feared that not giving in to the
demand of some Jews to have Jesus crucified might lead to some political unrest. All these led to Jesus’ arrest and later to
his death through crucifixion.
After his death the gospels, the biblical accounts of his ministry and life, declare that a remarkable thing
happened. Three days after his death and interment, the tomb in which Jesus had been laid was empty, and Jesus himself
appeared to his disciples. Further, though they do not perfectly agree, the gospels proclaim the resurrected Jesus’s
imminent return, or Second Coming.
Through the two millennia that followed, those who have proclaimed themselves to be the followers of Jesus’s teaching,
known as “Christians”, have placed tremendous hope in his resurrection and promised return. Some of these followers
 Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: GRADE 12 HUMSS/GAS
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 4 – World
Subject Teacher: Humanities & Philosophy Faculty
Religion

have interpreted the resurrection figuratively, placing their hopes in a resurrection or rebirth of the human spirit or of the
will and courage to persevere in the midst of suffering. Most others take the Resurrection to be a historical event. To them,
Jesus Christ not only was but is both a human and a divine being who conquered death and promised to return to earth to
rescue those who believe in him, giving them everlasting life. Despite this disagreement over whether the truth of the
Resurrection is figurative or historical, all Christians view Jesus as the saviour either through example or through
existence and act.

SACRED TEXTS
The sacred texts of Christianity are contained in the Christian Bible, usually referred to as the Holy Bible. The
Holy Bible is divided into two parts, which are called the Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament, which
was originally written in Hebrew, is basically the Hebrew Bible, the sacred text of Judaism. It contains all the books of the
Hebrew Bible with some modifications in the arrangement. The New Testament, which was originally written in Greek,
contains the life and teachings of Jesus, the early development of Christianity as well as Christianity’s belief about the end
of time.
Just like in the case of the Hebrew Bible, it took many years to complete and finalize the list of books that
constitutes the New Testament hat we read today. The New Testament is divided into four parts:
a. The Gospels
The Gospels are narrations or descriptions of the life and teachings of Jesus. The word gospel comes from the Greek word
evangelion which means “good news” or “good tidings”. The good news of the gospel is the coming Kingdom of the
Messiah, and of the redemption through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
b. The Acts of Apostles
The Acts of Apostles is generally a historical account of the early growth of Christianity. It narrates how Christianity as a
religion began and propagated first among the Jews and later on among the Gentiles (non-Jews), from the ascension of
Jesus into heaven until the time when the apostle Paul preached in Rome. It also shows the dedication and sacrifices of the
apostles as they preached the teachings of Christianity in various regions.
c. Epistles
The Epistles are letters written mostly by the apostle Paul to the early Christians and is referred to the 21 letters in the
Bible. The word epistle comes from the Greek word epistole, which means “letter” or “message”. The Epistles expound
on the great themes of God’s saving work on the cross; thus they play a major role in the formation of doctrines
throughout the development of Christian churches.
d. Revelation
The Revelation symbolically speaks of the Christian vision on how in the end of time the good will eventually prevail
over evil, or how the Kingdom of God will eventually reign in the world. It symbolically describes how the battle between
good and evil would come to an end as revealed in visions. In particular, it symbolically describes how the forces of evil
will be finally defeated and the Kingdom of God will finally reign in the world.

DOCTRINES
a. Trinity
It involves God as “one” in three persona (Son, Father and Holy Spirit). There is harmony in God and thus Absolute and
the Ultimate reason for everything to exist – in mind, heart, and action of the believer.
b. Virgin Birth
The Virgin birth tells us of the wondrous deeds of God and shows us His love and care to His people. The theological
significance is that “virginity means purity of heart.” This is in line with the “immaculate conception of Mary,” which
states that from the first moment of conception in the womb of her mother, she was graced and thus preserved from all
stain of original sin. She was “filled with grace” that is, made holy by God’s presence. This privilege was given to her in
view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Saviour of human race.
c. Resurrection
It is the focal point of Christian faith connected to Jesus’ ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God. It proves that Jesus
returned back to his former body was not the concern of early Christians instead the proof that they believe in Jesus was
their unity of faith and radically converting people to God.
d. Last Judgment
The belief of the last judgment called ‘Parousia’ in Greek means that God is the beginning and end of human life. This
Parousia is not something that Christians are not afraid about when they die instead, an anticipated and steadfast faith that
sustains God’s presence forever in the lives of people.

GOD
Christianity is a monotheistic religion—like Judaism, from which it arose, it holds that there is one supreme God who
created and is the Lord of everything. Yet the majority of Christians believe that God works in the world in three persons:
the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
 Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: GRADE 12 HUMSS/GAS
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 4 – World
Subject Teacher: Humanities & Philosophy Faculty
Religion

The first two persons of the Trinity receive most of the attention of laypersons and of theologians. God the Father is
generally the Creator and giver of life, and specifically the father of Jesus Christ. God the Son is the figure of Jesus not
merely as Jesus of Nazareth, the charismatic preacher, healer, and moral reformer—the Son is also the Christ, the
anointed, who through the mystery of the incarnation is both fully human and fully God. The third person of the Trinity is
the Holy Spirit. The origins of the doctrine of the Spirit may be found in Genesis in which it was likened to a wind, moved
upon the primordial waters before creation. In the New Testament, particularly the Acts of the Apostles, it was portrayed
as descending on Pentecost as a “violent wind” upon the apostles and manifesting as “divided tongues, as of fire”,
enabling them to speak various languages and spread the Gospel.

CODE
Christians share with Judaism the Decalogue. But Christianity has its own ethical character. For Christianity, the
figure of Jesus of Nazareth represents a basic model of a view and manner of life that can be realized in many ways.
Discipleship of Jesus distinguishes the Christian. In discipleship, the Sermon on the Mount plays an important role.
Matthew and Luke have collected the ethical demand of Jesus in the writing of the sermons. For Jesus, the Sermon on the
Mount should not be considered as laws but as radical ethical appeal to do the will of God. For Jesus, this can only be
expressed in terms of unconditional or boundless love for one’s neighbors.
The text of St. Matthew runs as follows: (The 8 Beatitudes)
 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3)
 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4)
 Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5)
 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)
 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7)
 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8)
 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9)
 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)
The central theme of Jesus’ public ministry is an era of peace, justice, harmony, and proper human development that
are always present and all hostility will cease, all enmities will disappear, all pain, sorrow and suffering be assuaged. In
the Gospels, the Kingdom of God was always described by Jesus through his Parables. These are simple stories which are
meant to make us examine our own life in the light of the story and in the light of our Christian duty, and to question our
assumptions, attitudes, our way of acting.

CEREMONIES
Today, majority of different churches celebrated the Seven Sacraments. These basic rituals are surrounded by an elaborate
liturgical tradition with a plurality of memorials, prayer practices and devotions. They are as follows:
a. Baptism – A ritual for moral purification (“washing impurities away”) and serves as an initiation rite. A person who
undergoes it signifies his or her commitment to repent from his or her sins, lead a new life, and make himself or herself
ready to receive the Kingdom of God.
b. Confirmation – Strengthening the Christian faith into maturity with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
c. Holy Eucharist – One significant sacrament popularly known as the Holy Mass where Christians remember Jesus’ Last
Supper symbolized by bread and wine. It recalls Jesus’ sacrifice leading to his death and resurrection.
d. Reconciliation – Remembrance of Jesus healing ministry appreciated through confession.
e. Anointing of the Sick – Based on the Judeo-Christian tradition of caring for the aged and the sick in the community.
f. Matrimony – The celebration of blessing and joy for the couple with the Christian community blessed by the Church. It
is a vocation of commitment and faithfulness to build a Christian family.
g. Holy Orders – It is a vocation for ministers of clergy to preach the teachings on faith and morals of Jesus to the
members.

SECTS
Christian churches are generally divided into the Western and Eastern Churches. The Western Churches are divided into
three groups: The Catholic, Protestant, and non-traditional churches. The Eastern Churches are divided into two groups:
the Eastern Orthodox churches and other Eastern churches.

Christian Churches
Western Churches Eastern Churches
Catholic Protestant Non-Traditional Eastern Orthodox Others
Anglicanism, Mormon, Jehovah’s Greek, Russian, Armenian, Egyptian,
Baptists, Calvinism, Witness, Unitarian Serbian, Romanian, Coptic, Ethiopian,
Lutheranism, Bulgarian Nestorian
Methodism
 Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: GRADE 12 HUMSS/GAS
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 4 – World
Subject Teacher: Humanities & Philosophy Faculty
Religion

ISSUES
Some of the issues the most Christian societies face nowadays concern the following:
a. Issues arising from the use of modern technology in biomedicine, such as researches involving human embryos (stem-
cell research), the use of contraceptives, and the practices of invitro-fertilization, surrogacy, and organ transplantation
b. Issues arising from the expanding scope of concept of human rights, which include the right of women to assume
leadership in churches, the right to same-sex marriage, the right to gender preference in one’s sexual lifestyle, the right to
abortion, and the right to divorce
c. Issues about church-state relation, which basically come down to whether churches should meddle with politics, which
translates to endorsing candidates during elections, and endorsing or condemning governmental policies or laws

References:
Calano, M., Cornelio, J., Sapitula, M. (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Rex Book Store, Inc.
Mabaquiao, N. Jr. (2016). Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
Stefon, M. (2012 ). Christianity: History, Belief, and Practice. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Mattews, M. (2007). World Religions. Thompson Higher Education.

NAME: ____________________________________________SECTION: __________________DATE:

______________

ACTIVITY 4

In the space provided below, create a 3-paragraph reflective essay and choose one beatitude that you radically believe in
and explain why you fit into it. (20 points)

Criteria:
Main Point – 10 points
Organization of Content – 5 points
Clarity of Idea – 5 points

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Introduction to World Religion and Belief Systems
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: GRADE 12 HUMSS/GAS
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 4 – World
Subject Teacher: Humanities & Philosophy Faculty
Religion

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________