Beliefs about God, Creation and the Human Person
Core concepts
Candidates need working definitions of monotheism (one God), polytheism (many gods), henotheism (loyalty to one god while others are acknowledged), pantheism (God and the universe are in some sense identical) and deism (a creator who does not intervene). Christianity teaches the Trinity - one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - which is not three gods; Islam insists on the absolute oneness of God (tawhid) and rejects any partner with God; Judaism affirms one God who is creator and covenant partner.
On creation, compare the Genesis accounts (creation by God's word, humanity made in God's image, stewardship of the earth) with the Qur'anic teaching that God created the heavens and earth and made humans as khalifa, trustees. Know the difference between a literal reading of creation texts and a symbolic or theological one that focuses on meaning rather than mechanism; many believers accept science and read creation texts for their teaching about God and humanity.
On the human person, learn imago Dei (image of God), soul, free will, original sin, conscience and dignity. Christian teaching generally holds humans have free will and moral responsibility; the Genesis fall explains the human tendency to sin, while redemption is offered through Christ.
Traps to watch
- Never say the Trinity means three gods.
- Do not assume all religious people reject evolution; distinguish official teaching from personal opinion.
- Do not confuse "stewardship" (responsible care) with "domination" (exploitation).
Rule of thumb
For any belief question, state the belief, name the tradition that holds it, and note one difference from another tradition. Example: "Christians and Muslims both believe God created the world, but Christians describe God as triune, while Muslims reject the Trinity as compromising God's oneness."