The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Religious Analysis
When analysing the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand using the nine dimensions of religion, there is strong and detailed evidence that it meets all the essential characteristics of a religion. These dimensions help break down what makes something a religion, and when applied to the Catholic Church, they clearly show that it fits within this definition.
1. The Nine Dimensions of Religion
Sacred Texts
One important dimension of religion is sacred texts. The Catholic Church is founded on the Bible,
Read MoreHRE 2O1 Unit 1 Test Review: Bible, Gospels, and Church
HRE 2O1 – Unit 1 Test Review
What is the Bible?
The Bible is the sacred book of Christianity, containing God’s revelation and teachings about salvation. It tells the story of God’s relationship with humanity.
Major Sections of the Bible
- Old Testament
- New Testament
How Many Books?
The Bible contains 73 books:
- 46 in the Old Testament
- 27 in the New Testament
Why is the Bible Like a Library?
It contains:
- Many authors
- Different writing styles
- Various time periods
- Diverse types of literature
Old Testament
- Covers
New Testament & Christology: Parables, Gospels, and Doctrine
Unit 1: Introduction to the New Testament & Christology
Parables
Parable — a short story that uses everyday images to communicate religious messages. Parables both reveal and conceal. Different types of parables include:
- The Surprise of Gods Kingdom
- Gods upside-down Kingdom
- Gods Kingdom that requires a decision
Key Figures
- King Herod ambitious, brutal, and successful; rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem; allowed local rulers to oversee small areas as long as they pledged allegiance to Rome; maintained
Good and Evil, Free Will and Original Sin in Scripture
Defining Good and Evil
Good is that which reflects love, truth, justice, and compassion, aligning with God’s will and bringing harmony to creation.
Physical/Natural Evil refers to suffering caused by natural events like earthquakes, disease, or death—these are not caused by human choice.
Moral Evil / Sin is wrongdoing that results from human free will, such as lying, stealing, or violence.
Examples:
Good: acts of kindness, healing, forgiveness, and generosity.
Evil: war, pollution, abuse, and betrayal.
Book of Kells Illuminations, Hands, and Insular Art
Book of Kells: Illuminations, Hands, and Insular Art
Portrait of each evangelist (appears with human influence) and not a sign above the text. Above the image is the lion who represents Saint Mark.
Book of Kells, c. 800.
Provenance and History
Written by monks from Iona Abbey, founded by Saint Columbanus in the 6th century. It was initially begun by the monks of this abbey. With the Viking invasion (807) they were forced to emigrate to Ireland, to the monastery of Kells, where they continued the work
Read MoreFoundational Christian Theology Concepts Explained
Foundational Christian Theology Concepts
Core Definitions
- Apologetics: The reasoned defense and commendation of the faith (1 Peter 3:15).
- Theology: Divinity; the science of God and divine things, teaching the character of God.
- Christian: A real disciple of Christ; one who believes the truth and leads by example; piety.
- Worldview: A commitment or orientation of the heart that can be expressed in a story (relating to common people/you) or a set of propositions (a list of truths: making what you believe