SEC 25 Religious Knowledge
Study Notes

Adolescence & Jesus in the Temple

Adolescence involves physical (body changes), moral (developing conscience, sense of right/wrong) and social (peer relationships, identity) changes.

Jesus in the temple (Lk 2:41-52) shows a 12-year-old already seeking wisdom and his Father's will — a model for adolescents navigating questions of identity and vocation. He grew "in wisdom, stature and favour."

The Church & Its Marks

The Church is the community of believers united in Christ. Roles interact: lay persons live faith in the world; priests offer sacraments & lead; consecrated (religious) witness through vows.

The four marks of the Church: One (unity in belief), Holy (sanctified by Christ), Catholic (universal), Apostolic (founded on the Apostles). All roles are equally vital to the Church's mission.

The Holy Trinity & the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Lord, Giver of Life — the third Person of the Trinity who sustains and animates believers.

The Spirit's ongoing work in the Church: inspires Scripture, guides Tradition, distributes charisms, unites the community of faith.

Atheism & the Christian Response

Atheism argues there is no God; common arguments include the problem of evil, scientific naturalism, and the absence of empirical proof.

Christian responses: the cosmological argument (everything has a cause), the argument from design (complexity implies a creator), personal religious experience, and the moral argument (objective morality points to God).

Euthanasia, Suicide & Suffering

Church teaching: life is sacred and belongs to God; euthanasia and suicide violate this gift. Suffering can be united to Christ's passion (Mk 15:20-34; Mk 14:32-42).

Christian Tradition & Living Belief

Christian traditions (liturgy, feast days, fasting, prayer) express and reinforce beliefs. They shape identity across generations.

Foreign customs (e.g. Halloween as secular, horoscopes) can erode core Christian beliefs by replacing them with a worldview that excludes God.

History of the Church

Key timeline:

Ecumenism & Christian Unity

The Church promotes unity among denominations through dialogue, shared prayer (Taizé), and recognising common baptism. Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism share core belief in Christ but differ on authority and sacraments.

Church & Society in Malta

Institutions embodying Christian values: Dar tal-Providenza, Community Chest Fund, Puttinu Cares. The Church voices opinions on social issues (life, family, poverty).

The Church's role in voicing moral positions in national debate is important for the common good — grounding policy in human dignity.

Peace & Gaudium et Spes

Jesus as Prince of Peace: birth narrative (Lk 2:8-14) — angels announce peace; post-resurrection (Jn 20:19-21) — "Peace be with you."

Gaudium et Spes calls Christians to defend human rights, promote social justice, and oppose war. Peace is not just absence of conflict but active justice.

Conscience & Pope John Paul II

JPII: conscience is the inner sanctuary where a person meets God. Religious freedom and freedom of conscience are inseparable — both must be respected in a just society. Christians must form their conscience through Scripture, Tradition, and prayer.

Interfaith Dialogue & Nostra Aetate

Nostra Aetate (Vatican II, 1965): the Church rejects no truth found in other religions. Christians must show respect and love towards non-Christians. Interreligious dialogue is essential for world peace in a multicultural society.

Judaism

Christianity

Key events: life, death & resurrection of Jesus; Apostles' missionary work; St Paul's journeys; Creed of Nicaea (325 AD) defines core doctrine.

Denominations: Catholics (Pope, full sacraments, Scripture + Tradition), Orthodox (similar to Catholic, reject papal primacy), Protestants (Scripture alone, faith alone, priesthood of all believers).

Islam

Hinduism

Buddhism

Christian Values & Agape Love

Biblical values: love, honesty, compassion, forgiveness, justice, peace. The highest form is agape — unconditional love as Christ loves. Unlike selfish/eros love, agape is outward-looking and sacrificial.

Jesus & Respect for Dignity

Jesus's interactions were revolutionary for his time:

• Women: Mary & Martha (Lk 10:38-42) — Jesus affirmed women's right to learn
• Children: (Mk 10:13-16) — "Let the children come to me"
• Sick & marginalised: Man born blind (Jn 9:1-12); paralytic (Mk 2:1-12) — healed without prejudice
• Outsiders: Roman Centurion (Mt 8:5-13), Canaanite Woman (Mt 15:21-28), Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10)

Missionaries & Diversity

Matteo Ricci: adapted to Chinese culture, learned Mandarin, wore scholar's robes — showed respect for local culture while sharing the Gospel. Francis Xavier: brought Christianity to Asia respecting local customs. Both show that respecting diversity is integral to Christian witness.

The Holy Spirit & Christian Life

The Spirit equips Christians with gifts (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord) and charisms for service. The Spirit helps overcome the seven deadly sins.

The Seven Deadly Sins & Contrary Virtues

Mortal vs Venial Sin

Mortal sin requires: (1) grave matter, (2) full knowledge, (3) free consent. Venial sin weakens but does not break one's relationship with God.

Prayer & the Eucharist

Prayer types: spontaneous (direct conversation), liturgical, contemplative. Jesus prayed constantly — Gethsemane (Mk 14) shows perseverance. The Eucharist sustains Christian life and is the "source and summit" of the faith.

Theological virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity.

The Beatitudes & Works of Mercy

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12) outline the character of a Kingdom-citizen. Spiritual works of mercy: instruct, counsel, admonish, comfort, forgive, bear wrongs patiently, pray for others. Corporal works: feed, clothe, shelter, visit the sick/imprisoned, bury the dead.

The Fall & Plan of Salvation

Genesis 3 symbols: tree (choice/disobedience), fruit (forbidden knowledge), serpent (temptation/evil), nakedness (shame/vulnerability). Sin as "happy fault" (felix culpa) — it led to the Incarnation and redemption. Jesus = New Adam; Mary = New Eve.

Plan of Salvation: Creation → Fall → Covenant (Noah, Abraham, Moses) → Prophets → Incarnation → Passion/Resurrection → Church → Parousia.

The Gospels

Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke — share similar structure. Oral tradition → written text as eyewitnesses aged.

The Seven Sacraments

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation. Sacraments of Reconciliation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confession, Anointing of the Sick.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Elements: confessor, penitent, contrition, confession, absolution, penance. Sin weakens the whole Christian community — reconciliation restores unity with God and Church. Preparation: examination of conscience, contrition, firm purpose of amendment.

Eucharist, Holy Orders & Marriage

Eucharist: instituted at Last Supper; Christ truly present; "Go in the peace of the Lord" — a mission to live the Gospel outward.
Holy Orders: Deacon → Priest → Bishop. Priests commit to celibacy as undivided service.
Marriage: Indissoluble, faithful, unitive; aims — unity for life and conception/education of children; the family as "domestic church."

Kingdom of God

Not a political kingdom but God's reign of justice, love, and peace. Present in the Church (on earth) and fully realised in heaven. Key parables: Mustard Seed (Mk 4:30-32), Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32), Pearl of Great Price (Mt 13:45-46).

Creation & Stewardship

Genesis 1: creation is good; humans made in God's image (imago Dei) — this confers dignity and responsibility. Christians are stewards of creation, not owners. Human selfishness (pollution, overconsumption) harms creation; Christians must act responsibly for future generations.

Life as a Gift — Role Models

People who lived life as gift:

• Oscar Romero — gave his life for the poor of El Salvador
• Maximilian Kolbe — died in place of another at Auschwitz
• Chiara Luce Badano — young woman who faced cancer with joy
• Pier Giorgio Frassati — youth who served the poor

Calling & Discernment

Discernment: the process of prayerfully seeking God's will. Steps: seeking God through prayer, listening (Scripture, spiritual direction), acting. Samuel's story (1 Sam 3) shows God calling even a child — openness is key. Callings: clergy, married, lay ministry, consecrated life.

Key Scripture Passages to Know

Pentecost & the Birth of the Church

Acts 2: The Holy Spirit descends as wind and fire — symbols of power and purification. Peter addresses the crowd; 3,000 baptised. Pentecost = birth of the Church because the frightened disciples become bold missionaries. Peter is appointed by Jesus to lead the Church (Mt 16:18).

Early Christian Community (Acts 2:44-47)

Characteristics: shared possessions, daily prayer, breaking of bread, apostolic teaching, care for the poor. This communal model of radical generosity remains an ideal for Christian communities today.

Martyrdom: St Stephen & José Sánchez del Río

Both gave their lives rather than deny Christ. Their deaths are not "wasted" — they are seeds of faith, inspiring others, and witness to the reality of the Gospel. Martyrdom is the ultimate imitation of Christ.

The Four Cardinal Virtues

Applied in daily life: prudence in decision-making, justice in relationships, fortitude in facing challenges, temperance in desires.

Preferential Option for the Poor

St Teresa of Calcutta: her mission directly mirrored Christ's — touching the "untouchable," serving the dying. The Chinese proverb ("teach a man to fish") aligns with Catholic Social Teaching — empowering the poor preserves dignity better than dependency.

Poverty types: education, food, shelter, racial, gender inequality. All violate human dignity.

Thomas More — Honesty & Integrity

Thomas More refused to endorse Henry VIII's marriage annulment, prioritising conscience over political survival. Model of honesty and integrity in public/political life — ultimately martyred for his convictions.

Conscience, Freedom & Responsibility

Conscience is the inner voice guided by reason and God's law. It must be formed (through Scripture, prayer, Church teaching) and informed (educated). Adults guide youth without removing their free will. Christians must defend the voiceless in society.

Biblical Moral Figures

• Abraham — faith and obedience in the unknown
• Moses — justice, leadership, intercession
• Ruth — loyalty and integrity in adversity

A relationship with God transforms how we perceive reality — we begin to see others as God sees them.

Solidarity & the Environment

Solidarity: standing with the suffering; practical ways — volunteering, advocating, sharing resources. Environment: Christians as stewards of creation (Gen 1-2); responsibility to care for the earth for future generations is a moral, not just ecological, duty.

Mt 25:34-40 — Universal Judgement

"Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." — Spiritual implication: serving others is serving Christ. Daily responsibility means caring for the hungry, stranger, sick, and imprisoned is not optional but the core of Christian living.

Free Will, Maturity & Morality

Free will = capacity to choose good or evil. Maturity is a lifelong process — shaped by daily experiences, relationships, and choices. Spiritual maturity is reflected in one's moral life: a mature Christian acts consistently with their values even under pressure.

Work as Grace

Genesis 2: work is intrinsic to being human — not a punishment but a participation in God's creative activity. Work builds solidarity, develops character, and connects people. Employer and employee share mutual moral responsibilities — worker's rights must be respected (fair pay, dignity, rest).

Sanctity of Life

Church documents: Humanae Vitae (1968) — on human life and contraception; Evangelium Vitae (1995) — defence of human life against abortion and euthanasia. Every life has dignity from conception to natural death. Even in hard cases (rape, terminal illness) the Church upholds life's sanctity.

Love, Sexuality & Marriage

Sexuality is a gift ordered towards unity (bonding of spouses) and procreation (openness to life). Church teaches against pornography, masturbation, contraception as they separate these goods.

The Common Good

The common good = social conditions that allow individuals and communities to flourish. Politicians have a duty to implement it — not just serve majorities but protect minorities and the vulnerable. Christians advocate for the common good as part of their civic responsibility.