Studied by 3 peopleCovenant with Abraham
Here God promised the land and countless descendants
Covenant at Mt.Sinai
Here God made the Israelites His Chosen People
Original Justice
Adam and Eve's state of perfect harmony with nature
Covenant with Adam
Considered the Protoevangelium
Universal Covenant
God's covenant with Noah belongs in this category
Covenant with David
Here God promised an Eternal King ruling an Eternal Kingdom
Covenant in Jesus Christ
Restored our ability to be reunited with God
The Three Key Missions
to santify, to teach/preach, to govern
The Three Roles of Christ
Priest, Prophet, and King
The Three “Words” of God and their description
Cosmic (what God reveals through nature)
Prophetic (prophets go around to teach about God)
Incarnate (God becomes human, lives among us, and dies for our sins)
What is the Mystery of Incarnation? That is to say, what occurred at the Incarnation?
God became man in order to teach us about His religion and save us from sin
How are humans a kind of incarnation?
We have both human and divine aspects. (spiritual and physical)
What do we need to get to the non-physical?
physical (vise versa for this question. We also need the physical to get to the non-physical.)
Sacrament
the visible sign of the invisible grace instituted by Christ
Who is the visible head of the Church representing Christ, the Invisible Head?
The Pope
How is the Church a kind of incarnation?
The Church has divine/spiritual(perfect) aspects to make us holy and also physical/human(imperfect) aspects to relate more to us, as what incarnation is, divine turning human to become closer to us.
What does th “Great Commission” refer to?
When Jesus sent his Apostles out to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)
The word “Christian” was first used where?
Antioch
All Seven Sacraments are ___.
visible signs of invisible realities and signs of Christ’s self-giving love
Who is considered the successors to the Apostles?
bishops
What is a charism?
a special gift or grace of the Holy Spirit given to an individual Christian or community for the benefit and building up of the entire Church.
What is the Apostolic Succession?
the uninterrupted passing on of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles directly to all bishops. It is accomplished through the laying on of hands when a bishop is ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders as instituted by Christ. The office of bishop is permanent, because at ordination a bishop is marked with an indelible sacred character.
What is the Feast of Weeks
the Jewish harvest feast on which the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles
Describe some aspects of what life was like in the Early Church.
Went to the temple to pray and to one another’s homes to celebrate mass, they were devoted to the Apostles’ teachings and communal life, and the Apostles did many miracles.
How did Peter become the first Pope?
He became the first Pope when Jesus proclaimed him as a rock, which he will build his church upon, making him the first Pope.
As an example of Peter’s early leadership in the Church, ___.
he was the first to give witness to Christ in a speech at Pentecost, he listened to everyone’s views at the Council of Jerusalem and then considered the best way to proceed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and he advised choosing a replacement for Judas, and the Apostles took his advice
Who became known as “the Apostle to the Gentiles”?
St.Paul
what Jewish prophecy made the preaching of “Christ crucified” a stumbling block to the Jews?
“Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”
What was the primary goal of the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49 or 50)?
to discuss how to welcome Gentile converts into the Church and decide whether they must follow Jewish Law
What is Martyrdom?
Witness to the saving message of Christ through the sacrifice of one’s life
What is another name for the Bishop of Rome?
Pope
What is the Deposit of Faith?
The heritage of faith contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. It has been passed on from the time of the Apostles. The Magisterium takes from it all that it teaches as revealed truth.
What is the Magisterium?
The Church’s living teaching office, which consists of all bishops, in communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome
What does Presbyter mean?
A synonym to elder in the Acts of the Apostles and an alternative word for priest today
What is Sacred Tradition?
From the Latin meaning “to hand on.” Refers to the process of passing on the Gospel message. It began with the oral communication of the Gospel by the Apostles, was written down in Sacred Scripture, and is interpreted by the Magisterium under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
What are the four criteria that had to be met for a writing to be included in the New Testament?
Writing must be written by an Apostle or and Apostle’s close associate
Used by various Church communities in their prayer and worship
Reflect and support the Church’s belief of Jesus’ identity and mission
Does not contradict the truth revealed in the Old Testament and any other writings accepted as inspired
How many books make up the Catholic Bible?
73 (46 OT, 27 NT)
What is an apologist?
One who speaks or writes in defense of the Christian Faith
What did the early Christians read in their worship assemblies?
The Psalms and the Jewish Scripture (which we know today as the Old Testament)
What are characteristics of early Christian apologetic texts?
they explained to pagans why Christianity is reasonable, creditable, and respectable
they defended Christian beliefs and the Christians’ way of life
they exposed errors of heresies and contrasted them with the teaching of the Apostles and Sacred Scripture
The hearsay of Gnosticism includes what beliefs?
That one earns salvation through knowledge, which can only be known by a favored few
That the physical world is inferior to the spiritual world
That Christ had no human nature
Describe aspects of early Christian Worship.
They would do the preparation of the gifts, the priests or bishop would do a prayer of thanksgiving, and do Consecration
What are the four requirements to become a Father of the Church?
A- antiquity
H- holiness of life
O- obedience to the rules of Faith
M- magisterial approbation
How many waves of Roman persecution were there?
five
Under which emperor did the worst Roman persecution occur?
Diocletian
State one thing that happened unique to the worst wave of Roman persecution.
People were put to death, property was confiscated, and people were sentenced to hard labor
What are the four reasons for the Roman persecution of Christians?
Christians were seen as:
Atheists – because they refused to acknowledge or worship the Roman gods
Subversives – worshipping the emperor and other gods fostered unity in the Empire. Christians refused to do this and so were seen as undermining the power and stability of the Empire.
Cannibals – because they partook of the Holy Eucharist (the Lord’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity).
The Cause of Natural Disasters & Disease – By refusing to worship the gods, the gods expressed their anger by sending pestilence, earthquakes, etc.
Why did the Church grow and thrive despite the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire?
Tertullian— “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity”
The courage and conviction of Christians, especially martyrs, won people’s hearts
A faith worth dying for must be true
Christian love for the marginalized stood in stark contrast to Roman cruelty
The basic goodness of Christian morality appealed to intellectuals who sought philosophical value
From a Christian perspective, explain why would it make sense that God would allow the Temple to be destroyed in 70 AD?
The Temple was the only place where the priest of the Old Law offered sacrifice. God established that the Old Laws were not needed so he let them destroy the Temple.
Name the four non-Christian sources that speak of Christ.
Josephus
Suetonius
Pliny the Younger
Tacitus
From which non-Christian source do we get the most information about Christ?
Josephus
What hearsay did St. Irenaeus argue against?
Gnosticism
What saint met with Attila the Hun, a meeting which resulted in Attila’s retreat from Rome?
Leo the Great
What does the Greek word Logos mean?
Word
Saint Athanasius is known for what contribution to the life of the Church?
defending Church teachings against the heresy of Arianism
The Nicene Creed is the product of which two Ecumenical Council?
The Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople
What man established monasticism in the East?
St.Basil
What is true about the Early Church after Constantine made Christianity legal?
Many disagreements over doctrine arose
People entered the Church for the sake of political ambition
Bishops were appointed as judges
Punishments became more humane
What document proclaimed religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire?
Edict of Milan
One of Eastern Emperor Justinian’s great achievements was the building of the Basilica of the _.
Hagia Sophia
Saint Jerome is known for what contribution to the life of the Church?
translating the Bible from its original Hebrew and Greek into Latin, forming the major part of the Vulgate
What factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West?
Constantine moved his capital to Byzantium (later, Constantinople), leaving weak or corrupt emperors to govern the Western Empire
Waves of barbarian invasions created economic, social, and political pressures on the Western Empire
The Visigoths sacked Rome in AD 410
During the early centuries of the Church, a teacher whose writings extended the Tradition of the Apostles and who continues to be important for the Church’s teachings
Father of the Church
A gathering of the Church’s bishops from around the world convened by the Pope or approved by him to address pressing issues in the Church
Ecumenical Council
A title officially bestowed by the Church on those saints who are highly esteemed for their theological writings, as well as their personal holiness
Doctor of the Church
Taught that Jesus is two persons
Nestorianism
Denied Jesus’ divinity
Arianism
Denied Jesus’ humanity
Docetism
Jesus started with a human nature, but it was replaced by the divine nature
Monophysitism
Gave Mary her greatest title
Council of Ephesus
Condemned the teachings of Arius
Council of Nicaea
Defined the Hypostatic Union
Council of Chalcedon
Choose one of the Fathers or Doctors of the Church you studied in this unit, and outline his key contributions to the Church
St.Athanasius spoke out against Arianism, was exiled for 17 years by the emperors and won the argument about Arianism at the Council of Nicaea
Describe three ways the Church responded to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West
The Church cared for the poor, educated the Clergy and Laity, and created a system of protection and governance.
Was there never a time the Son was not?
True
Is Jesus a human person?
No, he is one person, divine who has a divine and human nature
What Latin title did Constantine take for himself that indicated he was the head of the Christian religion?
Pontifex Maximus
Who was the saint that had become for a number of years practically the only bishop to speak out against Arianism?
St.Athanasius
In one sentence, explain this doctrine: “The Son is consubstantial with the Father.”
The Son and the Father are both divine of God/the same whatness
What heresy did the Council of Ephesus condemn?
Nestorianism
What are the Ten Commandments?
Worship the Lord your God; have no other gods
Do not take the Lord’s name in vain
Keep holy the Sabbath
Honor your mother and father
Do not kill
Do not commit adultery
Do not steal
Do not lie
Do not covet your neighbor’s spouse
Do not covet your neighbor’s goods
Who was crowned the first Holy Roman Empire?
Charlemagne
What is lay investiture?
the practice by which a high-ranking secular leader could appoint bishops or abbots and require their Loyalty
What statements characterized Saint Benedict’s community at Monte Cassino?
the monks’ way of life balanced prayer and work (ora et labora)
the community was a complete, self-sustaining economic unit
the community followed the Rule of Benedict, which emphasized moderation in all things
How were Christians and Jews treated in Muslim territories?
They were not allowed to own weapons, pay higher taxes, and excluded from the government.
The person who organized the first monasteries in 320
Pachomius
The political and spiritual power and authority of the Church during the Middle Ages.
Christendom
Pope Gregory VII’s Papal Bull that attempted to eliminate interference from secular rulers in Church matters.
Dictatus Papae
The Holy City of Islam
Mecca
The Donation of Pepin
Papal States
An oath before God that bound those that took it to loyalty to the lord or king
Oath of Fealty
Note
Flashcard