Ancient Philosophy, Theology, and Literature Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering Greek philosophy, early Christian theology, Roman literature, Buddhism, and Chinese poetic principles based on lecture transcripts.

Material Cause (Aristotle)

The physical material of an object, such as the bronze used to make a statue.

Formal Cause (Aristotle)

The shape, figure, or design of an object, such as the specific form of a statue.

Efficient Cause (Aristotle)

The agent or creator who brings an object into being, such as the sculptor of a statue.

Final Cause (Aristotle)

The purpose or goal of an object, such as honoring a god, decorating, or expressing an artistic vision.

Levitical Priesthood

A temporary and repetitive system of sacrifices in the Old Covenant performed by mortal priests who were frequently replaced.

Jesus' Priesthood (Hebrews)

A superior, permanent priesthood based on an oath and an "indestructible life," offering a perfect, one-time sacrifice that renders the Old Covenant obsolete.

Apatheia

A Stoic virtue representing a state of inner tranquil equanimity free from irrational, disturbing emotions like fear, anger, and excessive desire.

Logos (Stoicism)

Reason, which the Stoics believed should govern the inner world rather than irrational or intense emotions.

Lucretius' View of Death

A harmless state of nothingness where the material soul dissolves, meaning the individual is not present to feel pain or loss.

Aeneas’ Piety

A sense of duty shown when Aeneas carries his father Anchises from Troy and leaves Dido to follow the gods' will, prioritizing the state and gods over individual desire.

Holy Spirit (Book of Acts)

The "life principle" and driving force of the early church that empowered believers for bold proclamation, guided missionary work, and validated the gospel through miracles.

Doctrine of Dependent Origination

The Buddhist teaching through the "Twelve Links" that all phenomena and suffering arise in dependence upon causes and conditions, and nothing exists independently.

Athanasius’ Dilemma

The conflict between God's justice (upholding the sentence of death for sin) and His goodness (not wanting humanity, created in His image, to perish).

Incarnation (Athanasius)

The Word taking a human body capable of death to pay the penalty of sin on behalf of all, preventing humanity from returning to non-existence.

Anachoresis

The act of withdrawal to the desert practiced by Egyptian monks and nuns to achieve union with God and inner stillness.

White Martyrdom

A practice of monks and nuns in the Egyptian desert where physical comforts were replaced with spiritual warfare, asceticism, and the renunciation of sensory pleasures.

Mártys

The literal Greek meaning is "witness," describing how a martyr's voluntary death serves as a testimony that validates their faith.

Perpetua and Felicity

Christian martyrs whose calm demeanor in the face of death in 203 AD demonstrated the belief that their souls were passing into eternal life.

City of God (Augustine)

A classification of people characterized by the love of God to the contempt of self, seeking eternal peace and divine truth.

City of the World (Augustine)

Also known as the Earthly City, characterized by the love of self to the contempt of God, pursuing selfish, temporal desires and glory.

Eusebius’ History of the Church

A narrative that views the Church as the natural partner to the Roman state, evolving from conflict with pagan rulers to a providential alliance under Constantine.

Station Liturgies

The practices of Egeria at biblical sites, involving praying, reading relevant scripture, and singing psalms to connect with sacred physical locations.

Three Teachings (Chinese Poetry)

The philosophical blend of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism reflected in the simplicity and philosophical contemplation of classical Chinese poetry.