Catholic Theology: Salvation History & Scripture (Flashcards)

A curated set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, covenants, events, and concepts from Salvation History, Scripture, and Church Tradition as presented in the notes.

Salvation History

God’s plan to save humanity from sin and bring them to eternal life in heaven.

Primeval History

Early world events before patriarchs, including creation and the spread of humanity.

Law of Moses

Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, including the Ten Commandments and a system of holiness.

Noah’s Ark

God saved Noah, his family, and the animals from the flood; a sign of God’s covenant.

Adam and Eve

The first humans in Genesis, whose disobedience introduces sin into humanity.

Tower of Babel

Story explaining the origin of diverse languages; pride leads to divine language confusion.

Rainbow Covenant

Sign of God’s promise after the flood to never destroy the earth by flood again.

Patriarchs and Matriarchs

Male ancestors and female ancestors of faith who form the lineage of God's people.

Lineage (Abraham → Isaac → Jacob → Joseph → David → Jesus)

The genealogical progression from Abraham to Jesus in Scripture.

Exodus

The Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt under Moses; a major movement in salvation history.

Ten Commandments (Decalogue)

The ten laws given by God at Sinai guiding right relationship with God and neighbor.

Moses

Leader and lawgiver who freed Israel from Egypt and received the Law from God.

Aaron

Moses’ brother; assisted in leading the Israelites during Exodus.

Joshua and Caleb

Leaders who entered the Promised Land; Joshua led the conquest, Caleb trusted God.

Babylonian Exile

Period when Judah was conquered and Israelites were exiled to Babylon; ends with return under Persian rule.

Enuma Elish

Babylonian creation myth that contrasts with biblical creation accounts.

Ten Plagues

Divine punishments unleashed on Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.

Crossing the Red Sea

Miracle by which Israelites escape Pharaoh’s army and begin their journey to the Promised Land.

Ark (Ark of the Covenant)

Sacred container representing God’s presence; in some notes equated symbolically with Jesus.

Sea as symbol of sin

Metaphor where the sea represents separation from God due to sin.

Rib symbolism

Symbol used to denote that men and women are equal in dignity.

Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers)

The first five books of the Bible, also called the Books of Moses.

Creation Days (1–6)

God’s creation sequence: 1 Light, 2 Sky/Dry land, 3 Seas, 4 Sun/Moon/Stars, 5 Creatures, 6 Humans.

God of Order

Theme that God creates and governs in an orderly, purposeful way.

Noahic Covenant

God’s promise to Noah after the flood, covenantal cooperation for the future of humanity.

Genesis 1–3 themes

Creation, the Fall, and the beginnings of humanity’s relationship with God.

Adam & Eve Fall / East of Eden

The disobedience in Eden leading to humanity’s estrangement from God.

Ba’al (Golden Calf)

Idolatrous worship of a golden calf; a notable Old Testament apostasy.

Abrahamic Covenant

God’s promise to Abraham of many descendants, land, and blessing for all nations.

Mosaic Covenant (Ten Commandments)

Covenant given at Sinai, centering on the Decalogue and holiness obligations.

Davidic Covenant

God’s promise to David that his throne will be established forever.

Major Prophets (Inward/Outward)

Prophets focused on inner conversion and outward ethical living.

Ad Jesum per Mariam

Latin phrase meaning “To Jesus through Mary.”

Pentecost

Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles; birth of the Church, celebrated 50 days after Easter.

Paraclete

Holy Spirit; the Helper promised by Jesus.

Upper Room (Cenacle)

Where the apostles gathered for prayer and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Mary

Mother of Jesus; central figure in Church devotion and Marian theology.

Peter (First Pope)

Leader of the Apostles and traditionally the first pope in Catholic tradition.

John (Johannine)

Gospel writer; author of the Gospel of John and Johannine writings.

The 12 Apostles

Jesus’ chosen supporters who spread the Gospel and established the early Church.

Matthias

Apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot.

Paul of Tarsus

Apostle to the Gentiles; authored Pauline Epistles; influential in early Christianity.

Gospels (Synoptics and John)

Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke (synoptics) and John (Johannine) within the New Testament.

Incarnation

Doctrine that God became flesh in Jesus Christ.

New Testament

Covenant fulfilled in Jesus; the second major part of Christian Scriptures.

Holy Spirit (3rd Person of the Trinity)

Divine person who inspires, guides, and empowers the Church.

Sacred Scriptures (Bible, Biblia)

The sacred writings of Christianity; Greek for 'books'.

Papyrus and Parchment

Ancient materials used for writing early biblical texts.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Ancient Jewish manuscripts important for understanding biblical texts.

Hebrew berit; Greek diatheke; Latin testamentum

Terms for covenant/testament in different ancient languages.

Tanakh (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim)

Acrostic name for the Hebrew Bible: Law, Prophets, Writings.

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, produced by Jewish scholars (70/72).

Canon of Scripture (64 books in Old Testament/Tanakh; total count varies by tradition)

Accepted list of authoritative sacred writings in a tradition.

Didache

Early Christian manual on church life and practice.

Canon Law

Church law governing the Catholic Church.

Catechism

Systematic instruction in doctrine of the Church.

Sadducees and Pharisees

Jewish sects noted for different beliefs about Scripture and tradition.

Jerome and the Vulgate (Latin)

Saint Jerome translated the Bible into Latin; the Vulgate became the standard Latin Bible.

Old Covenant vs New Covenant

Old Covenant established with Israel (Law); New Covenant fulfilled in Christ.

Protestants vs Catholics on Scripture

Protestants emphasize Scripture alone; Catholics hold Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Immaculate Conception

Mary conceived without original sin; proclaimed as a dogma in 1854.

Infallibility of the Pope

Papal teaching authority that cannot error when defined on faith and morals.

Dei Verbum

Vatican II document on Divine Revelation in Scripture and Tradition.

Deposit of Faith

The body of revealed truth entrusted to the Church.

Apostolic Tradition

Teaching transmitted from the apostles through the generations.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of the Pope and bishops.

Second Vatican Council (Vatican II)

Ecumenical council (1962–1965) renewing the Church’s life and teaching.

Mysterium Fidei

Latin for 'Mystery of Faith'; central faith claim in the Mass.

Private Revelation

Personal messages from God not binding on the whole Church.

Public Revelation

God’s universal revelation found in Scripture and Tradition.

Islam and the Qur’an

Qur’an as the central sacred text in Islam; cited in contrast to Christian revelation.

Protestant Canon Exclusions

Books removed by Protestant reformers (e.g., Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees, Esther with extended sections).