Thelogy Vocab Quiz Review

proof

a formal, logical argument or line of reasoning meant to establish the objective reality of a supreme being

reason

the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgements by a process of logic

attribute

a quality or feature regarded as characteristics of someone or something such as the characteristics of God

private revelation

a divine message that neither adds to nor belongs to the deposit of faith but emphasizes important teachings such as the Marian apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima

public revelation

an obligatory divine message intended for humanity and belonging to the deposit of faith such as sacred scripture or sacred tradition

revelation

divine guidance or inspiration; the communication of truth and knowledge from God

anthropic principle

the universe appears to have been fine-tuned for human existence. The extreme improbability that so many variables would align so positively in our favor merely by chance has led some scientists and philosophers to propose instead that it was God who providentially engineered the universe to suit our specific needs

theism

the belief in a personal and provident God; either one god or many gods

theology

the study of the nature of God and religious truth

secularism

an indifference to religion and a belief that religion should be excluded from civil affairs and public education

scientific materialism

a theory that everything is made of matter and energy, with no “immaterial” entities like souls, spirits, or supernatural gods.

sacred tradition

the living transmission of the Church’s Gospel message found in the Church’s teaching, life, and worship

sacred scripture

the written transmission of the Church’s Gospel message in the Church’s teaching, life, and worship. It includes both the Old and New Testaments and is faithfully preserved, handed down, and interpreted by the Church’s Magisterium

resurrection

the rising of Jesus from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross. Jesus was able to concur death because he is God

religion

the relationship between God and humans that results in a body of beliefs and a set of practices: creed, cult, and code

polytheism

the belief- in opposition to Christian doctrine- that there are many gods

Pentecost

a Greek word that means “fiftieth day.” On this day, the Church celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles

natural revelation

the knowledge of the existence of God and his basic attributes that can be derived by human reason while reflecting on the created order

monotheism

the belief in one all powerful God

incarnation

the assumption of a human nature by Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, who became man in order to save mankind from sin. The term literally means “being made flesh”

idolatry

worshipping something or someone other than the true God

faith

an acknowledgment of an allegiance to God

doctor of the Church

a title officially conferred on a saint by the pope or by a general council declaring that person to be holy, wise, learned, and therefore a source of sound theological teaching for the church

divine revelation

the way God communicates knowledge of himself to humankind, a self-communication realized by his actions and words over time, most fully by his sending us his Divine Son, Jesus Christ

divine

relating to or proceeding directly from God

Christ

A Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means “anointed one”

Blessed (or Holy) Trinity

there are Three Divine Persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Bible

the books that contain the truth of God’s revelation and were composed by human writers inspired by the Holy Spirit

atheism

the denial in theory and/or practice that God exists

Apostle

a term meaning “one who is sent”

agnosticism

a form of atheism that often expresses an indifference of the search of God