Ecclesiology Unit 4 Study Outline

Four Marks of the Church

One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

What three aspects of faith do people desire certainty about?

Certainty about what to believe, what to do in difficult choices, and how to stay connected to Jesus.

How do we receive the truth—2000 years later-- that Jesus came to teach us?

Through the Three-Legged Stool: Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium.

Explain the 3-legged stool analogy.

Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium together preserve and interpret what Jesus taught.

What is the role of the Living Magisterium in God's design?

The Pope and bishops united with him officially interpret the Deposit of Faith with the Holy Spirit's protection.

Explain the "Acorn and the Oak Tree" analogy and be able to give an example.

Doctrine develops organically like an acorn into an oak tree—consistent, not contradictory. Example: Jesus is Lord → Hypostatic Union.

Why is infallibility necessary? You might use the analogy of an umpire....

Infallibility gives the Pope a protected "umpiring voice" to distinguish true development from error.

Explain what is meant by: "the charism of infallibility must fall within the constraints of being "definitively held" and that its goal is preventative."

Infallibility prevents error on teachings already definitively held; it does not create new doctrine.

The two times in History that the Pope pronounced infallible teachings.

Immaculate Conception (1854) and Assumption of Mary (1950).

The two areas that a Pope is permitted to make infallible statements.

Only on faith and morals.

How can disagreement lead to both division and clarity in the Church?

Disagreement can bring clarity when resolved, or wound unity when it causes division.

The three areas that allow us to say that the Catholic Church is One?

Unity of Faith (Creed), Unity of Worship (sacraments), Unity of Leadership (Apostolic Succession).

Recognize a few names from the early church fathers list.

Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, Athanasius, Augustine, Pope Leo the Great.

Designation criteria of an early church father.

Antiquity (before 8th century), doctrinal orthodoxy, personal sanctity, accepted by the Church.

Wounds to Unity (wounds to the Church's "oneness").

Apostasy, heresy, and schism that divide the Church.

The Great Schism: Orthodox Church & the main differences.

11th century split with Orthodox; minimal doctrinal difference, but valid bishops and sacraments.

Explain the two main ideas of the Protestant Reformation that Catholics and Christians still disagree about today.

Sola Fide (faith alone) and Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).

What are a few beliefs the Catholics and Christians of other denominations agree upon.

Baptism, Scripture's authority, Jesus is Lord, the Trinity.

Principles of Ecumenism.

Work toward Christian unity through conversion of heart, dialogue, common ground, and prayer without compromising truth.

Divine Revelation

Truths God revealed to man; ended with the death of the last apostle.

Deposit of Faith

All truths revealed by God, ending with St. John; not yet systematically organized.

Tradition and "tradition"

Big T: unchanging dogma (develops). Little t: changeable customs/disciplines.

Magisterium

Pope and bishops who officially interpret the Deposit of Faith.

Development of Doctrine

Doctrines become more explicit over time while remaining consistent (acorn to oak tree).

Infallible doctrine

Definitive teaching guaranteed free from error by the Holy Spirit.

Ecumenical council

All bishops together exercising infallibility.

Encyclical

Papal letter that can contain infallible teaching on faith and morals.

Hierarchical Gifts

Bishops, priests, deacons, and the Ministry of Peter that preserve unity and truth.

Apostasy

Total rejection of the Christian Faith by a baptized person.

Heresy

Deliberate, persistent denial of a Church teaching.

Schism

Refusal of unity with the Pope; community separation from the Church.

Gnosticism

Matter is evil; salvation by secret knowledge. Church: creation is good.

Arianism

Jesus is not fully God. Church: Jesus is truly God and equal to the Father.

Nestorianism

Jesus divided into two persons. Church: one divine Person with two natures.

Hypostatic Union

Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man.

Theotokos

God Bearer

Monophysitism

Jesus has only one nature. Church: fully divine and fully human.

Apollinarianism

Jesus lacked a full human mind/soul. Church: took on full human nature.

Pelagianism

We can save ourselves without grace. Church: we need God's grace.

Donatism

Sacraments depend on priest's holiness. Church: power comes from Christ.

sola fide & sola scriptura

Faith alone and Scripture alone—two key Protestant ideas dividing Christians from Catholics.

Ecumenism

Working toward full Christian unity in the One Body of Christ.