Theology Unit 2 Test

Fides et Ratio

Faith and Reason → Letter written by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

Salvation History

Story of how God works throughout human history to save humanity from sin and bring us into a relationship with Him.

Trans

Trans means beyond.

Scandere

Scandere means to climb.

Transcendere

Trans + Scandere = to climb beyond.

Sacred Scripture

Revelation written down; the bible.

Sacred Tradition

Revelation passed down

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church (made up of the Pope and bishops) who interpret and teach God's Word.

Theophany

An appearance or manifestation of God to humans.

Natural Revelation

God revealing Himself through nature, creation, and human reason.

Divine Revelation

God revealing Himself and His plan for salvation to humanity through Scripture, Tradition, and Jesus Christ.

Faith – Hebrews 1:1 / St. Paul

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith – Catechism (CC 150)

Faith is a personal adherence of a man to God; a free ascent to the whole truth that God has revealed.

Faith – St. Anselm

Faith seeks understanding.

Faith – Personal Definition

Faith is an act of saying, “Lord, I accept/trust what you reveal to me.”

Faith and Relationships

Faith is the only way you can truly relate to a person.

Reason

Power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.

Biblios

A Greek word meaning books (where the word Bible comes from).

Covenant

A special promise or relationship between God and humanity.

Where does the Hail Mary come from?

Directly from the Bible (and tradition—the final prayer was composed over time).

Who said, “Hail, full of grace”?

The angel Gabriel (in the Gospel of Luke).

What does “hail” mean in the Hail Mary?

A greeting, like saying “hello” or “hi.”

What do many people think faith is, according to Father Barron?

Childish, pre-scientific nonsense, naivete, and credulity.

Father Barron's analogy about faith

He compares faith in God to a relationship. You can know about someone by asking others or looking at their social media. But to truly know them, you have to let them share themselves with you. Then you must decide whether you will trust them.

St. Paul's definition of faith

By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out of things which are not seen.

Catechism's definition of faith

Faith is a personal adherence of a man to God; a free ascent to the whole truth that God has revealed.

St. Anselm's description of theology

Faith seeks understanding.

St. Augustine's statements about faith and reason

I believe (have faith) in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe.

What natural element did the teacher give as an example of something not seen?

Oxygen.

What is meant by God's gradual revelation?

God reveals His plan over time.

Why does God reveal gradually?

So we aren't overwhelmed and so we can understand His teachings without becoming confused.

What is the first analogy for why God reveals gradually?

Like slowly brightening a light so your eyes can adjust, God reveals Himself so we aren't overwhelmed.

What is the second analogy for why God reveals gradually?

Like teaching algebra by starting with the basics, God reveals Himself gradually so we can understand His teachings without becoming confused.

What does “the truth of God wholly transcends” mean?

God's truth is greater than anything humans can fully understand.

What does “impact of the senses and imagination” mean?

How what we see, hear, feel, and imagine affects the way we understand things.

What does “disordered appetites” mean?

Unhealthy or sinful desires that lead us away from God and what is right.

Is the Catholic Church against science?

No!

Who are some Catholic scientists?

Gregor Mendel, Louis Pasteur, Rene Descartes, Georges Lemaitre, Blaise Pascal, Nicolas Copernicus, and Alexander Fleming.

Why is there the impression that the Church is against science?

Because of Creation, Adam and Eve, Galileo, miracles, and embryonic stem cell research.

Who said, “As prayer is the voice of human beings to God, Divine Revelation is God’s voice to man”?

John Henry Cardinal Newman.

What is an example of John Paul II's statement that “science can purify religion from error and superstition”?

Scientific discoveries about the universe help Catholics better understand that the Bible's Creation story is not necessarily meant to be interpreted as a scientific explanation of how the world was made. Science can correct misunderstandings about religion and help strengthen faith.

What does it mean that the Bible is a “love letter from God”?

It means that the Bible is God's way of showing His love for humanity.

How do we understand love from a Biblical perspective?

Love means selflessly putting others before yourself, serving others, and willing the good of another person, just as God loves us.

What is a synonym for Sacred Scripture?

The Bible.

Why should the Bible be considered a “library of books”?

Because there are different authors, different genres, and they were written on different dates.

How many books are in the Catholic edition of the Bible?

73 books.

What are the two main divisions of the Bible?

The Old and New Testament.

Why are mountains important in the Bible, according to the John Bergsma reading?

Because that’s where God meets mediators.

What are two modern-day examples of covenant?

Marriage and adoption.

What is a mediator in the Bible?

People who represent groups of people involved in a covenant.

Who are the six covenant mediators in the Bible?

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus.

What does the word “prodigal” mean?

Reckless, wasteful, or extravagant.

How can “prodigal” be used in a positive manner?

Being generous and giving abundantly without holding back.

How can “prodigal” be used in a negative manner?

Being wasteful or spending resources recklessly.

What are the three pillars of Divine Revelation?

Sacred Tradition (revelation passed down), Sacred Scripture (revelation written down), and Magisterium (revelation protected and taught).

Which pillar of Divine Revelation came first?

Sacred Tradition.