Catholic Theology Key Terms and Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key Catholic terms, doctrines, events of Pentecost, and Church hierarchy.

Amen

Saying yes, I believe

Authoritative Teachings

Teachings created by church leaders to guide the morality of the faithful

Cardo

Hinge

Christ

Messiah or anointed one

Clergy

Ordained members of the church (deacons, bishops, priests, cardinals, the Pope)

Conclave

Process of electing new popes

Consubstantial

Referring to Jesus’ 2 natures

Counselor

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the counselor

Definitive Doctrine

Not directly revealed by god but logically required to protect the faith

Diocese

An area of churches supervised by the Bishop

Doctrine

All church teachings in matter if faith and morals

Dogma

Teachings directly revealed by God that we are obligated to believe

Earth

Anything physical

Ekkelsia

The greek word meaning church

FIAT

Mary has to willingly and knowingly say yes (let it be done according to thy word)

Gospel

Meaning 'Good News' are the four books that detail the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Heaven

The dwelling of perfect union with God

Hell

Eternal separation from God

Holy See

The supreme body of government of the catholic church. Includes the pope and his advisors

Omnipotent

All-Powerful (Remember: Potent means powerful smell)

Infallible

Divinely revealed doctrine that cannot be changed

Jesus

God saves

Laity

The lay people (all of us). This level makes up a majority of the Church

Lord

Master or Ruler

Mystery

A reality that enludes rational knowledge

Non-Infallible

Doctrine created by man and, therefore, can be changed

Omnibenevolent

All-Loving

Omnipresent

Everywhere

Omniscient

All-Knowing

Only-Begotten Son

Refers to the fact that Jesus is more than man, having a unique relationship with God the Father

Pentecost

A feast when the Holy Spirit descended to Earth

Preposition Cum

Together with

Profession of Faith

Statements of what we believe which follow a specific 'formula'. These are also known as creeds

Prudential Judgments

Practical guidelines made by church leaders to manage the global society

Purgatory

A place for sinners awaiting Heaven

Theological Opinion

Not taught by the church but permitted

Theological Statement

A statement about the divine origin and meaning of things

Triune

Three persons in one God

4 Divisions of a Creed

Speaks about god the father, son, spirit and speaks about remaining church beliefs

4 Marks of the Church

One (united by one christian church), holy (because it was created by God), catholic (meaning universal-meant for all), apostolic (handed down to apostles)

6 Events of Pentecost

1. Apostles gathered in the upper room 2. There was a large gust of wind 3. The Holy Spirit descended 4. Tongues of fire appeared above their heads 5. The apostles could speak in different languages (or tongues) 6. 3,000 people were baptized

God’s Will

Salvation

Immaculate Conception

Mary being conceived as original sin

Incarnation

When God became flesh through the birth of Jesus Christ

Marian Dogma Count

Four

Assumption

Mary going up into heaven body and soul

Paschal Mystery

The central Christian belief in the saving work of Jesus Christ through his suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension

Jesus’ Two Natures

Jesus is fully God and fully man and at the same time a single human being

Hierarchy Pyramid of the Catholic Church

Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Laity