Theology Midterm

How does Spitzer define happiness?

Happiness is the fulfillment of desire.

What is Level 1 desire? Give an example.

Material/biological (food, comfort). Example: eating a good meal.

What type of happiness corresponds to Level 1?

Immediate sensory pleasure, short-lived.

What is Level 2 desire? Give an example.

Ego/comparative (status, recognition). Example: winning an award.

What type of happiness corresponds to Level 2?

Happiness based on success and comparison, fragile because it depends on others’ approval

What is Level 3 desire? Give an example.

Contributive/relational (making a difference, love, service). Example: raising children.

What type of happiness corresponds to Level 3?

Durable happiness through giving and meaningful relationships.

What is Level 4 desire? Give an example.

Transcendent/ultimate (truth, beauty, God). Example: spiritual union with God.

What type of happiness corresponds to Level 4?

Deepest fulfillment, oriented toward God and transcendence

Why does Spitzer say we need higher levels of desire?

Lower levels are limited and fleeting; only Levels 3 and 4 provide lasting meaning and ultimate fulfillment.

What happens when we try to meet higher desires with lower goods?

We experience frustration, emptiness, or addiction because the lower goods cannot satisfy higher longings.

What are the three aspects for bridging the gap between competing claims about Level 4 desires?

Rational inquiry, experiential testing (little leap of faith), and communal/Church criteria.

What is the role of reason in theology?

To evaluate claims, provide coherence, and prepare faith; reason shows faith is not blind.

Give a simple definition of faith.

A free assent of intellect and will to truths revealed by God.

Why does Spitzer say reason leads to a “leap of faith”?

Reason narrows the options but cannot prove transcendent truth fully; trust is needed for personal encounter.

Why does the leap of faith lead to the Church, not just individual belief?

Because revelation is preserved and lived in a community through sacraments and tradition.

What is “natural faith”?

The normal human way of knowing. A way of forming knowledge based on reason, imperfect sight, and the testimony of others.

What do we know through natural faith?

Normal everyday things, scientific ideas, and history

What is “supernatural faith”?

Trust in God’s self-revelation (e.g., Trinity, salvation) that reason alone cannot prove.

How is supernatural faith similar to natural faith?

Both rely on trust and testimony.

How is supernatural faith different?

Its source is divine revelation, not human reason.

Why is supernatural faith still reasonable?

It coheres with reason and produces religious truths.

What are the two ways we access expert knowledge for supernatural faith?

Scripture and Tradition through the Church, AND personal encounter in prayer and sacraments.

What is the relationship between belief in an idea and belief in a person?

Belief in ideas rests on trusting persons who communicate them.

Why is blind belief in a person not always appropriate?

True trust must be grounded in evidence and character.

How is the will involved in faith?

Faith is a free choice to trust, not just intellectual assent.

What is the role of love in faith?

Love directs faith into a personal relationship of self-giving.

Who is believed in and loved in Christian faith?

God, who is revealed in Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to say theology is Christoform?

Theology takes Christ’s person and work as its center and form.

What is agape?

Self-giving, unconditional divine love.

How does Jesus manifest God’s agape?

Through his self-giving life, compassion, sacrificial death, and resurrection.

Outline the historical Jesus briefly.

Birth, ministry of teaching/healing, proclamation of the Kingdom, crucifixion, resurrection, sending of disciples.

Why does God communicate with humanity?

To reveal Himself and invite humanity into friendship and salvation.

How does God communicate?

Through deeds, words, Christ, Scripture, and Tradition.

What does God communicate?

The truths necessary for salvation.

Define Revelation.

God’s self-disclosure, culminating in Christ.

Define Inspiration.

The Holy Spirit guiding biblical authors to write God’s truth.

Define Tradition.

The living transmission of the Gospel in the Church.

What does it mean that Jesus is the fullness of Revelation?

He is God’s complete self-communication in a person.

How should Genesis 1 be read maturely?

As theology and liturgy, not science.

How does Genesis 1 differ from science and ancient myths?

It proclaims one good Creator, unlike myths, and addresses purpose rather than mechanics.

What symbolic elements structure Genesis 1?

Light/dark, firmament, land, plants, heavenly bodies — leading to humanity and Sabbath.

What is the orientation of Genesis 1 toward Sabbath?

Creation is ordered to worship and rest in God.

What are implications for humanity from Genesis 1?

Humans are stewards of creation and called to worship.

Who created, and why?

God, to share goodness and life.

What is the meaning of being created from clay?

Humans are humble creatures tied to earth.

What is the meaning of being given the breath of God?

Humans have spiritual life directly from God.

What is the meaning of being made in God’s image?

Human dignity, reason, and freedom.

What is the meaning of being made male and female?

Humans are relational and called to mutual self-giving.

What distinguishes a mature reading of Genesis 2 from a literalistic one?

Mature = theological meaning; literalistic = treating it as scientific fact.

What is the first sin in Genesis 3?

Disobedience rooted in pride and mistrust of God.

What motivated the first sin?

Desire to be like God and autonomous.

What were the consequences of the first sin?

Shame, alienation, toil, mortality, disorder.

What are natural vs imposed consequences of sin?

Natural: broken relationships and suffering; Imposed: narrative punishments like expulsion and toil.

What is original sin?

The inherited disorder and wounded human condition after the first sin.

How does original sin affect human nature?

Weakens freedom, inclines us to sin, brings suffering and death.

How does Genesis 3 point to Jesus as the new Adam?

Christ’s obedience and self-giving reverse Adam’s disobedience and restore communion with God.