Study Guide for Test 1 - Faith, Reason, and Revelation

Kataphatic language

Speaking about God in affirmative, positive terms (e.g., God is loving, just, merciful).

Apophatic language

Speaking about God by negation or via limiting language (e.g., God is not finite, not subject to our categories).

Word of God

God’s definitive self-expression in revelation, most fully in Jesus Christ.

Revelation

God's communication of Himself and His will by which He makes Himself known to humanity.

Inspired Scripture

Scripture written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, faithfully preserving God’s message for the Church.

Sheed's description of the human person

Humans are beings formed of both body and soul, united in one person, with the soul animating the body.

Obstacles to natural knowledge of God

The effects of sin on the intellect and the limits of natural knowledge, the fallen human condition, and cultural/personal distortions.

Noahic Covenant sign

The rainbow.

Abrahamic Covenant sign

Circumcision.

Moses' role on Mount Sinai

He went up the mountain and brought down the tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments) from God.

Davidic Covenant promise

God will establish his throne and royal line forever.

Psalm 110:1

The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool.

Description of the 'suffering servant' (Isaiah 53)

Rejected, pierced, afflicted, oppressed; he bears our sins and provides healing, being buried with the rich.

Parents of John the Baptist

Zechariah the priest and Elizabeth.

Mary's prayer after Elizabeth's greeting

The Magnificat.

Angel who delivered news of miraculous births

Gabriel.

Jesus' explanation for being in the Temple at age 12

He was about his Father's business; 'doing the law’s true intent.'

Jesus' statement on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount

He is not abolishing the law but fulfilling it.

The Advocate Jesus promises

The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth, the Paraclete) who will teach and remind disciples of Jesus’ words.