THEOLOGY & DOCTRINE WEEK II: Introduction to Catholic Doctrine & Faith

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary, historical figures, and dogmatic definitions from the lecture on Catholic doctrine, creeds, and the Holy Trinity.

Doctrine

The official teachings of the Church, grounded on Divine Revelation, representing the unchangeable core of truths revealed by God.

Faith

A supernatural gift and human action defined as the free response of the human intellect and will to God's loving invitation.

Catholic

Derived from the Greek word katholikos (καθολικός), meaning "universal," "according to the whole," or "for everyone."

St. Ignatius of Antioch ($107\,A.D.$ )

The author of the Letter to the Smyrnaeans, which contains the earliest known use of the term "Catholic Church."

Divine Revelation

The process by which God makes Himself known to humanity and reveals His plan of salvation through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium.

Sacred Scripture

The written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and contained in the books of the Old and New Testaments.

Sacred Tradition

The living transmission of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles, passed down orally before being written and continuing through Church worship and practice.

The Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, exercised by the Pope and the bishops, which authentically interprets Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Creed

A formal statement of faith that summarizes essential Christian beliefs, derived from the Latin word credo, meaning "I believe."

The Apostles' Creed

The oldest and simplest summary of the Christian faith, which developed from the early Church's baptismal profession of faith.

The Nicene Creed

A detailed profession of faith formulated by the First Council of Nicaea ($325\,A.D.$ ) and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople ($381\,A.D.$ ).

Arianism

A heresy that denied that Jesus is truly God, leading to the development of the Nicene Creed to defend the divinity of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Trinity

The central mystery of the Christian faith, teaching that there is one God in three distinct Divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Unbegotten

A term describing God the Father as the unoriginated origin of the entire Godhead.

Ex nihilo

A Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing," referring to the Father's creation of the universe.

Immutable

A divine attribute of God meaning "unchanging."

Omniscient

A divine attribute of God meaning "all-knowing."

Logos

The eternal "Word" (the Son), generated by the Father before all time.

Consubstantial

Meaning "one in being," this term describes the relationship between the Son and the Father.

The Incarnation

The event when the Eternal Son assumed a true human nature, born of the Virgin Mary, to reconcile humanity with God.

Sheol

The realm of the dead where Jesus descended to liberate the souls of the righteous after His crucifixion.

The Paschal Mystery

The series of events encompassing the Crucifixion, Descent, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ.

Filioque

The doctrine that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son as the bond of love between Them.

Pentecost

The event at which the Holy Spirit was poured out to animate, sanctify, and guide the Church.