Theology I Final

Pluralis majestatis

Using plural pronouns to refer to oneself (The royal we)

Ex.: Let us…

Anthropomorphism

Giving human-like characteristics to a non-human (personification)

The LORD God as a person, often taking on human-like qualities, feelings, and actions.

Adam - root word

From the ground

Eve - root word

Source of life

Protoevangelium

“The first good message”

The Gospel

Conflict Approach

The Bible is science

Contrast Approach

The Bible and science are meant to answer different questions

Convergence Approach

There is truth in the Bible and in science but they aren’t meant to mix

Four Sources

Yahwist

Deuteronomist

Priestly

Elohist

4 Source Theory: What words it uses for God

Priestly: God is called simply, “God”

Yahwist: God is called, LORD or LORD God

Yahwist unique characteristics

• God is anthropomorphic

• Created in reaction to Babylonian creation myths

• Humans are collaborators

• Emphasis on closeness with The LORD God

• God is present here, rather than from up high

Priestly unique characteristics

• God creates order

• After exile (order)

• God is transcendent [a mighty wind sweeping over the water (ruah)]

• Emphasis on the role of the Levites (Priests)

• Emphasis on lists and rituals

• ORGANIZED (Orderly, Order of days)

• Emphasis on morality

• Emphasis on the power of God

• Specific order to Days of creation (which are symbolic)

Genesis 1 Creation Story

God creating the Earth day by day

Genesis 2 Creation Story

God creating Adam from ground, and Eve from rib of man

Which creation story was written by which author

• Genesis 1 Creation Story: Priestly Source

• Genesis 2 Creation Story: Yahwist Source

When were the four sources likely written?

Yahwist source: During the Exile (drama)

Priestly source: After the Exile (order)

When did the Babylonian exile happen (beginning and end dates)?

The Babylonian Exile starts “traditionally” in 586 BCE

The exile ends in 539 BCE, the Babylonians were conquered and the Jewish people returned to Judah

What do we know about the Babylonian gods, as portrayed in their creation myths?

The Babylonian gods are portrayed as violent and destructive

What are the important truths of the two creation stories?

1. Care for relationships

2. The ability to love

What is the function of the parallel of the six days of creation? What is it symbolic of?

Ex.: Day 1 (day/night) —> Day 4 Sun/moon

First 3 days involve chaos and division

Symbolic of the Jewish peoples’ time in exile

Last 3 involve order and population

Symbolic of the Jewish people returning to repopulate Israel, rebuilding of the Temple

What is symbolic in the Fall narrative? What does it symbolize?

SHAME

What are the personal and social punishments?

Snake: More motion on its belly - hated by people

Woman: Pain in childbirth - “subject” to husband

Man: Eternal Death - work will be difficult

How does human freedom play a role in sin and the Fall?

Humans have free will

Humans rebel to try and be like God

Sin enters the world, and ruins relationships

What are the jobs of each person?

Cain - Farmer

Abel - Shepherd

Who is the third son of Adam & Eve?

Seth

Where do Abram and Sarai leave and where does God want them to go?

Abram and Sarai leave Haran (the homeland of Abram), and God wants them to reach Canaan

Background info - Abram / Sarai

First story of the biblical patriarchs (male leader of tribes) And matriarchs (woman)

Take place in historical times (2000-1500 BCE)

The beginning of “God’s people”

Now, Abraham and Sarah flee due to famine

Etiology

stories used to explain the origin of a person, place, name or idea

Doublet

retelling of a story in a new way to express the main ideas or elements

What does God promise Abram and Sarai in return for their faith and trust?

God promises Abram and Sarai in return, that if Abram leaves his father’s land, I will give you land, numerous descendants, and all of the nations will be blessed through your family

Who is Ishmael and why is he important?

Ishmael is the son of Abram and Hagar, and is born before Isaac, allowed by Sarai to occur

Ishmael is still promised by God that he will become a greater nation (King of the Arab People)

The closest relative to Muhammad the Prophet of Islam

Who is Hagar and why is she important?

Hagar thinks she is superior to Sarai at some point

Mother of Ishmael

God’s vision to Abram

Abram wonders why he has had not offspring

God says his ancestors will become the # of stars in the sky

Abram to bring several animals split in half (treaty)

Who are the Divine Visitors?

Abram and Sarai are now Abraham and Sarah

Still waiting for children

The lord appears in the visual of three anonymous strangers

Abraham offers hospitality, they say Sarah will have a child

Sarah laughs, and their child’s name “Isaac” means laugh in Hebrew

Who is Isaac and why is he important?

Isaac is the second-born son of Abraham, first to Sarah

Sarah wants Isaac to be the only heir

Hagar and Ishmael are sent away by Abraham (who is torn)

Abraham’s Test

Abraham responds “Here I am,” immediately

Ultimate test of faith

What did Abraham do and how does it relate to Jesus and the crucifixion?

Abraham’s hypothetical sacrificing of Isaac is like the crucifixion in that it is an example of typology (foreshadowing NT in OT)

Story is called Akedah (binding ) by Jewish scholars

How was Rebekah “chosen” to be Isaac’s wife? How did she respond?

Rebekah is found in Haran (homeland) by servant, and is chosen by the well (offering water acted as a sign)

Servant gave he gold nose ring, bracelets

Rebekah is willing, and goes to marry Isaac (who loves her)

They struggle to conceive (like mother like daughter [in-law])

Twins in the womb (one is stronger)

1st twin is Esau

2nd is Jacob

How did Jacob steal the birthright and Isaac’s blessing from Esau?

Jacob steals the birthright from Esau when he is starving/hungry, and Esau swears it away for a bowl of soup

Jacob gets the blessing that Esau would get from Isaac, in an act of trickery between him and Rebekah.

Jacob dresses in some of Esau’s clothes and makes himself more hairy, like Esau

Since Isaac is blind, he only feels him, thinking it is Esau, thus getting his blessing in addition to the birthright

Tower of Babel

all people used to speak the same language. Their unity of language allowed them to collaborate efficiently. They decided to build a grand tower, so tall it would reach into the heavens. God confused the human language eventually.

Jesus

Christ - Greek word for ‘Savior’

Born about 4 BCE into a Jewish family

New sect of Judaism

• God love’s of humanity

• Love and justice

• Repentance and forgiveness

Had 12 disciples (students) / apostles

Pontius Pilate

• thought of Jesus as a threat

• Sentenced him to death (washed his hands of it)

• Jesus was crucified (common at time for non Romans)

Paul of Tarsus

Initially a Pharisaic Jew (Persecutor of Christians)

After Damascus enlightening (converted), helped found Christian communities in Asia Minor and Greece

Wrote the epistles

Emperor Constantine

Created a turning point for Christians with his Edict of Milan (313 CE)

The edict officially tolerated all religious traditions

Baptized on his deathbed

Emperor Theodosius I

Made Christianity the Roman Empire’s official religion in 380 CE

Epistles

Letters written by Paul of Tarsus; encouraged the fledgling communities their new life in Christ

Blasphemy

Any word or deed that defames that which is considered sacred by a group of people.

In Christianity it is:

• word,

• thought,

• Or act that expresses hatred for God, Christ, the Church, saints, or other holy things.

Disciples

12 original

Latin for “students”

Crucifixion

Roman method of execution (common for non Romans)

Nailed to a wooden cross and left to die

Remembered on Good Friday

Dies for a sacrifice for the sins of the world

Third Week of the Spiritual Exercises

Resurrection

• 3 days after the death of Jesus

• Resurrected from the dead

• Celebrated on Easter Sunday

• Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercices

Incarnation

Is a theological mystery.

Comes from Latin ( in [in] carne [flesh] [in the flesh])

Central Christian belief that the 2nd person of the Trinity, the Son, assumed human nature

Catholics believe that Jesus is

• 100% divine

• 100% human

Jesus is eternal (not bound by time)

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit

Pentecost

50 days after Passover

Many Jews became followers of Jesus on this day

Known as the birthday of the Church

Doctrine/Religious Doctrine

Religious doctrine - beliefs and teachings of a religion

Christian doctrine - what did Jesus teach? Love, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and justice

All Christians believe

• The Incarnation/Assumption

• Resurrection

• The Eucharist

• The Trinity

Church

Both a location and the people who believe in the doctrines of Christianity

Gentile

A person who is not of Jewish origin

Messiah

A savior who would free the Jews ( Jewish scripture told of a future anointed one [Messiah])

Jesus was thought of as the Messiah by some Jews (Christians)

A king (Jesus)

Old Testament v. New testament

What is the overarching covenant of the Old Testament and who is it between?

Between God and the Israelites

(Moses at Mt. Sinai)

Who received the Torah from God?

Moses

What is the Pentateuch?

Greek for 5 books; contains the first 5 books of what we know as the Bible; Torah

How do we define “Scripture?”

Texts that are inspired by God

What is the overarching covenant of the New Testament?

Between Jesus and the world

“Through my Cross, sacrificed death, and Resurrection, you have been set free.”

What is the Shema?

(Hebrew) To hear (and obey)

(No separate word for obey in Hebrew)

(Ex.: to ‘shema’ my voice)

Basic statement of the Jewish faith

Recited 2x a day

Who made the first covenant (not promise) of the Old Testament and what was it?

Made by God with Noah

God promised to never destroy the earth again by flood if Noah and his descendants:

Were fruitful and replenished the Earth

And established/enforced [God’s] ethical law

Why do observant Jews avoid pronouncing the define name and how is it written?

The name of God is too holy to say out loud

Written as YHWH (Adonai when pronounced)

Yahweh (spoken) = The Lord

What is the Torah?

The Law; Hebrew for instructions

Direct Revelation from God given at Mt. Sinai

Defines Worship and Ethical Conduct

613 Laws, including the 10 commandments

Who received the Torah from God?

Moses

What is the TaNaKh?

Made up of the

• Torah (Law),

• Nevi’im (Prophets),

• Ketuvim (Writings)

Hebrew for “knowledge”

Common name for the Hebrew Bible

Divinely inspired narrative of the people of God and their covenantal relationship with God

Written by many over 2,000 years

Originally in Hebrew, but translated to Greek

What are some characteristics of the Biblical Prophets?

(Prophonos; one who speaks for [Greek])

Historical account of Ancient Israel

Sharing the will of God

How is religion different from history and science?

Texts (in Christianity for example) are “inspired” not direct word

Religion focuses on seeking the truth of meaning rather than past human events or events in the natural world

God is directly involved in history

In what languages was the Bible originally written?

Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic

What is the overall message of the Bible?

God’s relationship with humanity, humanity’s need for salvation, redemption via Jesus

For whom is the story of the Bible intended?

Old Testament; for the Israelites

Later on; for all

Who was St Jerome and what was his major contribution to Biblical study?

St Jerome was a biblical scholar who, in around 400 AD, translated Bible into Latin (known as the Vulgate)

What is the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament?

The New Testament is the fulfillment (Jesus & his life), of the Old Testament (Israelites)

What is a religious Canon?

Collection of texts regarded as authoritative and inspired by a religious community

Christianity: Old/New Testament

Judaism: The TaNaKh

What comprises the Catholic Bible?

Old testament and New Testament ( Gospels)

What comprises the Old Testament?

Israelites before Jesus

Covenants with Noah (Pre-historical era)

Covenants with Abraham, Moses, David (Historical era)

What comprises the New Testament?

(200 years after the Old Testament)

Divinely inspired narrative of the life of Jesus, the Messiah

God is incarnate in the world

Life of Jesus and his followers

Covenant between Jesus and the world

How does the name of God appear in the Hebrew Bible?

YHWH (no vowels)

Differences between Catholic and Protestant views on saints

Catholics- Honored as Intercessors

Protestants- Generally not emphasized

Canonization

A solemn declaration by the Pope

(2 miracles)

How do Catholics honor saints?

Honor saints and ask saints to pray for and with them

Do not pray to the saints as if they were God

Why/how does Mary enjoy a special role in the Catholic Church?

• Mary is the first disciple of the Church

• The Queen of all Saints

• Devotions to Mary:

  • The rosary

  • Immaculate conception

  • Assumption

What is the significance of the colors of the liturgical calendar?

Signify different seasons of the year

Seasons of the year in the Church

• Advent (preparation for Christmas)

• Christmas ( celebration of Jesus’s birth)

• Lent (40 days of preparation for Easter)

• Easter (Resurrection of Jesus)

• Ordinary Time (growth in faith)

What is the calendar based on?

Based on the key events in the life of Jesus

What is the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church?

• Believed to be, as the Bishop Rome, the successor of St Peter (leader of the Church)

• The Pope has authority on faith and morals

• Papal authority not recognized by Protestants

Recent Popes

• Pope Leo XIV

• Pope Francis

• Pope Benedict XVI

• Pope John Paul II

• Pope John Paul I

• Pope Paul VI

Sacraments

Efficacious signs of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church

Sacramental worldview

All things in the world point to the mystery of God

• Use all things to enjoy God (AMDG)

Signs/effects of the seven Sacraments

Baptism- the oil, white garment

Eucharist- The host, loaves of bread, chalice

Reconciliation- stole, sign of the cross

Confirmation- Oil, laying of the hands

Anointing of the Sick- oil, laying of the hands

Holy Orders- sign: the stole, oil

Matrimony- sign: the people (couple) (represents God)

Different types of priests

Ordered

• Commits to following the rule of life for a particular order of priests

  • Ex.: Jesuits, Franciscans, Carmelites, Dominicans, etc.

    Diocesan

• Work mainly in parishes, belong to a certain archdiocese

• Loyal to the bishop

Who elects the next pope?

Cardinals (Locked in Sistine Chapel)

Hierarchy

Pope at the head and bishops behind them

Priests lead parishes in diocese

God

Pope

Cardinals

Archbishops

Bishops

Priests

People

Steps of formation for Jesuit priests

Novitiate:

• Experiments

• Rely on God more fully

• Rely on generosity of strangers

Studies:

• Study of philosophy

• 3 years, graduate level

• 10-15 hours a week with poor/marginalized

Regency

• Break from studies

• Live with Jesuits

• Could be at:

• Jesuit high school

Theology

• Around 3 years

• Preparing for priesthood

• Ethics, scripture, pastoral ministry, etc.

Ministry

• Working as priest/brother

• The first work that you do after ordination

Tertianship

• (3 months)

• Break from ministry

• Extended retreat on the Spiritual Exercises

• **International experience

Final Vows

Shahadah

The creed of Islam-

“There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Stated freely and often

Salat

The prayer

“To connect” (with God)

Led by an imam (5x a day)

• Early morning

• Noon

• Mid-afternoon

• Sunset

• Evening

Must be cleansed (wudu) and prophet clothed, facing Mecca

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan (9th month of Muslim year)

Dawn until sunset

Avoid food, drink, marital relations

Avoid negativity overall

Exceptions for those who are sick, traveling, or nursing women

Zakat

The almsgiving to support the needy

The “poor tax”

Other act of charity are encouraged too