theology first final freshman

What is the TaNaKh?

A traditional name for the Old Testament used by Jews

What is the Torah?

Law

What is Nevi’im?

Prophets

What is Ketuvim?

Writings

What is the ‘three-legged stool’ metaphor?

A metaphor for Catholic authority: Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium

Languages of the Old Testament?

Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek

How were biblical stories originally passed down?

Orally; written down later, often after events like Babylonian exile

Number of books in the Catholic Bible?

73

Number of books in the Catholic Old Testament?

46

Why do Catholics and Protestants disagree about the number of books?

Protestants exclude the Deuterocanonical books

How do Christians understand the authorship of the Bible?

God inspired humans to write; humans contributed style

Define Theology

The study of God and religious beliefs

Define Monotheism

Belief in one God

Define Polytheism

Belief in many gods

Define Omnipotent

All-powerful

Define Omniscient

All-knowing

Define Omnibenevolent

All-good

Define Omnipresent

Present everywhere

Define Dynamic Equivalence

Translation focusing on meaning rather than exact words

Define Formal Equivalence

Translation focusing on exact wording

Define Dictation

God directly dictated scripture to humans

Two creation stories in Genesis

One emphasizes order and humans last; the other is poetic and anthropomorphic

Do Christians need to reject evolution?

No, science and faith can coexist

Why is ‘LORD’ all over the Old Testament?

It translates YHWH, God’s sacred name

What is the narrative of the Fall?

Adam and Eve disobey God; cycle of blame; sin and mortality result

Story of Cain and Abel?

Cain kills Abel out of jealousy; God marks Cain

Story of Noah’s Ark?

God floods Earth due to wickedness; covenant made with Noah

Conflict between Sarah and Hagar?

Sarah’s son Isaac vs. Hagar’s son Ishmael; jealousy and inheritance issues

Binding of Isaac?

Abraham tested; Isaac spared; shows faith and obedience

Jacob and Esau?

Jacob tricks Esau to get birthright and blessing

Jacob renamed Israel?

Wrestles with God; marries Leah first, loves Rachel

Story of Joseph?

Sold into slavery by brothers; becomes viceroy in Egypt

Define Ex Nihilo

Latin for ‘out of nothing’

Define Anthropomorphic

Giving human traits to God

Define Covenant

Sacred agreement between God and humans

Define YHWH

Sacred name of God in Hebrew

What happens between Genesis and Exodus?

Israelites multiply, enslaved in Egypt

Story of baby Moses?

Hid in basket; found by Pharaoh’s daughter

Call of Moses?

Burning bush; God commissions him to free Israelites

Plagues of Egypt?

God sends plagues; Pharaoh’s heart hardened

Significance of Passover?

Tenth plague kills firstborn; Israelites spared; prefigures Jesus’ sacrifice

Crossing Red Sea?

Symbolizes baptism

Manna from Heaven?

Symbolizes Eucharist

Golden Calf incident?

Israelites rebel at Sinai

Ten Commandments?

Must be memorized; seventh: You shall not commit adultery

Transition from Moses to Joshua?

Joshua leads into the Holy Land

Who is Samuel?

Last judge, priest, prophet

Beginning of United Monarchy?

King Saul

Origin of King David?

Shepherd → armor bearer → general

David and Goliath?

David defeats Goliath with sling; faith and courage

Saul and David’s relationship?

Saul paranoid, David loyal

David’s major accomplishments?

Moves capital to Jerusalem

David’s great sin?

Adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah killed, rebuked by Nathan

Covenants: Noahide, Abrahamic, Mosaic/Sinai, Davidic?

Sacred agreements between God and humans

King Solomon?

Builds Temple, relies on slave labor, worships false gods

Breakup of monarchy?

North: Israel; South: Judah

Northern Kingdom?

Capital: Samaria; First King: Jeroboam; Destroyed by Assyrians; Prophet: Elijah

Southern Kingdom?

Capital: Jerusalem; First King: Rehoboam; Destroyed by Babylonians; Prophet: Isaiah

Define Legitimacy

Rightful authority

Define Dynasty

Family line of rulers

Define Succession

Order of inheriting throne

What is a prophet?

Spokesperson for God; calls out idolatry; cares for vulnerable

Prophetic perfect?

Talks about future events as if they already happened

Story of Jonah?

Tried to avoid preaching to Nineveh; eventually obeys God