Ch. 5 Theology Study Guide

Pharisees

Jewish scholars who taught that Jews should keep pure and imitate the customs of priests; built a wall around themselves to keep out Gentiles.

Sadducees

Jewish leaders who believed in cooperation with Gentiles, held power in Jewish government, and rejected anything except the Torah.

Herod

The king who took over Judea in 40 B.C.; he claimed to be Jewish and is speculated to be the Messiah for rebuilding the temple.

Genealogy

Tracing of descent, significant in both Luke and Matthew to establish the lineage of Christ.

Incarnation

The act of being made flesh; it is important because it marks God's intervention in history, indicating that 'God is with us' through Jesus.

Emmanuel

Means 'God with us'; signifies God's presence through Jesus and is central to Christian belief.

Annunciation

The visit from the archangel Gabriel to inform Mary that she would be the mother of the savior.

Theotokos

A title meaning 'Bearer of God', referring to Mary as the mother of Jesus.

Fiat

Latin for 'let it be done', referring to Mary's acceptance of God's will.

Visitation

The event of Mary visiting Elizabeth, often associated with the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant.

The five reasons for the Incarnation

1. To save humans from their sins. 2. To manifest God's love. 3. To model holiness. 4. To allow humans to partake in divine nature. 5. To destroy the devil.

Jesus

The name means 'God saves', highlighting His mission of salvation.

Mary as the New Eve

Mary's obedience to God serves to undo Eve's disobedience.

New Ark of the Covenant

Mary, as she carries Jesus, who fulfills the covenant.

Comparison of 2 Samuel 6:1-16 and Luke 1:39-56

Both stories share themes of celebration and acknowledgment of the presence of God.

Three gifts given to Jesus

Gold (kingship), frankincense (worship), and myrrh (death).

Significance of Jesus being fully human and fully divine

It allows for a complete understanding of the consequences of human sins and divine intervention.

Simeon

A just and devout man in Jerusalem who recognized Jesus as the Messiah when He was presented in the temple.

Finding in the Temple

A story illustrating Jesus's early understanding of His mission, significant for its foreshadowing of the Resurrection.

Rosary

A Catholic prayer tool consisting of beads to count prayers, allowing for spiritual reflection and deeper relationship with God.

Institution of the Eucharist

signifies Jesus's ultimate sacrifice for humanity and establishes the Eucharist as central to Christian worship and spirituality, embodying Jesus's presence among believers.