Theology 1

Sensate

Knowledge gained through the senses.

Transcendentals

Truth, Beauty, Goodness; qualities that point beyond the material world.

Universal truth

A truth valid for all people at all times.

Natural Revelation

Knowing God through creation and reason.

Divine Revelation

God revealing Himself directly (Scripture + Tradition).

Salvation History

God's actions throughout history to save humanity.

Torah

First five books of the Old Testament.

Pentateuch

Another name for the Torah.

Theophany

God revealing Himself visibly/audibly (ex: Burning Bush).

In spirare

"To breathe into"; inspiration of Scripture.

Theopnuestos

"God-breathed"; describing Scripture.

Epistle

A letter in the New Testament.

Latin Vulgate

St. Jerome's Latin translation of Scripture.

Sacred Tradition

Teachings handed down from the Apostles through the Church.

Magisterium

Church's teaching office with bishops in communion with the Pope.

3 Pillars of Divine Revelation

Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium.

Covenant

A sacred family bond between God and human/exchange of solemn vows.

Deposit of Faith

All that the Church believes: Scripture + Tradition.

Papal Infallibility

Pope protected from error when teaching ex cathedra on faith/morals.

Council of Jerusalem

First Church council; decided Gentile converts didn't need Jewish law.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Church Doctor, wrote Summa Theologiae.

Truth (for St. Thomas)

"Adequation of the mind with reality."

Quid est veritas

"What is truth?"

Scholastic theology

Reason + faith working together.

Philos

Love.

Sophie

Wisdom.

Philosophy

"love of wisdom."

Desidero

"To long for" deeply.

Magis

Teacher

Fides et Ratio

"Faith and Reason"; also an encyclical by John Paul II.

Biblios

"Books"; where the word Bible comes from.

Biblical exegesis

Critical interpretation of Scripture.

Contextualist

Looks at literary form, context, culture when reading Scripture.

Literalist

Takes Scripture at face value, without considering context.

Gnostics

Early heretics claiming secret knowledge needed for salvation.

Tradere

"To hand on"; root of "tradition."

Petrus

"Rock"; referring to Peter.

Oral tradition

Teachings passed on by word of mouth.

Written tradition

Teachings eventually written down.

Where do the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" come from?

The Our Father Comes from Jesus Himself in the Gospels (Matthew 6 & Luke 11). The Hail Mary comes from Scripture: First line: Gabriel's greeting (Luke 1:28) Second line: Elizabeth's greeting (Luke 1:42)

What is the Rosary?

A meditative prayer focused on the life of Christ through Mary.

Why repeat memorized prayers?

Helps to quiet the mind and enter meditation.

Purpose of the beads?

Beads keep track of prayers and help maintain rhythm/focus.

What are the mysteries of the rosary?

Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous

What does it mean that humans are "religious beings"?

Humans naturally seek truth, meaning, and purpose. We long for God ("desidero"). Our hearts are oriented toward something greater than this world.

What is Beauty in Catholic tradition?

Beauty is a transcendental that "pulls" us toward God, who is Beauty itself.

Why is Mother Teresa "beautiful"?

She stemmed from her profound love, compassion, charity, and selfless service to the poorest and suffering.

What is "wounded by beauty"?

The feeling when encountering true beauty, which creates a deep longing, vulnerability.

Elephant and blind villagers parable & objective vs subjective truth parable

Blind villagers each touch a different part of an elephant and describe it differently (snake, wall, rope, etc.).

Objective truth

True regardless of opinion.

Subjective truth

Depends on personal feelings or perspective.

Aquinas' Five Ways & syllogisms for 1st, 4th, 5th proofs

Argument from Motion, Argument from Efficient Causes, Argument from Contingency, Argument from Degrees of Perfection, Argument from Design (Teleology)

Syllogisms to Recognize

1st Way: Motion, things move. Nothing moves itself. Must be a First Mover → God. 4th Way: Degrees of Perfection, We notice things vary in goodness, truth, beauty. These degrees imply a most perfect being as the standard. That standard → God. 5th Way: Design, Natural things act with purpose, but lack intelligence. Something intelligent must guide them to their purpose. That guide → God.

Aristotle's 4 Levels of Happiness

Level 1: Pleasure: Physical enjoyment, food, music, shortlived. Level 2: Ego/Comparison: Achievement, winning, recognition Level 3: Contribution: Doing good, service, helping friends Level 4: Ultimate Good: Prayer, holiness. No limitations—only ultimate fulfillment.

According to Fr. Barron: what do people think faith is? What is his analogy?

Many think faith = blind acceptance or believing without evidence. Fr. Barron says faith is like trust in a relationship: You trust a friend because you know their character. Faith is trusting God because He has revealed Himself as trustworthy.

Imprimatur

"let it be printed"/ approved

Liturgy

Mass, Eucharist

Canon

standard of measure, 27.

Where does the title of the angelus prayer come from?

"Angelus" is the Latin word for "Angel," directly referencing the prayer's first words about the angel Gabriel.

The three origional languages of the scripture writings

Hebrew, Greek, Aramic

What is remarkable about Mary Magdalene?

She was one of the only ones present at Jesus’ crucifixion.

What is the first stage in the formation of the Bible?

People encountered God

This Hebrew word means “serpent” but carries the sense of sinister evil presence.

nahash

How many books are in the Catholic Bible

73

What is the original language of the old testament?

Hebrew

What does "hail" mean?

"Hail" is A greeting meaning "Rejoice!" and also used to honor someone of great dignity.

This Hebrew word has a double meaning: 7 and promise.

Sheba

What are the genres of the Gospels?

Religious Biography

Hebrew word that means “law”.

Torah

These are New Testament biographies of Jesus.

Gospels

Approximately when were the Gospels and Epistles written?

50 - 100 AD

Doctrine that the Bible is without error concerning the truths necessary for salvation.

Biblical Inerrancy

Who is the Catholic scientist that is considered the “Father of Modern Genetics”?

Fr. Gregor Mendel

Catholic who first proposed the heliocentric (sun-centered) theory of the solar system.

Nicholas Copernicus