Theology I Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for Theology I Exam Study Guide

BEATITUDES

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount on the meaning and way to true happiness or fulfillment.

EUCHARIST

The Sacrament in which we receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and wine. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life and spiritual food for the soul. Not merely a symbol, it is Jesus’ true Flesh and Blood.

MOSES

The man God called to be His prophet and to whom He revealed His name. God gave Moses the mission of leading His people out of slavery in Egypt. God delivered the Ten Commandments and the whole of the Law to Moses to teach the Israelites how to love Him and how to love their neighbor.

ISRAELITES

God's chosen people. Those who wrestled with god.

INCARNATION

The fact that the Son of God assumed human nature and became man in order to accomplish our salvation. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, is both true God and true man.

APOSTOLIC TRADITION

The mode of transmission of the Word of God. The Word of God was given to the Apostles by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The Apostles in turn handed it on to their successors, the bishops. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Church has kept the Word of God whole and safe over the centuries so we can know and believe in the whole Faith today. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single deposit – or one gift—of the Word of God. We accept and honor Sacred Tradition equally with Sacred Scripture.

FAITH/HOPE

The theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of God and eternal life and place our trust in all of God’s promises to us. A theological virtue that is both a gift from God and a human act by which a person comes to know God and conform their minds, hearts, and wills to Him and the Truth He has revealed.

SIGN OF THE CROSS

A brief blessing in word and action in which a person marks themselves with a symbolic gesture of the cross.

MORTAL SINS

Grave offenses that serve our friendship with God and, consequently, cause a loss of sanctifying grace.

VENIAL SINS

Lesser offenses that injure but do not destroy one's relationship with God.

GRACE

God's unearned favor, love, and kindness bestowed on humanity, particularly through the forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

GREAT COMMANDMENTS

Jesus’ teaching that “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself. ” These two commandments are a summary of all Ten Commandments.

OLD TESTAMENT

The 46 books of the Bible that record the history of salvation from creation through the Old Covenant with Israel in preparation for the appearance of Christ as Savior of the world.

NEW TESTAMENT

The one that comes after with the disciples.

GOSPEL

One of the first four books of the New Testament. The Gospels are our primary source of knowledge of the life of Jesus Christ. The word Gospel means “Good News

ORIGINAL SIN

The state of human nature deprived of the original holiness and justice Adam and Eve enjoyed before the Fall.

HEAVEN

The state of being after death in which “those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live forever with Christ” (CCC 1023). The souls in Heaven enjoy perfect communion and relationship with God, His angels, and all of the saints.

PURGATORY

The middle ground between heaven and hell. Must be purified before they enter heaven.

HELL

The state of being after death in which those who die unrepentant of mortal sin and refuse the love and mercy of God to the end experience eternal separation from God and the Communion of Saints.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Virgin Mary was preserved from Original Sin so that she could bear the Son of God within her.