Unit 1 Test - SMJ

Saint Alselm’s definition of theology

faith seeking understanding

Why is it an advantage to say that Theology has a “provisional nature?”

It doesn’t claim to possess all understanding, but is a process that is always seeking greater understanding.

Functional definition of Theology according to Bernard Lonergan

“Theology mediates between a cultural matrix and the significance and role of a religion in that matrix”

Lonergan: Can Theology act as justification for political or social system

theology can change culture, and justify it

What are the norms and criteria of faith

• Recognizes an authority that goes beyond the here and now claims of our senses

• grounded in a mystery which it claims is more than human reason can encompass

• accepts the particularity of god’s actions in human history

Normative/Empirical notions of culture.  What is the difference

Normative:

• one culture tends to be standard by which others are judged

• ex: sky burial, new generations must learn what is happening before giving an opinion on it

Empirical:

• set of meanings and values that inform and help structure a way of life.

  • as culture changes, so does theology

what are Plato’s Two Realms

Changing world of senses + unchanging world of truth and ideas

How to achieve perfection according to Plato

perfection and knowledge were attained through contemplation of the higher idea

Is Platonic dualism compatible with Christianity in every instance?  Why or why not?

It is not a perfect expression of Christian thought (resurrection, body + soul)

Which saint was heavily influenced by Plato?

St. Augustine

According to Aristotle, where does knowledge come from

inquiry and experience, not contemplation

Who said the “unchanging world of ideas [as] reality and the […] world of the senses as a shadowy reflection.”

Plato

The three noumenal realities according to Kant

• the existence of god

• immortality of the soul

• existence of human freedom

Differences between transitional and intensification ritual

Transitional Rituals:

• mark change in a persons life (birth, marriage, etc.)

• occur at specific life stages when a person moves from one social role or status to another (wedding ceremony, single → married)

Intensification:

• preformed to reinforce or strengthen social/cultural norms

• may occur annually, seasonally, or in response to specific events

What is a hierophany?

manifestation of the sacred. people enter into a sacred place, a sacred time, and a sacred reality

In Pre-Christian times, what did the word sacramentum mean

a sacred or solemn oath, a pledge, or a commitment

What is sacred space, sacred time, sacred meaning?  Should be able to give example of each

the person enters into a sacred state during a moment.

Sacred space → Jesuit

sacred time → mass

sacred meaning → wearing a necklace given to us

Why was the medieval period significant for the development of the seven sacraments?

• rituals became standardized

• religious meaning became more solidified

• theology behind them became more unified

What were the changes that happened to the sacraments during the 6^th century

• Confirmation separated from baptism

• eucharistic liturgy became more cleric centered

• public penance → private confession

• marriage became church ceremony/sacrament

• ordination of priest → sequence of holy orders

• anointing of the sick changed to anointing of the dying

What is significant about the number 7?

perfect or complete (ex: 7 days of creation, 7 cardinal virtues, etc.)

What is the ultimate reality, res, of the Eucharist?

spiritual union with christ

Medieval Theology: 3 fold distinction. Sacramentum tantum, sacramentum et res, res tantum

Sacramentum tantum:

• the physical sign (ex: bread and wine)

sacramentum et res

• the spiritual reality in the sign (ex: body and blood in appearance of bread and wine)

res tantum

• the reality of the sign, the result (ex: grace received and the union with Christ)