History of Christianity Exam 1

Bible

Sacred text for Christians, inspired by God.

Old Testament

First major section of the Bible, includes Tanakh.

New Testament

Second major section, contains 27 books.

Tanakh

Hebrew Bible, includes Torah, Nevi'im, Khetuvim.

Torah

The law, first part of the Tanakh.

Nevi'im

The prophets, second part of the Tanakh.

Khetuvim

The writings, third part of the Tanakh.

Apocrypha

Additional books not included in all Bibles.

Deuterocanonical

Books accepted by Catholics but not Protestants.

Anagignoskomena

Books considered useful but not canonical.

Gospels

First four books of the New Testament.

Epistles

Letters addressing theological issues in early Christianity.

Book of Revelation

Final book of the New Testament, prophetic.

Canon

Rule defining sacred scripture's inclusion in the Bible.

Biblical inerrancy

Original manuscripts are completely accurate and error-free.

Fundamental view

Belief in verbal inspiration and biblical inerrancy.

Secular view

Scriptures viewed as historical products, not divine.

Middle position

Balances divine inspiration with human authorship.

Protestant Bible

Contains 66 books: 39 Old, 27 New Testament.

Roman Catholic Bible

Contains 73 books: 46 Old, 27 New Testament.

Orthodox Bible

Generally includes 76 to 81 books.

Christian living

Guidance provided in Epistles for believers.

Theological issues

Topics addressed in Epistles for early Christian communities.

Divine inspiration

Belief that Scriptures are inspired by God.

Human free will

Concept coexisting with divine inspiration in Scriptures.

Creation

God's act of bringing the universe into existence.

YHWH

The only God and source of all creation.

Fiat

Creation by divine command or decree.

Free Will

Human ability to make moral choices.

Moral Responsibility

Accountability for one's choices and actions.

Abraham

Patriarch who received God's promises and covenant.

Moses

Leader who delivered Israelites from Egyptian oppression.

Ten Commandments

Ethical guidelines given to Moses at Sinai.

Second Temple Judaism

Judaism during the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple.

Gospels

Accounts of Jesus' life and teachings.

Mark

First Gospel, written around 65-70 AD.

Matthew

Gospel written around 80-85 AD.

Luke

Gospel written around 80-85 AD.

John

Last Gospel, written around 90-100 AD.

Acts of the Apostles

Chronicles early Christian community's development.

Epistles

Letters written to early Christian communities.

Revelation

Apocalyptic text attributed to John the Apostle.

Apocalypse

Unveiling of divine mysteries, especially end times.

Paul

Prolific missionary and author of New Testament letters.

Justification by Faith

Salvation through faith, not works.

Apostolic Succession

Unbroken transmission of authority from apostles.

Liturgy

Set forms of public worship in Christianity.

Dura-Europos

Ancient house church, early Christian worship site.

Basilica

Large public building adapted for Christian worship.

Mikveh

Jewish ritual bath for achieving purity.

Al Maghtas

Site of Jesus' baptism by John.

Council of Nicaea

325 AD council defining Christian doctrine.

Council of Constantinople

381 AD council reaffirming Nicene Creed.

Irenaeus of Lyon

Theologian emphasizing apostolic tradition and authority.

Didache

Early Christian text on ethics and rituals.

Justin Martyr

Apologist defending Christianity to Roman authorities.

Incarnation

Jesus as God in human form.

Trinity

One God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Separation from Judaism

Distinction between early Christianity and Judaism.

Pliny the Younger

Roman official who wrote about early Christians.

Key Themes in Paul's Writings

Faith, atonement, life in Christ, and community.

Council of Jerusalem

Decided Gentiles need not follow all Jewish laws.

Sacrificial Atonement

Christ's death as a means of reconciliation.

Structure of Early Christian Liturgies

Includes gathering, scripture readings, and Eucharist.

Two-fold Aspect of Liturgies

Divided into Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist.

Characteristics of Second Temple Judaism

Increased importance of temple sacrifice and law.

Expectation of Messiah

Hope for a future anointed leader in Judaism.

Bishop's Role

Governance and sacramental administration in the Church.

Logos

Divine reason present in all people.

Hippolytus

Theologian known for critiquing heresies.

Philosophumena

Work by Hippolytus refuting heresies.

Antipope

First antipope due to opposition to bishops.

Pope Zephyrinus

Bishop opposed by Hippolytus.

Pope Callixtus I

Bishop opposed by Hippolytus.

Origen of Alexandria

Early theologian known for biblical interpretation.

Homily

A popularized form of biblical preaching.

Allegorical interpretation

Understanding scripture through symbolic meanings.

Literal interpretation

Understanding scripture based on direct meaning.

Moral interpretation

Understanding scripture through ethical implications.

Systematic theology

Organized study of Christian doctrines.

Tertullian

Father of Latin theology and early Christian writer.

Apologeticsus

Tertullian's defense of Christian beliefs.

Adversus Iudaeos

Tertullian's work against Jewish beliefs.

Against Praxeas

First recorded use of the Trinity concept.

Cyprian of Carthage

Bishop known for writings on church unity.

On the Unity of the Church

Cyprian's work emphasizing church cohesion.

On the Lapsed

Cyprian's writing on reconciling fallen Christians.

Church discipline

Regulations governing conduct within the Church.

Authority of bishops

Importance of bishops in maintaining church order.

Christian persecution

Challenges faced by Christians in early Church.

Doctrinal innovations

New theological ideas introduced by early theologians.

Tetrarchy

Diocletian's division of the empire into four regions.

Great Persecution

303 AD campaign against Christians in the Roman Empire.

Martyrdom

Death of Christians for their faith during persecutions.

Galerius

Emperor who intensified persecution against Christians.

Diocletian's Edict

Mandated expulsion of Christians from military service.

Christian Military Service

Debate over Christians serving in the Roman legions.

Edict of Serdica

311 AD decree ending Diocletianic Persecution.

Edict of Toleration

Allowed Christians to practice faith openly.

Constantine

Emerging leader who favored Christianity.