Theology Benchmark Study Guide

True or False: The New Testament has 29 Books.

False, the New Testament has 27 books.

True or False: Three books in the New Testament cover the Nativity.

False, only two books cover the Nativity.

True or False: Caesar Augustus/king Herod issued the census that required the Holy family to travel to Bethlehem.

True.

True or False: Christians believe that Christmas is only celebrated at the Birth of Christ.

False.

True or False: Jesus willingly died to take away all our sins to bring us closer to God.

True.

True or False: St. Luke was the creator of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

True.

True or False: St. Luke spent all of his time with Jesus and learning the book of Matthew.

False.

True or False: St. Luke wrote two books of the Bible.

True.

True or False: The Old Testament focuses on the struggles of St. Nick.

False.

True or False: Every Gospel in the Bible covers the Infancy Narratives.

False.

What two books tell us the story of the Nativity?

Matthew & Luke.

What did the angels say to the shepherds?

'Do not be afraid'.

What did the heavenly hosts tell the shepherds?

'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'

What is the definition of 'a great company of heavenly hosts'?

Millions of angels in the sky.

What caused Mary and Joseph to go on a journey?

A new law requiring families to register in their historical tribal town.

What are the names of the three wise men?

Gasper, Balthazar, Melchior.

What three gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus?

Frankincense, Gold, Myrrh.

How many wise men went to see the baby?

Three wise men are documented.

What does the word Magi come from?

It comes from the Greek word 'magos', which means magic.

Where did Joseph and Mary stay?

At a manger.

When and where was St. Luke born?

Around 1 AD in modern-day Turkey.

Name one story that is only found in St. Luke's Gospel.

The Good Samaritan.

What is one of the most important things about Christmas?

Keeping Christ in Christmas.

How many books are in the NT and how many books cover the Nativity story?

27 books total, 2 cover the Nativity.

Why did the holy family not have a place to stay?

All the inns were full when they arrived.

Who did the Holy family spend time with during their stay in Bethlehem?

Animals.

What Jewish holiday do some theologians believe that Christ was born on?

Feast of Tabernacles.

Did the shepherds find the baby Jesus?

Yes.

How did the shepherds find the baby?

By following the star of Bethlehem.

Who is King Herod? What does he want with Jesus?

King Herod wanted to kill Jesus.

When is the Feast of the Tabernacles celebrated?

During autumn, September/October.

What angel came to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus?

Archangel Gabriel.

Why did the Holy family go on this trip?

Because of the census. They traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census.

What language did St. Luke write in?

Greek.

What was St. Luke's symbol?

The winged ox.

Which disciple did Luke spend a lot of time with?

Saint Paul.

What two books did St. Luke write?

The Gospel of St. Luke & the Acts of the Apostles.

Why is the Christmas story not just about gifts?

It's about Jesus' birth.

What was the technicality behind the census?

The Holy family fell into the Jewish census for tax purposes This census required everyone to return to their ancestral hometowns for registration. .

Who is St. Nicholas? Can you tell me about his story and upbringing.

Nicholas St Nicholas lived about 1,700 years ago. He was a kind and generous man who became a bishop in Myra which is a modern-day turkey. St Nicholas was known for helping the poor and being especially kind to Children. He loved giving gifts in secret and that's one reason he became so famous.

Explain to me the technicality behind this census? Think Roman vs Palestine! Explain why Herod even wanted to do a census.

The Holy family fell into the Jewish census, which Caesar Augustus issued to collect taxpayer dollars. They had to travel to David's house because their family lineage was from there. If they had followed the Roman way, they would have stayed in Nazareth, and this story would have been different.

Islam

Submission to God or Allah.

Qur’an

Islam’s primary sacred text, regarded by Muslims as the direct words of Allah.

Hijara

The emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib.

Sunna

The teachings and actions of Muhammad recorded in writings.

Umma

The community of all Muslims.

Shari’a

The divine law, derived from the Quran and the Sunna, telling Muslims how to live.

Five Pillars

Specific religious and ethical requirements for Muslims: the confession of faith, prayer/worship, fasting during Ramadan, wealth sharing, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Shahada

The confession of faith, the first of the Five Pillars.

Mosque

The Muslim place or building of worship.

Imam

The leader of the Friday worship service who directs the prayers and delivers a sermon.

Ramadan

A period during which Muslims fast, in accordance with the third of the Five Pillars.

Hajj

The journey to Mecca that all Muslims are required to take if they can afford it.

Ka’ba

The stone cubical structure in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca, regarded as the sacred center of the earth.

Jihad

The general spiritual struggle to be a devout Muslim.

Caliphs

The military and political leaders of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad after his death.

Sunni

The division of Islam practiced by most Muslims, named after the Sunna.

Shaykh

A teacher and master in Islam.

What is the root meaning of the name Islam?

The root meaning is submission or surrender.

Name two Islamic prophets besides Muhammad.

Abraham and Adam.

What are major misconceptions people have about Islam?

That it is a violent religion. Many believe that all Muslims are extremists, which is not true.

Why is Mecca significant for Muslims?

It's the hometown of Islam's Prophet Muhammad and where the Quran was revealed.

Who is the Prophet Muhammad?

He was born around 570 AD in Mecca and is regarded as the final prophet of Islam.

What is the purpose of Ramadan?

It serves as guidance and a means of salvation.

Why do many Muslims respect Jews and Christians?

They recognize shared human qualities, avoiding limiting God's nature.

True or False: Islam is a monotheistic religion.

True.

True or False: The Holy book for Islam is the Torah.

False, it is the Quran.

True or False: Abraham is the last and greatest prophet for Islam.

False, it is Muhammad.

True or False: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are the holy cities for Muslims.

True.

True or False: Many Muslims believe they must meet the basic obligations known as the Ten Commandments.

False, it is the Five Pillars.

True or False: Islam is the second largest religion in the world.

True.

True or False: Passover is an important time for Muslims where they fast and pray.

False, it is Ramadan.

Who is Muhammad? What did he do for the Islamic faith?

Muhammad is the last prophet of Islam, born in 570 AD in Mecca, and he founded Islam.

What are the five pillars?

Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Give an example of the pillar Shahada.

The declaration of faith.

Give an example of the pillar Salah.

Any of the five times of daily prayer.

Give an example of the pillar Zakat.

Going to worship in Mosques.

Give an example of the pillar Sawm.

Fasting during Ramadan.

Give an example of the pillar Hajj.

Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people, promising protection and land in exchange for following His commandments.

Shema

A central declaration of Jewish faith affirming the oneness of God.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, central to Jewish law and traditionally believed to have been given to Moses by God.

Rabbi

My teacher: A Jewish religious leader and teacher who interprets Jewish law, leads services, and provides spiritual guidance.

Sabbath

A weekly day of rest and worship from Friday evening to Saturday evening, commemorating God's day of rest after creation.

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year, a time for reflection and resolutions, lasting one or two days, marked by prayer and shofar blowing.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in Judaism, focused on fasting, repentance, and seeking forgiveness.

Passover

A holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, celebrated with the Seder meal and the prohibition of leavened bread.

Bar Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony for boys at age 13, marking their responsibility to observe Jewish commandments.

Bat Mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony for girls at age 12 or 13, signifying their responsibilities within the Jewish community.

Marriage

A sacred covenant in Judaism, typically performed under a chuppah, emphasizing love and partnership.

Death and Mourning

Structured mourning practices including the seven-day Shiva period, focusing on honoring the deceased and community support.

Semitic Religions

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; these are the Semitic religions originating from the Middle East.

Monotheism

The belief in one God, central to Judaism and distinguishing it from other local religions when founded.

Yahweh

The name of God in Judaism, representing His unique and singular essence.

Creed

Judaism has no formal creed outside of monotheism, but some traditional forms reference Maimonides' condensed beliefs.

Mishnah

A written collection of oral teachings on the Torah compiled around 100 CE.

Talmud

A comprehensive commentary on Jewish law, including oral sermons, stories, and parables on the Torah.

Pentateuch

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Torah.

Tanakh

The entire Hebrew Bible, comprised of Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim.

Nevi'im

Refers to the Books of the Prophets in the Tanakh, including historical narratives and prophecies.