Theology II Study Guide

Abba

Aramaic term for 'father,' reflecting Jesus's intimate relationship with God.

Acts of the Apostles

New Testament book that recounts the history of the early Church, focusing on the actions of the Apostles, especially Peter and Paul.

Allegory

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

'Amen' statements

Statements of affirmation or agreement, often used by Jesus at the end of prayers or pronouncements.

Anno Domini A.D.

Latin phrase meaning 'in the year of our Lord,' used to denote years after the traditionally reckoned year of Jesus's birth.

Apocalyptic Literature

A genre of literature characterized by symbolic visions of the future, often involving divine judgment and cosmic upheaval.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed against Jews.

Apostle

One who is sent; refers to the twelve chosen by Jesus to be his closest followers and to carry on his mission.

Baptism

A Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and initiation into the Church.

Before Christ B.C.

Used to denote years before the traditionally reckoned year of Jesus's birth.

Beatitude

Statements of blessing or happiness.

Beatitudes, the

A set of teachings by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, expressing the blessings of those who embody certain virtues or states of being.

Canon (of Scripture)

The official list of books recognized as inspired and authoritative by the Church.

Chi-Rho

A Christian symbol formed by the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ (XP).

Christ, the

Greek word for 'anointed one,' equivalent to the Hebrew word Messiah.

Christology

The study of the person and nature of Jesus Christ.

Conversion

A change of heart, turning away from sin and towards God.

Covenant

A sacred agreement between God and his people.

Disciple

A follower or student of a teacher or leader.

Discourses

Extended speeches or teachings.

Epiphany

A manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, typically represented by the visit of the Magi.

Epistle

A letter, especially one of the letters in the New Testament.

Euangelion (Gospel)

Greek word meaning 'good news.'

Eucharist

The Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, in which bread and wine are consecrated and consumed as the body and blood of Christ.

Evangelist

A writer of one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Exorcisms

The act of driving out evil spirits from a person or place.

Fire and Wind

Symbols of the Holy Spirit's presence and power, often associated with Pentecost.

Genealogy

A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.

Gentile

A person who is not Jewish.

Gospel(s)

The 'good news' of Jesus Christ; also refers to the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Healing Miracles

Miraculous events in which Jesus restores a person's physical or mental health.

Incarnation

The embodiment of God in human form as Jesus Christ.

Infancy Narratives

The accounts of Jesus's birth and early life in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

INRI

An acronym for the Latin phrase "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum," meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

Kerygma

The essential message of the Gospel, proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Kingdom (Reign) of God

The spiritual realm of God's rule and presence, both present and future.

Legalism

Strict adherence to the law, often without regard for its spirit or intent.

Letter to the Hebrews

A New Testament book written to Jewish Christians, emphasizing the superiority of Christ and the new covenant.

Logos

Greek word meaning "word" or "reason," used in John's Gospel to refer to Jesus as the divine Word of God.

Lord

A title of respect and authority, often used to refer to Jesus as divine.

Lord's Prayer, the

The prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples, also known as the Our Father.

Magnificat

Mary's song of praise in Luke's Gospel, expressing joy and gratitude for God's favor.

Messiah

The promised deliverer of the Jewish people, believed by Christians to be Jesus Christ.

Messianic-Secret

A motif in Mark's Gospel in which Jesus attempts to conceal his identity as the Messiah.

Metanoia

Greek word meaning "change of mind" or "repentance."

Miracles

Supernatural events that demonstrate God's power and presence.

Nationalism

Identification with and devotion to one's nation, sometimes leading to exclusion or hostility towards others.

Nativity

The birth of Jesus Christ.

Natural Miracles

Miracles that involve the control of natural forces, such as calming a storm or multiplying food.

New Testament

The second major division of the Christian Bible, containing books written after the time of Jesus.

Non-Violent Resistance

The practice of achieving political or social change through methods that do not involve violence.

Old Testament

The first major division of the Christian Bible, containing books written before the time of Jesus.

Oral Tradition

The transmission of stories, teachings, and customs by word of mouth.

Our Lord

A title of respect and reverence for Jesus Christ.

Parable

A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

Paschal Mystery

The suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Paschal Lamb

The lamb sacrificed at Passover, symbolizing Jesus as the sacrificial lamb of God.

Passion

The suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Patriarchal

Relating to a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.

Pauline Epistles

Letters written by the Apostle Paul to various churches and individuals in the early Church.

Proverbs

Short, wise sayings that offer guidance for living.

Quelle/Q

A hypothetical source of sayings of Jesus used by Matthew and Luke in addition to Mark's Gospel.

Rabbi

A Jewish teacher or religious leader.

Ransom

The price paid to release a captive; in Christian theology, Jesus's death is seen as a ransom for humanity.

Real Presence

The doctrine that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist.

Restoration of Life Miracles

Miracles in which Jesus brings a dead person back to life.

Revelation, Book of

The final book of the New Testament, containing symbolic visions of the end times.

Rusch (EdPuzzle)

Likely refers to material presented by Rusch in an EdPuzzle assignment.

Sacred Scripture

The Bible, regarded as the inspired word of God.

Sacred Tradition (see Tradition)

The living transmission of the Gospel message in the Church.

Signs (in John's Gospel)

Miraculous events in John's gospel that reveal Jesus's divine glory and call people to believe in him.

Sin

A violation of God's will.

Son of God (233)

A title for Jesus Christ, affirming his divine status.

666

Symbolic number in the Book of Revelation, often associated with the Antichrist or evil forces.

Synoptic Gospels

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share a similar structure and content.

Suffering Servant (62)

A figure in the Book of Isaiah who suffers for the sins of others, often seen as a prophecy of Jesus.

Tradition (29)

The living transmission of the Gospel message in the Church, both written and oral.

Transubstantiation

The doctrine that the bread and wine in the Eucharist are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.

Testimonies of Faith (27)

Accounts of personal experiences and beliefs.

Wealth, Pleasure, Power, Honor (notes)

Worldly pursuits that can distract from God.

Written Tradition (38)

The written form of the Gospel message, found in the Bible.

Dead Sea (68)

A salt lake bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west.

Galilee (68)

A region in northern Israel.

Jerusalem

A city in the Holy Land, regarded as sacred by Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Judea (68)

An ancient Roman province in the southern part of Palestine.

Samaria (68)

An ancient city and region in central Palestine.

Sea of Galilee (68)

A freshwater lake in northern Israel.

Agony in the Garden

The mental, physical, and spiritual anguish suffered by Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest.

Ascension (229-30)

The ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven forty days after his Resurrection.

Baptism of Jesus (105)

The event in which John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.

Bethlehem (31, 111)

The town where Jesus was born.

Caiaphas (101, 202)

The high priest who presided over the trial of Jesus.

Crucifixion of Jesus (7, 72, 194-195)

The execution of Jesus by being nailed to a cross.

Death of Jesus (194)

The end of Jesus's earthly life, marking the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins.

Elijah

A Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament.

Essenes (66, 72)

A Jewish sect that lived in communities apart from society and practiced ritual purity.

Great Commission

Jesus's command to his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.

Herod the Great (115)

The king of Judea at the time of Jesus's birth.

Holy Spirit (290-91)

The third person of the Trinity, the divine presence who empowers and guides believers.

I AM Statements

Statements made by Jesus in John's Gospel, declaring his divine identity and authority.