Theology I Final Exam Study Guide

Roles of the Pope

Bishop of Rome, successor of Peter, head of the universal Church, Vicar of Christ.

Election Process

Papal conclave; cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel; white smoke signals election.

Pope Francis

First Jesuit pope, first from the Americas, known for humility and focus on the poor.

Historical Popes

St. Peter (first pope), Leo the Great, John Paul II.

Habemus Papam

We have a pope (announced after papal election).

Urbi et Orbi

Papal blessing 'to the city and to the world'.

Peter as First Pope

Chosen by Jesus (Matthew 16:18).

Apostolic Succession

Unbroken line of bishops starting from the apostles.

Messiah

Anointed one - Jesus is the fulfillment of OT prophecies.

Grace

Free gift of God's life.

Incarnation

God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ.

Authorship of the Bible

Divinely inspired human authors.

Structure of the Bible

Old and New Testaments; OT: Law, Prophets, Writings; NT: Gospels, Letters, etc.

Languages of the Bible

Hebrew (OT), Greek (NT), Latin (Vulgate translation).

Dead Sea Scrolls

Ancient Hebrew scriptures found in Qumran.

Deuterocanonical Books

7 books in Catholic OT not found in Protestant Bibles (e.g., Tobit, Wisdom).

Canon of Scripture

The official list of inspired books.

Pentateuch

Genesis-Deuteronomy.

Historical Books

Joshua-2 Maccabees.

Wisdom Books

Psalms, Proverbs.

Prophetic Books

Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.

Stages of OT Formation

1. Oral Tradition - Stories passed down by word of mouth. 2. Written Tradition - Stories recorded. 3. Editing - Texts compiled and arranged.

The Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke (Synoptic), John (Non-synoptic).

Themes of Matthew

Jesus as the New Moses.

Themes of Mark

Suffering Messiah (symbol: lion).

Themes of Luke

Universal Savior, focus on outcasts.

Themes of John

Divine Son of God, poetic and theological.

Nature of Jesus

Fully Human: Born of Mary, experienced suffering and death. Fully Divine: Son of God, performed miracles, rose from the dead.

Infancy Narratives

Found in Matthew (Magi) and Luke (Shepherds). Highlight Jesus' divine and humble origins.

Key Events - Baptism

By John the Baptist; Holy Spirit descends.

Key Events - Temptation

40 days in the wilderness.

Temptation

40 days in desert; resists Satan's tests.

Sermon on the Mount

Beatitudes.

Greatest Commandments

Love God and neighbor.

Forgiveness, Mercy, and Service

Core teachings of Jesus.

Parables

Short stories with spiritual meanings.

Good Samaritan

Example of a parable.

Prodigal Son

Example of a parable.

Mustard Seed

Example of a parable.

The Kingdom of God

Central to Jesus' preaching; described as already present but not yet fully realized.

The Lord's Prayer

Given by Jesus; model of Christian prayer.

Disciple

Follower of Jesus.

Apostle

One who is sent (the 12 chosen).

Abba

Aramaic for 'Father' - Jesus' intimate term for God.

Holy Week Events

Includes Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

The Last Supper

Jesus institutes the Eucharist: 'This is my body... this is my blood'.

Blasphemy Charges

Jesus accused by Jewish leaders and condemned by Roman law.

The Passion

Jesus' suffering and death.

Resurrection

Triumph over sin and death, central to Christian faith.

Major Celebrations

Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost; each celebrates different parts of Jesus' life and salvation history.

Inerrancy

Scripture is without error in matters of faith.

Revelation

God revealing himself to humanity.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of the Church.

Gospel Symbolism

Matthew: Man (genealogy), Mark: Lion (courage), Luke: Ox (sacrifice), John: Eagle (soaring theology).

Unity of Old and New Testaments

Prophecies: OT prophets (especially Isaiah) foretold the Messiah; Typology: OT people/events foreshadow NT realities (e.g., Moses → Jesus); Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets.