Readings of Theology Flashcards

John Cavadini, “Why Study God?”

Theology is “faith seeking understanding”; Cavadini argues that theology studies God’s self-revelation and connects all disciplines to the ultimate meaning of life.

Tara Burton, “Study Theology, Even if You Don’t Believe in God”

Burton argues that theology matters even for nonbelievers because it combines history, philosophy, language, and empathy to understand religious questions on their own terms.

Dei Verbum, Chapters 1–3

Explains divine revelation, how revelation is transmitted through Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, and how Scripture is inspired by God while written by true human authors.

“A Catholic Introduction to the Bible

Old Testament” pp. 53–65

Genesis 1–2

Presents two creation accounts

Enuma Elish

Babylonian creation myth where creation comes through divine violence and humans are created as slaves for the gods, contrasting Genesis’ view of human dignity.

Joseph Ratzinger, “In the Beginning” pp. 19–39

Interprets the six-day creation scheme as liturgical, showing that creation is ordered toward Sabbath, worship, and communion with God.

Genesis 3–11

Describes the Fall, the spread of sin through Cain and Abel, the Flood, and Babel, while also introducing the first promise of redemption in Genesis 3

Joseph Ratzinger, “In the Beginning” pp. 59–77

Explains original sin as a denial of creatureliness and presents Jesus as the New Adam whose obedience heals the damage caused by sin.

Genesis 12–22

Covers Abraham’s call, God’s promises of land, nation, and universal blessing, the covenant signs, and the Binding of Isaac as the major test of Abraham’s faith.

Tzvi Novick pp. 29–36

Explains election as being chosen by God, rooted in divine love rather than human merit.

Genesis 37–50

Tells the Joseph story, including betrayal by his brothers, suffering, rise to power in Egypt, and reconciliation through divine providence.

Tzvi Novick pp. 43–49

Focuses on divine providence, showing how God can work through human history and even human wrongdoing to bring about salvation.

Exodus selections

Describes God revealing His name, freeing Israel from Egypt, defeating Egypt’s gods through the plagues, and forming Israel through the Sinai Covenant.

Tzvi Novick pp. 66–72

Interprets the Sinai Covenant through the model of a suzerainty treaty between a great king and his subjects.

1 & 2 Samuel; 1 Kings selections

Covers Israel’s monarchy, including the request for a king, Saul, David, Solomon, and God’s everlasting covenant with David.

Tzvi Novick pp. 87–98

Examines the biblical critique of human kingship and the tension between human political power and divine sovereignty.

Isaiah selections

Presents prophetic visions of restoration, including a universalist model where even enemies may convert and be included.

Jeremiah selections

Presents the New Covenant, written on human hearts rather than stone tablets.

Ezekiel selections

Presents symbolic acts of exile and the vision of the Dry Bones, signifying Israel’s restoration.

Tzvi Novick pp. 137–149

Compares restoration models after exile, especially universalist restoration in Isaiah and particularist restoration in Ezekiel.

Ezra selections

Describes the return from exile, the rebuilding of the Second Temple, and spiritual restoration through public Torah reading.

Nehemiah selections

Describes the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the physical restoration of the post-exilic community.

Tzvi Novick pp. 150–161

Explains Second Temple Judaism, including centralized worship in Jerusalem and the supreme authority of the Torah.

Richard Hays, “The Manger in Which Christ Lies”

Argues that the Old Testament is where Christ is found and that Christians should read the Old Testament in light of Christ.

Matthew 1–4

Presents Jesus’ genealogy, infancy, baptism, temptation, and early ministry, emphasizing Jesus as Messiah, Son of David, and fulfillment of Israel’s story.

Luke 1–2

Focuses on Jesus’ infancy and childhood, including the Annunciation, Mary’s Magnificat, Zechariah’s Benedictus, and Jesus in the Temple.

John 1–2

Presents Jesus as the eternal Logos, the Word made flesh, and begins Jesus’ public signs with the Wedding at Cana.

Benedict XVI, “The Question about Jesus’ Origin”

Explains Jesus’ origin as both earthly, through David’s line, and divine, from above.

Matthew 4

12–25

Mark 3

1–21

John 4

1–42

Benedict XVI, “The Disciples”

Presents discipleship as rooted in Jesus’ prayer and divine election rather than as a normal human career choice.

Matthew 5–7

The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches as the New Moses, fulfills the Law, interiorizes commandments, and gives the Our Father.

Benedict XVI, “The Beatitudes”

Interprets the Beatitudes as both a portrait of Jesus and a description of the disciple’s life in the already-but-not-yet kingdom.

Matthew 21

1–11,25

Mark 16

Presents the Resurrection proclamation and the empty tomb tradition.

Luke 24

Presents the Resurrection appearances, especially the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus is recognized in the breaking of the bread.

John 20

Presents the risen Jesus’ appearances to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas, emphasizing faith in the risen Christ.

Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

Describes Christ’s descent to the dead, where He rescues Adam, Eve, and the righteous who awaited salvation.

Acts 1–4

Describes the Ascension, Pentecost, apostolic preaching, and the communal life of the early Church.

Lumen Gentium selections

Explains the Church as mystery, sacrament of salvation, and Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11

23–13

Ephesians 5

21–33

Revelation 1–3,19–22

Begins with letters to seven churches and ends with visions of the heavenly wedding feast and the New Jerusalem.

Scott Hahn, “An Invitation to a Wedding”

Interprets Revelation as a wedding invitation centered on the union of Christ the Bridegroom and the Church His Bride.

Letter to Diognetus

Describes Christians as heavenly citizens living in the world but not belonging to it, marked by love, moral difference, and endurance under persecution.

Arius, “Letter to Eusebius”

Argues that the Son is not eternal, had a beginning, and is not of the same substance as the Father.

Athanasius, “Orations against the Arians, Book III”

Defends the full divinity of the Son and argues that Christ must be truly God in order to save humanity.

The Creed of the Synod of Nicaea

Defines Christ as begotten, not made, and of the same substance as the Father, rejecting the claim that the Son is a creature.

The Third Letter of Cyril to Nestorius

Defends calling Mary Theotokos because Christ is one divine person with a real human nature.

John Cavadini, “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Quarantined”

Argues that Marian devotion protects the truth of the Incarnation and is not optional to Christian worship.

The Didache §§7–16

Gives early Christian instructions on baptism, Eucharist, Sunday worship, confession, and communal purity.

St. Justin Martyr, The First Apology chs. 61,65–67

Describes early Christian baptism, Sunday worship, Scripture reading, Eucharist, and care for the poor.