god is real and so is everything else

What is religion?

A system of beliefs and practices that connects people with the sacred and orders their moral and communal life.

What is theology?

Reflection on faith that seeks to understand God and all things in relation to God.

What is St. Anselm’s classical definition of theology?

Fides quaerens intellectum = “faith seeking understanding”; believers use reason to deepen what they already believe.

What are the sources of theological reflection?

Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience

How can we think of faith and its role in theology?

Faith is both trust and commitment; it begins the theological quest and gives it meaning.

How do faith and reason relate to each other?

They complement—not oppose—each other: faith gives insight into ultimate meaning; reason clarifies and tests understanding.

In what sense can we say God is Mystery?

God infinitely transcends human comprehension yet reveals love; known truly but never fully

What approach does Abraham Heschel propose?

Approach God with awe and wonder—stand before Mystery rather than try to solve it.

In what sense can we know and name God?

We know through revelation and creation, but all names are analogies that point beyond themselves.

What is God’s transcendence and immanence?

Transcendence = beyond creation; Immanence = present within it. God is both infinitely other and intimately near.

What does it mean that God is ipsum esse (“to be itself”)?

God is the very act of existence—the ground of all being, not one being among others.

What kind of love is agape and how does it shape Christian understanding of God?

Self-giving, unconditional love; defines God’s nature and underlies Jesus’ teaching to love even enemies.

What are good reasons to suggest that God exists?

Philosophical (contingency, order, moral law) and experiential (love, conscience, beauty, faith).

What is the Bible?

A library of sacred books narrating God’s relationship with humanity.

What are its major parts?

What are its major parts?

What is the historical-critical approach?

Interprets Scripture through its historical context, language, and literary forms to reach the author’s intent.

How does the historical critical approach aid canonical reading?

It clarifies meaning while keeping the unity of Scripture as canon.

How did the Christian canon form?

Through community discernment of texts inspired and consistent with apostolic faith.

What are the “three worlds” of the text?

Behind (text’s history), Within (its literary world), In front (the reader’s world).

Why know a passage’s historical context or literary form?

It reveals intended meaning and prevents misinterpretation

What is a typological reading and its purpose?

Reading OT events as foreshadowing NT realities—shows continuity between Testaments.

What does typology suggest about OT–NT relationship?

The OT prepares for fulfillment in Christ; the NT completes what the OT promises.

What other names describe the Old Testament?

First Testament or Hebrew Bible.

What are its major parts?

Torah/Pentateuch, Prophets, and Writings (TaNaK).

Define Torah and Pentateuch.

Torah = Law or instruction; Pentateuch = first five books (Genesis–Deuteronomy).

Define Tetragrammaton.

The four-letter divine name YHWH, meaning “I AM WHO AM.”

Define Septuagint.

Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible used by early Christians.

Define Vulgate.

Latin translation of the Bible by St. Jerome.

Major themes of the Old Testament?

Covenant, liberation, justice, fidelity, and God’s steadfast love.

Which themes are key for Christian self-understanding?

Covenant and liberation prefigure salvation through Christ.

What aspects of the Ten Commandments have universal value?

Worship of one God and moral respect for life, family, and property.

What was the prophets’ role?

Speak God’s truth, challenge injustice, call Israel to covenant faithfulness.

How might prophetic critiques apply today?

Remind societies to uphold justice, care for the poor, and resist idolatry of power

Identify key OT figures (Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Cyrus)

• Abraham – covenant father.

• Moses – lawgiver, exodus leader.

• Samuel – prophet who anoints kings.

• Saul – first king.

• David – model king, ancestor of Messiah.

• Solomon – built Temple.

• Jeremiah – weeping prophet of exile.

• Isaiah – Messianic visions.

• Cyrus – Persian king who freed exiles.

What is the New Testament and how is it divided?

27 books: Gospels, Acts, Epistles (Pauline & Catholic), Revelation.

Etymological meaning of “Gospel”?

“Good news” (euangelion).

What are the four canonical Gospels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

What are the Synoptic Gospels?

Matthew, Mark, Luke — share similar view of Jesus’ life

According to Nutting Ralph, what four levels of conversation occur in Scripture?

Between God and humanity, within the community, among the books, and with readers today.

How does the historical-critical method clarify Gospel differences?

It shows each author’s audience and purpose shaped the narrative.

What’s the distinction between “event” and “meaning”?

event = what happened; Meaning = its theological interpretation (e.g., cross → salvation).

Roles of Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, Pontius Pilate, King Herod

• Mary – Mother of God.

• John – forerunner and baptizer.

• Pilate – Roman judge at Jesus’ trial.

• Herod – ruler opposing Jesus’ birth/ministry.

Who is Jesus Christ?

The Son of God incarnate; Savior who reveals God’s love.

Etymological meaning of Jesus Christ

“Jesus” = “God saves”; “Christ” = “Anointed One.”

What is the Incarnation?

The Word (God) became human in Jesus Christ (John 1:14).

How does Philippians 2:6-11 explain Incarnation?

Christ empties himself (kenosis), becomes human, and is exalted — revealing divine humility.

Major events of Jesus’ life and context?

Birth, baptism, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection — under Roman rule, amid Jewish expectation of deliverance.

In what sense is Jesus Messiah, Son of God, Lord, Savior?

Fulfillment of messianic promises; divine Sonship; lordship over life and death; redeemer from sin.

What are parables?

Short, symbolic stories provoking reflection and revealing God’s Kingdom.

Key messages of parables about Kingdom of God?

God’s reign is near, inclusive, and grows from small beginnings (e.g., Mustard Seed, Prodigal Son).

What is “doctrine”?

Authoritative teaching expressing essential Christian belief.

What is a creed and why did they emerge?

Concise rule of faith summarizing Scripture, formed to preserve unity and oppose heresies.

Two main creeds used in worship?

Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed.

Why are creeds necessary?

They clarify true belief, unite Christians, and guide interpretation.

What questions did Conciliar Christology address (4th–5th centuries)?

How Jesus can be fully God and fully human in one person.

Some heresies condemned?

Arianism (denied divinity), Docetism (denied humanity), Nestorianism (divided person).

What did the Council of Chalcedon affirm?

One person, two natures — fully divine, fully human — without confusion or separation.

What are the soteriological and ethical implications of full humanity/divinity?

Christ truly redeems human nature and models perfect love and obedience.

What does “God is Triune” mean?

What does “God is Triune” mean?

What does “God is Triune” mean?

God’s being is communion of love; relationship is God’s essence.

Implications of Trinitarian theology for Christian life?

Human community should mirror divine self-giving and unity

How do the three Persons compare?

Distinct in relation and role, equal in divinity and essence.

Some natural analogies and their limits?

Water/steam/ice or mind/word/spirit help illustrate unity & diversity, but all fall short of divine reality.

How do Christians understand God’s creative agency?

God freely creates from love, sustains all existence, and remains distinct from creation.

Helpful analogies for creation?

Artist-artwork or parent-child — show dependence but risk implying God “needs” creation.

How does God relate to the world?

Intimately present as sustainer yet utterly transcendent.

What is the main question in Genesis 1:1-2:4a vs 2:4b-25?

Gen 1: order and goodness; Gen 2: human intimacy and freedom

What is taught and presumed in these creation stories?

Taught = God’s sovereignty & goodness; Presumed = ancient cosmology.

How can Genesis be reconciled with modern science?

Read the stories theologically (why creation) rather than scientifically (how creation).

🔁 Faith ↔ Reason: what mental image helps remember their relationship?

Picture a heart (faith) and a head (reason) in dialogue — not fighting. Faith starts the conversation; reason translates it into understanding.

🎯 Mnemonic for theology’s four sources (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience)

Think “S-T-R-E ngth.” Theology gains STRE-ngth from Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience.

🪞What question turns “faith seeking understanding” into active recall?

Ask: “Why do I believe this — and how can I explain it?” That mental rehearsal mirrors Anselm’s method.

💭How to recall “God as Mystery”?

Imagine staring into a star-filled sky: you know stars are there but can’t measure infinity. That awe = Heschel’s approach.

Quick hook for “transcendence + immanence”?

Like the ocean — surface beyond reach (transcendent) yet water touches every shore (immanent).

🗺How to remember the “three worlds of the text”?

Imagine a movie set:

• Behind the scenes → production context.

• The film itself → story world.

• The audience → our world.

What does “Mystery” mean in theology?

It’s not a puzzle to solve but an infinite depth to enter — God can be truly known yet never fully comprehended.

What does Abraham Heschel propose about approaching God?

Approach through awe and wonder, not analysis; let the world awaken reverence rather than control.

What is divine transcendence?

God’s total otherness — existing beyond creation and human limit

What is divine immanence?

God’s intimate nearness — sustaining and dwelling within creation.

How can we hold transcendence and immanence together?

God is beyond yet within; the same mystery that surpasses all things also animates all things.

What does it mean to call God ipsum esse subsistens (“to be itself”)?

God isn’t one being among others but the very act of existence — the ground of being on which everything depends.

What is agape and how does it reveal God’s nature?

Self-giving, unconditional love; the essence of God’s being and the pattern for Christian life.

Why is language about God mostly analogical?

Human words point toward divine truth by resemblance, not equivalence; they hint rather than define.

What’s the risk of overly literal God-language?

t turns metaphors into idols — shrinking Mystery into an object or “bigger version of us.”

What is the difference between the Historical Jesus and the Christ of Faith?

Historical Jesus = the man of first-century Palestine studied in context;
Christ of Faith = how believers understand him as divine and risen Lord — two views of one reality.

Why do Christians call Jesus “the Christ”?

“Christ” (Christos) means “Anointed One”; it identifies Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills God’s promises to Israel.

What does “Son of God” mean in its biblical context?

Title expressing special relationship and authority; in Christian belief, points to Jesus’ divine nature.

What is the meaning of “Son of Man”?

A humble, self-referential title Jesus used; drawn from Daniel 7, it joins human suffering with heavenly authority.

What is the doctrine of the Incarnation?

God became fully human in Jesus of Nazareth — “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14).

What was the political and religious context of Jesus’ ministry?

Roman occupation of Judea, Jewish hope for liberation, tensions among Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots — all shaping expectations of the Messiah.

What does the phrase “Kingdom of God” mean in Jesus’ teaching?

God’s reign breaking into human history — a reality of justice, mercy, and peace rather than a physical kingdom.

How did Jesus reveal the Kingdom of God?

Through parables, healings, exorcisms, and table fellowship that reversed social boundaries and embodied divine compassion.

What is the meaning of discipleship according to Jesus?

Following Jesus means total commitment — leaving behind possessions, status, and security to live out God’s love.

What made Jesus’ message radical in his time?

Inclusion of outcasts, forgiveness over ritual purity, love of enemies — challenging religious and political power structures.

How does the title “Lord” (Kyrios) express early Christian faith?

Confessing “Jesus is Lord” (Phil 2:11) means acknowledging him as divine, not merely a teacher — a counter-claim to Caesar’s lordship.

What does Jesus’ crucifixion reveal about God?

The cross shows divine agape—God’s total self-gift for humanity; love that enters suffering rather than avoiding it.

How is the Resurrection more than a reversal of death?

It’s transformation into a new, glorified life that reveals God’s ultimate victory over sin and death.

How does the distinction between event and meaning apply to the crucifixion?

The event = historical execution;
the meaning = revelation of unconditional love and redemption for humanity.

What does salvation mean in the New Testament?

Restoration of relationship with God, healing of brokenness, and participation in divine life — not just forgiveness of sin.

What does redemption literally mean?

“Buying back” or liberating from bondage; metaphor for God freeing humanity from sin and death.