Catholic Theology and Church History Essentials

Monotheism

The belief and worship of one God.

Covenant

A personal, solemn promise of faithful love involving mutual commitment and a sacred relationship.

True or False: God the Father is a male.

False, God is a spirit.

Anointed One (Greek and Hebrew terms)

Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew).

Fathers of the Church

Early Church teachers (100-300 AD) whose teachings extended the traditions of the Apostles.

Arianism

Heresy believing Jesus was created and did not exist before conception in Mary's womb.

Heresy

A false doctrine or teaching contrary to the Church, such as Gnosticism or Arianism.

Gnosticism

Heresy stating salvation is obtained by an elite group through special, secret knowledge.

Solemnities

Important holy days in the Catholic liturgical calendar, like Christmas and Pentecost.

Patriarchs

Ancient fathers of the Jewish people whose stories are in the book of Exodus.

Biblical Timeline: Step 1

Biblical Prehistory (Adam and Eve to Noah, all of Genesis).

Biblical Timeline: Step 2

Patriarchs and Matriarchs (Book of Genesis, 1850 - 1750 BC).

Biblical Timeline: Step 3

Time of Moses (1290 BC).

Biblical Timeline: Step 4

Time of Kings and Priests (1250 - 1920 BC).

Biblical Timeline: Step 5

Time of Prophets (922 - 807 BC).

Martyr

One who gives their life for their faith, such as Maximilian Kolbe.

Evangelists

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Apostolic Succession

Authority passed to bishops through the laying of hands, instituted by Christ.

Ecumenism

The Church reaching out to other Christian Churches to find commonality and unity.

Interreligious Dialogue

The Church reaching out to other faiths, such as Judaism and Islam.

Holy Day of Obligation

Feast days where Catholics are obligated to participate in the Eucharist.

True or False: Original sin is any deliberate offense against the will of God.

False. (That is personal sin).

Personal Sin

Any deliberate offense in thought, word, and deed against the will of God.

Mary's Service to God

Accepted God's will, remained sinless, stayed a virgin, and witnessed Jesus' crucifixion.

Hypostatic Union

The union of Jesus' divine and human natures in one being at all times.

Title: Lord

A title for Jesus indicating His divinity and sovereignty.

Title: Redeemer

One who frees others from slavery; Jesus saving us from our sins.

Three Categories of Sacraments

Initiation, Healing, and Service.

True or False: Sacraments were instituted by the Church.

False, they were instituted by Christ.

Baptismal Formula

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Minister of Confirmation

A bishop or a designated priest.

Minister of Confession

A priest.

Minister of Matrimony

The baptized man and woman being married.

Minister of Holy Orders

A bishop.

Evangelical Council: Chastity

Not giving up your body in thought, word, and deed.

Evangelical Council: Obedience

Doing what God tells you to do.

Evangelical Council: Poverty

Living a balanced life without attachment to materialistic needs.

Physical Events of Pentecost

The appearance of fire and the sound of wind.

Mark of the Church: One

All members worship the one Lord.

Mark of the Church: Holy

The Church follows Jesus Christ who is himself holy.

Mark of the Church: Catholic

The Church is universal.

Mark of the Church: Apostolic

Roots are traced back to the apostles through succession.

Religious Vows

Vows taken by members of religious orders to live the evangelical counsels.

Our Lady of Fatima: Russia

The Blessed Mother requested prayers for the conversion of Russia.

Our Lady of Fatima: Third Appearance

A chalice and host were seen suspended in mid-air.

Our Lady of Fatima: Last Apparition

The sun appeared to dance in the sky.

Novena

A prayer that lasts nine days leading up to a celebration.

Vision of Hell

The vision shown to the children on day six of the Fatima novena.

True or False: All three children in Fatima died of the Spanish Flu.

False.

Commandment: Keep holy the Lord's day

Showing love for God by going to Mass.

Commandment: No strange gods before me

Not putting anything (like gambling) above God.

Commandment: Do not say the Lord's name in vain

Avoiding blasphemy and casual use of God's name.

Commandment: Thou shall not kill

Loving neighbors by not thinking or carrying out harmful actions.

Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife

Keeping thoughts focused on God rather than lust.

Commandment: Thou shall not steal

Not taking physical or nonphysical things or cheating.

Commandment: Honor your father and mother

Being respectful to elders.

Human Beings in God's Image

While physical characteristics differ, the spiritual soul is made in God's image.

Challenges to Consecrated Life

Poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Divine Persons Inseparability

The three divine persons are inseparable in what they are and what they do.

Mission of the Son and Spirit

When the Father sends His Son, He also sends His Spirit.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods, such as the Roman religion.

Our Lady of Lourdes

The Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.

True or False: Articulating the Trinity was easy for the Early Church.

False.

Theotokos

Greek word meaning 'God bearer', affirmed at the Council of Ephesus.

Baptism and Community

Recipients must profess and believe in the community they join.