Theology - ALL VOCAB

communion of saints

communion of saints

The unity in Christ of all those he has redeemed: the Church on earth, in Heaven, and in Purgatory.

eschatology

A study of and teaching about the "last things" (death, judgment, heaven, hell, purgatory, the Second Coming of Christ, and the resurrection of the body).

heaven

Perfect life of supreme happiness with God and the Communion of Saints for all eternity.

purgatory

The state of purification that takes place after death for those who need to be made clean and holy before meeting the all-holy God in Heaven.

Immaculate Conception

The Church dogma that holds that the Blessed Mother, by a special grace from God and by virtue of her Son's merits, was preserved immune from all stain of Original Sin from the very first moment of her human existence.

Assumption

The Church dogma that teaches that the Blessed Mother, because of her unique role in her son's Resurrection, was taken directly to Heaven when her earthly life was over.

sin

An offense against God through a violation of truth, reason, and conscience.

venial sin

Actual sin that weakens and wounds our relationship with God, but does not destroy divine life in our souls.

vices

Bad habits or dispositions that turn us from the good and incline us to commit evil.

capital sins

Sins that are the root of other sins and vices. There are seven capital sins: pride, covetousness, envy, anger, gluttony, lust, and sloth.

mortal sin

A serious violation of God's law of love that results in the loss of God's life (sanctifying grace) in the soul of the sinner.

Hell

Eternal separation from God that results from a person's dying after freely and deliberately acting against God's will (not repenting of mortal sin).

resurrection of the body

The Christian belief that when Christ comes again, he will reunite the bodies of every human with their souls.

Beatific Vision

Seeing God face-to-face in heaven, the source of our eternal happiness, final union with the Triune God for all eternity.

particular judgment

The individual's judgment right after death, when Christ will rule on one's eternal destiny to be spent in Heaven (after purification in Purgatory, if needed) or in Hell.

last (general) judgement

Jesus's Christ's judgment of the living and the dead on the last day, when he comes to establish God's Kingdom fully.

Amen

A Hebrew word for "truly" or "it is so," thus signifying agreement with what has been said. New Testament and liturgical prayers, creeds, and other Christian prayers end with "Amen" to show belief in what has just been said.

Paraclete

another name for the Holy Spirit that means advocate, defender, or consoler

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

An outpouring of God's gifts that enable us to live a Christian life. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord.

Theophany

An appearance or manifestation of God to humans

grace

God's gift of friendship and life that enables us to share his life and love

charism

A special gift of the Holy Spirit that helps us build up the Church, Christ's Body.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Perfections that result from living in union with the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

consubstantial

Having the same nature or essence

substance

nature or essence

person

refers to distinctions among the Father, Son and Spirit

Gospel

Term meaning "good news". This term refers to (1) Jesus's own preaching, (2) the preaching about Jesus the Savior, and (3) the 4 Spirit-inspired written version of the Good News found in the New Testament.

Incarnation

the teaching that God's eternal Son assumed a human nature and became man in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins

Christ

A title of Jesus meaning "the anointed one." Translates to Hebrew "messiah."

Messiah

Hebrew word for "anointed one," translates to Greek "Christ."

Salvation

God's forgiveness of sins, accomplished through the mercy of Jesus Christ, resulting in the restoration of friendship with God.

Jesus

personal name from Hebrew "Yehoshua," meaning "God saves."

blasphemy

insulting God/something holy; the crime Jesus was accused of

New Testament

Refers to (1) Jesus, but more commonly (2) the collection of writings in the Bible about Jesus and the Church

evangelist

"one who proclaims the good news"; author of a gospel

Catechesis

means to "sound down"; a process of education in the faith

parable

A favorite teaching device of Jesus in which he told a short story with a striking, memorable comparison that taught a religious message, usually about some aspect of God's Kingdom.

Virgin Birth

A Church teaching that Jesus was conceived through the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit without the cooperation of a human father.

Kingdom of God

The reign of God proclaimed by Jesus and begun in his Life, Death, and Resurrection. Refers to the process of God reconciling and renewing all things through his Son, to his will being done on earth and in heaven.

the Resurrection

Christ's rising from the dead; the most important event in salvation history

the ascension

Jesus going up to heaven after his resurrection

Paschal Mystery

The saving love of God most fully revealed in the Life and especially the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Parousia

The Second Coming of Christ when the Lord will judge the living and the dead.

heresy

an obstinate denial after baptism to believe a truth that must be believed with faith, or an obstinate doubt about that faith

dogma

A central truth of Revelation that Catholics are obliged to believe

ecumenical council

A worldwide, official assembly of the bishops under the direction of the pope.

virtues

Firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith

theological virtues

Three important virtues bestowed on us at Baptism that relate us to God: faith, hope, and charity.

revelation

The way God communicates knowledge of himself to humankind, a self-communication realized by his actions and words over time

religion

The relationship between God and humans that results in a body of beliefs and a set of practices

Magisterium

The official teaching authority of the church

atheist

A person who denies the existence of God

Monotheistic

Religions that believe there is only one God

Polytheistic

religions that believe in multiple gods and goddesses

Deism

The belief that God did create the universe but that he takes no further interest in it.

agnostics

People who claim that God's existence cannot be known

Doctor of the Church

A church writer of great learning and holiness whose works the Church has highly recommended for studying and living the faith.

covenant

The open-ended contract of love between God and human beings

Bible

The inspired word of God, the written record of revelation

Sacred Tradition

The living transmission of the Church's Gospel message found in the Church's teaching, life, and worship

transcendence

A trait of God that refers to his total otherness and being infinitely beyond and independent of creation.

immanence

A trait of God that refers to God's intimate union with and total presence to his creation

Yahweh

The sacred Hebrew name for God that means "I am who am," "I am," or "I am who I am."

Blessed Trinity

The central mystery of the Christian faith. It teaches that there are three Persons in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Abba

An Aramaic term of endearment meaning "Daddy." Jesus used this word to teach that God is a loving Father.

Divine Providence

God's loving and watchful guidance over his creatures on their way to their final goal and perfection

original sin

The fallen state of human nature into which all generations of people are born

Original Holiness and Original Justice

the state of man and woman before sin

Concupiscence

An inclination to commit sin that can be found in human desires and appetites as a result of original sin.

Evangelization

To bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to others

church

The Body of Christ, that is, the community of God's people who profess faith in the Risen Lord Jesus and love and serve others under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

mystery

A reality filled with God's invisible presence. This term applies to the Blessed Trinity's plan of Salvation in Jesus Christ, the Church that is his Body, and the sacraments.

sacrament

An outward (visible) sign of an invisible grace. An efficacious symbol that brings about the spiritual reality to which it points. This term applies to Christ Jesus, the great sign of God's love for us; to the Church, his continuing presence in our world; and to the seven sacraments.

laity

All the members of the Church who have been initiated into the Church through Baptism and who are not ordained (the clergy) or in consecrated life. The laity participate in Jesus' prophetic, priestly, and kingly ministries.

liturgy

The official public worship of the Church. The sacraments and the Divine Office constitute the Church's liturgy. Mass is the most important liturgical celebration.

hierarchy

The official, sacred leadership in the Church made up of the Church's ordained ministers- bishops, priests, and deacons.

evangelical counsels

Vows of personal poverty, chastity understood as lifelong celibacy, and obedience to the demands of the community being joined, which are professed by those entering the consecrated life.

Infallibility

A gift of the Spirit whereby the Pope and bishops are preserved from error when proclaiming a doctrine related to Christian faith or morals.

canon law

The official body of rules that provides for good order in the Catholic Church.

marks of the church

Four essential signs or characteristics of Christ's Church that mark her as his true Church. The Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

catholic

From a Greek word meaning "universal" or "general". The Catholic Church is the Christian community that is one, holy, apostolic, and catholic- that is open to all people everywhere at all times and that preaches the fullness of God's Revelation in Jesus Christ.

apostle

One "sent" to be Christ's ambassador, to continue his work. Originally referred to the twelve disciples whom Jesus selected; in its widest sense refers to all of Christ's disciples

ecumenism

The movement, inspired and led by the Holy Spirit, that seeks the union of all Christian religions and eventually the unity of all peoples throughout the world.

Great Schism

A major break between the churches of the West (centered in Rome) and the East (centered in the city of Constantinople).

Protestant

A baptized Christian who believes in Christ but who does not accept all the teachings of the Catholic Church. Protestant communities first came into existence during the Reformation in the 16th century.

Liturgy

the church's official public worship; "participation in the work of God" (god continues his work through the liturgy

Sacraments

Sacraments are signs, they are effective, they convey grace, they convey sacramental grace, they confirm sacramental characters, and require proper disposition; they are visible signs of God's invisible grace

Infant vs. Adult Baptism

Same: they both get baptized with water being poured over your head, and asking the same questions Different: infants get baptized as basically newborns, then have first communion at 7yrs old, and then get confirmed from 14-16yrs old. Adults go through the RCIA, and do all 3 at the same time

Baptism Symbols (and what they represent)

Water: new life, purity, + happiness White Garment: purity + new identity Oil: healing, strength, + cleansing Candle: light, guidance, + light to others

Baptism Effects

Forgiveness of sin, death and new life, makes someone a member of the church, and sacramental character

Baptism Form, matter, and minister

Form: "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matter: water Minister: priest/deacon

Confirmation (history)

comes form the apostles preforming the laying on of hands on the newly baptized to give them the Holy Spirit

Confirmation Form, matter, and Minister

Form: "N., be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" Matter: oil Minister: bishop

Confirmation Symbols

Chrism: cleansing + protection Laying on of Hands: healing + comfort Sign of Peace: unity + community

Confirmation Effects

• completes entry into the church

• confirms gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Sacramental Character

Eucharist (origins)

at the last supper, Jesus broke a piece of bread and gave it to his disciples saying, "This is my body broken for you. Take and eat, in remembrance of me". He then took wine and told them, "this is my blood. Take and drink in remembrance of me".

Eucharist Names

Eucharist: means thanksgiving; by celebrating the Eucharist, we give thanks to God for his salvation Lords Supper: eucharist was instituted at the last supper Breaking the Bread: we receive the bread of life to become the bread of life to others Blessed Sacrament: what we call the bread + wine when its consecrated Holy Sacrifice: "to make holy"; eucharist makes us holy in many ways Holy Mass: "missa" meaning dismissal; we receive christ in the eucharist, then go to be christ for others

Eucharist Form, Matter, and Minister

Form: "This is my body" and "This is the cup of my blood" Matter: Bread + wine Minister: priest

Eucharist Effects

• unites us to Jesus (and other christians)

• forgives venial sins

• makes Jesus' sacrifice present again

4 Main parts of the Mass

Introductory Rites: penitential rite, gloria, + opening prayer Liturgy of the Word: First reading, responsorial psalm, second reading, alleluia, gospel, homily, the creed, + the general intercession Liturgy of the Eucharist: Offertory, eucharistic prayer, Lords prayer, sign of peace, and lamb of god Concluding Rite: dismissal