Religious Studies and Gospel Analysis Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic theology, the synoptic Gospels, biblical criticisms, and the key figures and groups during the time of Jesus.

Sacred Tradition

Religious truths being passed on by apostles.

Magisterium

The Church's authority to transmit God's revelation and protect it.

Pope

The leader who interprets scripture and tradition for new generations.

Hypostatic union

The belief that Jesus is simultaneously fully human and fully divine.

Messiah

The expected political and military leader in Jewish tradition; different from the spiritual savior Jesus represented.

Kerygma

The stage of oral tradition involving preaching to non-believers.

Didache

The stage of oral tradition involving teaching to believers.

Liturgy

The official public worship of the Church.

Gospel of Mark

Written between $65-70$ AD for persecuted Christians in Rome, depicting Jesus as the Suffering servant.

Gospel of Matthew

Written between $75-80$ AD for Jewish Christians, depicting Jesus as the messiah and fulfillment of OT prophecy.

Gospel of Luke

Written between $80-85$ AD for non-Jewish Christians, depicting Jesus as the Universal Savior with a concern for the poor and marginalized.

Gospel of John

Written between $96-100$ AD using poetic language and Greek influence to focus on Jesus' Divinity as the word of God.

Literal Sense

The literal description of the biblical book and its basic definition.

Allegorical Sense

The biblical sense that teaches what you should believe through symbols.

Moral Sense

The lesson of a story regarding how to live one's life.

Anagogical Sense

The purpose of scripture leading the reader toward heaven.

Source Criticism

Examining the specific sources an author used for their work.

Form Criticism

Focusing on the specific literary form or type of writing in scripture.

Historical Criticism

Attempting to find the author's original biblical intentions.

Redaction Criticism

Examining how authors arranged their work for full understanding.

Textual Criticism

Comparing minor changes and mistakes made through centuries to recover the original text.

Herod the Great

The ruler responsible for governing Judah during the time of Jesus' birth.

Pontius Pilate

The Roman governor during the crucifixion of Jesus.

Centurions

Officers in the Roman army.

High Priest

The highest ranking religious leaders.

Scribes

Experts in Jewish law.

Sadducees

A Jewish sect that followed the Torah and temple rites.

Pharisees

A Jewish group that focused strictly on Jewish law.

Zealots

Revolutionaries intent on overthrowing the Roman government.

Messianic Secret

Jesus' instruction to his followers not to tell people he is the Messiah.

Pentecost

A Jewish feast $50$ days after the Sinai covenant, considered the turning point in human history with the coming of the early church.

Theophilus

The individual to whom the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed.

Ichthys

A Christian symbol representing a fish.

Heaven

Communion with the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, the blessed, and angels.

Purgatory

A state of purification and cleansing before entering heaven.

Hell

Self-exclusion from communion with God.

Immaculate Conception

The dogma that Mary was free from sin from the moment of her conception.

Annunciation

The event where Mary says yes to God's plan to bear Jesus.

Assumption

The belief that Mary's body was assumed into Heaven.