Church History and Theology Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Augustine, Church Organization, Early Church Leaders, Eastern and Western Christian Divisions, and the Rise of Monasticism.

St. Augustine of Hippo

Christian bishop of Hippo Regius ($395\text{--}430\,\text{CE}$) and theologian who wrote Confessions and The City of God, defending Catholic doctrine against Manicheism, Donatism, and Pelagianism.

Confessions

Augustine's autobiography detailing his spiritual search, moral struggles, and conversion to Christianity after hearing a child say 'take and read'.

Against the Donatists

Augustine's work arguing that the Church is a mixed body of saints and sinners made holy by God's love rather than human perfection, justifying forced compliance when motivated by love.

The City of God

Augustine's defense of Christianity against claims that it caused the fall of Rome in $410\,\text{CE}$, contrasting the temporal 'city of man' with the eternal 'city of God'.

Pelagius

British monk who taught that human striving can lead to moral perfection, Adam's sin affected only himself, and newborns are born pure with inherent freedom of choice.

Council of Orange

A $529\,\text{CE}$ church council declaring that original sin is real and that God provides grace at baptism for good works and predestines the saved, without predestining anyone to damnation.

Deification

Eastern Orthodox Christological view that Christ's victory on the cross secured the opportunity for believers to become like God.

Icons

Two-dimensional sacred artworks used in Eastern Orthodox worship, officially approved at the Seventh Ecumenical Council in Nicea in $787\,\text{CE}$.

Filioque

Latin phrase meaning 'and the Son' added by the Western Church to the Nicene Creed, rejected by the Eastern Church as an unauthorized alterating of the creed and theological error.

Schism of 1054

The official split between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy after papal representative Humbert and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicated each other.

Edict of Milan

Decree issued by Emperor Constantine in $313\,\text{CE}$ granting official religious toleration to Christians throughout the Roman Empire.

Emperor Theodosius

Roman emperor who designated Nicene Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire in $380\,\text{CE}$.

Basilica

A long rectangular architectural structure adopted by Christians after legalization for large-scale gathering and public worship.

Nave

The central open hall inside a basilica where the choir and congregation assembled during worship.

Apse

The semi-circular area at the end of a basilica designated for the clergy, the Bishop's chair, relics, and the communion altar.

Lent

A $40$\text{-}day period of spiritual discipline and preparation preceding Easter, originally established for baptismal candidates.

Epiphany

A Christian holiday on January $6$ commemorating the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles through the visit of the Magi.

Episcopal Structure

The three-fold ministry model of church governance led by Bishops (Episkopos), Presbyters (Presbuteroi), and Deacons (Diakanoi).

Patriarchates

The five major cities with prominent bishop seats in early Christianity: Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Rome.

Ambrose of Milan

Governor who became Bishop of Milan ($337\text{--}397\,\text{CE}$), renowned orator, conversion influence on Augustine, and advocate of church authority over secular rulers.

John Chrysostom

Preacher known as 'golden-mouthed' ($349\text{--}407\,\text{CE}$) who became Bishop of Constantinople in $398\,\text{CE}$ and was exiled in $403\,\text{CE}$ for criticizing aristocratic and imperial corruption.

Jerome

Christian scholar ($345\text{--}420\,\text{CE}$) who promoted celibacy and translated the Bible into Latin, producing the Vulgate.

Vulgate

The official Latin translation of the Bible translated from original Hebrew and Greek texts by Jerome.

Anthony of Egypt

Ascetic ($251\text{--}356\,\text{CE}$) known as the 'Father of Monasticism' who surrendered his wealth to live as a hermit in the desert.

Eremitical Monasticism

A form of monasticism focused on solitary living, self-denial, and prayer as a hermit.

Cenobitic Monasticism

Communal monasticism where individuals live together under an abbot's authority, sharing prayer, work, and discipline.

Pachomius

Monastic founder who established the first known communal (cenobitic) monastery in $320\,\text{CE}$.

Basil the Great

Fourth-century theologian ($330\text{--}379\,\text{CE}$) who established Eastern communal monasticism, rejecting hermit life to emphasize neighborly love and service to the poor.

Patrick

Missionary ($389\text{--}461\,\text{CE}$) who utilized monastic communities as active centers for evangelizing and spreading Christianity across Ireland.

Benedict of Nursia

Founder of Monte Cassino ($529\,\text{CE}$) and author of the Rule of Benedict ($534\,\text{CE}$), establishing western communal monasticism centered on poverty, chastity, and obedience.