Church History Flashcards

Flashcards for key vocabulary and concepts in Church history.

Abraham

Covenant of descendants, land, and blessing (sign: circumcision)

Moses

Covenant through the Law at Mount Sinai (sign: Ten Commandments)

David

Covenant of kingship and that his line would last forever

Jesus (New Covenant)

Covenant of salvation through His death and Resurrection (sign: Eucharist)

Christian

First used in Antioch (Acts 11:26). It means “followers of Christ.”

Catholic

First used by St. Ignatius of Antioch around 110 A.D. It means “universal,” showing that the Church is for all people, not just one group.

Body of Christ

Church is united in Christ, like a body (1 Cor 12).

Bride of Christ

Jesus loves the Church like a bridegroom loves his bride.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Church is where the Holy Spirit lives and works.

People of God

We are God's chosen people, continuing the Old Testament tradition.

Vine and Branches

Jesus is the vine; we are the branches (John 15).

Council of Jerusalem (c. 50 AD)

To decide if Gentile converts had to follow Jewish laws; Gentiles did not have to follow full Jewish Law

Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

To fight Arianism (said Jesus wasn't God); Wrote the Nicene Creed, said Jesus is truly God

Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

To decide if Mary could be called “Mother of God”; Mary is Theotokos (God-bearer)

Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

To explain Jesus’ nature; Jesus is fully God and fully man (one person, two natures)

Council of Trent (1545–1563)

Respond to the Protestant Reformation; Reformed abuses; confirmed 7 Sacraments; importance of both Scripture and Tradition

Vatican II (1962–1965)

To modernize and renew the Church; Mass in local language, more laity involvement, interfaith dialogue

Unity Signs

One faith (Creed), One worship (Sacraments), One leadership (Pope and bishops)

Diversity Within Unity

Different liturgical rites (e.g., Roman, Byzantine), Different cultures and spiritualities, Different religious orders (e.g., Franciscans, Jesuits)

Heresy

False teaching (e.g., Arianism)

Schism

Splitting from Church authority (e.g., Eastern Orthodox in 1054)

Apostasy

Totally rejecting the Christian faith (e.g., denying Christ under persecution)

Pentecost

When the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles; the “birthday” of the Church

Advent

Preparing for Christ’s birth

Christmas

Celebrating Jesus’ birth

Ordinary Time

Growing in our faith

Lent

Time of penance and fasting before Easter

Triduum

3 holy days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday)

Easter

Celebrating the Resurrection

Temporal punishment

Consequences of sin that remain even after forgiveness