Theology Exam #3 (Final Exam)

Scripture and Tradition

The two sources of Catholic theology; Scripture is the Bible, and Tradition is teachings passed down (like canon and interpretation). They work together and reflect each other, unlike Sola Scriptura which relies on the Bible alone.

Scripture

Source of Catholic theology that involves the Bible

Tradition

Source of Catholic theology that involves teachings that are passed down (like canon and interpretation)

Canon

The official list of books in the Bible; developed over time by the Church, making it part of Tradition.

Development of the New Testament

NT books were originally separate (like Paul’s letters) and later collected into one canon; early figures like St. Irenaeus affirmed the four Gospels.

Marcion

A heretic who created his own canon by removing Jewish elements, which pushed the Church to formally define the biblical canon

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Refers to the Old Testament as “Scripture,” showing the New Testament was not yet compiled.

Revelation 22:18-19

Refers only to the Book of Revelation, not the entire Bible, showing Scripture alone doesn’t define the canon.

Inspiration (God-breathed)

God is the primary author of Scripture, but human authors write using their own language and style.

Textual Criticism

The study of manuscripts to determine the most original wording of a text

Preservation of the New Testament

The NT spread widely with many copies and languages, preventing corruption and making it the best attested ancient text

Abba

Aramaic for “Father,” showing Jesus’ close and personal relationship with God.

Logos Christology

Based on John 1:1; teaches that Jesus is the “Word” (Logos), meaning God’s divine reason made human

Incarnation

The belief that God became human in Jesus, who is fully God and fully human

Council of Nicaea

A major Church council that clarified Jesus’ identity as fully God and fully human.

Airus / Arianism

The belief that Jesus was a created being (not fully God), rejected by the Church.

Orthodox Position

The belief that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human, sharing the same essence as God (position in the Council of Nicaea)

Trinity

One God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who share the same essence

Purpose of the Trinity

Explains how Christians can worship Jesus while still believing in one God.

Trinity as Love

God is love, and love requires relationship; the Trinity shows God as a community of love (influenced by St. Augustine of Hippo)

Church

Has two meanings (1) Institutional Church (buildings, clergy) and (2) Mystical Body of Christ (spiritual unity of believers)

Mystical Body of Christ

The spiritual unity of all Christians, seen in passages like Matthew 25.

Institutional Church

The visible structure of the Church with leadership, buildings, and organization.

Vicar of Christ

The Pope, who serves as Christ’s representative on Earth.

Parish

A local church and its surrounding community.

Diocese

A larger region made up of parishes and led by a bishop.

Worship

Originally meant giving honor, but now refers specifically to sacrifice offered to God.

Sacraments

Visible signs of God’s grace given to believers.

Power of Sacraments

Comes from Christ, not from the person performing the ritual.

Matter and Form

The physical element (matter) and words (form) required for a sacrament to be valid.

Matter

The physical element required for a sacrament to be valid

Form

The words required for a sacraments to be valid

Baptism

The initiation sacrament using water and the Trinitarian formula

Mass (Liturgy)

The Catholic worship service consisting of the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist.

Eucharist

Bread and wine become the real presence of Jesus; it is a re-presentation, not a new sacrifice.

Beatitudes

Teachings of Jesus that describe the path to true happiness through God

Positive Beatitudes

Focus on actions to pursue (mercy, righteousness, purity, peacemaking) to achieve happiness

Negative Beatitudes

Focus on detachment from worldly attachments (wealth, pleasure, power)

True Happiness (Jesus’ Teaching)

Found in relationship with God, not in worldly success or comfort

Love

Willing the good of the other, even enemies (Christian definition)

Loving Enemies

The highest form of love; reflects how God loves all people.

Nonviolence

Teachings like “turn the other cheek” that reject violence and break cycles of aggression

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

What are the four marks of the church?

One

The Church is united in belief, worship, and structure

Holy

The Church is holy because of Christ, even though its members are sinful

Catholic

Means universal; the Church is open to all and teaches the fullness of truth

Apostolic

The Church is founded on the Apostles and continues through apostolic succession.

Best Attested Work

The New Testament has more manuscript evidence than any ancient text, making its wording highly reliable

Role of Tradition

Tradition helps define, preserve, and interpret Scripture, especially since the Bible does not define itself

Bible

Library of books that have been added over centuries

New Testament

People sharing texts (continued the tradition of the informal canon)

No single person controlled the New Testament

Copies went everywhere and were translated

Heretic

Someone who denies truths of the Christian faith

5,000

Hellenistic/Greek version of the Bible has over ____ copies and is considered the best attested work (gives a better idea of the original work; extremely reliable)

Human Author and God as Author

Two authors of scripture

God

Who is the primary author of scripture (“___’s Word)

John 1

the Word was “with God” and the Word “was God”

Constantine

Roman emperor who legalized Christianity and calls the Council of Nicaea

Idolatary

Term that means false worship

Triangle

Shape used to describe Trinity

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Three Aspects of Trinity

Pope

Figure in the church who is considered a Vicar of Christ and the Patriarch of the West

Conclave

Secret meeting to elect the pope by cardinals

Latira

Worship of God that involves a sacrifice that occurs during Mass (liturgy)

Eucharist (bread + wine → in the Mass, is transformed into the Body of Christ

Structure of Sacrifice

Human Gift (offering - bread + wine)

God Transformed (body and blood of Christ - God transformed in the process of Mass)

Humans offer back (return gift)

Sacraments

Sacred signs that communicate grace (deliver what they signify) (7 total of these in the Catholic religion)

Baptism and Eucharist

Two types of Sacraments we went over in class

Real Presence

Body + blood of Christ

• Passover (symbolic)

• Flesh (reality)

Metaphysical