Christianity Quiz Study - Honors World History

Origins of Christianity - Judaism Context

At the time of Jesus, Judaism had developed into approximately 24 competing factions or sects.

AD (Anno Domini)

Latin for "In the year of the Lord"; marks years following the estimated birth of Jesus, which forms the basis of the modern Gregorian calendar.

Life of Jesus

Born in Palestine as a Jewish carpenter; conducted three years of public ministry in mid-life; followers were known as "disciples," and some Jews viewed him as the promised Messiah.

Parables

Short stories or moral lessons used by Jesus to teach spiritual and ethical principles.

Core Teachings of Jesus

Monotheism (one God), adherence to the 10 Commandments, love, compassion, mercy, humility, and selflessness.

Arrest of Jesus

Arrested after driving out merchants and money changers from the Temple, which was seen by authorities as an insurrection, treason, and a threat to the status quo.

Crucifixion (Death of Jesus)

Executed around 30 A.D. via crucifixion—a harsh Roman punishment reserved for political/religious agitators, slaves, pirates, and those accused of treason.

Martyr

A person who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce their religious principles or beliefs; Christian martyrs inspired Romans to investigate Christianity.

Polytheism vs. Monotheism

Polytheism is the belief in multiple gods (practiced by ancient Romans); Monotheism is the belief in only one God (practiced by Jews and Christians).

Paul the Apostle

A convert to Christianity who spread the faith to Gentiles (non-Jews), made Christianity less tied to Jewish behavioral laws, and was executed by Romans in 65 C.E.

Peter the Apostle

A chief disciple of Jesus who helped spread early Christianity across the Roman Empire and was traditionally considered the first Bishop of Rome.

Constantine's Conversion (313 A.D.)

Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and issued legal tolerance, leading to Christianity becoming accepted across the Roman Empire.

Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.)

The first ecumenical council (a council representing the entire Church) that adopted the Nicene Creed and settled disputes regarding Jesus's divinity.

The Trinity

The central Christian doctrine that God exists as three persons in one divine essence: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

The Great Schism (1054 A.D.)

The official split of the Christian Church into the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East over disputes regarding papal authority and theology.

Filioque Controversy

A key doctrinal debate where the Western (Roman Catholic) Church added "and the Son" (Filioque in Latin) to the Nicene Creed regarding the Holy Spirit's origin, which was rejected by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Bible (Structure)

Consists of the Old Testament (essentially identical to the Jewish Torah and scripture) and the New Testament (27 books, including the Gospels, Epistles, and the apocalyptic book of Revelation).

Eucharist / Communion

A central Christian practice celebrating the Last Supper using bread and wine to signify or physically become the body and blood of Christ.

Sacraments

Formal, sacred religious practices or rituals (such as Baptism and Holy Communion) believed to confer divine grace upon believers.

Lent & Easter

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, and spiritual preparation.

Church Hierarchy - Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic

Eastern Orthodox is governed by independent, regional (autocephalous) churches led by bishops, with the Patriarch of Constantinople having honorary primacy. Roman Catholicism is centralized under the supreme authority of the Pope.

Clergy & Celibacy - Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic

Eastern Orthodox priests are permitted to be married before ordination (bishops must remain celibate). Roman Catholic priests take strictly enforced vows of celibacy.

Transubstantiation

The Roman Catholic doctrine stating that during the Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion literally become the actual physical body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Autocephalous

A term used in Eastern Orthodoxy meaning "self-headed" or independent; describes regional churches that govern themselves without answering to a higher earthly authority like a pope.

Purgatory & Salvation Views

Roman Catholicism views sin as a legal violation requiring a legal pardon, holding a belief in Purgatory (an intermediate state of cleansing before heaven). Eastern Orthodoxy views salvation as "Theosis"—an ongoing process of restoring communion between humanity and God.