Church Final exam study guide - ms. Ash

Original Sin

The first sin by Adam and Eve that wounded human nature and broke humanity's relationship with God.

Covenant

A solemn agreement between God and humanity (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic, New Covenant in Jesus).

Disciple

A follower or student of Jesus.

Apostles

The 12 men chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and leaders of the early Church.

Paschal Mystery

The Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus — the core of salvation.

Pentecost

The event 50 days after Easter when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles, enabling them to preach the Gospel.

Ekklesia

Greek word meaning "assembly" or "to call out" — the original word for Church.

Ecclesiology

The theological study of the Church.

Martyr

Someone who dies for their faith.

Edict of Milan

313 AD, legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Antioch

Early Christian community where followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

Deacon

An ordained minister serving the Church, especially in charity and liturgy.

Catechumenate

The process of preparation for Baptism.

Peter

Leader of the Apostles, martyred in Rome.

Saul (Paul) of Tarsus

Former persecutor of Christians, became a missionary and apostle.

Stephen

First Christian martyr, killed for accusing Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit.

Ananias

Disciple who baptized Paul after his conversion.

Heresy

False teaching about faith or morals.

Schism

A break in Church unity (ex. East-West Schism).

Apostasy

Complete rejection of the Christian faith.

Hypostatic Union

Jesus is one person with two natures (divine and human).

Ecumenical Councils

Gatherings of bishops to clarify Church teaching.

Protestant Reformation

16th-century movement against abuses and for reform.

Ecumenism

Efforts to promote Christian unity.

Interreligious Dialogue

Discussion between Christians and other faiths.

Oriental Orthodox Churches

Eastern churches that rejected Chalcedon (451).

Eastern Orthodox Churches

Churches that split in 1054.

Eastern Rite Catholic Churches

Catholic churches following Eastern liturgies.

Counter-Reformation

Catholic response to Protestant Reformation.

Indulgence

Remission of temporal punishment for sin.

Luther's Teachings

Sola fide (faith alone), sola scriptura (Scripture alone).

Four Marks of the Church

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic.

Why is the Church one?

One God, one founder (Jesus), one Spirit.

How is the Church one?

One faith, one worship, one leadership (Pope).

Names for Church

Militant (Earth), Suffering (Purgatory), Triumphant (Heaven).

Can a non-Christian be heretic?

No, because heresy involves denying Christian dogma after baptism.

Gnosticism

Secret knowledge for salvation.

Arianism

Jesus not fully divine.

Apollinarianism

Jesus had divine mind, not human.

Nestorianism

Jesus is two persons.

Monophysitism

Jesus only had one divine nature.

Modalism

God is one person in different modes.

Partialism

Father, Son, Spirit are parts of God, not fully God.

1054 Schism

Split between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic over authority and theology.

Indulgences

Church taught them correctly but abuses led to misunderstandings.

Did Reformers agree?

No, many disagreed on doctrines.

Universal Call to Holiness

Everyone is called to be holy.

Fiat

Mary's "yes" to God.

Sanctify

To make holy.

What is holiness?

Sharing in God's life and love.

Why is the Church holy?

Because Jesus is holy and dwells in her.

Holiness of the Church is not

The perfection of her members.

Saints

Models of holiness who intercede for us.

Mary

The most perfect saint, mother of the Church.

Steps to Canonization

Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, Saint.

Who do we worship?

God alone.

Honor to Mary & Saints

Veneration, not worship.

Why not fear loving Mary?

She leads us to Jesus.

Evangelization

Proclaiming the Gospel to all.

Proselytizing

Forcible conversion (discouraged).

Inculturation

Expressing the Gospel in local cultures.

Primary Evangelization

Initial proclamation of Gospel.

New Evangelization

Reaching baptized who've drifted.

Katholikos

Greek for universal.

What makes Church Catholic?

Universal mission and presence.

Spiritual but not religious

Problematic because it rejects community and Sacraments.

Moral Therapeutic Deism

Belief in distant God, morality as self-help.

Who shepherds diocese?

Bishop.

Who shepherds parish?

Priest.

Why evangelize?

To share salvation and grow Church.

Apostle

One sent by Jesus to preach.

Infallibility

Pope's teaching on faith/morals is free from error.

Laity

Baptized non-ordained members.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of Church.

Apostolic Succession

Continuity of authority from Apostles.

Significance of 12

Represents the 12 tribes, foundation of Church.

Replacing Judas

Matthias chosen.

When is Pope infallible?

Ex cathedra pronouncements on faith/morals.

Does Church invent truths?

No, it hands down revealed truths.

Hierarchy of truths

Some truths are more fundamental than others.

Role of laity

Participate in mission, witness in the world.

Vocation

Call from God to live a holy life.

Discernment

Process of discovering God's will.

Primary Vocation

To holiness and love.

Particular Vocation

Marriage, priesthood, religious life, single life.

True of all vocations

All call to love and holiness.

Central to discernment

Prayer, openness to God.

Three Evangelical Counsels

Poverty, Chastity, Obedience.

Three degrees of Holy Orders

Deacon (service), Priest (celebrates Eucharist), Bishop (governs, teaches, sanctifies).

Sacramental Marriage

Must be free, total, faithful, fruitful.

All vocations are 'spousal'

Called to self-giving love like Christ's.

Quote meaning

God calls you where your joy and the world's needs meet.