Symbols, Sacraments, and Grace, Brief Definitions of Theology Terms, Gnosticism and Dogma Defined, Catholic Church Essentials

Signs and Symbols

Basic building blocks of human language

Principle of Mediation

Foundational to Sacramentality's meaning

Sacrament

Symbolic ritual from Greek MYSTERION and Latin SACRAMENTUM

Homoousios/Consubstantial

Term in Nicene Creed for Jesus' unity with the Father

Threefold Communication

Mystery concept related to Sacraments

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, Charity/Love

Works of Mercy

Actions of compassion towards others

Grace

Relational divine-human connection building authentic relationships

Primordial Sacrament

Term for Jesus as the original sacrament of God's presence

Church

Fundamental sacrament of Jesus' presence according to Karl Rahner

Seven Sacraments

Categorized into Initiation, Healing, and Vocation

Etymologies of Church

Kahal, Ekklesia, Ecclesia

Definition of Church

Designates liturgical assembly, local community, universal community

Four Marks of the Church

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

Gnosticism

Philosophical belief questioning who knows best

Allegory

Symbolic representation in literature or art

Apocalyptic

Literature claiming to reveal future events

Apocryphal

Writings claiming divine authority not recognized by religious communities

Catechesis

Oral instruction using organized material

Canon

Collection of accepted authoritative books or laws

Doxology

Liturgical formula of praise to God, often Trinitarian

Ecclesiology

Theology and doctrine concerning the Church

Eschatology

Teachings about the end times or 'last things'

Exegesis

Critical interpretation and exposition of a text

Fideism

Uncritical approach to faith and theology without reason

Form Criticism

Identification of literary forms in a text

Hellenization

Influencing a culture by adopting Greek ways

Heterodox

Deviation from accepted beliefs; non-orthodox

Homoousios

One in being; consubstantial

Hypostasis

a reality existing by itself, a substance.

Kerygma

Proclamation or message, from the Greek word for “herald”

Messianism

Set of ideas regarding Israel's future salvation

Monophysitism

Belief in Jesus having only one divine nature

Ontological

Relating to underlying metaphysical principles

Orthodox

Teaching in agreement with the faith of the Church

Ousia

Being; distinct entity

Parousia

Second Coming of Christ

Pericope

a section of a narrative complete in itself, a miracle story

Phusis

Nature or essence

Persona

Individual substance of rational nature; a person

Rapture Theology

Belief that Christians will be 'caught up' in the end times

Redaction Criticism

Literary analysis to uncover author's theology and viewpoint

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures in Alexandria

Soteriology

Doctrine of salvation; from Greek 'savior'

Source Criticism

Investigation of literary sources of a text

Textual Criticism

Discipline to establish original text of a biblical book

Theotokos

Greek term for 'God-bearer,' Mother of God

Gnosticism

THIS WORD (FROM THE GREEK GNOSIS, MEANING KNOWLEDGE) REFERS TO A NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS THAT CLAIMED THAT SALVATION COMES FROM SECRET KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE ELITE INITIATED IN THAT RELIGION. GNOSTICISM FIRST APPEARED AMONG CHRISTIANS IN THE SECOND CENTURY BUT HAS REAPPEARED IN VARIOUS FORMS TO THE PRESENT.

Dogma

AN AUTHORITATIVE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH IN REGARD TO FAITH AND MORALS THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A MATTER OF REVELATION AND SO AN OBLGATORY MATTER OF BELIEF.

Four Marks of the Catholic Church

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic (CCC 750)

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord (CCC 1831)

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude (CCC 1805)

Theological Virtues

Faith, Hope, Love (Charity) (CCC 1813)

Seven Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Shelter the homeless, Clothe the naked, Care for the sick, Help the imprisoned, Bury the dead (CCC 2447)

Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

Share knowledge, Give advice, Comfort the suffering, Be patient, Forgive, Give correction, Pray for the living and the dead (CCC 2447)