Theology Final

Samaria

Intermarried with foreigners; despised by other Jews.

Judea

Religious center; land included Jerusalem.

Galilee

Land of Gentiles; looked down upon by Jews.

Pharisees

Well educated; focused mainly on strict observance of the law but not the spirit of the law.

Sadducees

Most powerful Jewish sect; cooperated with Gentiles; followed the Torah; with Pharisees, executed Jesus.

Essenes

Withdrew from the rest of the world.

Zealots

Militant Jewish group that battled for independence.

Gospel

"Good news" — story of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Synoptic

Gospels with a shared vision of Jesus; focus upon His humanity.

Sections of the New Testament

Gospels, Historical, Epistles/Letters, Apocalyptic.

Relationship between Old and New Testament

The NT lies hidden in the OT, and the OT is unveiled in the NT.

Parents of Jesus

Mary and Joseph.

Jesus' Religion

Jewish; born in Galilee.

Historical Evidence for Jesus

Eyewitnesses, gospels, and texts.

Why do we have four gospels?

To talk about Christ from different lenses.

Focus of Matthew's Gospel

Jesus as Messianic King.

Source of Matthew's Gospel

Eyewitnesses, Mark, "Q" source.

Audience of Matthew's Gospel

Jewish Christians.

Focus of Mark's Gospel

Jesus as servant.

Source of Mark's Gospel

Eyewitness.

Audience of Mark's Gospel

Roman Gentiles.

Focus of Luke's Gospel

Jesus as human.

Source of Luke's Gospel

Mark, "Q" source.

Audience of Luke's Gospel

Gentiles.

Focus of John's Gospel

Jesus as God.

Source of John's Gospel

Eyewitness.

Audience of John's Gospel

All Christians.

Synoptic Gospels vs John's Gospel

Synoptics focus on Jesus' humanity; John focuses on His divinity.

How were the Gospels written down?

Writers examined sources from oral tradition and eyewitnesses.

Nativity

The story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.

Emmanuel

"God is with us"; refers to Jesus.

Magi

Three priests of other religions who studied the stars.

Epiphany

Feast celebrating the manifestation of Christ as Savior.

Logos

Eternal Word of God; Jesus.

Incarnation

When the Son, the Word of God, took on human nature.

Fiat

Mary's "yes" to God's will.

Lent

Liturgical season of 40 days, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday evening; time of preparation.

Annunciation

Angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce she will have Jesus.

Mary

The Ark of the New Covenant; Mother of God.

Joseph

Foster father of Jesus.

Gabriel

Angel who announced Jesus' birth to Mary.

Zechariah

Priest in the temple; married to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth

Mary's cousin; married to Zechariah; initially unable to have children.

John the Baptist

Jesus' cousin; son of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

Peter

Chosen as the first Pope.

Similarity between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant

Mary holds the presence of God like the Ark, making her the new Ark.

Difference between Matthew and Luke's genealogies

Luke connects Jesus to Adam; Matthew connects Jesus legally to David.

Difference between Matthew and Luke's infancy narratives

Matthew includes Magi; Luke includes shepherds.

Three gifts of the Magi and their meanings

Gold: kingship; Frankincense: priesthood; Myrrh: burial preparation.

Why did the Holy Family flee to Egypt?

To escape King Herod's order to kill the Messiah.

Massacre of the Innocents

King Herod orders execution of all male children under two in Bethlehem.

Why did Herod order the massacre?

He feared the Messiah would overthrow him.

What was Jesus doing in the Temple when found by Mary and Joseph?

Sitting with the teachers.

When did Jesus' public ministry begin?

After His baptism.

Who baptized Jesus? Did He need it? Why?

John the Baptist baptized Him; Jesus did not need baptism because He was sinless.

How are all three Persons of the Trinity present at Jesus' baptism?

Holy Spirit descends as a dove; God the Father's voice from heaven declares Jesus His beloved Son.

Length of Lent and its three pillars

40 days; prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Prayer pillar of Lent

Renewing our relationship with Christ.

Fasting pillar of Lent

Abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent; giving something up.

Almsgiving pillar of Lent

Giving money or goods to the poor.

Rabbi

Jewish teacher well educated in scripture.

Disciple

"Learner"; one who follows Jesus.

Kingdom of God

The Father's reconciling and renewing all things through His Son.

Sermon on the Mount

Section in Matthew's gospel with Jesus' first of five discourses.

Beatitudes

Key portion of the Sermon on the Mount teaching how to achieve the Kingdom of God.

Parable

Short story used to teach a moral lesson.

Levite

A Jew; member of the tribe of Levi.

Samaritan

Resident of Samaria despised by Jews.

Paschal

Means "passover."

Passion/Patior

Jesus dying for us.

Paschal Mystery

Jesus' work of redemption by His passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Protoevangelium

First good news.

Ascension

Jesus returns to the Father after 40 days.

How is Jesus' teaching different from other rabbis?

He taught with authority and did not quote past teachers.

How does a disciple follow their rabbi?

By learning words, deeds, and daily life.

Relationship between Samaritans and Jews

Jews looked down on Samaritans.

Moral sense of the Good Samaritan parable

Love all God's people, especially those in need.

Allegorical sense of the Good Samaritan parable

The Samaritan represents Jesus' love and help for everyone.

Summary of the Prodigal Son parable

Younger son wastes inheritance, becomes servant, father welcomes him back; older son is jealous.

Significance of the younger son's request

To be a servant.

Shocking aspect of the Father's response

Father embraces the son despite his uncleanness.

What does the Prodigal Son teach about God?

God is a loving Father who welcomes us home.

How does Jesus compare to Moses in the Sermon on the Mount?

Moses gave old law; Jesus gave the new law.

Four kinds of miracles

Healing, Exorcism, Nature, Raising the Dead.

Greatest miracle

Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

How is Jesus' sacrifice a Passover?

Like the Passover lamb, the Eucharist is both sacrifice and meal.

Why was Jesus going to Jerusalem?

To celebrate Jewish Passover.

Is the Eucharist a symbol or really Jesus' Body and Blood?

It is really Jesus' Body and Blood.

Sacraments instituted at the Last Supper

Eucharist and Holy Orders.

Jesus' physical condition in the Agony in the Garden

Sweats blood.

Jewish authorities' accusation against Jesus

Blasphemy.

Pilate's condemnation of Jesus

Claiming to be king.

Who helped Jesus carry His cross?

Simon.

Events remembered during Holy Week

Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper, Jesus' Death, Jesus' Resurrection.

Lectio Divina

"Sacred reading"; ancient prayer tradition reading and meditating on scripture.

Liturgy of the Hours

Brief prayers at fixed hours throughout day and night.

Liturgy

Public worship through which Christ continues to save us.

Liturgical Calendar

Yearly celebration of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Psalms

Collection of prayers read or sung at Mass and Liturgy of the Hours.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus.