ASF 4 (Midterms)

Pentecost (AD 33)

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles; considered the birthday of the Church.

Early Church Mission

Evangelization with the message: “Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and be baptized.”

Early Christian Lifestyle

Lived in unity and charity, shared all possessions (Acts 4:32), and zealously proclaimed the Risen Christ.

Early Church Leaders

Deacons (servers), presbyters (council of elders), and episkopoi (overseers).

Persecution of Christians (1st century–313 AD)

Christians were persecuted by Roman authorities for alleged crimes such as treason, cannibalism, and immorality. Brutal punishments included being fed to lions, burned alive, or forced into gladiatorial combat.

Notorious Roman Emperors

Nero, Decius, Diocletian, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, and Domitian — known for brutal persecution of Christians.

Catacomb Church

Underground Christian communities where early believers celebrated the Eucharist and found strength during persecution.

ICHTHUS

A secret Christian symbol meaning "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."

Indefectibility of the Church

The belief that the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, cannot be destroyed by any force.

Apologetics

The reasoned defense of the Christian faith, especially during times of persecution.

Apologist

A person who defends the Christian faith using reason. Notable apologists: Justin Martyr, Tatian, Apollinaris, Melito, Athenagoras, Theophilus of Antioch, St. Clement of Alexandria, Marcus Minucius Felix, Tertullian, St. Hippolytus of Rome.

Tertullian (155–220 AD)

Early apologist who said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity.”

Edict of Milan (313 AD)

Issued by Emperor Constantine and Licinius; legalized Christianity and ended its persecution in the Roman Empire.

Edict of Thessalonica (380 AD)

Issued by Emperor Theodosius; declared Nicene Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Council of Nicaea (325 AD)

Formulated the Nicene Creed, affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ and establishing a unified Christian doctrine against Arianism.

Council of Constantinople (381 AD)

Finalized the Trinitarian doctrine, declaring the Holy Spirit as equal to the Father and the Son.

Council of Ephesus (431 AD)

Declared Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God), affirming Jesus’ divine and human nature united in one person.

Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

Defined that Christ has two natures, divine and human — fully God and fully man — without confusion or separation.

Saint Augustine (354–430 AD)

Lived during the time when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire and witnessed the teachings of the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Occurred around 476 AD due to invasions by Germanic tribes like the Vandals.

Last Father of the Church in the West

Saint Isidore of Seville (636 AD).

Last Father of the Church in the East

Saint John Damascene (749 AD).

Medieval Church (6th–15th Century)

A period when Europe became largely Christianized, and the Church was intertwined with the state. Theocracy prevailed—Church and State were one, and religion dominated everyday life.

“The Faith is Europe and Europe is the Faith”

A slogan reflecting the deep integration of Christianity into European identity during the Medieval period.

Pope

The head of the Church and the most powerful religious figure during the medieval period.

Bishop

The head of a diocese, second in hierarchy under the Pope.

Abbot

The head of a monastery, responsible for overseeing monastic life and the monks.

Emperor

The head of the empire, politically powerful but also subject to religious validation by the Pope or bishops.

King

The head of a kingdom, subordinate to the religious authority of the Church.

Monasticism

A religious way of life involving renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote oneself to spiritual work; thrived during the Medieval era.

Monasteries

Religious communities that played major roles in agriculture, education, and spiritual guidance during the medieval period.

Church Hierarchy (Medieval)

1. Pope

2. Cardinals

3. Bishops/Archbishops

4. Priests

5. Monastic Orders (under Abbot/Abbess)

Protestant Reformation

A major 16th-century movement to reform the Roman Catholic Church that led to the formation of Protestant churches, beginning with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517.

Indulgence Abuse

The selling of indulgences became corrupt; rather than discouraging sin, they became a way for the wealthy to "pay off" their sins.

Martin Luther

German monk who criticized Church corruption and sparked the Protestant Reformation by posting his 95 Theses.

Sola Fide

Faith alone leads to salvation.

Sola Scriptura

The Bible alone is the source of divine truth.

Salvation comes through faith and good works; the Bible is one source among many of God’s revelation.

Catholic Response to Salvation

King Henry VIII (1534)

Established the Church of England (Anglican Church) for political reasons, separating from the Roman Catholic Church.

Great Schism of 1054

The formal split between the Western Church (Rome) and the Eastern Church (Constantinople), due to theological, cultural, and political conflicts.

The West centralized authority under the Pope, while the East had a more localized structure.

Power Struggle Between Bishops

• East: Priests can marry; used leavened bread; icons not always used

• West: Priests are celibate; used unleavened bread; icons venerated

• Disagreement over the “filioque” clause in the Nicene Creed

Cultural & Theological Differences

Mutual excommunications between the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople marked the formal break.

Jurisdictional Conflicts

Church Counter-Reformation

A Catholic revival starting with the Council of Trent (1545–1563), aiming to reform the Church internally rather than directly opposing Protestantism.

Council of Trent (1545–1563)

Aimed to correct abuses, train clergy properly, reaffirm Catholic doctrine, and promote personal holiness within the Church.

Reforming Saints

Saints like Charles Borromeo, Teresa of Ávila, and Francis de Sales led spiritual renewal during the Counter-Reformation.

was declared the official language of the Church and Mass during the Counter-Reformation.

Latin

Age of Enlightenment

A European intellectual movement (17th–18th century) promoting reason and science over religious authority, challenging the Church.

Modern Church Mindset

Focus shifted from “Who is man in relation to God?” to “Who is man in relation to himself?” influenced by Humanism and Enlightenment thinking.

First Vatican Council (1869–1870)

Declared Papal Infallibility in matters of faith and morals; addressed rationalism, liberalism, and materialism.

Papal Infallibility

Doctrine that the Pope cannot err when proclaiming teachings on faith or morals under specific conditions.

Second Vatican Council (1962–1965)

Modernized the Church: updated liturgy, promoted lay participation, ecumenism, and religious freedom; aimed to dialogue with the modern world.

Saint Augustine – Father of the Church

Recognized for his holiness, early influence, and orthodox teachings; lived within the first 500 years of Christianity.

Saint Augustine – Doctor of the Church

Honored for his holiness and intellectual contributions to theology and spirituality.

Saint Augustine’s View of the Church

Distinguished between the Church as a spiritual reality (God’s communion with humanity) and as an institution.

Purgative Way

cleansing from sin

Illuminative Way

growth in virtue and understanding

Unitive Way

union with God

The Rule of Saint Augustine

A foundational monastic rule emphasizing love of God and neighbor as the center of Christian life.

Augustine as Bishop of Hippo

Defended the primacy of the Bishop of Rome and the Nicene Creed against heresies.

Ecclesiology

A branch of theology concerned with the study of the Church. It explores the Church's nature, purpose, and role, asking whether it is visible, invisible, or both. The term comes from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “to call out of.”

Ekklesia

A Greek term meaning “to call out of.” It is the root of the word "church" and implies a gathering of people summoned for a purpose. It underscores the Church as a convocation initiated by God.

Ecclesia

The Latin equivalent of the Greek ekklesia, referring to the Church. The Catechism traces its meaning to the divine act of calling people into communion with God (cf. CCC 751).

Marks of the Church

The four essential features of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic (CCC 811). These traits define the Church’s identity and mission.

Ignatius of Antioch on “Catholic Church”

In the 2nd century, St. Ignatius first used the term “Catholic Church” to describe the universal presence of Christ and the bishop among the people (Letter to the Smyrnaeans).

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church, composed of the Pope and bishops. It ensures faithful interpretation and transmission of Sacred Scripture and Tradition.

Apostolic Succession

The unbroken transmission of apostolic authority from the apostles through successive popes and bishops. It ensures continuity in teaching, sanctifying, and governing the Church.

The Church is One

The Church is a single, unified body founded by Christ.

The Church is Holy

It is sanctified by Christ and helps its members grow in holiness.

The Church is Catholic

It is universal and open to all.

The Church is Apostolic

It is built on the apostles and their teachings.

The Church

established by Jesus Christ, is described as a body made up of different members, each contributing to the whole. St. Paul emphasizes the unity of the members, Christ as the Head, and the Church as the bride of Christ (CCC 789).

1. Unity of the members

2. Christ as the Head

3. The Church as the bride of Christ (CCC 789)

Characteristics of the Church as the Body of Christ

The People of God

are members of the Church who are "born anew" through baptism and faith in Christ. They live by the new commandment to love as Christ loved and are called to be salt of the earth and light to the world (CCC 849, 1267, 1741, 1972).

The Pope

is the successor of St. Peter, the head of the Apostles, and the Vicar of Christ on Earth. He holds full, supreme, and universal power over the Church (LG 22-23).

Bishops

are successors of the Apostles, tasked with teaching doctrine, leading worship, and governing the Church. They act as shepherds, overseeing the flock (LG 20).

Priests

are co-workers with bishops, responsible for preaching the Gospel, shepherding the faithful, and celebrating divine worship (LG 28).

Deacons

assist bishops and priests, performing tasks like baptizing, proclaiming the Gospel, and presiding over funerals. The permanent diaconate was restored at Vatican II (LG 29).

Laity

Baptized members not in Holy Orders or a religious state, share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly office of Christ and participate in the mission of the Church (LG 31).

Religious

are those who commit to living a life dedicated to spreading the Kingdom of Christ, working for the strengthening of souls and the expansion of God's work on Earth (LG 44).

The Holy Spirit

dwells in the Church, giving it life and connecting all its members to Christ as the soul of the Church (CCC 797).

Christus Totus (Whole Christ)

St. Augustine explains Christ in three ways: as God before the incarnation, as man after the incarnation, and as the Head and Body, with all believers as members of the Church (Sermo 341).

The Church as Sacrifice

The Church's worship includes offering sacrifices, especially in the Eucharist. Augustine sees the Church as offering the Body of Christ as a sacrifice to God, the highest form of worship (Romans 12).

Salvation Outside of the Church

While the Church traditionally preached that salvation is only for its members, Pope Pius IX stated that even those who are unaware of the Church can be saved by living moral lives and following God's natural law

Body of Christ

A communion of people with God, united through the Eucharist.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

The Church is the soul of the Spirit, working for salvation.

Sacrament

A visible sign of Christ, uniting people and bringing about salvation.

People of God

A community of baptized believers who follow the law of love and are destined for God's Kingdom.

Mission

The Church's mandate to preach the Gospel to all people and establish the Kingdom of God on earth, fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples of all nations.

Missionary Motivation

The Church's missionary drive stems from God's love for humanity, urging believers to spread the Gospel through the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Vocation of Lay People

The laypeople's role in seeking God's Kingdom by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will, necessary for permeating society with Christian doctrine.

Mission of the Church

The Church's purpose to proclaim and establish the Kingdom of God, beginning with Jesus Christ and continuing among all peoples through social action and the Gospel.

Constitutive Dimension of the Gospel

The Gospel's core consists of Scripture (hearing the Good News), Sacraments (worship and prayer life), and Social Mission (action for social justice).

Role of the Church in Society

Teaching and spreading the Church's Social Doctrine, aiming to guide people's behavior and promote justice in various sectors of society.

Social Teachings of the Church

The Church's reflections on human existence in society, offering moral teachings and directives for action based on faith, tradition, and the Gospel.

Aim of the Church’s Social Teachings

To interpret social realities in light of the Gospel, guiding Christian behavior and promoting justice in response to societal situations.

Truth

Moral and religious truths about human dignity.

Principles and norms

Guidelines for behavior in public and private life.

Values

Respect for human dignity, justice, peace, and the common good.

Permanent Character

Based on the Bible, Sacred Tradition, and Natural Law, valid across all times and places.