Christianity Exam 2

Who was Basil the Great and what were his contributions?

Basil the Great was born around 329-300, became a bishop of Caesarea in 370, and is known for his support of the Nicene Creed, helping the poor, and writing significant works such as 'On the Holy Spirit'.

What was Boethius known for?

Boethius, born around 480, integrated Greek philosophy with Christian theology, wrote 'The Consolation of Philosophy' while imprisoned, and influenced Christian thought on divine justice and free will.

What did Cassiodorus contribute to Christian literature?

Cassiodorus, born around 490, wrote 'History of the Globe', 'De Anima', and worked on translating and deciphering the Bible, aiming to harmonize ancient culture with Christianity.

What was Cyril of Alexandria's role in early Christianity?

Cyril of Alexandria, born in 376, succeeded his uncle as patriarch, was known for his conflict with Nestorius, and had a significant influence at the Council of Ephesus.

What was Jerome's major achievement in biblical scholarship?

Jerome, who lived from 345 to 420, was a leading biblical scholar and wrote the Vulgate, a Latin translation of the Bible, commissioned by Pope Damascus.

Who was Nestorius and what controversy surrounded him?

Nestorius was a monk and bishop of Constantinople who rejected the term 'Theotokos', leading to conflict with St. Cyril and the development of Nestorianism as a major heresy.

What was the Call for Reformation?

The Call for Reformation, initiated by figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, aimed to address issues within the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing scripture and faith for salvation.

What were the effects of the Black Death on Christianity?

The Black Death caused population depletion, social breakdown, radical changes in Christian attitudes, and a loss of clergy, creating a religious vacuum.

What was John Wycliffe's stance on the clergy during the Black Death?

John Wycliffe criticized the clergy as unworthy, arguing against their moral failings and the sale of indulgences, influenced by the Black Death.

What specific issues did Wycliffe attack regarding the clergy?

Wycliffe attacked issues such as annates, indulgences, simony, and the divestment of church property.

What were the key doctrines promoted by Wycliffe?

Wycliffe promoted doctrines such as scripture as the sole guide to truth, rejection of the papacy, predestination, and disapproval of clerical celibacy and indulgences.

Who were the Lollards and what did they advocate?

The Lollards were followers of Wycliffe who advocated for clerical poverty, confiscation of church property, and distributed vernacular translations of the Bible.

What was Jan Hus's contribution to the Reformation?

Jan Hus, influenced by Wycliffe, emphasized scripture as doctrine, rejected indulgences, and was executed for heresy at the Council of Constance.

What was the purpose of the Council of Constance in 1415?

The Council of Constance aimed to address the Western Schism, end rival papacies, and implement church reforms, but many reforms were delayed.

What actions did Martin Luther take against the Catholic Church?

Martin Luther challenged Catholic practices by nailing his 95 Theses to the church door, emphasizing salvation through faith alone, and translating the Bible into German.

What was the significance of Martin Luther's 95 Theses?

The 95 Theses criticized the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, and sparked the Protestant Reformation.

What was the outcome of Martin Luther's excommunication?

Martin Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X, which solidified his break from the Catholic Church and led to the formation of Protestant denominations.

What was the theological stance of Nestorianism?

Nestorianism, associated with Nestorius, emphasized a distinction between the divine and human natures of Christ, leading to significant theological controversy.

What was the role of the Theotokos in Christology?

The term 'Theotokos' refers to Mary as the 'God-bearer', which was a central issue in Christological debates, particularly against Nestorius.

What were the main ideas promoted by the Lollards?

The Lollards promoted a return to scripture-based Christianity, clerical poverty, and the distribution of the Bible in vernacular languages.

How did the Black Death influence religious practices?

The Black Death led to a breakdown of social organization and changes in Christian attitudes, with a significant loss of clergy impacting religious life.

What was the significance of the Vulgate?

The Vulgate was a Latin translation of the Bible by Jerome that became the standard text for the Western Church.

What was Martin Luther's stance at the Diet of Worms?

He refused to recant his teachings.

What does Nominalist theology suggest about salvation?

Salvation is seen in terms of a contract; if humans do their best, God will do His best to give grace.

What is justification by grace through faith?

Justification means to be put right by God; grace is a free gift from God that humans cannot earn.

Who was Leo X and what was his role in the Reformation?

Pope Leo X extended indulgences to fund St. Peter's Basilica and opposed Martin Luther.

What was the purpose of indulgences in the Catholic Church?

Indulgences were cancellations of penance for sins, often associated with monetary donations.

Who was Johann Tetzel and what was his significance?

A German friar known for selling indulgences, claiming they could secure immediate entry into heaven for deceased loved ones.

What were the main points of the Ninety-five Theses?

Thesis 36 states that any truly repentant Christian has a right to remission of penalty without indulgences.

What was the significance of the printing press during the Reformation?

It allowed for rapid distribution of Luther's writings and made the Bible more accessible, encouraging literacy.

Who was Johann Eck and what was his role in the Reformation?

A prominent Catholic theologian who opposed Luther and engaged in public disputations.

What was the Papal Bull issued in 1520?

It condemned 41 of Luther's propositions as heretical and threatened excommunication unless he recanted.

What is the priesthood of all believers?

A principle asserting that all Christians have direct access to God and can interpret scriptures without a priest.

What was Luther's view on the number of sacraments?

He recognized only two sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist, rejecting five others not instituted by Christ.

What is transubstantiation?

The belief that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist.

What is sacramental union in Lutheran theology?

The doctrine that Christ's body and blood are present 'in, with, and under' the bread and wine.

Who was Frederick III, Elector of Saxony?

He arranged for Luther's hearing at the Diet of Worms and supported him politically and ideologically.

What was the Diet of Worms?

An imperial council in 1521 where Luther defended his writings and was declared an outlaw.

What did Luther do at Wartburg Castle?

He translated the New Testament from Greek into German.

What does Sola Scriptura mean?

The principle that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.

What was the Peasants' Revolt?

A revolt where peasants appealed to Luther's ideas for economic and social justice.

Who was Katherine von Bora?

Martin Luther's wife, who escaped her convent and married him, setting a precedent for clerical marriage.

Who was Philip Melanchthon?

A German theologian who defended Luther's ideas and authored the Augsburg Confession.

What was the Augsburg Confession?

A statement of Lutheran beliefs presented to the Holy Roman Emperor in 1530.

What did the Peace of Augsburg establish?

It allowed each prince to choose either Roman Catholicism or Lutheranism as the official religion.

Who was Ulrich Zwingli?

A Swiss theologian who led the Reformation in Switzerland and clashed with Luther over the Eucharist.

What were the agreements between Luther and Zwingli?

Both agreed on the authority of the Bible, the necessity of faith, and that clergy could marry.

What were the differences between Luther and Zwingli?

Zwingli rejected the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, offering a symbolic interpretation.

What was the Marburg Colloquy?

A meeting aimed to resolve differences between Luther and Zwingli, which ended in disagreement over the Eucharist.

What was the Battle of Kappel?

A conflict between Protestant Zurich and Catholic cantons during the Swiss Reformation.

What do Anabaptists believe?

They advocate for the baptism of adult believers and reject infant baptism.

Who was Conrad Grebel?

A leader of the Swiss Brethren who rejected infant baptism and sought a free confessional church.

What happened to Felix Manz?

He was executed by drowning for his insistence on adult baptism.

Who was Menno Simons?

He rehabilitated Anabaptism as a pacifist movement and emphasized nonviolent service.

What was Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church about?

It was driven by his desire to annul his marriage to Katherine of Aragon, leading to the establishment of the Church of England.

What was the significance of William Tyndale?

He translated the Bible into English, making it accessible to the public and opposing Henry VIII's divorce.

What reforms did Edward VI enact during his reign?

He moved the Church of England away from Catholicism, including the legalization of clerical marriage.

Who was Thomas Cranmer?

The Archbishop of Canterbury who helped Henry VIII divorce and initiated reforms in the Church of England.

What are the Thirty-Nine Articles?

They define the position of the English church concerning Roman Catholicism and Protestant reformers.

What was the Book of Common Prayer?

A liturgical document written in English that standardized worship in the Church of England.

What were Mary I's policies during her reign?

She reversed Protestant reforms, reinstated Catholic practices, and persecuted Protestants.

What was the Elizabethan Settlement?

A compromise that resumed Protestant reforms while incorporating some Catholic traditions.

Who was John Calvin?

A theologian who emphasized predestination and played a crucial role in the Reformation in Geneva.

What is the Institutes of the Christian Religion?

A foundational work by Calvin that organized Protestant theology and provided legitimacy to the Reformation.

What is the Doctrine of Election?

The idea that God chooses certain people to enter into a special relationship or covenant, emphasizing God's sovereignty and not as an act of favoritism.

What does the Doctrine of Double Predestination entail?

It states that God has already chosen some for salvation and others for damnation, with the decision resting solely on God.

How did Calvin view the effects of Double Predestination?

Calvin believed it was a freeing doctrine, alleviating anxiety about destiny since it was already determined.

What is Calvin's view on Baptism?

Baptism is a symbol of forgiveness and an act of grace that welcomes people into the Christian faith.

What is Calvin's stance on the Eucharist?

He denied the idea of transubstantiation and argued that focus should be on how the body of Christ becomes present in believers.

Who was Jacob Arminius?

A Dutch Reformed theologian whose views led to Arminianism, initially affirming Calvinist predestination but later opposing it.

What was the purpose of the Synod of Dort?

To address theological disputes between Arminianism and Calvinism and produce the Canons of Dort, articulating the Five Points of Calvinism.

What does TULIP stand for in orthodox Calvinism?

Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, Perseverance of the saints.

What was the rise of Puritanism?

The term 'Puritan' appeared around 1564, referring to Protestants wanting to remove any trace of popery from the national church.

What were common Puritan views?

They believed society should be disciplined, opposing frivolous amusements and excessive drinking.

Who was Thomas Cartwright?

An English Puritan preacher advocating for a Presbyterian form of church government and known for his opposition to the Anglican hierarchy.

What was John Whitgift's position regarding Anglican norms?

He was amenable to Elizabeth I's policies and would not tolerate deviations from Anglican norms.

What were James I's inclinations regarding church structure?

He wished to maintain a hierarchical church structure that was subservient to the monarchy.

What is the significance of the King James Version of the Bible?

Published in 1611, it included the Apocrypha, which was later removed in 1616 due to Puritan influence.

What were the policies of Charles I regarding Parliament?

He disbanded Parliament and ruled for 11 years without it, aiming to develop a strong monarchy.

Who was William Laud?

An Anglican bishop who enforced Anglican practices and attempted to impose them on Presbyterians in Scotland, leading to conflict.

What role did Oliver Cromwell play in the English Civil War?

He was a military leader who combined Puritan theology with politics, capturing and executing Charles I.

What was the purpose of Cardinal Ximenes' reforms?

To make religious houses more consistent with their vows and to create the University at Alcala.

Who was Ignatius Loyola?

The founder of the Society of Jesus, shaped by his military background, and author of the Spiritual Exercises.

What was the significance of John of the Cross?

A Carmelite reformer known for his mystical theology and strict adherence to prayer and enclosure.

What did Martin Bucer advocate for?

He sought to mediate between Luther and Zwingli and stressed the importance of predestination and education.

What was Theodore Beza's contribution to Calvinism?

He defended double predestination and the Calvinist interpretation of Christ's presence in the Eucharist.

What was Calvin's reply to Cardinal Sadoleto?

He argued that it was Catholics who had drifted away from church traditions by not attending to the Bible.

What was the Diet of Augsburg?

A gathering of German rulers to resolve religious questions, with Philip Melanchthon representing the Lutheran position.

What is Christian Liberty according to Martin Luther?

It describes justification by grace through faith and outlines its implications for living a Christian life.

What was the focus of Luther's 'On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church'?

It argued that the sacraments were being held captive by the church, retaining only baptism and Eucharist.

What did Pope Innocent III aim to achieve during his papacy?

He sought to restore papal power and reform the church and papal states while managing secular matters.

Who was John Chrysostom?

A bishop of Constantinople known for his rigorous reforms and writings, eventually exiled for his beliefs.

What was Bernard of Clairvaux known for?

A key figure in the Cistercian reform, emphasizing divine love and humility, and opposing heresies.

Who was Peter Abelard?

A poet, theologian, and teacher known for his contributions to philosophy and theology.

What does 'Sic et non' mean?

Yes and no.

What is 'Historia calamitatum'?

A work associated with Peter Abelard.

What philosophical notion did the phrase 'Scito te ipsum' relate to?

The discussion of good and evil.

What does Theologia refer to in this context?

Philosophical analysis of the Trinity.

Who is known as the father of Nominalism?

Peter Abelard.

What was the consequence of Peter Abelard's ideas being condemned?

He was excommunicated by Pope Innocent II.