Religious Studies 9 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE MIDTERM

Canisius High School Mission Statement

Focuses on forming young men with faith, intellect, and service in the Jesuit tradition

St. Ignatius Loyola

Founder of the Jesuits; emphasized spiritual growth, education, and service

Dates (Ignatius)

Born 1491, died 1556; Society of Jesus founded 1540

Pamplona

Place where Ignatius was injured in battle, beginning his spiritual journey

Experience at Manresa

Ignatius' period of prayer and reflection inspiring the Spiritual Exercises

Education

Ignatius emphasized rigorous learning for priests and laity

Companions

Early Jesuits who helped found the Society of Jesus

St. Francis Xavier

Jesuit missionary and close companion of Ignatius

The Spiritual Exercises

Structured prayer and meditation program to deepen relationship with God

The Society of Jesus

Catholic religious order (Jesuits) dedicated to education, missions, and service

Religious Life

Life dedicated fully to God through vows

Religious Order Priests

Priests who take vows and follow a community rule (like Jesuits)

Diocesan (Secular) Priests

Serve in a diocese, primarily parish work; don't take communal vows

Vows

Commitments of poverty, chastity, and obedience in religious life

Theology

Study of God and religious beliefs

Transcendence

God is beyond and independent from the world

Divine

Related to God or sacred

Immanence

God is present and active in creation

Omniscient

All-knowing

Omnipresent

Present everywhere

Omnipotent

All-powerful

Atheism

Belief that God does not exist

Agnosticism

Uncertainty about God's existence

Monotheism

Belief in one God

Polytheism

Belief in many gods

Divine Revelation

God revealing truth to humans

Divine Inspiration

God guiding humans to communicate truth

Sacred Scripture

Holy writings of a religion (Bible)

Sacred Tradition

Church teachings passed through generations

Dogma

Essential beliefs required by a religion

Creed

Formal statement of faith

Code

Rules of moral or religious conduct

Cult

Rituals or devotion practices of a group

Canon

Official list of sacred books

Covenant/Testament

Agreement between God and humans

Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)

Jewish sacred writings

Septuagint

Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures

Pentateuch/Torah

First five books of the Bible

New Testament

Writings about Jesus and early Church

Salvation History / Genesis creation stories

God's plan from creation to salvation

God as Creator

God made all things

Original Sin

First human disobedience affecting all humanity

Sin

Acting against God's will

Hierarchy of the Catholic Church

Pope → Cardinals → Bishops → Priests → Deacons → Laity

Liturgical Calendar

Church seasons and feast days

Important Catholic Symbols

Cross, fish, dove, chalice, etc.

Scriptures

Bible

Biblical Scholars

Experts studying biblical texts

Theologians

Experts studying God and faith

Josephus

Ancient historian confirming Jesus' existence

Tacitus

Ancient historian confirming Jesus' existence

Pliny the Younger

Ancient historian confirming Jesus' existence

Suetonius

Ancient historian confirming Jesus' existence

Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John - life and teachings of Jesus

Acts of the Apostles

Early Church history

Pauline Epistles

Letters by Paul to churches

Letter to the Hebrews

Encouragement in faith

Catholic Epistles

Letters by other apostles

Book of Revelation

Symbolic vision of God's final victory

Apocalypse

Revelation about the end times

Jesus of History

The human Jesus of Nazareth

Christ of Faith

Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God

Word of God

Jesus as divine message (John's Gospel)

Lord/Adonai

Title of respect and divinity

Yehoshua/Yeshua

Hebrew name, "God saves"

Messiah/Christos

"Anointed one" sent by God

Evangelist

Author of a Gospel

Matthew

~80-90 CE; Jewish Christians; Jesus as new Moses

Mark

~65-70 CE; persecuted Christians; Jesus as suffering Messiah

Luke

~80-90 CE; Gentile Christians; Jesus as Savior for all

John

~90-100 CE; all Christians; Jesus as divine Son of God

Life

Stage of Gospel formation: actual life events of Jesus

Oral

Stage of Gospel formation: stories shared by early Christians

Written

Stage of Gospel formation: stories recorded in Gospels

Abraham

Patriarch and ancestor of Israel

Isaac

Patriarch, son of Abraham

Jacob

Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of 12 tribes

Joseph

Saved Israel from famine

Moses

Led Exodus; received Ten Commandments

YHWH

Name of God in Hebrew tradition

Passover

Celebration of Israelite liberation from Egypt

Exodus

Journey from slavery in Egypt to promised land

Covenant

Agreement between God and His people

12 Tribes of Israel

Descendants of Jacob's sons

Judges

Leaders before kings in Israel

Saul

First king of Israel

David

Second king of Israel; unified the kingdom

Solomon

Third king; built the 1st Temple

1st Temple

Built by Solomon in Jerusalem

Assyrians

Invaders who conquered northern Israel

Babylonians

Invaders who conquered southern Judah

Exile

Jews forced from homeland

Isaiah

Prophet who guided Israel

Messianic Prophecies

Predictions of the coming Savior

Jeremiah

Prophet warning about Judah's exile

Diaspora

Jews living outside Israel

Remnant

Faithful survivors of Israel

Judaism

Religion of Israel

2nd Temple

Rebuilt after exile

Jerusalem

Sacred city, site of Temple