Christian Heritage Ch 2-6

Who was Jesus of Nazareth?

A first-century Jewish teacher whose life and teachings founded Christianity.

What is meant by the "Jesus of History"?

The historical person reconstructed through historical evidence.

What is the "Christ of Faith"?

Jesus as understood and worshiped by the Christian Church.

Approximately when was Jesus born?

Around 4 BCE.

Approximately when was Jesus crucified?

Around 30–33 CE.

What language did Jesus primarily speak?

Aramaic.

In what language were the Gospels written?

Greek.

Why is reconstructing the historical Jesus difficult?

Jesus wrote nothing himself and the Gospels were written decades after his death.

What did Jesus proclaim in the synagogue at Nazareth?

That Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled in him.

What was the central theme of Jesus' preaching?

The Kingdom of God.

What did Jesus teach about the Kingdom of God?

It had begun through his ministry but would be fully realized in the future.

What title did Jesus frequently use for himself?

Son of Man.

What is the significance of the title Messiah?

The promised anointed king and deliverer of Israel.

Why were Jesus' miracles important?

They demonstrated God's kingdom and authority breaking into history.

What was Jesus' attitude toward the Jewish Law?

He fulfilled and deepened its true meaning rather than abolishing it.

What ethical principle summarizes Jesus' teaching?

Love God and love your neighbor.

Why did Jesus' teachings create conflict with religious leaders?

He challenged their interpretations and emphasized inward righteousness.

What event confirmed Christian belief in Jesus' identity?

The Resurrection.

What is the Great Commission?

Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations.

Why is Jesus central to Christian thought?

All later Christian theology develops from beliefs about his identity and teachings.

Who was the Apostle Paul?

A former persecutor of Christians who became Christianity's greatest missionary and theologian.

What was Paul's Hebrew name?

Saul.

Where did Paul's conversion occur?

On the road to Damascus.

Why was Paul's conversion significant?

It transformed Christianity from a Jewish movement into a missionary faith.

What is justification according to Paul?

Being declared righteous before God through faith.

How are people justified according to Paul?

By God's grace through faith rather than works of the Law.

What does Paul teach about sin?

All people are sinners and separated from God.

What is grace?

God's unearned favor toward humanity.

What role does Christ's death play in Paul's theology?

It provides atonement for sin and reconciliation with God.

What does Paul teach about the resurrection?

It guarantees believers' future resurrection.

What is the Church according to Paul?

The Body of Christ.

What are spiritual gifts?

Abilities given by the Holy Spirit for serving the Church.

Which virtue does Paul call the greatest?

Love.

What does Paul teach about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles?

Both are united in Christ through faith.

Which Roman concept influenced Paul's thinking?

Natural law.

Why are Paul's letters important?

They are the earliest Christian writings preserved in the New Testament.

What city became a major center of Paul's ministry?

Antioch.

Which missionary journeys spread Christianity across the Mediterranean?

Paul's missionary journeys.

How did Paul influence Christian theology?

He developed doctrines of grace

What event marked the beginning of the Church?

Pentecost.

What happened at Pentecost?

The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.

Why was Pentecost important?

It empowered the apostles to spread the Gospel.

Who was Peter?

Leader of the apostles and an early leader of the Church.

Who was Stephen?

The first Christian martyr.

Who was Ignatius of Antioch?

An early bishop who emphasized unity under bishops.

Why did persecution strengthen Christianity?

It spread believers and demonstrated commitment to the faith.

Who were the Apostolic Fathers?

Early Christian leaders immediately following the apostles.

What is apostolic succession?

The passing of authority from the apostles through bishops.

Why were bishops important?

They preserved doctrine and unity.

What is orthodoxy?

Correct Christian belief.

What is heresy?

A belief judged contrary to orthodox Christian teaching.

Why did early Christians celebrate the Eucharist?

To remember Christ's sacrifice and participate in communion with him.

What was baptism understood to accomplish?

Initiation into the Christian community.

How did Christians respond to persecution?

Many remained faithful even unto death.

Why did Christians refuse emperor worship?

They believed only God deserved worship.

How did Christianity spread despite persecution?

Through missionaries

Why were martyrs influential?

Their faith inspired conversions.

What was one of the Church's greatest early challenges?

Defining correct doctrine while facing persecution.

What is Gnosticism?

A movement claiming secret knowledge brings salvation.

Why did the Church reject Gnosticism?

It denied key Christian teachings about creation and Christ.

How did Gnostics view the material world?

As inherently evil or inferior.

Who was Marcion?

A teacher who rejected the Old Testament and proposed a reduced biblical canon.

Why was Marcion considered a heretic?

He rejected the continuity between Judaism and Christianity.

What was Docetism?

The belief that Jesus only appeared to have a physical body.

Why was Docetism rejected?

It denied Christ's true humanity.

Who was Irenaeus?

A bishop who defended orthodox Christianity against heresies.

What work did Irenaeus write against Gnosticism?

Against Heresies.

What is the Rule of Faith?

A summary of apostolic teaching used to preserve orthodoxy.

Why did the New Testament canon develop?

To identify authoritative Christian writings.

What criteria were used to recognize canonical books?

Apostolic origin

What does canon mean?

The officially recognized collection of inspired books.

What role did bishops play in combating heresy?

They preserved apostolic teaching and church unity.

Why was creation important in orthodox theology?

Because God declared creation good.

How did orthodox Christianity understand Jesus?

As fully God and fully human.

What role did Scripture play in combating false teaching?

It served as the authoritative standard of doctrine.

Why were creeds developed?

To summarize essential Christian beliefs.

What lasting effect did these controversies have?

They clarified orthodox Christian doctrine.

What changed for Christianity under Constantine?

It became legally tolerated within the Roman Empire.

What event led Constantine to favor Christianity?

His victory after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

When did the Edict of Milan occur?

313 CE.

What did the Edict of Milan accomplish?

It legalized Christianity.

Who called the Council of Nicaea?

Emperor Constantine.

When was the Council of Nicaea?

325 CE.

What controversy prompted the Council of Nicaea?

Arianism.

Who was Arius?

A priest who argued that the Son was created by the Father.

What did Arius teach about Christ?

That Christ was not eternally divine.

Who opposed Arius?

Athanasius.

What does homoousios mean?

Of the same substance as the Father.

Why is homoousios important?

It affirmed Christ's full divinity.

What document came from Nicaea?

The Nicene Creed.

Why is the Nicene Creed important?

It became the foundational statement of orthodox Christian belief.

How did Constantine influence Christianity?

He supported Church unity and imperial involvement in theology.

What relationship developed between Church and Empire?

A close partnership between political and religious authority.

Why was the Council of Nicaea a turning point?

It established doctrinal unity through an ecumenical council.

What lasting doctrine emerged from Nicaea?

That Jesus Christ is fully God