Theology 1 - Chapter 2 Study Guide Vocabulary

Biblical Reference Tools and Key Terminology

  • Bible Commentary: A written reference volume offering detailed, line-by-line or passage-by-passage explanations, historical context, theological interpretations, and scholarly analysis of Sacred Scripture.

  • Bible Atlas: A reference resource featuring geographical maps, topographical views, historical timelines, and location details relevant to biblical events, journeys, and ancient regions.

  • Bible Dictionary: An alphabetical reference book defining and providing historical, cultural, and theological context for words, proper names, places, customs, and concepts found throughout the Bible.

  • Bible Concordance: An alphabetical index listing words used in the Bible alongside the specific scriptural citations (book, chapter, and verse references) where those words appear.

  • Evangelist: Derived from the Greek word meaning "bearer of good news." It specifically designates the four human authors of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—and broadly applies to anyone who proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Oral Tradition: The process of passing down stories, teachings, historical accounts, and religious doctrines by word of mouth from one generation or community to another prior to being recorded in writing.

  • Gentile: A biblical term used to designate any individual who is not ethnically or religiously Jewish.

  • The Kerygma: The core proclamation and essential message of the Gospel preached by the early Apostles, centered on the life, passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

  • Scribe: A trained scholar, writer, and copyist in ancient Jewish culture responsible for transcribing, preserving, interpreting, and teaching the Torah and Sacred Scriptures.

  • Pentateuch: A Greek-derived term meaning "five books" or "five vessels," referring specifically to the first five books of the Old Testament.

  • Catechesis: The formal, systematic process of religious instruction, faith formation, and teaching designed to initiate believers into the fullness of Christian life and doctrine.

  • Canon: The official, authoritative list of divinely inspired books recognized by the Catholic Church as constituting the Sacred Scriptures of the Bible.

Theological Foundations and Canonical History

  • Meaning of the Word "Bible": book

  • Another Word for Covenant: Testament, signifying a solemn, sacred covenant or promise between God and human beings.

  • Most popular Translation: St. Jerome

  • The Magisterium's Role in Scripture: The Magisterium is the living, official teaching authority of the Catholic Church, composed of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. Its role regarding Scripture is to authentically interpret, guard, preserve, and transmit the Word of God found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

  • Authority Deciding the Canon: The Magisterium of the Catholic Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, discerned and declared which writings met the criteria of divine inspiration to be included in the biblical canon, affirming this officially at early Church councils (such as Hippo and Carthage) and definitively at the Council of Trent.

  • History Told in the Old Testament: The Old Testament records the sacred history, covenant relationship, trials, and faith journey of the Chosen People

  • The Most Important Message in the Bible: Christ became man and brought salvation to all of humankind through his life death and resurrection

  • Why the Gospels are the Heart of the Bible: The share the the message of of Jesus’s life, death, resurrection and ascension

Formation of the Scriptures and Gospel Development

  • Why the Old Testament Was Written Down:

    • poilitical reasons

    • To keep up with other nations

  • The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels.

  • The Core Message of the Apostles: Sharing the life and who Jesus was

  • Bridge Between Oral and Written Tradition: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

  • Two Stages in the Formation of the written Gospels:

    1. Stage 1: The historical record of Jesus’s own life, death, resurrection , and accession

    2. Stage 2: The apsotles and other disciples orally preached the good news

  • The Formation of the Gospels

    • Life

    • Oral

    • Written

Three Reasons Why the New Testament Was Written Down:

  1. The Delay of the Second Coming

  2. Distortions and False Teachings

  3. Need for a worship aid

Biblical Responsibilities and Scripture Verses

  • Responsibility of Catholics to Share the Faith: All baptized Catholics have a fundamental mission and responsibility to participate in evangelization—sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through word, testimony, service, and daily Christian living.

  • Goal of the Apostles in Sharing the Word: To share the importance of who Jesus was

  • Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."