apostolic – faithful to the apostolic witness (preaching and teaching) about Christ
catholic/Catholic – Gk. kath’holou - lit. “referring to the whole” meaning universal. When used with a lowercase "c," refers to the teachings and practices of the church universal. When used with a capital "C," especially when used by Protestants, refers to the Roman Catholic Church, to be distinguished from the Orthodox (Eastern, Russian, Greek, or others) Church as well as from the various Protestant churches.
Christendom — Those post-Constantinian societies or cultures that have been shaped predominantly by the Christian church and its symbols, ecclesiastical structures, and power. Today the term is frequently used pejoratively to indicate a Western culture that has co-opted and corrupted the true gospel and the church's message and mission; many Christians celebrate the end of Christendom in light of their understanding of the gospel, while others are attempting to restore their understanding of the church and its symbols, moral values, and purpose.
corpus permixtum – “mixed body” consisting of “saints and sinners”
Donatism – A movement, centering upon Roman North Africa in the fourth century, which developed a view of the church and sacraments which placed a strong emphasis on the need for personal holiness on the part of the church members and their ministers, and on the need for measures to enforce this where necessary. Donatism started as a dispute over whether priests or bishops who collaborated with Roman persecutors of Christians could retain their offices or administer the sacraments. Donatists maintained that clergy needed to be free from serious sin to administer the sacraments validly. Augustine vigorously opposed them.
ecclesiology – the study of the theological doctrines relating to the church
ecumenical – Relating to the unity of the church. The Ecumenical Movement in the twentieth century attempted to make visible the spiritual unity of the church in various concrete and symbolic forms.
Indulgences – (in the Roman Catholic Church) a grant by the Pope of remission of the temporal punishment in purgatory still due for sins after absolution. The unrestricted sale of indulgences by pardoners was a widespread abuse during the later Middle Ages.
mission — The purpose and goal of a person or community. The mission of Jesus Christ is to preach and embody the kingdom of God; the mission of the church is to carry on and carry out the ministry of Jesus by preaching God's kingdom of justice and peace, by preaching the gospel to the whole world in word and deed.
monk - from Gk. monachos “a single or a solitary person”.
ora et labora - Latin phrase meaning “pray and work” which created the rhythm of monastic life in community
Orthodox Church, the — One of the major branches of Christianity, to be distinguished from the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches. The Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches are two of the many in the Orthodox family.
papacy - refers to the “government of the pope”
Reformation, Protestant — Sixteenth-century movement of theological, liturgical, and moral reforms of the medieval church in Europe led by Hus, Zwingli, Luther, Calvin, and others, which resulted in the formation of various Protestant churches, originally in Europe, subsequently in North America, and now throughout the world.
Reformed — The Christian tradition associated with Zwingli and Calvin and represented today in the Presbyterian and Congregational churches among others.
ubi Christus, ibi ecclesia - where Christ is, there is the church
Vatican Council II (1962-1965) — The twenty-first council of the Roman Catholic Church, summoned by Pope John XXIII, which enacted many reforms and recast many doctrines — such as revelation, biblical interpretation, salvation, and ecclesiology — in a new light.
What are the four marks of the church?
● One
● Holy
● Catholic
● Apostolic
What are four different views on the unity of the church?
● Empirical (observable)
● Platonic - empirical (visible & historical reality) and ideal
● Eschatological - division is temporary (time)
● Biological - evolution
Important points about the unity of the church
● The church’s unity is in Christ
● The church’s unity is grounded in the saving work of Christ
Local and Universal
● The church is both local and universal
● Local visible gatherings of believers
● The total body of Christian believers worldwide
What were three responses to the proclamation of the Gospel in Roman cities?
● Mass conversions
● Riots
● Indifference
The Pope
● Literally “the first”
● The Catholic church views the pope as the direct successor of St. Peter, “the doorkeeper of heaven”
● The Pope’s authority is grounded in Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ
● The Bishop of Rome was called the Pope
1st Amendment, United States Constitution
● Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof
Scripture
Acts 1:8 — "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"
Tradition
Cyprian: “You cannot have God as your father with the Church as your mother.”