THEO DIOCESAN PT2

Theology 10 Diocesan Test Semester 2 REVIEW

The Church in Scripture

  • The Church was foreshadowed and prepared for in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ instituted the Church in the New Testament. 

The Holy Spirit in the Church

  • Before Christ died, he promised his Apostles that he would leave his Holy Spirit to guide his Church, making her infallible. The Holy Spirit bestowed gifts upon the Church at the celebration of Pentecost. These gifts help the Church accomplish her mission, which is the same saving mission of Jesus Christ – to lead all people into eternal life. 

  • Because Christ instituted the Church and the Holy Spirit guides the Church, we can say that she is both a divine and human institution. 

The Church’s Teaching and Authority

  • The teaching of the Church is the same teaching of Jesus Christ that has been handed down. The Church receives those same teachings of the Apostles through the Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. Sacred Tradition more fully develops some of the images of the Church that we see in Sacred Scripture, such as the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 

  • The Magisterium is the teaching body of the Church that holds the authority to interpret Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The Magisterium has her authority because of the promise Christ gave that the Holy Spirit would guide the Church into all truth. The Church can never lose the faith given to her by Christ. This is called indefectibility. 

  • The Church has a hierarchical structure which places one person as the visible head. The Pope is the head of the Magisterium and has the power to teach infallibly in matters of faith and morals. 

  • Bishops and Priests are called to sanctify (make holy) the Church by celebrating the sacraments. Bishops are responsible for shepherding all the parishes in their diocese. 

The Church and the Apostles

  • Jesus appointed his 12 Apostles as the first Bishops of the Church. They would lead the Church into all truth because of the promise of the Holy Spirit’s guidance over the Church. Peter was the first Pope and head of the Apostles, the first bishops.

  • Jesus told his Apostles to “go make disciples of all nations” by telling the world of the Good News of the salvation in Christ. The ministry to spread the Good News to others is called evangelization. 

  • St. Peter spoke at the Council of Jerusalem and decided whether or not Christians must first become circumcised and follow Mosaic law. 

Divisions from the Church

  • The Great Schism (schism is a separation from the Church characterized by the rejection of the Pope’s authority) divided the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church. 

  • The Protestant reformation was a schism that primarily emphasized “sola scriptura”, “sola fide”, and “sola gratia” (scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone).

  • The Church continues to hold dialogue with other churches to try to seek common ground. This is called ecumenism. This is especially important with other Christian faiths, Judaism, and Islam. Other Christian faiths (Protestants and Orthodox) share a common baptism with Catholics. Jews and Muslims share a common ancestor in Abraham. 

Marks of the Church

  • ONE

  • HOLY

  • CATHOLIC (universal)

  • APOSTOLIC

Universal Call to Holiness

  • All people, not just Catholics, are called to live a life of holiness.

  • All members or the Church are called to spread the Church’s mission of leading all people to eternal life. 

  • Vocations in the Church include: Married life, Religious life (nuns, monks, etc.), and Holy Orders (priests, bishops, deacons)