Theology Midterm

1. Existence and Nature of God

  • Can we know that God exists by natural reason? Yes, through observation and reason, we can discern aspects of God's existence.

  • How can we know this? We can infer God's existence through the beauty, order, and complexity of the universe.

  • What is natural revelation? It is God’s self-disclosure through creation, allowing us to know Him intuitively.

  • What can it tell us about God? It reveals His attributes, such as goodness, wisdom, and power.

2. Philosophical and Theological Foundations

  • What is the relationship between philosophy and theology? Philosophy seeks to understand the nature of existence and truth, while theology specifically studies God and divine revelation.

  • What is the name for one who rejects the existence of God? An atheist.

  • What is the name for one who rejects that God’s existence is knowable or even worth seeking? An agnostic.

3. Proofs of God’s Existence

  • What kind of proofs for God’s existence does St. Thomas Aquinas provide in the Summa Theologica? He presents five ways, including the arguments from motion, causation, contingency, degrees of perfection, and the teleological argument.

  • How does the third way prove God’s existence? It argues from contingency, stating that because contingent beings exist, there must be a necessary being (God) to cause their existence.

  • Was it necessary that God reveal Himself to us? Yes, because without revelation, we cannot fully know God’s nature and will.

4. Revelation and Scriptures

  • Where does the document Dei Verbum come from? It is from the Second Vatican Council.

  • What does Dei Verbum mean in English? "The Word of God."

  • Who is the author of the Bible? God is the ultimate author, with human authors writing under divine inspiration.

  • What considerations must we keep in mind when approaching the Bible? We must consider context, genre, and the historical background to interpret the text accurately.

5. Theological Concepts

  • What does Ex nihilo mean? "Out of nothing," referring to how God created the universe.

  • What does Imago Dei mean? "Image of God," signifying that humans share likeness with God in dignity and rationality.

  • What does Postlapsarian mean? The state of humanity after the Fall (original sin).

  • What does Concupiscence mean? The inclination to sin that arose after the Fall.

6. Salvation History

  • What is the Protoevangelium? Where is it found? The first announcement of the gospel, found in Genesis 3:15, which foretells the coming of a Savior.

  • Who are St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis? Both were young saints known for their holiness and dedication to God.

  • What are the three Original states that JPII identifies in the second Creation account? Original solitude, original unity, and original nakedness.

  • How do we read the Creation accounts in Genesis? Is it a history? They convey theological truths rather than being strictly historical accounts.

7. Need for Salvation

  • Why do we need to be saved? Because of original sin and our separation from God.

  • Why can we not save ourselves? Human efforts are inadequate to atone for sin and restore our relationship with God.

  • What are the key truths that we take from the Creation accounts in Genesis? God is the Creator, humanity has a special relationship with Him, and sin leads to separation from God.

  • What happens to human nature after the Fall? It becomes wounded and inclined towards sin.

8. Old Testament Preparation

  • How is the Old Testament preparing God’s people for the New Testament? Through covenants, prophecies, and the typology of figures that foreshadow Christ.

  • What is typology? A way of interpreting scripture where an Old Testament figure or event foreshadows a New Testament counterpart.

  • Why is typology important to understand when reading the Bible? It helps connect the Old and New Testaments, revealing God’s cohesive plan of salvation.

  • How does typology link the Old Testament to the New Testament? Old Testament events or figures serve as prefigurations of Christ and His mission.

9. Examples of Typology

  • What are some examples of Old Testament types (with corresponding New Testament antitypes)?

    • Adam (type) and Christ (antitype)

    • Moses (type) and Jesus (antitype)

    • The Passover lamb (type) and Christ (antitype).

10. Salvation History and Jesus

  • What is the high point of salvation history? The Paschal Mystery, comprising Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

  • Why does the process of salvation take so long in the Bible? God’s patience and the gradual revelation of His plan reflect His desire for all to come to repentance.

  • What is a covenant? How does it differ from a contract? A sacred agreement with God, differing from a contract by emphasizing relationship rather than mere obligation.

11. Prophets and Israel

  • How do the covenants in the Old Testament prepare God’s people for the coming of Christ? They establish a pattern of God’s faithfulness and the need for ultimate redemption.

  • What is a prophet? What do they do? A prophet speaks on behalf of God, delivering messages of warning, guidance, and hope.

  • Who was the last and greatest of the Old Covenant prophets? John the Baptist.

  • Why do we speak of David as a prophet? He wrote Psalms that reflect deep insight into God's will and the coming Messiah.

12. Role of Israel

  • What is Israel’s role in salvation history? Israel is God’s chosen people through whom He reveals Himself and prepares for Christ’s coming.

  • What is the incarnation? The act of God becoming man in Jesus Christ.

  • Was the Incarnation necessary? Why or why not? Yes, to fully reveal God to humanity and accomplish salvation.

13. Theological Insights

  • What do the Church Fathers mean when they say, “Deus fit homo ut homo fieret Deus”? This means God became man so that humanity could share in divine life.

  • Why does Jesus need to be God in order for us to be saved? Only God can atone for sin against God; thus, Jesus must be divine.

  • Why does Jesus need to be human in order for us to be saved? He must identify with humanity and represent us in His sacrifice.

14. C.S. Lewis' Imagery

  • Describe C.S. Lewis’ image of the broken toaster. It illustrates the idea that humans, like a broken toaster, cannot fix themselves; only the Creator can restore them.

15. Hypostatic Union

  • What is the hypostatic union? The union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person.

  • What is the problem of the infinite debt? Humanity owes an infinite debt due to sin, which we cannot repay on our own.

  • How is this problem solved by the Incarnation? Christ, being both God and man, pays the debt on our behalf.

16. Jesus’ Baptism

  • What was the heresy that denied our need for grace in order to be saved? Pelagianism.

  • Why was Jesus baptized? Was it necessary? Why or why not? He was baptized to fulfill righteousness and identify with humanity, though it was not necessary for His purity.

  • What happens at Jesus’ baptism? The heavens open, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, affirming His divine sonship.

17. Connection of Baptism

  • What is the connection between Christ’s baptism and our own? It signifies initiation into the life of grace and calls us to holiness.

  • Is baptism necessary for salvation? Why or why not? Yes, it is the means through which we are cleansed from original sin and incorporated into the Church.

  • What is baptism of desire? The belief that those who desire baptism, even if not formally baptized, can receive salvation.

18. Purpose and Types of Miracles

  • What is the main purpose of Christ’s miracles? To reveal the Kingdom of God and His authority, while providing a foretaste of the restoration of creation.

  • What kinds of miracles does Jesus work? Healing, exorcism, control over nature, and raising the dead.

19. Parables and Teaching

  • How do parables work? They convey moral and spiritual lessons through relatable stories.

  • Why does Jesus teach in parables? Why does he not teach what he means in a direct way? Parables provoke thought and encourage deeper reflection; they conceal truths from those unprepared to hear them.

20. Kingdom of God

  • What is the kingdom of God? It is God’s reign through Jesus, marked by justice, peace, and holiness.

21. The Paschal Mystery

  • What are the events of the Paschal Mystery? Christ’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

  • What are the promises made to David? God promised that David's lineage would produce an everlasting king—fulfilled in Jesus.

  • Who is the true son of David? Jesus Christ, as the Messiah.

  • Why does Jesus speak of the Temple of His body? He indicates that He is the new Temple, embodying God's presence.

22. Significance of the Paschal Mystery

  • Why is the Paschal Mystery the high point of salvation history? It brings about redemption and reconciles humanity with God.

  • What happens at the Last Supper? Jesus institutes the Eucharist and establishes a New Covenant.

  • How is the Last Supper connected to the cross? The Last Supper anticipates Christ’s sacrificial death.

23. The New Covenant

  • What is the New Covenant? It is the fulfillment of God’s promises through Christ, establishing a new relationship between God and humanity.

  • What is an anamnesis? It refers to a memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice during the Eucharist.

  • What is the Old Testament anamnesis we talked about in class? The Passover, commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

  • How is the Eucharist an anamnesis? It re-presents Christ's sacrifice and makes it present in the liturgy.

24. Participation in the Paschal Mystery

  • How does the Eucharist allow us to participate in Christ’s Paschal Mystery? It nourishes our spiritual life and unites us with Christ’s sacrifice.

  • What is the Eucharist? Is Jesus truly present in it? The Eucharist is Christ's body and blood, truly present through transubstantiation.

  • What is transubstantiation? The transformation of the substance of bread and wine into Christ's body and blood while retaining the appearances.

  • How is the Eucharist a sacrifice? It memorializes and makes present the once-for-all sacrifice of Calvary.

  • Why do we say that the Eucharist re-presents the sacrifice of Calvary? It brings the events of Calvary into the present moment during the Mass.

25. Atonement and Redemption

  • What is atonement? The reparation for wrong done, specifically the reconciliation between God and humanity through Christ’s sacrifice.

  • How does Christ’s Death offer redemption? By taking on our sins, He pays the debt owed to God, allowing us to be reconciled.

  • What is love? The selfless commitment to the good of another, exemplified in Christ’s sacrificial death.

  • What is the connection between love and sacrifice? True love involves self-giving and sacrifice for the benefit of others.

26. Significance of the Resurrection

  • What is the significance of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead? It confirms His divinity, victory over sin and death, and promises our resurrection.

  • Must we, as Catholics, believe in the Resurrection? Yes, it is a fundamental belief of the Christian faith.

  • Why does the Resurrection give us hope? It promises eternal life and ultimate victory over sin and death.

  • Why does Christ ascend to the Father? To reign with the Father, intercede for us, and prepare a place for us in heaven.




Furthermore, the Ascension demonstrates that Christ's mission on Earth is complete, and it paves the way for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which empowers the Church to continue His work. The Holy Spirit acts as our guide, granting us the strength and grace needed to live out our faith in a world that often challenges it.