Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts

• allegory

  • A method of reading the Bible in which the plain, literal meaning is taken to refer to abstract spiritual realities. For example, Adam can represent human will.

• Arius

  • A priest who believed that Jesus was created by God the Father, implying a distinction in essence between Jesus and God.

• catholic

  • Derives from a Greek word meaning "general, universal, all together," as opposed to "sectarian." This term refers to the universality of the Christian Church.

• Council of Nicea

  • The kind of gathering in the Roman Imperial Church at which official doctrine was decided, most notably leading to the approval of an orthodox creed known as the Nicene Creed.

• Fall

  • Humanity's loss of the original good things it had in the Garden of Eden, representing the theological concept of original sin.

• heresy

  • A term denoting beliefs or opinions that deviate from established doctrine, especially within religious contexts.

• Athanasius

  • A bishop who opposed Arius and firmly believed that Jesus was not created but is of the same essence as God the Father, advocating for the doctrine of the Trinity.

• bishop

  • A church leader selected to replace the leadership function of the apostles after they had passed away, holding a significant role in church governance.

• ecumenical council

  • A gathering at which representatives from various Christian denominations convene to discuss and decide on contentious theological issues.

• essence

  • That in virtue of which a thing is what it is; pertains particularly to the nature of Jesus and His unity with God the Father as articulated in the Council of Nicea.

• hypostasis

  • A Greek term roughly meaning a person or individual, often used in discussions of the Trinity to denote the persons of the Godhead.

• Incarnation

  • The theological belief that God the Word (Logos) became flesh for the purpose of humanity's salvation, often referred to as the turning into a "piece of meat" for salvation.

• ransom theory

  • The notion that God paid the Devil with Jesus' death, framing salvation in terms of a ransom that frees humanity from sin.

• Trinity

  • The orthodox teaching that God the Father, God's Word (Jesus), and God's Spirit constitute one God in three persons.

• type

  • An Old Testament figure or event that represents a New Testament reality; for example, Isaac's sacrifice serves as a type or foreshadowing of Christ's death.

• Word (Logos)

  • A designation for Jesus at the beginning of John's Gospel, suggesting that He represents the divine Wisdom and is foundational to creation.

Exam Preparation Notes

• Key Terms to Know:

  • Ensure familiarity with all terms listed in the glossary, as they may be integral to exam questions and answers.

• Interpretation of Scripture:

  • Understand the basic meanings of the following interpretations:
  • Literal Interpretation: Taking the text at face value.
  • Moral Interpretation: Drawing moral lessons from the text.
  • Typological Interpretation: Recognizing parallels between Old Testament figures/events and New Testament realities.
  • Allegorical Interpretation: Looking for deeper spiritual meanings beyond the literal sense.

Exam Questions (Choose One for Full-Page Answer)

1. Why did anybody care so much whether Jesus is of the same essence as God?

   • Reflect on the implications of Christology on Christian doctrine, salvation, and the understanding of the nature of God.

2. Explain Athanasius' theory of redemption.

   • Discuss Athanasius' views on the Incarnation and how Jesus' nature as fully divine and fully human plays a role in redemption.

Exam Logistics

• Confessions will not be included on the third exam.
• Materials Allowed: You may bring a Bible and your reading packets to the exam; however, no notebooks are allowed.