A-B Flashcards
Who are the first two patriarchs of the Old Testament?
Abraham and Isaac
What covenant did God make with Abraham?
To give his family (the Hebrews) the land of Canaan
What is referred to as the Promised Land?
Canaan
Who is the son of Abraham that God promised to maintain the covenant with?
Isaac
What test did God give to Abraham?
To sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering
What prevented Abraham from sacrificing Isaac?
An angel of the Lord appeared and told him to spare Isaac
From whom do Jews claim descent?
Isaac
From whom do Arabs claim descent?
Ishmael, Abraham’s other son
What does Abraham’s devotion to God make him a model of?
Faith
What is ‘the bosom of Abraham’ commonly referred to in poetry?
The peace of heaven
Fill in the blank: The first woman created from Adam’s rib is _______.
[Eve]
How did God create Adam?
God created Adam by breathing life into ‘the dust of the ground.’
How was Eve created?
Eve was created from Adam’s rib.
What tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?
The Serpent (Satan) tempted Eve.
What happened after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit?
They became aware and ashamed of their nakedness.
What were the specific consequences for Eve and Adam?
Eve would suffer in childbirth, and Adam would have to earn his livelihood by the sweat of his brow.
What did God say about death as a consequence?
‘Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’
Who were the children of Adam and Eve?
Their sons were Cain, Abel, and then Seth.
What is referred to as the Fall of Man?
Adam and Eve’s sin and their consequent loss of God’s grace and the enjoyment of Paradise.
What do the terms Alpha and Omega signify?
The beginning and the end
In the Greek alphabet, alpha is the first letter and omega is the last.
In which book of the Bible does God refer to Himself as Alpha and Omega?
The Book of Revelation
This phrase emphasizes God’s eternal nature.
What does the phrase ‘I am Alpha and Omega’ imply about God?
God remains from the beginning to the end of time
Fill in the blank: In the Greek alphabet, alpha is the _______ letter.
first
Fill in the blank: In the Greek alphabet, omega is the _______ letter.
last
What are angels?
Spirits who live in heaven with God.
What are devils?
Angels fallen from goodness.
What role do angels play in the Bible?
They are often sent to Earth to bring messages of God, guide and protect people, or execute God’s punishments.
Fill in the blank: Angels are often sent to Earth, sometimes with a _______ appearance.
[human]
Which biblical figure is associated with the story of Abraham and Isaac?
Abraham
Which angel is known for delivering important messages in the Bible?
Gabriel
True or False: Angels can execute God’s punishments.
True
What is the significance of Jacob’s Ladder in relation to angels?
It is a biblical story that involves angels.
Fill in the blank: _______ is the name given to the fallen angel.
[Lucifer]
What is the connection between cherubim and angels?
Cherubim are a type of angel mentioned in the Bible.
Which biblical event involves Lot’s wife?
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
What does the term ‘Annunciation’ refer to in a biblical context?
The announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.
Fill in the blank: The story of Daniel in the Lions Den involves _______.
[angels]
What is the Annunciation?
An announcement made by the angel Gabriel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, that she was going to bear a son.
This event is significant in Christian theology, as it signifies the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Who made the announcement during the Annunciation?
The angel Gabriel.
Gabriel is considered a messenger angel in several religious traditions.
What was the name of the son that Mary was to bear?
Jesus.
Jesus is a central figure in Christianity, revered as the Son of God.
What unique circumstance surrounded Mary during the Annunciation?
She was a virgin.
The virgin birth is a key doctrine in Christianity, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception.
Who is the Antichrist according to the New Testament?
A person mentioned as an enemy of Jesus, who will appear before the Second Coming and win over many followers of Jesus
The Antichrist is often identified with a beast described in the Book of Revelation.
What happens to the Antichrist before the final defeat of Satan?
God destroys the Antichrist
This destruction occurs just before the final defeat of Satan.
Name two historical figures often identified as candidates for the Antichrist.
- Nero
- Caligula
Other modern candidates include Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
True or False: The Antichrist is a singular figure who has been consistently identified throughout history.
False
Since the New Testament was written, various individuals have been proposed as the Antichrist.
Fill in the blank: The Antichrist is often associated with a _______ described in the Book of Revelation.
[beast]
What is another name for the New Testament Book of Revelation?
Apocalypse
The term ‘apocalypse’ originates from the Greek word for ‘revelation.’
What does the term ‘apocalypse’ refer to?
A final catastrophe
In addition to its biblical context, ‘apocalypse’ can denote any significant or disastrous event.
When is the Apocalypse supposed to occur?
At the end of the world or of time
This concept is often associated with eschatological beliefs.
What are the Apocrypha?
Religious writings accepted as books of the Bible by some groups but not by others.
The Roman Catholic Church includes seven books in the Old Testament that Jews and Protestants do not consider part of the Bible.
Which books are included in the Apocrypha by the Roman Catholic Church?
- Judith
- I Maccabees
- II Maccabees
- Ecclesiasticus
These books are not recognized by Jews and Protestants.
How do some churches use the Apocrypha?
They may read the Apocrypha for inspiration but not to establish religious doctrine.
This indicates a varied approach to these texts among different religious groups.
What does the term ‘apocryphal’ imply when referring to a story?
A story that is probably false but nevertheless has some value.
This usage highlights the distinction between canonical texts and those with questionable authenticity.
Who were the Twelve?
The twelve men chosen by Jesus to follow him and to spread the Gospel after his death.
Name three of the Twelve apostles.
- Peter
- James
- John
Which apostle is known for betraying Jesus?
Judas Iscariot
Who replaced Judas Iscariot among the Twelve?
The text does not specify the replacement.
Is Paul considered one of the Twelve apostles?
No, but he is generally considered an apostle due to his role in spreading Christianity.
What is the general usage of the term ‘apostle’?
Someone who preaches or promotes a cause, particularly a religious one.
True or False: An apostle connotes a disciple.
True
Fill in the blank: An apostle is someone who preaches or promotes a _______.
[cause]
Name two apostles mentioned in the text.
- Thomas
- Matthew
What is Ararat?
The mountain upon which Noah’s ark came to rest as the waters of the great flood receded.
See Noah and the Flood.
What is Armageddon in the Book of Revelation?
The site of the final and conclusive battle between good and evil involving ‘the kings of the Earth and the whole world’ on the ‘great day of God Almighty.’
What does ‘Armageddon’ figuratively represent?
Any great battle or destructive confrontation.
What is the teaching in the Sermon on the Mount regarding asking?
Ask, and it shall be given you
This teaching emphasizes the belief that God responds to those who ask with faith.
What follows the teaching of ‘Ask, and it shall be given you’ in the Sermon on the Mount?
Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you
This continuation indicates a progressive approach to seeking divine assistance.
What does the passage suggest about God’s response to requests made in faith?
God will give whatever is needed to those who have the faith to ask for it
This highlights the importance of faith in the act of asking.
What is the Tower of Babel described in the Book of Genesis?
A tower built by the descendants of Noah intended to reach heaven and make them like God
God confused their language, preventing them from completing the tower and scattering them across the Earth.
What does the term ‘Babel’ signify?
Confusion and noise
What was Babylon in the context of the ancient world?
The capital of the ancient empire of Babylonia, which conquered Israel in the sixth century B.C.
What happened to the Jews during the Babylonian conquest?
They were exiled to Babylon, which they found luxurious and corrupt.
Who was the Prophet Daniel in relation to Babylon?
He became a counselor to the king of Babylon.
What is a common interpretation of ‘Babylon’ in a broader context?
Any place of sin and corruption.
Who was Bathsheba?
A beautiful woman who attracted King David.
What crime did King David commit to marry Bathsheba?
He sent her husband Uriah to his death in battle.
Who was Bathsheba’s second son by David?
Solomon
Who was Bathsheba’s first husband?
Uriah
Uriah was sent to his death in battle by King David to marry Bathsheba.
Who was Bathsheba’s second son by King David?
Solomon
Solomon later became a significant king in the biblical narrative.
What are the Beatitudes?
Eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount
The Beatitudes express blessings and moral teachings.
What does the word ‘Beatitudes’ mean?
Blessed
The term comes from the Latin ‘beatus’.
What is the first Beatitude?
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth
This is one of the key teachings from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
What is Beelzebub another name for?
Satan
Beelzebub is referred to as the Prince of Devils in the New Testament.
What was Beelzebub originally?
A Philistine god
Beelzebub later became associated with evil spirits and demons.
In which literary work does Beelzebub appear as one of the fallen angels?
Paradise Lost
Beelzebub is depicted as second only to Satan in power.
What are the first words of the Book of Genesis?
‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.’
This passage describes the biblical account of creation.
What do the Gospel of John and the Book of Genesis have in common?
They both begin with ‘In the beginning’
This phrase signifies the start of creation and the Word in John’s Gospel.
What is Bethlehem?
The village near Jerusalem where Jesus was born
See Nativity.
What is the Bible?
The book sacred to Christians, considered the inspired word of God.
What two main sections does the Bible include?
Old Testament and New Testament.
How many books are in the Old Testament according to Christians and Jews?
Thirty-nine books.
What are some books considered part of the Bible by some Christians but labeled as Apocrypha by others?
- Judith
- I and II Maccabees
- Ecclesiasticus
How many books are in the New Testament?
Twenty-seven books.
Do Jews consider the writings of the New Testament inspired?
No.
What does the term ‘bible’ mean?
‘Book’.
What does it mean to call a book a ‘bible’ in a broader sense?
Any book considered an infallible or very reliable guide to some activity.
What does the phrase ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ refer to?
A saying from the Bible’s story of Cain and Abel.
Who was murdered in the story of Cain and Abel?
Abel.
What did God ask Cain after he murdered Abel?
Where is your brother?
What phrase symbolizes people’s unwillingness to accept responsibility for others?
Am I my brother’s keeper?
This phrase originates from the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible.
What does the tradition of Judaism and Christianity say about our responsibilities towards others?
People have a responsibility for the welfare of their fellows.
This includes concepts such as ‘Good Samaritan’ and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’
What is the burning bush in the Book of Exodus?
A bush that burned with fire but was not consumed, where God revealed himself to Moses.
God instructed Moses to free the Israelites from slavery and lead them to the Promised Land.
Who did God identify himself as to Moses from the burning bush?
I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
This statement establishes God’s identity and connection to the patriarchs.
What was Moses instructed to do after encountering the burning bush?
Go to the Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery and lead them to the Promised Land.
This event marks a significant moment in the Exodus narrative.
