Catholic Christianity: Triune God Flashcards
What does the term “Triune God” emphasize?
The oneness of God
What does the term “Trinity” emphasize?
The threeness of God
What is the doctrine of the Trinity?
There is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
What does the Shield of the Trinity represent?
- God is all three persons
- All three persons are God
- All three persons are equal but distinct.
What does Deuteronomy 6:4 say about God?
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
How does Genesis 1:1-3 show evidence of the Trinity?
- God the Father - Creator of the heavens and earth
- God the Spirit - Hovering over the waters
- God the Son - “God said,” referring to Jesus as the Word (John 1:1)
Why do Christians believe Genesis 1:26-27 supports the doctrine of the Trinity?
- The use of plural pronouns implies relationship
- God created humans in His image, reflecting relationship and community
What role does the Catechism play in defining the Trinity?
It states that the Trinity is one God in three persons, emphasizing both unity and distinctness
What is the connection between the Trinity and the Incarnation?
The Incarnation shows that God the Son took human form as Jesus,
one of the three persons of the Trinity
What are the three areas Catholics base their beliefs on?
- The Bible (Scriptures)
- Church Tradition (Apostolic Tradition)
- The Magisterium
What is the Magisterium?
The teaching authority of the Church, made up of the Pope and bishops
What is apostolic succession?
The belief that Jesus gave spiritual authority to Peter,
which has been passed down to
Popes and bishops
What do the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” symbolize?
Authority and responsibility given by Jesus to Peter.
Why is the Magisterium important?
It resolves disputes about Church teaching
Example - the Council of Jerusalem’s decision on circumcision
What did the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) declare about Jesus?
- Jesus is “begotten, not made.”
- Jesus is “consubstantial with the Father.”
What did the Council of Constantinople (381 AD) declare about the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is fully divine and “adored and glorified with the Father and the Son.”
How does the Nicene Creed illustrate the Trinity?
- Three sections for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
- Distinctive roles of each person
- Emphasizes equality, e.g., Jesus is “True God from True God.”
What is Arianism, and why was it rejected?
- Arianism claimed Jesus was not equal to God the Father.
- It was rejected as heresy at the Council of Nicaea
What are the distinctive roles of the Trinity in the Nicene Creed?
- God the Father - Creator
- God the Son - Savior
- God the Holy Spirit - Giver of life
How is the Trinity reflected in belief and worship?
- Significant events such as Baptisms,
Marriages,
are performed in the name of the Trinity - Some Christians (for example Catholics) make the sign of the cross and speak the name of the Trinity when they enter a church
What is baptism?
Sign of initiation in Christianity, symbolizing cleansing from sin, rebirth, and entry into the Church
What event marks the beginning of Jesus’s public ministry?
His baptism by John at the River Jordan
What command did Jesus give His followers regarding baptism?
To baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
What does going into the water during baptism symbolize?
Dying and being buried, representing death to sin
What does emerging from the water symbolize?
Receiving new life, symbolizing resurrection with Christ
What does water symbolize in baptism?
Cleansing from sin and the Holy Spirit
What is the significance of a white robe in baptism?
It symbolizes being cleansed of sin and purity
What does the baptismal candle represent?
Enlightenment by Christ and the call to follow Him, the Light of the World
What does St. Paul say in Romans 6:3-4?
Baptism connects believers with Jesus’s death and resurrection
Why is baptism called the “door to the Church”?
It is the first sacrament through which one becomes a member of the Church
What do Christians receive through baptism?
The gift of the Holy Spirit
Why was Jesus baptized?
As a sign of obedience to God and an example for Christians to follow
What is the role of parents and godparents in infant baptism?
To commit to raising the child in the Christian faith
What are the two main types of prayer in Christianity?
- Traditional Prayer
- Spontaneous Prayer
What is an advantage of traditional prayer?
It is
- Familiar
- Comforting
- Allows group worship
What is an advantage of spontaneous prayer?
It feels
- Personal
- Directly relevant to the person praying
How can baptism symbolize forgiveness of sin?
- Water cleanses sin
- The individual is reborn into God’s family
How does Jesus’s baptism show the concept of the Trinity?
- The Father speaks
- The Son is baptized
- The Spirit descends like a dove
What does the Bible say about Trinity in Baptism?
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
What does the Bible say about Baptism in Forgiveness of sins?
“A person is cleansed of their sin and reborn as an adopted member of God’s family.”
What does the Bible say about Baptism in symbols of Water?
“Water, which cleans, is used as a symbol of cleansing from sin.”
What does the Bible say about Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
“Through baptism, a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
