Ch 3: The Development of Doctrine and the Decline of the Empire Flashcards
The first ecumenical council; a meeting of three hundred bishops that took place in 325, most importantly to provide a response to the Arian heresy and a common profession of faith.
First Council of Nicaea
A heresy of the fourth century that took its name from Arius, a priest from Alexandria. The heresy denied the divinity of Jesus, claiming that he was like the Father except that he was created by the Father.
Arianism
From a Greek term (hypostasis) employed to describe the union of the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in one Divine Person. The First Council of Ephesus used this term and affirmed this teaching.
Hypostatic Union
Religious life in which men or women leave the world and enter a monastery or convent while devoting themselves to prayer, contemplation, and self-denial in solitude
Monasticism
A joint declaration by the Roman emperor Constantine and Licinius in the East in 313 that legalized the practice of Christianity and other religions throughout the Roman Empire.
Edict of Milan
Christians of about the fourth century who withdrew into the desert to live an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and abstinence. Their teachings had a profound impact on the theology and spirituality of the Church and the development of monasticism.
Desert Fathers
the political theory often practiced when Christianity was legalized that held that a secular ruler could also have authority over the Church, including in matters of doctrine
Caesaropapism
Meetings of Catholic bishops from around the world, typically convened in order to discuss and resolve pressing theological topics.
ecumenical councils
Bishops of one of the five episcopal sees, the name for the places of residence of bishops: the Eastern patriarchates of Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Alexandria; and the Latin patriarchate of Rome. In the early Church, the bishop of Rome (the pope) was acknowledged the principal patriarch.
Patriarchs
A collection of laws written in Latin that were instituted by the Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565) and became the basis of European law. Its Christian orientation gave women and children more protection than earlier law, but it still reflected the customs of its times, like bodily mutilation for some crimes and repressive measures against non-Christians, including Jews.
Justinian Code of Law
a break in Christian unity that takes place when a group of Christians separates itself from the Church. This happens historically when the group breaks union with the pope.
schism
The official list of inspired books in the Bible. Catholics list forty-six Old Testament books and twenty-seven New Testament books in their canon.
canon
From the early fourth century, the oldest complete copy of the Bible in existence; it features the forty-six books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament.
Codex Vaticanus
The part of the Mass that includes the “writings of the prophets” (the Old Testament reading and psalm) and the “memoirs of the Apostles” (the New Testament Epistles and the Gospel), the homily, the profession of faith, and the intercessions for the world.
Liturgy of the Word
The foundational statement of Christian belief that was produced by the Church leaders gathered at the First Council of Nicaea in 325
Nicene Creed
The systematic contemplation within the Church on the Divine Person and work of Jesus Christ. In short: Who is Jesus? What salvific work did he do and why does this matter?
Christology
A heresy, spread by Nestorius, a 5th century patriarch of Constantinople, that taught that Jesus was two persons and that Mary was the mother of the human Jesus, not the divine Jesus
Nestorianism
The heresy taught in the fifth century that asserted that there is only one nature in the Person of Christ—his divine nature.
Monophysitism
The heresy taught in the seventh century that claimed that Jesus has two natures but only one will—his divine will.
Monothelitism
Latin term meaning “and from the Son”; a phrase added to the Nicene Creed by the Western Church without the agreement of the Eastern Church
Filioque
Church Father who defended against Arianism which is a heresy denying Jesus’ full divinity by supporting the doctrine of the Council of Nicaea. Also supported monasticism.
St. Athanasius (c. 296-373)
Church Father who lived an ascetic lifestyle and wrote hymns and poems to inspire Christians how to live holy lives
St. Ephrem (c. 306-373)
Church Father, bishop, and prolific writer. His lasting contribution was his theology of the Holy Spirit
St. Basil the Great (c. 330-379)
Church Father…bishop of Milan…strong influence on St. Augustine
St. Ambrose (c. 339-397)
Known as the “Golden Mouth” or “Golden Tongue” because he was such a good preacher; Doctor of the Church; Father of the Church
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407)
Church Father; Translated the Bible into Latin from Hebrew and Greek (Vulgate)
St. Jerome (c. 347-419)
Father and Doctor of the Church; one of the most influential men in the history of the Church; converted after a life of sinful habits; wrote Confessions
St. Augustine of Hippo (c. 354-430)
Church Father, Pope; turned away Attila and the Huns from attacking the city of Rome; influential at the Council of Chalcedon
St. Leo the Great (c. 401-461)
Church Father; pope; called “Servant of the servants of God”; reformed the liturgy; created a type of singing called Gregorian Chant
Pope Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
The first ecumenical council; a meeting of three hundred bishops that took place in 325, most importantly to provide a response to the Arian heresy and create a common profession of faith, the Nicene Creed.
First Council of Nicaea
381, refuted Macedonianism; taught the divinity of the Holy Spirit; affirmed the teachings of the Council of Nicaea and accepted the Nicene Creed
First Council of Constantinople
Ecumenical Council in 431 that dealt with the heresy of Nestorianism; affirmed Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God / God-bearer)
Council of Ephesus
“Christ-bearer;” Mother of Christ; implies that she is the mother of the human part only
Christotokos
A Greek title for Mary meaning “God bearer” or “Mother of God”
Theotokos
451; dealt with the heresy of monophysitism; ended the debate on Christology; created the Chalcedonian Creed (Chalcedonian Definition)
Council of Chalcedon
553, called by Justinian, affirmed the orthodoxy of the first 4 ecumenical councils
Second Council of Constantinople
681; condemned the heresy of monothelitism
Third Council of Constantinople
787; affirmed pope’s authority; specified the honor that could be given to saints and their relics and icons during liturgy and private devotion
Second Council of Nicaea
the official split between the Western Church and Eastern Church that formed the Latin Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church
Great Schism of 1054
correct or right opinion
Orthodox
Church Father known as “the Theologian.” He was very influential at the Council of Constantinople. Wrote extensively about the Trinity.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-389)
