Chapters 8,9,10,11 Test Flashcards
doctrine
Teachings about the nature of things, how to live, etc.
sodzo
save/rescue, fare well/thrive/prosper
orthodoxy
“Straight teaching.” the Church’s teachings about essential teachings.
heterodoxy
“Other teaching.” Leads us down false paths.
heretic
A person of authority who chooses another doctrine.
creeds
Short summaries of basic beliefs made to be recited. In Latin, “credo” means “I believe.”
episkopos
Bishop, “overseer.” Rules over a diocese.
diocese
A city and the surrounding area
cathedral
Bishop’s Church. “Cathedra” means chair or throne.
presbyter
Wise elder. This position is now a priest.
deacon
Assists Mass and performs service.
3 ways the Church preserved its basic beliefs in the 2nd century while essential doctrines were being challenged.
- Creeds
- Authoritative teachers
- Authoritative teachings
dualism
Idea that there are 2 opposed realities: matter, which is evil and corruptible, and spirit, which is good and enduring.
gnostics
People believing that they had secret knowledge about salvation.
docetists
People who believe in docetism.
Docetism
“Dokeo” means “appear.” Docetism was the belief that Jesus was divine but only appeared human and only appeared to suffer and die.
5 key ideas the Christian authors tried to defend in the 2nd century.
- The goodness of creation and the goodness of humans
- Incarnation (Jesus is a flesh & blood human)
- Redemptive death by Jesus
- Resurrection
- Salvation is for all (the church is catholic)
Decius
Ordered the first systematic persecution of Christians.
Constantine
A Roman emperor who converted to Christianity and issued the Edict of Milan
Edict of Milan
Christians would be tolerated by the Roman Empire.
In what year was the Edict of Milan issued?
313
martyrs
People willing to suffer or die for their faith
metanoia
Conversion, repentance, change of heart
catechumen
A person preparing for baptism.
chatechumate
The process of preparation for baptism. Could last from 40 days (in Jerusalem) up to three years (in Rome.)
What does Christianity have that paganism doesn’t?
Content and doctrine.
Why was the Gospel of John written?
To argue against docetism. John 1:14- “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
