Christianity Flashcards by Tyler Chartrand

According to our in-class discussion, the first Christians didn’t see themselves as a “new religion” but, instead, as what?

Denomination of Judaism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Christians weren’t called “Christians” until when and where?

AD 45

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

At what point did Christianity make its total break from Judaism, finally considering itself a separate religion from the Jewish tradition?

AD 70

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the three broad umbrella denominations of Christianity?

Catholicism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Protestantism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the difference between “High Church Protestantism” and “Low Church Protestantism”?

High: Looks more Catholic, more organized
Low: Lack of sacraments, hierarchy, sometimes Priesthood

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, what significant difference is there between what lay Catholics and Catholic scholars believe about the origins of the Catholic Church?

The lay Catholics believe that the Catholic church was founded by Christ through Peter down through an unbroken line of Popes
Catholic Scholars say there is no connection

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What evidence did we give in class that the Bishop of Rome did not hold universal jurisdiction over the entire Church in the fourth century?

Constantine wasn’t run by a Pope, It was called by the Emperor

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the “Great Schism” and in what year did it take place?

1054: The Pope sent the Cardinal to Constantinople, excommunicated half of the church in Eastern Orthodoxy.
1204: The sacking of Constantinople

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

In the 11th century, the Western side of the Church excommunicated the Eastern side of the Church over what?

1054: Something about using leavened bread instead of unleavened bread
Something about authority

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, the initial goal of the Protestant Reformation was to what?

Internal Reform of the Catholic church

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, what was one of the primary concerns of Wycliffe that led to his attempts at reformation?

The Bible is only in the leaders of the church

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, what was one of the primary concerns of Knox that led to his attempts at reformation?

Multiple layers on the leadership of the church, but the clergy are making decisions without higher up

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, what was one of the primary concerns of Luther that led to his attempts at reformation?

Sale of indulgences

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, what was one of the primary concerns of the Anabaptists that led to his attempts at reformation?

Baptizing infants, infants can’t accept baptism, much less accept Christ as their Savior

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, what was one of the primary concerns of Wesley that led to his attempts at reformation?

No gifts of the Spirit as said in the Bible
Methodist

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are some Christian denominations that we mentioned in class that reject the Trinity?

Jehovah’s Witnesses
Unitarian Universalist
Christian Science

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Based on our in-class discussion, the Trinity—properly understood—consists of “One _______, manifest in _______, simultaneously united in ______, but distinct in ______

One God, manifest in 3 Persons, simultaneously united in substance, but distinct in personhood

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, how is Tritheism different from the Trinity?

Trinity: Paradoxical unity of three persons in one Godhead
Tritheism: Three distinct gods existing independently

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, how are Tritheism and Monolatry different?

Tritheism is a heretical Christian view that contradicts the Trinity by emphasizing three separate gods
Monolatry is a separate concept where people worship one supreme deity while acknowledging the existence of other deities

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, what is Modalism, and how is it different from the actual doctrine of the Trinity?

There’s different “Hats” of god, He can be Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit
Condemned by Christianity

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, what is the difference between “Social Trinitarianism” and “Psychological Trinitarianism”—and which of them is an accurate understanding of the Trinity?

Social Trinitarianism - 3 actual beings, but kinda God too
Psychological Trinitarianism - Pretty much just Modalism

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

According to our in-class discussion, what is the problem with the Water/Ice/Steam analogy (when trying to explain the Trinity)”?

Problem is that they are 3 different forms of the same things. Formally modalistic. An egg is a better example.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Why, according to our in-class discussion, do many Christians feel that the “incomprehensibility” of the Trinity a good thing?

Because if our finite minds can comprehend God, then that brings him down to our level

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

During our in-class conversation, we showed a chart comparing the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant views of the Trinity. (The chart dealt with things like the co-equality and co-eternal nature of the three members of the Trinity, and also their views on the source of the Holy Spirit.) Which of the three models we discussed is most like the LDS view and why?

Eastern Orthodox
They have the Son subordinate to the Father

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Out of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism, one faith holds that [1] the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father only; one holds that [2] It proceeds from the Father “and/or” the Son; and one holds that [3] It proceed forth from both the Father and the Son. Which of the three aforementioned traditions takes the former (or first) of these three positions?

1. Eastern Orthodox 2. Roman Catholic 3. Protestant

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the “Double Procession” of the Holy Spirit?

* Catholic - Holy Spirit comes from both Father and Son * Orthodox - Holy Spirit comes from Father alone

What 4th century event led to the Council and Nicaea and, from that, the Nicene Creed, and the formal formulation of the Trinity?

* The Arian controversy * Arius, a priest in Alexandria, argued that Jesus was not divine but a created being subordinate to God the Father

According to our in-class discussion, what was Arius of Alexander’s position on Jesus?

* Jesus and the Father are distinct beings * He believed Jesus is subordinate to the Father, and came from the Father

Arius of Alexander had two major reasons for rejecting the “co-equal” and “co-eternal” nature of the Father and Son. What, according to our in-class discussion, were his two reasons for rejecting those beliefs?

They are 2 different beings * Maintaining Monotheism * Subordination of the Sun

According to our in-class discussion, what was Alexander of Alexandria’s position on Jesus?

If Jesus is only an archangel, he doesn’t have the power to save us. He must be equal with God

What, according to our in-class discussion, was wrong in Arius’ argument about Jesus?

Jesus wasn't God, thus he couldn't save us

What, according to our in-class discussion, was wrong in Alexander’s argument about Jesus?

He didn’t understand that God can invest in a being the authority to act as him in his name

Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus are known by what title?

Cappadocian Fathers

Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus sought to clarify what?

The Nicene Creed, God could be of one substance, but three different substances

According to our in-class discussion, the Greek word “substance” (i.e., ousia) means what?

Nature

According to Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus, what are the specific roles (in the Trinity) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

* Father - Original, unbegotten * Son - Begotten or offspring * Spirit - Presence of God in the world

Based on our in-class discussion, Latter-day Saints are “Social Trinitarians” except in our belief in what two things?

* Whether God has a body or not * How God came to be

According to our in-class discussion, most Christians don’t use the term “Atonement”—because that is more of a Hebrew Bible term. Instead, most Christians use what phrases to refer to Christ’s salvific work?

Christ’s ransom sacrifice

The current Roman Catholic view on who Jesus died for is what?

The sins of the whole world

How does a practicing Roman Catholic lay hold on Christ’s Ransom Sacrifice and the grace which that provides?

Through the 7 sacraments

According to current Roman Catholic teachings, a non-Catholic can access Jesus’ Ransom Sacrifice (and its associated grace) through what two fairly modern Catholic doctrines?

* Anonymous Christianity: Follow Conscience * Baptism of Desire: If you would have known about baptism in your life, you would have gotten baptized, then you are essentially baptized

How do Eastern Orthodox Christians access Christ’s Ransom Sacrifice?

Different 7 Sacraments

According to our in-class discussion, who do Low Church Protestants typically believe can access Christ’s grace?

Literally call upon Jesus to save us

According to our in-class discussion, what is the meaning of (or the implications of) the following quotation? “Catholics come to Christ through the Church, while Protestants come to the Church through Christ.”

* Catholic: The church has salvific ordinances and brings people to Christ * Protestant: People accept Christ, then try to find a community of like minded people

Various translations aside, do all Christian denominations have the same books in their canon?

Kinda. All have the Bible, but there are different versions. Some also have the Apocrypha and additional books.

What is the Apocrypha and what denominations accept it as canon?

* Extra Books in the New Testament * Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox

According to our in-class discussion, which early Christians tended to approach the Bible more literally, and which often approached it more symbolically?

* Jewish Background: More literal * Greek Background: More Symbolic

As noted during our in-class discussion, significant questions about which books belonged in the Christian New Testament continued until what century?

6th Century

According to our in-class discussion, what 2nd century movement ultimately led to Christianity “closing” their canon?

* Group called Montinists, claimed to be getting revelation * In response, the Church announced that the canon was closed, so there couldn't be any more revelation

What does the term “Sola Scriptura” mean, and what Christians subscribe to this?

* All truth you need is in scripture * Low church Protestants

When Catholic and Orthodox Christians say that they rely on the combined authority of “Scripture and Tradition,” what do they mean by “Tradition”?

* Long taught teachings and culture of the Church * Encyclicals, sacraments, passed down sermons, etc.

What two Sacraments do most Low Church Protestants accept, and are they typically considered salvific by Low Church Protestants?

* Baptism * The Lord’s Supper Not Salvific

What Sacraments do High Church Protestants usually accept, and which of those do they see as salvific?

* Baptism* * Confirmation * Lord’s Supper* * Penance & Reconciliation * Holy Unction Salvation = *

According to current Roman Catholic teaching, a baby that dies prior to being baptized goes where?

Into Limbo, not hell (anymore)

What, according to our in-class discussion, is “Original Sin” and who created this Catholic teaching?

* The sin of Adam and Eve * Saint Augustine

According to the Encyclopedia of Catholicism, as quoted in class, how many people has the Roman Catholic Church “affirmed” are in “hell”?

None

According to Augustine, how is “Original Sin” passed from one person to another?

Through Genital Contact

What, according to our in-class discussion, is “The Immaculate Conception”?

The birth of Mary without any sex by her parents

What is different in the mode of baptism between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians?

* Catholic: Pouring * Orthodox: By immersion, 3 times

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the primary difference between the roles of Catholic and Orthodox godparents?

* Catholic: Makes vows on behalf of the child, then when they grow up, they take upon themselves the vows * Orthodox: More to support the parents in raising the child

Low Church Protestants, if they baptize at all, do so when and how?

Only by immersion

What is the focus (or “center”) of Sunday worship for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Low Church Protestants?

* Catholics - Bread and wine. * Orthodoxy - Don’t sit at all. They sing for most of the time * Low Protestants - The sermon

What is the difference between Transubstantiation/Metousiosis, Consubstantiation, and simply Symbolic approaches to the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper? And which denominations believe in each?

* Catholic + Orthodox - Transubstantiation/Metousiosis: Bread and Wine actually become Christ’s Body and Blood * High church Protestants - Consubstantiation: When the priests bless the bread and wine, it is different, but not actually his body * Low Church Protestants - Symbolic: It is purely symbolic

What is the difference between a crucifix and a cross, and which denominations typically use which?

* Cross - No Jesus on it, * Crucifix - Has Jesus on it

According to our in-class discussion, at what point in history did Christians begin employing the cross, and at what point did they begin using the crucifix?

4th century

During our in-class discussion, we talked about how Catholics and Orthodox Christians interpret the meaning of the crucifix, and how Low Church Protestants interpret the empty cross. What did we say about each?

* Catholics - dead on cross pain Jesus went through to save you * Eastern Orthodox - he had victory - resurrected on cross * Protestant - No Jesus on cross, symbolize him gone and risen

According to our in-class discussion, at what point did the current LDS aversion to the cross arise, and in response to what?

* 1960 - Church was going to build monument * Has to do with a Catholic Bishop and David O. McKay

What is “genuflection,” who does it, and why?

* Dip fingers in holy water, preform sign of the Cross * Very Catholic * If you have entered the Roman Catholic church, you have entered the presence of Christ

Why do Eastern Orthodox Christians say that “icons” are “essential” for worship?

* They are a symbol of their love for God * Something to do with incarnation

Why do Eastern Orthodox Christians avoid the use of three-dimensional images in their worship?

The commandment to not make graven images to Moses

According to current Catholic teachings, the Roman Catholic Church has “apostolic succession” through an unbroken line of what?

Instead of “Popes” they now claim “Bishops”

According to our in-class discussion, Eastern Orthodox Christians trace their “apostolic succession” through whom?

Andrew through all Ecumenical Patriarchs

What is the “Priesthood of all Believers,” and which denominations place the most emphasis on this teaching?

* The Bible holds all authority, no priesthood hierarchy, power just comes from God to all believers * Protestants

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the one exception to the traditional Roman Catholic requirement that all who take “holy orders” must live a life of celibacy?

A ordained clergy already married when converted

According to our in-class discussion, the official Roman Catholic view of what Saints can do for the living is what? In other words, when a Catholic prays and gets an answer to that prayer, official Catholic teaching says that the answer comes from Whom?

* Catholic - Intercessors, have special connection with God. Saints pray to God in behalf of the person, but do not actually answer the prayer * Orthodox - Good examples to emulate

According to our in-class discussion, many Christians believe that the chief sin of Adam and Eve was their desire to become what?

The desire to be Gods was the sin

According to our in-class discussion, does the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox emphasis on the necessity of Sacraments for one’s salvation negate a reliance upon grace? Why or why not?

Catholic and Orthodox - The ordinances bring them closer to Christ, but still need Grace

According to our in-class discussion, do most practitioners of Christianity believe in a physical or a spiritual resurrection?

Most churches teach a physical resurrection, most church members believe in a spiritual resurrection

Which Christian denomination did was say believes that there are two kinds of resurrection; some people being resurrected as spirits and others being resurrected as physical beings?

Jehovah's Witnesses

According to our in-class discussion, how many autocephalous (or self-governing) denominations of Eastern Orthodoxy are there; meaning how many of Eastern Orthodox denominations have their own patriarch and do not answer to any authority outside of their own denomination?

14 Orthodox denominations

According to our in-class discussion, how many branches of Catholicism are there?

24 Branches, with one being main

Approximately what percentage of Christians today are considered members of the Roman Catholic tradition?

50% of all Christians

Who, according to our in-class discussion, is the founder of Judaism?

Abraham is the founder