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Sam’s Religion > Church Fathers > Flashcards

Church Fathers Flashcards

1
Q

Who were the Church Fathers?

A

Influential theologians, scholars, and leaders in the early Christian Church who shaped its doctrine, practices, and theology

They lived primarily between the 1st and 8th centuries and played a critical role in defending the faith.

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2
Q

What are the four categories of Church Fathers?

A
  1. Apostolic Fathers
  2. Greek Fathers
  3. Latin Fathers
  4. Desert Fathers and Mothers
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3
Q

What period did the Apostolic Fathers belong to?

A

1st–2nd Century

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4
Q

Who wrote 1 Clement?

A

Clement of Rome

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5
Q

What was Ignatius of Antioch known for?

A

Emphasized church unity and martyrdom; wrote letters to various churches

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6
Q

Who was Polycarp of Smyrna?

A

A disciple of the Apostle John; known for his martyrdom

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7
Q

What is the Didache?

A

A manual of Christian ethics, rituals, and church practices

Author Unknown

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8
Q

What time period did the Greek Fathers belong to?

A

3rd–8th Century

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9
Q

Who was Origen of Alexandria?

A

An early theologian who contributed to biblical interpretation and systematic theology

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10
Q

What doctrine did Athanasius of Alexandria defend?

A

The doctrine of the Trinity; opposed Arianism

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11
Q

Who were the Cappadocian Fathers?

A

Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus

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12
Q

What was Basil the Great known for?

A

Advocated for monasticism and theological clarity on the Trinity

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13
Q

What is Gregory of Nyssa known for?

A

Focused on mystical theology and the nature of God

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14
Q

What was John Chrysostom called?

A

Golden-Mouthed for his eloquence

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15
Q

What time period did the Latin Fathers belong to?

A

3rd–8th Century

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16
Q

Who coined the term ‘Trinity’?

A

Tertullian

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17
Q

What was Cyprian of Carthage known for?

A

Wrote about church unity and sacraments

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18
Q

Who translated the Bible into Latin?

A

Jerome (the Vulgate)

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19
Q

What are the two major works of Augustine of Hippo?

A

Confessions, City of God

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20
Q

What did Gregory the Great reform?

A

The liturgy and strengthened papal authority

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21
Q

What time period did the Desert Fathers and Mothers belong to?

A

3rd–4th Century

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22
Q

Who is known as the founder of Christian monasticism?

A

Anthony the Great

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23
Q

What did Pachomius establish?

A

Communal monasticism

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24
Q

Who was Macrina the Younger?

A

Sister of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa; an influential monastic figure

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25
Q

What were the main contributions of the Church Fathers?

A
  1. Theology
  2. Scripture
  3. Creeds
  4. Apologetics
  5. Liturgy
  6. Monasticism
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26
Q

True or False: The Church Fathers are still studied for insight into early Church practices and theology.

A

True

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27
Q

Fill in the blank: The Church Fathers played a critical role in _______.

A

defending the faith

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28
Q

Who was known for his wisdom and ascetic life among the Desert Mothers?

A

Syncletica of Alexandria

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29
Q

Who are the Apostolic Fathers?

A

Early Christian theologians who were directly taught by the Apostles or their immediate disciples.

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30
Q

Which Apostolic Father wrote a letter to the Corinthians known as 1 Clement?

A

Clement of Rome.

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31
Q

Who is considered the first bishop of Rome after the Apostle Peter?

A

Clement of Rome.

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32
Q

Which Apostolic Father wrote a series of letters while on his way to martyrdom in Rome?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

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33
Q

Which Apostolic Father emphasized the importance of church unity and obedience to bishops?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

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34
Q

Who was the bishop of Smyrna and a disciple of the Apostle John?

A

Polycarp of Smyrna.

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35
Q

What is the name of the document that provides early instructions on Christian ethics and church practices?

A

The Didache.

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36
Q

Which Apostolic Father wrote a letter to the Philippians and was martyred by being burned at the stake?

A

Polycarp of Smyrna.

37
Q

What was the main focus of Clement of Rome’s letter to the Corinthians?

A

Resolving disputes and maintaining unity in the church.

38
Q

Who referred to Jesus as the ‘Physician of both soul and body’ in their writings?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

39
Q

Which Apostolic Father is known for his emphasis on the importance of the Eucharist?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

40
Q

What does the Didache mean in English?

A

‘Teaching’ (often translated as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles).

41
Q

Which Apostolic Father wrote about the importance of martyrdom and facing it willingly?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

42
Q

Who is the likely author of the Epistle of Barnabas?

A

The author is unknown, but it is attributed to an early Christian writer often grouped with the Apostolic Fathers.

43
Q

Which Apostolic Father’s writings emphasize the preexistence and divinity of Christ?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

44
Q

Which Apostolic Father’s writings were included in some early versions of the New Testament?

A

Clement of Rome’s 1 Clement and the Didache.

45
Q

Who was considered the last living link to the Apostles among the Apostolic Fathers?

A

Polycarp of Smyrna.

46
Q

What does Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians primarily focus on?

A

Encouragement in faith and warnings against heresy.

47
Q

Which Apostolic Father is often credited with introducing the concept of ‘apostolic succession’?

A

Clement of Rome.

48
Q

What event led to Polycarp’s martyrdom?

A

Refusing to renounce Christ and worship the Roman emperor.

49
Q

Which Apostolic Father described the Church as ‘wherever Jesus Christ is’?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

50
Q

What significant practice is outlined in the Didache?

A

Instructions for baptism and the Eucharist.

51
Q

Which Apostolic Father’s works discuss the role of deacons, presbyters, and bishops in the church?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

52
Q

Which Apostolic Father’s writings address the problem of schisms in the early church?

A

Clement of Rome.

53
Q

Who claimed that Christians should ‘be imitators of God’ in their lives?

A

Clement of Rome.

54
Q

Which Apostolic Father believed that the church should remain separate from the world to maintain its purity?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

55
Q

What is one major theme found in the Epistle of Barnabas?

A

The contrast between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

56
Q

Which Apostolic Father wrote about the need to ‘obey your bishop as you would God’?

A

Ignatius of Antioch.

57
Q

Which Apostolic Father’s death was recorded in the early Christian work The Martyrdom of Polycarp?

A

Polycarp of Smyrna.

58
Q

What is the primary purpose of the Didache?

A

To provide a guide for Christian living, worship, and church organization.

59
Q

Who is considered the founder of Christian monasticism?

A

Anthony the Great

60
Q

What region is most associated with the Desert Fathers?

A

The deserts of Egypt

61
Q

Which Desert Father wrote the famous biography The Life of Anthony?

A

Athanasius of Alexandria

62
Q

What practice was central to the Desert Fathers’ way of life?

A

Asceticism

63
Q

Who was the Desert Father known for living on top of a pillar for decades?

A

Simeon Stylites

64
Q

Which Desert Father is credited with organizing the first monastic community?

A

Pachomius the Great

65
Q

What was the primary goal of the Desert Fathers?

A

To seek spiritual purity and closeness to God through solitude, prayer, and self-denial

66
Q

What is the collection of sayings attributed to the Desert Fathers called?

A

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Apophthegmata Patrum)

67
Q

Which Desert Father was known for his wisdom and humility?

A

Abba Poemen

68
Q

Who was the Desert Father that was tempted by demons in the wilderness?

A

Anthony the Great

69
Q

Which Desert Father is famous for the quote, ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance’?

A

Abba Arsenius

70
Q

What was the nickname of Abba Moses, a former robber who became a Desert Father?

A

Moses the Black or Moses the Strong

71
Q

What kind of work did the Desert Fathers often do to sustain themselves?

A

Manual labor, such as basket weaving or farming

72
Q

Which Desert Father is associated with the saying, ‘Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything’?

A

Abba Moses the Black

73
Q

What spiritual discipline did the Desert Fathers emphasize to combat sin?

A

Vigilance and watchfulness (nepsis)

74
Q

Who was the Desert Father known for his deep silence and refusal to engage in idle talk?

A

Abba Arsenius

75
Q

What was the key theme in the teachings of the Desert Fathers?

A

Inner transformation and union with God

76
Q

Which Desert Father emphasized the importance of continual prayer?

A

Evagrius Ponticus

77
Q

Who was the Desert Father known for his incredible patience and endurance under trials?

A

Abba Agathon

78
Q

What was the role of elders (abbas) in the Desert Fathers’ communities?

A

They were spiritual guides and mentors to younger monks

79
Q

Which Desert Father is credited with the statement, ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged’?

A

Abba Poemen

80
Q

What was the name of the Desert Mother who is often grouped with the Desert Fathers?

A

Amma Syncletica

81
Q

What was a common practice of the Desert Fathers to train their willpower and humility?

A

Fasting

82
Q

Who is known as the ‘Father of Monks’?

A

Anthony the Great

83
Q

Which Desert Father said, ‘If you cannot be as you wish, be as you are and love God’?

A

Abba Macarius

84
Q

What did the Desert Fathers believe was the greatest enemy to spiritual progress?

A

Pride

85
Q

Who was the Desert Father that taught monks to confront their inner thoughts (logismoi) directly?

A

Evagrius Ponticus

86
Q

Which Desert Father was known for his extreme hospitality, offering help to all visitors?

A

Abba Macarius the Great

87
Q

What is the name of the monastic rule established by Pachomius for communal living?

A

The Rule of Pachomius

88
Q

What was the primary source of inspiration for the Desert Fathers’ way of life?

A

The life and teachings of Jesus, particularly His time in the wilderness

Sam’s Religion (20 decks)

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