Exam One Flashcards
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth – when and where he lived – Jesus lived from 6 – 4 BC to about AD 30 or 33. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He lived in Nazareth which was a small town in Galilee (modern-day northern Israel). During his ministry (roughly 27-30 CE), he traveled throughout Galilee, Judea, and surrounding regions, preaching, teaching, and performing miracles. He frequently visited places like Capernaum (which became a base for his ministry), Jerusalem, and other towns along the Sea of Galilee. His final days were spent in Jerusalem, where he was crucified., what he taught (video 2), and why his initial followers came to believe 1) that he was the Messiah, and 2) that he was/is truly divine (video 1).
“the historical Jesus”
The term “the historical Jesus” refers to the scholarly and historical investigation of Jesus of Nazareth as a real person who lived in first-century Judea (modern-day Israel/Palestine). This approach seeks to reconstruct Jesus’ life, teachings, and impact based on historical evidence, rather than focusing on theological or religious beliefs about him.
Septuagint (Page 60).
Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures produced by Jews in Alexandria, completed in 132 BC. Often abbreviated as lxx. Greek translation of the Jewish bible that existed when Jesus lived.
Tanak
Hebrew Bible. Acronym for three main sections of the text. Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim.
Synoptic gospels (what are they, why are they called “synoptic” and when, roughly, was each composed)
The Synoptic Gospels are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the New Testament. They are called “synoptic” (from the Greek synopsis, meaning “viewed together”) because they share similar stories, structure, and wording, often presenting Jesus’ life and teachings in a parallel way.
Key Features of the Synoptic Gospels: Common Material: Many passages appear in all three Gospels, often with slight variations. Parables and Miracles: They include many of the same parables and miracles, such as the Parable of the Sower and the feeding of 5,000. The Synoptic Problem: Scholars study their familiarities and differences to determine their literary relationship. Most believe that Mark was written first and that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source, along with another hypothetical lost document called Q (Quelle, (“source”). The Gospel of John is not part of the Synoptic Gospels because it has a different structure, unique content, and a more theological focus.
Mark (c. 65-70 AD)
Matthew (c. 80-90 AD)
Luke (c. 80-90 AD)
John (c. 90-100 AD)
apostolic kerygma
The Apostolic Kerygma refers to the core message of the Gospel as proclaimed by the apostles in the early Christian church. The Greek word “kerygma” means “proclamation” or “preaching,” and in a Christian context, it specifically refers to the essential preaching about Jesus Christ. Key elements of the Apostolic Kerygma. While variations exist in different New Testament passages (e.g., Acts 2:14-41, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8), the main points generally include:
Jesus’ Life and Ministry – Jesus was sent by God and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies. His Death – He was crucified for the sins of humanity. His resurrection – God raised Him from the dead, proving His divine identity. Exaltation and Lordship – Jesus is now at the right hand of God as Lord and Messiah.
Call to Repentance and Faith – People must repent, believe in Jesus, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. The Promise of Salvation and the Holy Spirit – Those who respond in faith receive salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Kerygmatic preaching formed the foundation of early Christian evangelism and is evident in the sermons of Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts. Does the apostolic kerygma include only these six topics?
What happened immediately after the crucifixion? (page 14).
According to Luke’s second volume, the book of Acts, the same disciples who betrayed and denied Jesus at his arrest and simply fled away, started to turn Jerusalem upside down a couple of days later with the extraordinary claim that God had raised him from the dead.
Peter
Peter – who was he and why is he important? Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. Probably the main source of Mark’s Gospel. Believed to have been martyred at Rome during Nero’s persecution of Christians, around AD 64. It took Peter at least 10 years to decide that the Gospel was for all people. Apostle and close follower of Jesus of Nazareth, from whom he received the name Peter, meaning ‘rock’ in Greek. He was a leader among the early apostles. Tradition asserts he was martyred in Rome. Gentile mission with Paul. Peter and Paul’s missionary work in Rome established a microcosm of the whole Christian World in the later Roman centuries. Should I look to pages 131 and 148 regarding Peter? I am asking this because I was not sure if it was necessary because we have not reached those sections yet.
Paul – who was he and why was he important?
Paul – who was he and why was he important? Saul of Tarsus is better known to us as Paul. Paul is his Roman name, or cognomen. He is mentioned in Acts as leading the persecution of Christians which followed the death of Stephen (Acts 7:54-8: three). Was a former persecutor of Christians. However, he became a leading witness to the risen Christ as a result of his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. After a period in Arabia (Nabatea), Paul spent at least ten years spreading the gospel in his hometown of Tarsus (near the south-east coast of modern Turkey) (Acts 9:1-30). Paul quickly emerged as leader of the dynamic group of Christians in Antioch who now became the leaders in a concerted campaign to evangelize the Gentiles. Equipped to be the greatest of all missionaries: Belonged to three worlds (Jewish, Greek, and Roman) (page 20). He worked very hard to keep Jewish and Gentile Christians united. Paul met a Jewish couple in Corinth, after the Emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).
Council of Jerusalem
Council of Jerusalem – Welcomed Gentile converts without imposing on them all the rigours of the Jewish law. Page 17. Paul and Peter had a violent disagreement at Antioch about how far Gentiles had to accept Jewish customs when they became Christians. This question was settled soon after at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).
Nero
Nero, blames Christians. A Roman emperor – 54-68 AD. Pontius Pilate – Roman Governor from 26-36 AD. Was Nero the emperor after Pontius Pilate?
Diocletian
Diocletian He retired (voluntarily from being emperor in 305 to live as a gentleman farmer on his estate on the Coast of Dalmatia (Croatia). Divided the empire (East and West). He elicited a harsh edict of AD 297 which condemned the Manichaeans as hostile persian agents who were to be executed. He reigned from 284-305 (page 32). 303 (Pg. 38), he issued 4 edict in 303. Destroyed all churches and confiscated Christian books, removed Christian from Government and army, and imprisoned clergy. 304 – Sacrifices to Pagan Gods.
Marcion
Marcion A Wealthy shipowner who came to Rome shortly before A.D. 140 and began to teach his own brand of Anti-Jewish Christianity. He insisted upon Faith and Christ, but rejected humanity of Jesus and the resurrection of body. Born in Sinope, Pontus. Arrived in Rome about AD 140. He fell under the spell of Gnostic teacher Cerdo. Formal Canon – List about AD 140. Luke and ten of Pauls Letters (But not the pastoral letters). Canon – official list of the sacred books.
Tertullian
Tertullian Was a montanist in his later life (62). AD 207 (Joined Montanist) claimed that the blood of the martyrs is seed. Was Tertullian for or against Marcion? He lived most of his life in Carthage. Lived from about 160 to 225. Carthage was the capital the province of Africa. He and Irenaeus and Tertullian developed this into a economic Doctrine of the Trinity.
Origen of Alexandria
Origen of Alexandria Expressed subordinationist ideas, though they still still affirmed Christ’s divinity.
Donatus (and Donatists)
Donatus Magnus (d. c. 355 AD) was a North African bishop and leader of the Donatist movement. This movement arose in the aftermath of Diocletian’s persecution (303-305 AD). The Donatists broke away from the mainstream Church. During the Diocletian persecution, some Christian leaders handed over sacred texts to Roman authorities to avoid punishment. The Donatists argued that any clergy who had “betrayed” the faith were permanently unworthy to administer sacraments. Baptism was invalid if the priest or Bishop was not morally pure. Opposition confirmed by Saint Augustine. The Donatists rejected the growing alliance between the Church and the Roman state, seeing it as corrupt.
Antony of Egypt
Antony of Egypt Early Hermit (‘One who withdraws’). Gave away all his possessions. At the age of 20, in order to serve Christ free of distraction. Monk.
Constantine
Do I only have to know about Constantine the Great (Roman Emperor)?
Edict of Milan 313
granted religious tolerance to Christians.
The Council of Nicaea
The gathering of 318 Bishops in 325 A.D. Constantine called this gathering, and there, him and the Bishops decided that God the Father was to the same degree of the son and Holy Spirit.
The Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed Affirms the Trinity: God is one in essence but three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Divinity of Christ – Jesus is “of one substance with the Father” (Homoousios), affirming His full divinity. Christ’s Role in Salvation – Declares that Jesus became incarnate, was crucified, resurrected, and will return to judge. Belief in the Church and Resurrection – Affirms “one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” and the resurrection of the dead.
Arius/Subordinationism/Arianism
Arius – Lived from around 256 – 336 AD. From Alexandria, Egypt. Christian presbyter. Argued that Jesus Christ was not co-eternal with God the Father but was a created being, subordinate to the Father in essence and divinity. His views led to the Arian controversy, which was the main reason for the First Council of Nicaea.
Subordinationism Subordinationism is the belief that the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit are subordinate to the Father in nature and divinity. It predates Arianism and was influenced by Greek philosophical ideas about hiearchy.
Arianism The Son is not eternal – There was a time when the Son was not. The son is created – Jesus was the first and greatest creation of God but not God himself. The Son is of a different essence from the Father. He is homoiousios (of similar substance but not homoousios (of the same substance). The son is subordinate – Since He is created, He is lower in rank than the Father.
Athanasius
Defended the Trinity Lived from c. 296-373 AD. Bishop of Alexandria. Believed that Jesus was fully divine.
Council of Hippo
Established the canon of scripture in 393. Held in Hippo Regius. Saint Augustine was there, helped shape church doctrine on salvation and the authority of scripture.
Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, Heresy (Page 67).
Do we only need to know what the words, “Orthodoxy,” “Heterodoxy,” and “Heresy” means literally in translation? Heterodoxy, teachings that deviates from Orthodoxy, however, not officially rejected. Heresy, doctrines and/or beliefs that have been officially rejected by the clergy.
Monophysite
Believed in Christ’s one divine nature instead of both a human nature and a divine nature.
Monothelitie
Believed in the compromised doctrine of monophysite and council of chalcedon. Believed in two natures (human and divine), only one will.
Docetism (Page 68)
Christ was not a material being and only appeared to be human. The Greek verb ‘to seem’ or ‘to appear.’
Council of Ephesus
Council of Ephesus – 431 Theotokos (Council of Ephesus) - Ephisians (People who lived in Ephesus). The people who lived in Phillipy lived in Phillipines. Colossians and Colossia. Corinth – Greece and Turkey. Where is the city of Corinth?
Council of Chalcedon
Jesus has two natures (451 AD) divine and human (two natures)
“Theotokos”
“Mother of God.” Council of Ephesus (431) declares that the Virgin Mary was the Mother of God. This council also declared that those who thought that the Virgin Mary should be called Christotokos Mother of Christ were considered heretics. One person with two natures (divine and human).
liturgy
liturgy (definition) Community of people publicly (prayer). 7 Liturgical Rites. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Sacrament of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
liturgical calendar
liturgical calendar (seasons and meanings) Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time
The fall of Rome and the Byzantine Empire (Eastern)
Rise of the Catholic church after the Fall of Rome. The Pope. The West fell into chaos, the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) survived and flourished, lasted 1,000 years after Rome’s fall, preserving Roman law, Greek culture, and Christian traditions. Byzantine empire ended when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.
Pentarchy
The Rule of Five – Churches – Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria (Mark), Antioch (Paul), and Jerusalem (James).
Roman or Papal Primacy
Successor of Saint Peter.
“Christendom” and Church/State relations.
The part of the Globe to which the gospel has been spread and taken hold/root
St. Augustine of Hippo’s City of God
From North Africa. Council of Hippo (393) - Decided Canon.
Was a Manichaean. Was a Dualist. The Confessions of Saint Augustine.
Gnostic Dualism
Manichaean (Mani – Saint Augustine) and Donatist (Gnosticism) -
The City of God and The City of Man.
The secular authority should have dominion. The Just War Theory – It is permissible for a state to use violent force and an army.
Who created the Just War Theory?
The archibishop of Constantinople is the Are we going to need to know the origins of words, for examples, Roman, Greek, and Hebrew?
