Final 2 Study Guide Fr

Question 1

St. Athanasius

Answer 1

Arianism - Council of Nicaea:
- opponent of Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, arguing that Christ was a created being and not co-eternal with God the Father.
- convened by Emperor Constantine to address the Arian controversy
- figure in the establishment of Trinitarian doctrine and orthodox Christianity

Question 2

St. Augustine

Answer 2

• concept of original sin and his views on grace and predestination shaped Western Christian theology, particularly influencing the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church and later Protestant Reformers
• hedonism (self-indulgence) and Manichaeism (struggle between good/evil) to Christianity

Question 3

St. Anthony of Egypt (Anthony the Great)

Answer 3

Monastacism:
- father of Christian monasticism. His decision to live an ascetic life in the desert around 270 AD set a precedent for the monastic movement –> solitude, prayer, and self-denial attracted many followers –> establishment of monastic communities and the spread of monastic ideals throughout the Christian world
- “Life of Anthony,” played a crucial role in popularizing monasticism, highlighting the spiritual benefits and challenges of a life dedicated entirely to God

Question 4

St. Benedict (Benedictine Rule)

Answer 4

• Benedictine Rule: a set of guidelines for monastic life that emphasized balance, moderation, and community living
• daily prayer, work, and study provided a model of communal living that promoted stability, obedience, and a spirit of hospitality
• emphasis on prayer and work (monasteries became centers of learning, agriculture, and hospitality)
• Chastity, poverty, and obedience

Question 5

Pope Leo III (Charlemagne)

Answer 5

• Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans on Christmas –> fusion of Roman, Christian, and Germanic elements = revival of the Western Roman Empire
• alliance between Leo III and Charlemagne –> strengthened the position of the Papacy (military support and political legitimacy)
• model for relationship between church and state (political and religious dynamics)

Question 6

Pope Gregory

Answer 6

church reforms:
- strengthening the papacy and reorganizing the church’s administrative structure (consolidate papal authority and standardize liturgical practices)
- promotion of clerical celibacy, the establishment of a more centralized system for managing church lands and revenues, and the standardization of Gregorian chant (church music)

Question 7

St. Francis/St. Clare

Answer 7

mendicant orders:
- St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order: poverty, simplicity, and preaching the Gospel (focusing on living out the teachings of Christ through humility and service)
- St. Clare of Assisi founded the Order of Poor Ladies: poverty and devotion (significant role of women in the mendicant movement)
- Mendicant: try to live like jesus, went out and preached and empowered the marginalized and poor

Question 8

St. Thomas Aquinas

Answer 8

scholasticism/books written:
- sought to reconcile faith and reason –> His works provided a comprehensive synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy
- addressed complex theological and philosophical questions, such as the nature of God, ethics, and the relationship between faith and reason, establishing a framework that influenced Catholic doctrine and Western thought
- logical analysis to explore theological issues laid the groundwork for modern academic inquiry

Question 9

St. Catherine of Siena

Answer 9

Western Schism (period of division within the Catholic Church when multiple individuals claimed to be the true pope):
- efforts and letters urged the return of the papacy from Avignon to Rome –> contributing to resolving the crisis
- her writings –> spiritual insights and guidance, earning her recognition as a Doctor of the Church
- involvement in ecclesiastical and political affairs demonstrated the impact of laywomen in church history

Question 10

Monasticism

Answer 10

• Removing ourselves from the city, as society is corrupt
• Key people: St.Benedict, St. Anthony of Egypt
• live together in monasteries (simple life; giving to poor) –> pray/work

Question 11

Franciscans

Answer 11

• mendicant order
• Founded by St. Francis of Assisi
• poverty, simplicity, and serving the poor

Question 12

Iconoclasm

Answer 12

• Iconoclasm is the rejection, destruction, or banning of religious images or icons, often driven by theological or political motives

Question 13

Feudalism

Answer 13

• medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service and loyalty, creating a hierarchical structure of lords, vassals, and serfs.