Final A Christo

Question 1

Could the human soul of JC enlighten all creatures?

Answer 1

Only as an instrument of the Word, but not its proper nature and power

Question 2

Could affect miraculous transmutations ordainable to the end of the Incarnation?

Answer 2

Yes by divine power (his soul would be the instrumental cause)

Question 3

Could the human soul of Christ create things?

Answer 3

No because creation is a power which belongs to God (a creature cannot even be an instrumental cause of creation)

Question 4

What are three reasons STA gives concerning why it is fitting for JC to have bodily defects?

Answer 4

He satisfied for the sins of the human race by taking on the sin of punishment Himself, to promote the belief of the Incarnation (he had true flesh), to give us an example of patience (and other virtues)

Question 5

What two conditions does STA say are necessary for JC to fittingly assume a particular defect? Why was defect like Chicken Pox not fitting for JC to assume?

Answer 5

Because JC assumed defects in order to satisfy for the sin of the human nature, he fittingly assumed those defects which: 1) flow from the common sin of the whole nature, e.g. hunger 2) are not incompatible w/ the perfection of knowledge and grace, concupiscence

Question 6

How would you respond to an objection which says that JC took upon Himself the burdon of guilt (culpa) on our behalf, since we read ?Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us (II Cor 5:21)?

Answer 6

God made Christ a victim for sin, not sinful

Question 7

Give several reasons why theologians teach that Christ was not only sinless, but impeccable?

Answer 7

Hypostatic Union, Beatific Vision, fullness of Habitual grace which was capable of being lost and immiscible

Question 8

Why are JCs passions called ?propassions??

Answer 8

His passions did not dominate his reason. They began in the sensitive appetite but went no further

Question 9

What is meant by the communication idiomatum?

Answer 9

The mutual predication and interchange of the two natures (DN and HN) in themselves and their properties by reason of the hypostatic union

Question 10

Be able to cite a scriptural example of the communication idiomatum.

Answer 10

Before Abraham was made, I AM (Joh 8:58). ?I? the subject, is a concrete term which refers to the suppositum i.e. Christ in His Divinity

Question 11

What is the foundation of the communication idiomatum?

Answer 11

The hypostatic union by reason of the one suppositum

Question 12

What is meant by the ?Christological Perichoresis??

Answer 12

JC?s divine nature penetrates and inhabits his human nature, resulting in a mutual and intimate union of the two natures which remain distinct

Question 13

What does STA teach about the esse of Christ, especially w/ respect to the esse of the hypostatis and the esse of natures?

Answer 13

Being follows upon esse. It pertains to both nature (that whereby a thing has being) and hypostasis (that which has being). In JC there is only one esse. Because of the hypostatic union, new personal being accrued to Him, but only a new relation of the pre-existing personal nature to the human nature, in such a way that the person is said to subsist in both the divine and human nature. This supposes a real distinction between created essence and existence.

Question 14

How is STA?s teaching about esseof JC contrary to the Scotists and others who deny a real distinction between created essence and existence?

Answer 14

Scotists, Suarez and others hold that there is not a real distinction between created essence and existence. Therefore in JC there two substantial existences. STA responds that esse is the ultimate actuality of a person, so a person having one substantial existence/essence is incapable of receiving another. If JC had two existences and one person, it seems repugnant to have a second existence, since He has existed for all eternity. Eternal esse of JC is the ultimate act, terminating in JC?s human nature

Question 15

How does STA explain Matthew 26:39 ?And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt?

Answer 15

There is a distinction between man?s rational will and his sensitive will. The rational/absolute will is the will strictly speaking. The sensitive/conditional will is called ?will? by participation and is the ?will according to nature,? i.e. it turns toward the naturally good and away from what is evil, e.g. suffering. JCs rational will always willed whatever God willed in this case, his Passion and death, but insofar as his sensitive will naturally turned away from evil, he is said not to will it.

Question 16

Is an action of JC e.g. touching and reaching out a sick person to heal him, one operation or two operations? Does he have two operations? If it?s one operation is it human or divine? Explain theandric operation.

Answer 16

There are two distinct operations in JC, due to his two natures. However, since to operate belongs to the subsisting suppositum, the two operations concur in one. Hence JCs operations were theandric. Theandric operation is his divine operation employing the human operation and the human operation sharing in the power of the divine. Some of His acts are properly acts of one nature, e.g. eating, but even these can be called theandric in the wide sense because he drew infinite merit from them due to the divine suppositum.

Question 17

Why was JCs human operation ?more fully human? than any other man?

Answer 17

In man there are two operations which are not strictly human e.g. those of the vegetative soul, but in JC, even these were ordered by reason

Question 18

Did JC merit the beatific vision, the glory of His body and outward excellence?

Answer 18

It?s better to have a thing w/ merit than w/o merit. JC is perfect, he has by merit what others have by merit, unless it is something which would take away from his dignity more than accrue to him by merit. Hence, he did not merit the beatific vision, but He did merit the glory of His body and outward excellence

Question 19

Why is JC priesthood said to be eternal?

Answer 19

Priesthood of JC is said to be eternal not because of the sacrifice offered, but because of the consummation of the sacrifice. Those for whom the sacrifice was offered obtained the end of the sacrifice, i.e. eternal life

Question 20

What do theologians more commonly teach formally constitutes JC?s priesthood: the grace of headship or the uncreated grace of union? Give reason.

Answer 20

Substantial grace of union formally constitutes JCs priesthood. Because JC as man is a priest inasmuch as he is anointed by God and his primary anointing is the grace of union

Question 21

Can JC be called an adoptive son of God in his HN?

Answer 21

Adoption belongs to person, not nature, since it does not confer nature, but a right to inheritance. Therefore, JC cannot be called an adoptive son of God, even in His HN.

Question 22

How can we adore the Sacred Heart when it is a bodily organ?

Answer 22

Flesh of JC is to be adored w/ latria, since to do is nothing else than to adore the Incarnate Word of God, just as to adore a king?s robe is nothing else than to adore a robed king. Hence His Sacred Heart may be adored w/ latria, since it?s the physical heart of JC united to the divine person, which is the object of devotion

Question 23

Can an icon of JC be adored w/ latria?

Answer 23

Yes. Insofar as it represents Christ. This is relative latria, as opposed to absolute latria, since the image is not JC Himself.

Question 24

How is JC a mediator?

Answer 24

Mediator is a mean between two extremes. JC as man is a mediator between God and men. He is distant from God in His HN, offering to God satisfaction and prayers on behalf of men. He is distant from men by the diginity of His grace and glory, communicating to them both precepts, i.e. the Gospel and gifts. The grace of union constitutes Christ as mediator.

Question 25

Can Christ really be the son of Mary if there is only one real sonship to Him? i.e. the eternal sonship?

Answer 25

The relation of Christ to Mary is a logical, temporal relation, since every relation predicated of God in time is logical. However, the relation of Mary to Christ is a real relation. Hence He is truly the son of Mary

Question 26

How does STA say JC vocalized the fulfillment of the Old Law?

Answer 26

In his last words: consummatum est

Question 27

How is JC?s Passion different than the typical martyrdom of a saint i.e. what virtues commanded it?

Answer 27

JC?s passion was an act of latria which a typical martyrdom of a saint is not necessarily. Not sacficing themselves ultimately, JC priest offered Himself. Eph 5:2

Question 28

What did JC?s Passion liberate us from?

Answer 28

Bondage of sin, devil, debt of punishment

Question 29

What was the price of our Redemption?

Answer 29

The most precious Blood i.e. the life of JC

Question 30

Did some price have to paid to the devil?

Answer 30

No, since man through guilt, was only put under the service of the devil by God?s just permission, on account of the offence perpetrated and as to the penalty, man was chiefly bound to God as his sovereign judge and to the devil as his torturer.

Question 31

What is STA understanding of how beatific jow and supreme sorrow were both found in the soul of JC during His passion?

Answer 31

Beatific vision in the highest part of the reason, which overflows to the rest of the body. JC as man prevented the overflow of the beatific vision into his lower reason and sensitive appetite. Hence He?s both wayfarer and comprehensor.

Question 32

What was the hypostasis of JC?s body when it was in the tomb? Of his during that time?

Answer 32

God-head was not separated from either the body or soul at His death. His soul separated from his body, but the God-head separated from neither. During the time between his death and resurrection, the one hypostasis of the Word was the hypostasis of the Word, of the soul and of the body

Question 33

Was JC?s body subject to corruption and if so how?

Answer 33

Yes according to the condition of its passible nature, but not as to the deserving cause of putrefaction i.e. sin. Kept from corruption by divine power

Question 34

How was it true that the good thief was in paradise w/ JC on the day of his death if JC?s body was in the tomb and his soul had descended into hell?

Answer 34

The good thief was in paradise in limbo because he enjoyed JC?s god-head since, when JC descended into hell, He delivered the saints that were there by enlightening them w/ the light of glory i.e. beatific vision

Question 35

What did JC deliver to the holy fathers from when he descended into hell?

Answer 35

The penalty of original sin

Question 36

Why was it fitting for JC to rise on the third day?

Answer 36

1) In order of the truth of JCs godhead to be confirmed, it was necessary that he should arise speedily, but to confirm our faith in truth of his humanity and death, it was necessary for an interval of time to pass between his death and resurrection 2) perfection of the number three is commended and it signifies a third epoch as begun i.e. before the law, under the law, under grace)

Question 37

What are three reasons STA gives that it was fitting for JC?s body to rise w/ scars?

Answer 37

JCs own glory, confirm hearts of the disciples as to the faith in his resurrection, that when he pleads before the Father he may always show the manner of death he endured for us, that he may convince those redeemed in his blood how mercifully they?ve been helped, that in judgment day he may upbraid them w/ their just condemnation

Question 38

According to STA, judiciary power belongs to JC on account of what three reasons?

Answer 38

Divine personality, fullness of HabGra and dignity of his headship, merit

Question 39

What is kenosis?

Answer 39

The relinquishment of Divine attributes by JC so as to experience human sufferings

Question 40

Can will experience extreme joy and grief at the same time?

Answer 40

No, one object God clearly seen, the other is object of the sins of men

Question 41

How are Higher and lower powers of reason distinguished?

Answer 41

Distinguished by functions (grief lower)

Question 42

Why is it fitting God became incarnate?

Answer 42

StJohDam = Inc manifests goodness, wisdom, justice and power or might of God AND essence of GOD’s goodness and goodness communicates itself to others and this is chiefly brought about by Inc

Question 43

Is the incarnation a free act on part of God?

Answer 43

If Free, why is it more fitting that God became Inc than not becoming Incarnate?

Question 44

Was the Second person of the Blessed Trinity changed by the Incarnation (Inc)?

Answer 44

No, united Himself to creature in new way

Question 45

Is it necessary in what way God become Incarnate?

Answer 45

Inc necessary for salvation of man Jon 3:16, BUT Two ways thing necessary for certain end: (1) (strict way) when end cannot be w/o, e.g. Food necessary for preservation. (2) (Convenience) end attained is better e.g. horse for journey. First way not necessary for God to become incarnate for restoration of man…? could have restored in many ways. Second way was necessary and nothing more fitting. This is ‘furtherance in good.’

Question 46

What are some reasons of the necessity of the Incarnation?

Answer 46

furtherance in good.’ (1) regard to faith -StAug man journey more trustfully toward Truth, Truth assumed human nature and regard to hope - Inc shows how deeply God loves us, regard to charity - causes us to love God, regard to well-doing man is not to be followed but God and therefore God made man. Full participation of divinity - true bliss and end of man found on JCs humanity. Inc useful for our “withdrawal from evil” man taught not to prefer the devil to himself and show’s how great man’s dignity is, to dispose of man’s presumption (so no merits of man), remove man’s pride, free man from sin (no mere man can satisfy for sins of all men)

Question 47

Regarding q.1, aa. 5-6 why was it most fitting for Our Lord to become Incarnate when He did rather than closer in time to the Fall of Adam or closer to the end of the world?

Answer 47

(1) Inc delayed so not despised through pride (2) Not fitting for Inc at beginning, for medicine only given to sick, (3) man had to be humbled and see how he stood in need of a deliverer…now man knows weakness and disease and with recognition of infirmity he cries for help (4) furtherance of good: imperfection to perfection (5) diginity of Incarnate Word (proper prep for coming): (6) fervor faith cool by length of time and also knowledge of God and morality, the charity of many will grow cold at end of world

Question 48

Response to the objection that nature and person are not really distinct in God and therefore if the union did not take place in the person?

Answer 48

Nature and person and God are not really distinct, but they’ve distinct meanings. Person always implies substance, but nature doesn’t necessarily have that connotation

Question 49

How does STA handle charge HN of JC united accdentally? Two heresies does he steer clear of?

Answer 49

Avoids monophysitism which held that the union took place in the essence or nature and avodied Nestorianism, which held the union was accidental. The lies in union of hypostatis or subsistence. HN of JC is truly united to the Word, not only in person but subsistently since it is terminated by the personality of the Word. Not matter to form but as united to the one Hypostasis of the Word. Requires something infinite otherwise you have another person

Question 50

Is the Hypostatic union the greatest of all unions? Why?

Answer 50

With respect to that which the union occurs i.e. The Eternal Word, it’s the greatest. W/ respect to what is united i.e. a HN it is not the greatest (Trinity Is)

Question 51

Did JC merit the Incarnation?

Answer 51

No. Merits of JC’s could have preceded the union since He was not first a mere man and then the Son of God. Similiarly His HN was not changed by the Incarnation, since it did not exist before the Incarnation

Question 52

What is the principle and what is the term of the assumption of JC’s human nature?

Answer 52

Principle of assumption is Divine Power and the term is the person of the Word

Question 53

Could each of the Divine Persons have assumed a human nature?

Answer 53

it’s possible for each to assume HN, since princple of assumption is divine power(DP). DP common to all three

Question 54

How does he respond to the objection that the Father is innascible and could not have been sent into the world to be born?

Answer 54

Belongs to the Father to be innascible as to eternal birth and the temporal birth would not destroy this. The Son of God is said to sent in regard to the Incarnation, inasmuch as He is from another, w/o which the Inc would not suffice for the nature of mission

Question 55

How could it be possible for all three DPs to assum the same HN?

Answer 55

It’s possible for all three DPs to assume the same individual HN because the DN of God terminates in these three persons and one person assuming does not prevent the others from doing so. However, it’s impossible for all three of them to assume one suppositum because there would be two persons in one human person

Question 56

In that case would all of the parts of one be united to all the parts of the other?

Answer 56

DON’T KNOW

Question 57

What are three reasons it’s more fitting for the Son to become Incarnate than either the Father or the Holy Ghost?

Answer 57

DONT KNOW

Question 58

Could each of the Divine Persons have assumed a human nature?

Answer 58

it’s possible for each to assume HN, since princple of assumption is divine power(DP). DP common to all three

Question 59

How does STA respond to the heretical statement that JC did not assume a human soul?

Answer 59

if not human soul, He would not be man, since man is both body and soul. Further it’s contrary to Our Lord’s reference to His soul “My soul is sorrowful unto death (Mat 26:28). Responding to Appolinarius that these passages should only be understood metaphorically, STA points out that JC hungered, thirsted etc. therefore He has a soul. Further things were of Him metaphorically in the OT but once He came, we understand them literally and to do otherwise would mean the HS were unreliable

Question 60

What are three virtues that JC did not possess and why not?

Answer 60

penance, faith, hope - because they imply some defect in the soul

Question 61

Why does penance imply defect?

Answer 61

implies sin

Question 62

Why does faith imply defect?

Answer 62

object of faith is Divine things not seen, and JC has the fullness of the beatific vision from the moment of His conception

Question 63

Why does hope imply a defect?

Answer 63

hope is God and JC possessed God from the first moment of His conception

Question 64

Could the grace of JC increase? State the teaching of Constantinple II that JC did not become better through the repetition of virtuous acts?

Answer 64

JC grace could not be increased “Constantinople II: Christ was not subjected to the passions, nor did He become better by the repetition of virtuous acts.” Because the proper measure of grace is determined by Divine Wisdom and the end of grace in union with God, but He had the highest union with God at the moment of His conception. Finite natural quantities may be a repugnance to increase on part of a form to which a determined quantity is due e.g. you can’t keep adding height to a dog. God could have added more habitual grace to JC at His conception, but He could not do so insofar as its proper end was concerned, since amount give was determined by Divine Wisdom

Question 65

How does STA explain Luk 2:52?

Answer 65

JC did not increase in the habits of wisdom and grace, but in the effects. He increased w/ regards to doing more perfect works

Question 66

How does God cause grace in us?

Answer 66

Authoritatively i.e. as the principle physical cause

Question 67

What are three reasons STA gives that it behooved JC to have created knowledge?

Answer 67

1) on account of the soul’s perfection: it’s potentiality to knowing things 2) Everything is on account of its opertion: if JC had not understood by His rational soul, He would have had it to no purpose 3) Some human knowledge naturally pertains to the Human soul e.g. that by which we know first principles, but nothing is lacking in JC

Question 68

How could one respond to the charge that JC in His HN was ignorant of the time of the final judgement (Mar 13:32 “But of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels of heaven nor the Son)?”

Answer 68

Christ knew hour, but iwas not part of His teaching duty to make it known to us (econmoic ignorance)

Question 69

What is the principle and what is the term of the assumption of JC’s human soul?

Answer 69

Principle of assumption is Divine Power and the term is the person of the Word

Question 70

Can we say that only JC possessed the fullness of grace in light of our Lady and other saints being “full of grace?”

Answer 70

Yes. Absolute or relative

Question 71

What is absolute grace?

Answer 71

in as much as grace is possed in its highest possible excellence, proper to JC alone, possessed it in proportion to the hypostatic union so it was greater than all angels and man combined

Question 72

What is relative grace?

Answer 72

when someone fully possesses grace according to his condition, whether by intensity or power and this is what is meant when applied to our Lady and the saints