Midterm Flashcards
1
Q
Which three images does the church contain?
A
- Building (Church is also body of christ)
- Body of Christ
- I, Myself
2
Q
What is the Tabernacle?
A
most important part in the church itself
-> small box containing light
It is Jesus presence, has to be always lid
If not there: empty temple
3
Q
What are the 3 “legs” of the church?
A
- The sacred scripture (the bible)
- The magisterium (The teaching authority of the Church, made up of the Pope and the bishops)
- The sacred tradition (The teachings and practices passed down from the Apostles through the Church - contains things like creed and sacraments)
4
Q
What was the first differentiation between the orthodox?
A
The Pope
5
Q
What was the second differentiation between the orthodox?
A
1500 - Martin Luther
-> said you only need the bible
6
Q
When was the church founded?
A
in year 33.
-> jesus was crucified and ressurrected
7
Q
What are the 4 marks of the catholic church?
A
One holy catholic apostolic
-> identity of the catholic church (what we believe in)
8
Q
What do the 4 marks of the catholic church stand for?
A
One - united as one body of christ
Holy - sacred because founded in Jesus Christ
Catholic - “universal” -> for all people
Apostolic - founded in the teaching of apostels
9
Q
Who is the catholic church?
A
all people that are baptized, profess the catholic faith and recognize the Primacy of the Pope
-> Pope NEEDS to be respected!
10
Q
What is the creed?
A
“creed” = professment
-> it is said every sunday
11
Q
how does the creed go/start?
A
“I believe in god, the father the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true god from true god, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the father…”
-> Glaubensbekenntnis
12
Q
What is a Dogma?
A
unchangeable “laws”
-> what people practice / live in Catholicism
13
Q
What is the Holy Trinity?
A
God - Creator - The Lover
Son - Redeemer - The loved one
Spirit - Sanctifier - The Love itself
-> God is LOVE
14
Q
What is the church?
A
The collection of all catholics
-> need to be baptized, profess the same true faith, the same sacrifice (Eucharist - his body & blood), the 7 sacraments under the authority of the pope
15
Q
When is the church?
A
Jesus founded the church on the cross, but the disciples received the holy spirit in Pentecost
-> 50 days after the cross
Church will last forever
16
Q
Where is the Church?
A
It has 3 parts:
• Triumphant: Church in Heaven (the saints and angels who have already reached eternal life with God).
• Purgative: Church in Purgatory (souls undergoing purification before entering Heaven, “cleaning from sins”).
• Suffering: Church on Earth (the living believers still facing challenges, struggles, and the process of sanctification).
17
Q
What does Purgative stand for
A
a stage between US and HEAVEN
-> confession of sins with priest through life
18
Q
Why is the Church?
A
Christ founded Church because he wanted to bring all men back to life
-> through the sacraments
19
Q
What are some parts of the creed?
e.g. 3 things we believe in
A
- one god
- virgin mary giving birth
- holy spirit
- cruficied under pontius pilates
- the trinity?
20
Q
What kind of religion is Catholicism?
A
Monochronic Religion -> ONE god
21
Q
Random Notes
What is the Pentecost?
A
when all people went on street to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
22
Q
Random Notes
When was the last book of the bible written?
A
~70
ChatGPT says: ~95-100AD
23
Q
Random Notes
Where was the first council?
A
Jerusalem
24
Q
Random Notes
What is the Council of Nicea?
A
The council where the creed was written
25
What is the Hierarchy of the Church?
- Pope
- Cardinals
- Bishop
- Priest
- "regular people" - Catholics
26
Who is the head of the church?
Pope
27
What does a Bishop do?
administeres diocese
28
What is Diocese?
a territorial division of a universal church
-> A specific geographical region made up of parishes (local churches)
29
Do all people go to heaven?
we don’t know!
We are all invited. But we chose to believe in God.
-> people believe in love and go to heaven when taking the invitation
-> we mirror gods love
30
What are the rules in order to go heaven?
Only God knows your heart. He knows your intention behind your actions
-> If having bad thougths: ask for forgiveness, reflect and chose love.
31
What does it mean to love unconditionally?
nothing matters. just love. at all times.
-> It is the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that God has for humanity
32
What are 3 things you need, in order to KNOW God?
- Time
- Interest
- Intellectual capacity
33
How many sacraments are there?
7
34
Which sacraments are there?
Baptism, Communion (Eucharist), Confirmation, Reconciliation, Annointment of the sick, Holy orders/Priesthood, Marriage
35
What are the sacraments of initiation?
Baptism, Communion (Eucharist), Confirmation
36
What are the sacraments of Health?
Reconciliation, Annointment of the Sick
37
What are the sacraments of Service?
Holy orders/Priesthood, Marriage
38
Which sacraments can you receive multiple times?
Eucharist, Reconciliation, Annointment of the Sick
39
What are the sacraments?
| What kind of act?
a christian physical act that brings about a spiritual change
"rituals with root in holy scripture"
-> it contains physical material aspects (e.g. Water in baptism)
40
What is the incarnation?
the most fantastic gift given for us
-> god became human in the person of Jesus Christ
41
What does it mean that on Ascension Thursday Jesus' salvation is given to us in all times and places?
It means Jesus' salvation is not limited to a specific time or place, but is available to all people, everywhere, for all time.
42
Who is the holy spirit and what does he do?
The Holy Spirit is God's presence in the world today
-> acting as a guide, comforter, and helper for believers
-> he unites us with the father and communicates grace
43
How can we describe the holy spirit?
"Holy Spirit like the Wi-Fi connection to God's presence, without it, we might not feel or experience His guidance, but it’s always there, supporting and connecting us to divine wisdom and strength"
44
How can we relate the physical and spiritual aspects of the sacrament?
The sacraments communicate god's spiritual words
-> he speaks and heals through christians
45
How do the sacraments mirror who Christ is?
spiritual: divine power of christ
physical: letters, bibel
-> EVERY sacrament has both parts
46
Who initiated the sacraments?
Jesus Christ
-> he is baptized by John, his cousin in the jordan river
47
Who was John?
the last prohpet in the old testament
-> before Christ, then New Testament started
48
Why does Jesus give us the sacraments?
to keep us physically and spriritually connected to christ
-> the sacraments lead us to heaven
49
Which of the sacraments are mandatory?
the first 3
50
What does grace explains and why is it linked to the idea of salvation?
explains the idea of the human improvement project:
like flipping a house BUT: it is about changing people
-> God wants us to come back to him and he uses grace to do so
-> animals are just animals, but we are able to CHOOSE
51
What is grace?
the life god wants to give us - his participation in our life.
-> basically God’s unearned, unconditional love and favor.
-> It’s the idea that God gives us blessings, forgiveness, and salvation, not because we deserve it, but simply because He loves us
52
What holds us back in life?
Free will - it is easier to NOT commit
53
What is Salvation?
- freedom from sin and its consequences, leading to eternal life with God
-> it is the life that God wants for us
-> he wants us to go to heaven
54
What is believed salvation is made possible through?
the death and resurrection of Jesus
55
What is the meaning of my metaphor for salvation?
the complete removal of the stain and the restoration of the child (your soul) to its full purity, free from the dirt (sin) is salvation!
-> it goes beyond saying sorry and being forgiven
56
Who is the ultimate repairement?
Jesus
57
Salvation comes from Jesus. Why?
Because God loves us and wants to show us the way back home (to Heaven)
-> if we recognize that we cannot do that alone, we accept we need his help
58
How does God help us to receive Salvation?
through the sacraments
-> they are his salvation tools
59
What else do the ritual acts (sacraments) signify and bring into our lifes?
God's sanctity
-> his goal: to bring us back to being like Jesus to go to heaven
60
What is a saint?
A spiritual role model
"Testimonies, people who do good"
61
What is an example for a saint?
Hildegard von Bingen (1098 - 1179)
-> born in Bermersheim, died in Rupertsberg near Bingen. She was Benedictine abbess, mystic, composer, scientist and writer
-> had visions which she turned into theological works, wrote about medicine and natural healing and composed beautiful sacred music
-> one of the first female scientists
62
What is the Marian devotion?
a catholic practice of showing special honor to the virgin Mary through prayers, feasts and symbols, asking for her intercession and seeing her as a compassionate mother figure
63
Do we all believe in the same Virgin Mary?
yes
-> wherever virgin Mary is, Jesus is.
She wants us to be closer to her son
64
Christians believe in interceding - what does that mean?
praying on behalf of someone else.
-> Christians believe that they can approach God and pray for others, asking for God's help, guidance, healing, or blessings for them
65
What does the Priest say in the Video Amazed and Afraid about Jesus?
that he either is who he says he is or that he is a bad man
-> either you are with him or not
66
What does Amazed & Afraid mean?
2 things come together in Jesus
- Amazing: jesus healed people
- BUT: it can scare people
67
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Why?
Everyone expected the Messiah to come powerful and strong but Jesus came in the most vulnerable form as possible - as a baby
68
What would have happened if Jesus was born in a big city like rome?
he probably would have been killed
69
What does Jesus birth in Betlehem symbolizes?
humility over power
70
What do we know about the first years of Jesus life?
was born by the virgin maria as carpenter in Betlehem (because his father, Josef was a carpenter). Jesus already spoke as a 13 y/o in churches
-> was born as a Jew
71
What did Jesus ask and where?
"Who do the people say I AM?"
-> In the very important Pagan temple (dedicated to God Pan), in Cesario philipi in the Golan Heights
72
What did Peter respond to Jesus in the Pagan temple in Golan Heigths?
"You are the son of god"
-> only the spirit could have said it
73
What is the statement "I AM"?
a very powerful statement, the most sacred words
-> people fell to the ground
74
What are the 2 Key Ideas of Jesus?
1. Personal Relationship with God
2. Centrality of Forgiveness
75
# Key Ideas of Jesus - Divinity
What does the Personal Relationship with God mean?
- Jesus speaks in first person, said things like "I heal you" or "your sins are forgiven instead of refering to god as separate entitiy
- he doesn't just preach about god - he points to himself as the source of healing and forgiveness
76
What happens in Mark 2:5?
he tells the paralyzed man
"Son, your sins are forgiven."
77
# Key Ideas of Jesus - Divinity
What does Centrality of Forgiveness mean?
- Forgiveness is at the heart of Jesus message
-> he emphasizes grace and mercy over punishment
- He forgives sinners personally
-> was radical at that time
78
What do Jesus ideas reflect?
his belief in his own divine authority
79
Why is Jesus different from other spiritual teachers?
it is not just a "special person" - he gives a choice
80
What are the 4 things Jesus accomplished?
1. He gathered and shepered the people (sheperds were waiting for the Messaiah - came as a baby - very unexpected)
2. He purified the holy temple ("I AM" the new temple)
3. Overcome the enemies of Israel (What is the real enemy?)
4. Reign as Lord of the nations (he IS the lord)
81
How do the 4 accomplishments of Jesus affect people?
they seem very contradictory
-> reasons for his murder
82
What does it mean that Jesus is Yaweh in the flesh?
Yaweh is understood as the God of the Old Testament
-> connection to Jesus: because of how he uses "I AM" statements
83
What is Yaweh?
Yaweh (also spelled YHWH) is the most sacred name of God in the Hebrew Bible
84
What does YHWH stand for?
known as testragrammalon
-> means "four letters"
-> name is often translated as "I AM", referencing Exodus 3:14
85
Where did Jesus preach first?
in the hills of Galilee
-> people understood him gathering the tribes, also prostitutes and sick people, he bindet up people wounds and reunites them with society
86
Who did Jesus speake openly to?
to everyone
-> in service of buildling up the kingdom
87
Who did Jesus come for?
the people that were not wanted
-> also first person to accept women as teacher and so on
88
What is impressive about Jesus incarnation?
He came through the body of a woman
89
What is Temple Mount?
one of the most holy places
-> it is the center of life
90
What did Jesus do with the temple of God?
he cleansed it
-> purifying the holy temple
91
How did Jesus cleanse the temple?
He entered the temple, found merchants and money changers doing business there. He got angry, overturned the tables and said:
"My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." - Matthew 21:13
-> teared it down and rebuilt it (he became the new temple)
92
What do we become?
What we worship :)
-> you become what you believe in
93
What is the concept of freedom?
Jesus IS freedom. He is free of sin.
94
Why did God give us free will?
to choose him.
Freedom is choosing Jesus.
95
What are we created to?
to love.
96
What is love?
a permanent choice to love and to BE with someone
-> love is a choice! NOT a feeling.
97
Why were we created with a free will, to choose love?
If there is no choice we would be forced to love - and that is not love.
98
What happens when we do not choose Good?
We become slaves of our actions
99
What can we argue is the meaning of life?
| (Christian perspective)
it is to love and to recognize God
-> we are limited to our body. we cannot be free but we can fight for the freedom of walking with Jesus
100
What is Evil?
the absence of Love.
101
What is the temple?
a place to worship the "true good"
-> people believed in false goods (wealth, power,...), so Jesus cleansed the temple, he said he is the new temple
102
Why did it make people mad that jesus cleansed the temple?
because he said he is the new temple
-> it was against their beliefs, so they decided to kill him
103
What did Jesus say the second time he said "I AM"?
"I am bigger than this temple, bigger than your beliefs"
104
What does the church in its sacraments and with the saints participate in?
the pureness of God
-> church is his body
105
What is God operating through continously?
through the sacraments
106
What does it mean that "we hold a treasure in eathly vessels"?
- Treasure: God's grace, presence and power
- Earthly vessels: Human beings - fragile, flawed, chosen, to carry god's message
107
What did Ezekiel prophesize about God in the old Testament?
that he will dwell among his people and transform their hearts:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you"
- Ezekiel 36:26
108
Why did Jesus, the lord of lords come to this world as a little baby?
to slip quietly behind the enemy (pass clandestine)
-> if he would have come as a warrior, a war would have started
109
Who was the enemy Jesus slipped from?
it was NOT the Roman Empire, nor the greek - it was SIN.
-> the enemy lies within
110
Why is Jesus different from what we thought about the Messiah?
Jesus came with the weapon of love
-> he did not choose the easiest way. He chose to love, even when it hurt
111
How does God fight?
By taking away the sins of the world
-> he fights with love
112
What did Jesus say, that shows that even if all darkness of humans comes to him, he still choses love?
"Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing"
113
Why is the resurrection of Christ so important?
it made him "different" from "other" messiahs
-> it _proved_, that Jesus is the savior, the messiah
114
What is the Resurrection considered as?
foundation of the belief
-> otherwise: we would belief in and worship a dead man
115
What did God conquer?
death, evil, sin
-> he offered eternal life, death is not the final part
116
Who wrote the first Gospel and when?
St. Mark - 70
117
What is a Gospel?
a written account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
-> message of salvation through Jesus
118
What do Gospels include?
- Miracles
- Teachings
- Life Events
- Salvation
-> Grace and Eternal Life
119
What are the 4 Gospels in the New Testament?
what does each Gospel say?
- Matthew (Jesus as Messiah)
- Mark (Jesus actions & sacrifice)
- Luke (compassion for the poor)
- John (divine nature, & his identity as son of god)
120
What are 3 things we need in order to sin?
1. We need to know it is a sin
2. We need to have free choice
3. We need to do it
121
What do we need to be forgiven?
Contrition
-> feeling deep sorrow and sincere remorse for having sinned - being really really sorry.
122
Where are the disciples of all the great kings and empereors???
They are gone :)
No one cares about them
-> we know who is the "real" king (Jesus Christ)
123
What is the victory of God and why is it more powerful?
Because he created out of love, for love, through love
-> the victory of God *IS* love.
124
# Baptism
What does Baptizo mean?
to immerse (being fully submerged in water)
-> literal meaning of baptism
125
# Baptism
What does "to immerse" represent?
dying with christ and rising with christ
-> cleansing from sin, spiritual renewal
126
# Baptism
What does Plunge mean?
people were often fully immersed to imitate death & resurrection
-> now water is poured
127
# Baptism
What does it mean to become a child of God?
becoming part of God's family
-> receiving Holy Spirit
128
# Baptism
What happens through Baptism?
It moves us from an ordinary to extraordinary life
-> after baptism living life filled with God's grace
129
What is Jesus in ALL sacraments?
present
-> healing nourishing, annointing
130
What are the Sacraments also presented as?
As an encountering with Jesus
131
# Baptism
Why is "baptizo = to plunge" so powerful?
we take the plunge moving from ordinary to extraordinary
132
# Baptism
How does the child changes?
by immersing into the light of God
133
# Baptism
What else is Baptism?
The gate to all other sacraments
134
What are 4 things that happen in Baptism?
- our sins are forgiven
- we are incorporated in the body of christ
- we receive the gift of holy spirit
- parttakers of divine nature
135
What are all people?
beloved creatures of God
136
What does Baptism make us?
adopted sons of God, beloved children
-> it is our choice to form that deep relationship to God. Baptism opens that door
137
What is the Eucharist?
The Second Sacrament of Initiation, also the central sacrament
138
What else can we call the Eucharist?
"Holy Communion", "Last Supper", "My body, my blood", "transformation"
139
What do we consider the Eucharist?
The source & summit of all christian life
140
What is transubstantiation?
Substance of the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ while retaining the appearances of bread and wine
-> it is actually christ body and his presence - not a symbol
141
What happens through the Eucharist?
we become united with Christ
142
What is the Eucharist based on?
The last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples
-> instituted sacrament there
143
What kind of act is the Eucharist?
a profound act of worship and thanksgiving
144
What does consecrate mean?
it is the action of priests hands over the wine and bread
145
What is the source and the summit of everything we believe in as Catholics?
the body and the blood of Christ given up for us.
146
Why is Christ body given for us the source?
The source is what neuteres us, it is our source of energy
-> he gives us what we need in order to become like him
147
Why is Christ body given for us the summit?
it is getting close to God/Christ
-> He gives us grace through the Eucharist
148
What happens when you are not ready to receive the Eucharist but you do it regardless?
you nurture your own condemnation
149
What does "Jesus being the groom and the Church being the bride and the becoming of the flesh" mean?
sacrificial love of Jesus
-> represents a deep, loving, and committed relationship between Christ and His followers (the Church)
-> „becoming of the flesh“: union between Christ and church similar to people becoming „one flesh“ in marriage
150
How does Jesus become the groom?
Jesus is giving (he is the masculinity, giving eternal life
-> Jesus dying on the cross *giving* his life for us
151
How does the Church become the bride?
The Church is receiving (represents femininity)
-> Virgin Mary kneels down in front of cross, *receiving*
(in spirit she is wife of Jesus)
152
Why can priest only be men??
they are "married" to the church and the church is female
153
Where was the Eucharist founded?
on the cross
154
What is the image of the Eucharist?
The Bride & the Groom
155
In which part of the bible does Saint John Paul II speaks about Jesus & the Church as Unit of Femininity and Masculinity?
Ephesians: speaks about Genesis since beginning
E.g:
• Genesis 1-2:
The creation of man and woman in God’s image, reflecting unity and complementarity.
• Ephesians 5:25-32:
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
156
Where does the Union of Heaven and Earth becomes real?
in the mass
-> when we receive Jesus, we receive God and he transforms us
157
Why is receiving Christ's body also called the sacrament of communion?
(Comm)*union*
-> The goal of the church IS union
158
Why does the priest use bread & wine?
It represents the fertility of the land:
Bread: crushed *seed* of wheat
Wine: crushed *ovary* of grape
-> the fertility of the earth becomes the body & blood of Christ
159
Why does the Eucharist divinizes us?
Jesus became flesh and blood while living
-> through eating the bread and wine we experience Divinization: he divinizes the bread & wine
-> we accept him through eating it
160
What is the Book of Acts?
It is the 5th book (Acts of Apostels) of the New Testament written by Luke after the 4 Gospels (life of Jesus)
-> it tells the story of how the church got organized after the death of Jesus
161
What is the sacrament of Confirmation linked to?
Pentecost
162
What did Jesus promise his disciples at the last supper?
to send them the holy spirit
163
What happened 10 days after the Ascension (when jesus ascended/rose into heaven)?
(50 days after resurrection)
the Apostels and Mary gathered together for Pentecost
-> all Jewish people went to Jerusalem (scared to death)
164
What is Pentecost?
a Jewish feast
165
What is another Jewish feast besides Pentecost?
Pesach / Passover
166
What happened at Pentecost?
The Holy Spirit rushed upon the Apostels and Mary sounding like a strong wind, then tongues of fire burst apart and floated above each persons head.
-> from that day on the Apostels preached with spiritual power and were moved by the Holy Spirit
167
What is Confirmation often called?
a "personal Pentecost"
168
What happened after the Pentecost and the receiving of the holy spirit?
they went outside and screamed "he has resurrected, he is alive, he is alive"
-> spoke in all languages, everyone understood
169
What can we say does Confirmation do?
it fills us with the holy spirit
170
What began in Pentecost?
Church
-> beginning of the Church's public mission
(death and resurrection of Jesus already opened the way for salvation)
171
# Confirmation
What is a sponsor?
a person that is going to guide you for a lifetime
-> they become a witness of the act
172
What else can we call the sponsor?
a "spiritual Mentor"
173
Which requirements does a sponsor need?
has to be catholic and confirmed
-> you should choose them due to their qualities
174
What are the 4 Symbols of Confirmation?
1. Renew Baptism vows
2. Laying of hands from bishop
3. Anointing with chrism
4. Giving of peace
175
# 4 Symbols of Confirmation
What does Renewing the Baptism vows mean?
- confirming the rejection of evil
- accepting catholic faith
176
# 4 Symbols of Confirmation
What does the Laying of hands from bishop represent?
representant of the pope, upon whom the government of the diocesean church relies
177
# 4 Symbols of Confirmation
What does the Anointing with chrism mean?
being blessed by Bishop on holy Thursday with the words: "Be sealed with the gift of the holy spirit"
178
What does Anointing comes from?
Gladiator used oil to slip enemies
-> it became a symbol of protection from evil
We basically become a warrior of the Church, of Christ
179
# 4 Symbols of Confirmation
What does the Giving of Peace mean?
the gift is to build the community with love, unity and respect
180
What are the 7 gifts of the Holy spirit?
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
181
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Wisdom stand for?
to know what is truly important
182
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Understanding stand for?
to know why it is truly important
183
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Counsel stand for?
to judge between right and wrong and to *choose* what is right (to be free)
184
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Fortitude stand for?
to persist in doing the right thing with courage, no matter what
185
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Knowledge stand for?
to know God and God's plan of salvation
186
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Piety stand for?
to love God and praise Him and give him glory
187
# 7 gifts of the holy spirit
What does Fear of the Lord stand for?
fear of loosing his presence
188
What are the gifts of the holy spirit not?
powers that take over the person
-> they are gifts!
it is a choice to unwrap the gift - we receive it and choose to act on it
189
What do we NOT receive the gift of the holy spirit for?
self-centered purposes
-> we receive to do GOOD.
190
So what can we conclude about Confirmation? What is it?
a deeper yes to the holy spirit and to the Church (to help the community)
191
What did Jesus came to do?
Jesus came to reconcile humanity with God, offering salvation through His life, death, and resurrection.
192
What was Jesus mission?
to reveal God’s love, teach about the Kingdom of God, and provide a way for people to be forgiven of their sins and have eternal life.
193
What did Jesus came to show us?
how to live — with love, compassion, and humility — and to give us the example of ultimate self-giving love through His sacrifice
