Nostra Aetate Flashcards
The document that, during this time, “mankind is being drawn closer together.” What must the Church do, therefore?
Examine more closely her relationship to other non-Christian religions.
What is the document trying to do?
Consider what men have in common and what draws them to “fellowship.”
What is similar about the human race?
We all have…
1) One community
2) One origin
3) One final goal: God
To whom do the “manifestations of goodness” that come from the Lord extend to?
All men
What do most men expect from their religion?
Answers to questions that the finite mind cannot comprehend. A solution to riddles that have been presented to mankind about its condition.
- What is man?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is sin?
- What is moral good?
-What is suffering? Why do we have it?
- Where are we going?
- What are death and judgement?
All throughout history, people have recognized the _________________.
Presence of a Supreme Being, that some might even call a Father.
As time advances, how does this affect the ability of religions to answer the questions previously listed?
It makes it significantly more difficult.
How does Hinduism contemplate and express divine mystery?
Through myths and “searching philosophical inquiry.”
What is the goal of the Hindu religion?
To achieve an ultimate state of enlightenment (nirvana) and to be free from the anguish of the human condition.
- This can be achieved through meditation (or a flight to God with love and trust).
What do the Buddhists recognize?
The insufficiency of this world and also its changeability.
What does Buddhism teach?
That men who are devout may be able to reach an ultimate state of enlightenment or perfect liberation (which may be done with divine help).
- This is called moksha.
What does the Catholic Church think/feel/say about other religions’ methods of combating the relentless human heart?
Nothing; we do not condemn it. In fact, we absolutely respect it, despite our own differing rites, rules of life, and teachings.
In whom will men find the fullness of religious life?
Jesus Christ
Who do the Muslims also worship/adore?
- The one God, who is merciful, all-powerful, and the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
The Muslims “take pains” to submit to God’s will and decrees, just like which historical/religious figure who they (correctly) link themselves with?
Abraham
Do the Muslims acknowledge Jesus as God?
NO, they do not; rather, they revere Him as a prophet.
Who do the Muslims especially honor?
Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ
What type of life do the Muslims value?
*Moral life
In what three ways do the Muslims especially worship God?
1) Prayer
2) Fasting
3) Almsgiving
What can these three things be related to?
Christians during the season of Lent; the faithful are called to do these three things wholeheartedly and sincerely especially during this time of the liturgical year (although we should absolutely do it all year round.)
What does this synod urge Muslims and Christians do to in regards to their hostile and often violent history with one another?
1) Forget the past
2) Work for a better understanding
3) Preserve and promote social justice and moral welfare
Who is the statement about “forgetting the past” directed to in this document?
The Muslims regarding the Crusades (which were started by the Christians)
- Pope Urban II gave a sermon at the Council of Clermont that called for the Christians to unite and recapture Jerusalem from the Muslims, thus inciting the First Crusade.
What question can be raised now about the history between the Muslims and the Christians, based off of events that have taken place since Vatican II?
9/11 raises certain questions towards the Muslim-Christian relationship; should we (the Christians) forget this? Would it be in accordance with our faith to forget the anger and resentment that we still undoubtedly hold towards all Muslims/Islamic people even now due to the events of 9/11?
The Church acknowledges that its founding and beginnings are found within the Jewish faith. Specifically, which aspects of it?
1) The Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
2) Moses
3) All of the prophets
What does this document say the salvation of the Church is foreshadowed by?
The exodus of the Chosen People (the Jewish people) from the land of bondage (Egypt).
The Church cannot forget that she received the revelation of the _____________________ from the Jewish people.
Old Testament
What does the Church believe the Cross of Christ accomplished for the Jewish people and the Gentiles?
Reconciled the two peoples and made them one in Himself.
What question can be raised about this?
How can this be, because the Jewish people do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior/the Son of God?
What does the Church also have to recognize about the most important figures in our own faith?
That these figures (including Jesus Christ, his Apostles/disciples, his Mother, Mary, etc.) were all of the JEWISH faith.
Nostra Aetate notes that, when Jesus Christ was in Jerusalem, it did not recognize that it was in the presence of the Son of God, and that many Jews did not accept the Gospel and, in fact, opposed its spreading. What does this document still assert?
That God chose them as his People, and that he does not and cannot regret any of his choices or blessings.
The Church states that, because our ties as Christians to the Jewish people are so great, what must we do?
Foster and nature a loving and caring relationship.
Yes, the Jewish leaders ___________________, but this CANNOT _____________________.
1) Pressed for the death of Christ
2) charged against all Jewish people then AND now
The Church calls itself what throughout this document?
“The new people of God”
What does the Church state is unethical now that the Church is in existence?
The teaching that the Jewish people are rejected now that the Church is in existence.
What does this document, speaking on behalf of the entire Church, reject?
“Hatred, persecutions, displays of antisemitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.”
- Additionally, the Church also “reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion.”
The Church/this document makes what argument about the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ?
That Christ endured His Passion and Death freely, and that he did so that all may receive salvation.
Because Jesus Christ endured his Passion and Death freely, what is the Cross of Christ a sign of?
God’s all-embracing love as the fountain from which every grace flows.
What can we NOT do if we refuse to treat another man in a brotherly way?
Truly call upon God for any reason, as every man was created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore deserves dignity (and is worthy of honor and respect).
What Scripture passage shows the close relationship between man and God the Father and man and his brothers?
“He who does not know love does not know God” (1 John 4:8).
What is the major purpose of this document, paraphrased?
To ask all Christians to live a life in peace, in which they live in peace with all peoples for the entirety of their lives, in order to be true children of God.
