Semester 1 Final Flashcards
Stoics
A group of philosophers at the time of Jesus. They believed in duty, the brotherhood of mankind, and in maintaining inner calm. Famous stoics include Seneca and Epictetus.
Philosophy
“Philo-sophia” means “love of wisdom.” Philosophers think deeply about great questions.
Epistle
A formal letter
B.C.
Before Christ
B.C.E.
Before Common Era
A.D.
“Anno Domini” means “in the year of The Lord”
C.E.
Common Era
c./circa
Around/about
Gentiles
Means “the nations.” The other (non-Jew) people of the world.
Sabbath
7th day, Saturday, the day of rest
Kosher
Jewish dietary rules
Apocalyptic
Literary work in which a man of faith sees visions of heaven, as well as catastrophes and strange beasts attacking those against God. It is trying to shock the reader and convince them to be on God’s side
Sadducees
A Jewish faction at the time of Jesus. The Sadducees were men from the tribe within the people of Israel who had inherited the right to serve as priests in the newly-constructed Temple. They wanted the Temple to unite Jews, and only wanted to take note of the laws given by Moses.
Zealots
A Jewish faction at the time of Jesus. Wanted to begin a war with the Roman and drive them out of Palestine. AKA Sicaraii (assassins).
Essenes
A Jewish faction at the time of Jesus. Monk-like pious Jews who lived in the desert. Claimed they were the only true Jews because the rest had been corrupted by the Gentiles.
Pharisees
A Jewish faction at the time of Jesus. Pious laymen who insisted upon very close observation of the Law of Moses and enforced many specific customs, like not working on the Sabbath, to remind the Jews that they were a separate people.
Blasphemy
Dishonoring God; claiming for one’s own what only belongs to God.
Disciples
Students
Apostles
Someone “sent by God” to spread the good news
Catholic
Universal
Ekklesia
What Paul called the small Christian communities/churches he founded. Greek for assembly/church.
Eucharista
Thanksgiving in Greek. Eucharist was the ritual of communal thanksgiving.
Amen
“So be it.” Comes from Hebrew and is used during Christian worship.
Eu angelion
Gospel, good news
Basileia
Kingdom, reign, kingly activity, basilica
Metanoiete
Repent, convert, change your mind
Christos
Christ, messiah
Demoniac
A person possessed by a demon
Leper
A person with a terrible skin disease
Scribe
Someone who can read and write
Son of Man
Jesus’ title for himself. In the Book of Daniel, the Son of Man is a mysterious figure who comes on the clouds of heaven to the throne of God and is given dominion over all peoples.
Synagogue
In Greek, means “meeting hall.” The place where Jews worshipped in their neighborhoods.
Leaven
Yeast, a microbe which makes bread rise. Jesus uses leaven as a metaphor for something unseen which has a large effect.
Hyperbole
An exaggeration intended for effect
Gehenna
A garbage dump in a canyon near Jerusalem.
Gethsemane
The Garden of Gethsemane (on the Mount of Olives) is where Jesus prays in distress the night before he is crucified.
Sanhedrin
Official ruling council of the Jewish people.
Passion
From Latin “passus,” meaning “to suffer”
Doctrine
Teachings about the nature of things, how to live, etc. Christianity has doctrine.
Orthodoxy
“Straight teaching,” the Church’s teachings about essential beliefs
Heterodoxy
“Other teaching,” leads us down false paths
heretic
A person of authority who chooses another doctrine
Bishop
“Episkopos” or “overseer.” He is chief shepherd and teacher. He rules over a diocese.
Diocese
A city and surrounding area
Cathedral
The Bishop’s church. “Cathedra” means “chair” or “throne”
Deacon
Assists Mass and performs service
Presbyter
Wise elder. This office became the modern “priest.”
Dualism
The idea that there are 2 opposed realities: matter (evil and corruptible) and spirit (good and enduring.)
Docetism
The belief that Jesus was divine but only appeared to be human and to die. From the word “dokeo,” or “appear.”
Gnosticism
People believing that they had secret knowledge about salvation
Incarnation
The belief that Jesus is a flesh and blood human
Martyr
A person willing to suffer or die for his/her faith.
Edict of Milan
In 313, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which said that Christians would be tolerated.
Constantine
Issued the Edict of Milan. Became Christian himself.
Catechumen
A person preparing for Baptism
Chatechumenate
The process of preparation for baptism. It lasted from 40 days up to 3 years.
Adoptionism
The belief that Jesus was a good man, so God adopted him as “son.”
Trinity
The belief that there is one God, three “persons” in God: the father, the son, the Holy Spirit
Doctor of the Church
An honorary title for great teachers.
Father of the Church
An influential man who wrote in early times.
Saint
Any holy person
“Confessions”
The first autobiography. Written by Augustine. Told the story of grace in his life helping him to become Christian
“City of God”
Written by Augustine. Answers the question, “why worship a God who would doesn’t protect the Roman Empire from defeat?” But also, more broadly, answers, “why does God let bad things happen?”
Grace
God’s love at work; God’s gift of power to do what you couldn’t do on your own.
Providence
Over-seeing. The idea that God watches over human events.
Fate
The predetermined events of your life.
Astrology
Study of the stars to determine one’s future.
St. Anthony
The first monk/hermit. Was inspired by a Bible passage, and went out into the desert to live alone.
Hermit
A person who lives in solitude, especially in caves and harsh climates.
Monk
A person whose entire life is dedicated to prayer and cultivation of his relationship with God.
Simeon Stylites
A famous hermit who lived alone atop a pillar in Syria for 40 years.
Advent
4 weeks of preparation for Christmas. “Adventus” means the arrival of the Messiah.
Emmanuel
Jesus’ name, “God with us.”
O Come O Come Emmanuel
The traditional Advent hymn
Lent
40 days of solemn penance and preparation for Easter.
Missionary
People “sent” to preach.
Hagiography
Biographies of the saints. Provided people with spiritual heroes after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Sacerdotal
Dominated by priests
Votive mass
A Mass for somebody’s personal prayer/intentions
Pope
From the Latin/Italian word for father (papa). The Bishop of Rome
Pope Leo I
Convinced Atilla the Hun not to attack Rome
Pope Gregory I
Fed the poor of Roma and started missionary works.
Pope Leo IX
Went to France and Germany to hold synods to promote celibacy and condemn simony. He recognized that he was bishop of all of Europe.
Peter/Rock/Cephas
Simon was renamed “Peter” (Cephas=rock) by Jesus. Jesus said, “on this Rock I build my church.”
Charlemagne
Conquered all of Europe. He sent priests to monasteries to learn to read scripture.
Concupiscence
A general inclination to sin because you desire after the wrong things.
Gregorian chant
Became popular in monasteries. Easy, unaccompanied, no harmonies.
Religious order
A group of monks, brothers, sisters, nuns, or priests who all live by the same rule.
Scriptorium
The place where monks copied ancient texts
Cluny
The first reformed monastery
Simony
Selling of spiritual gifts, church offices, etc.
Celibacy
Holy life without sex
Cardinal
Special assistant to the Pope
Synod
Council
Mohammed
The prophet and founder of Islam
Allah
The One God of the Muslims
Islam
Means “submission”
Koran/Q’ran
Muslim’s holy book
Jihad
Holy war. Muslims used jihad to spread their faith.
Alleluia
Rejoice! Hooray!
Icon
Religious paintings. Very prominent in Eastern Orthodox tradition. Eyes are the focal point.
Scholasticism
The use of philosophy and logic to gain insight into faith.
Theology
Study of God
Canon (law)
Church law
Usury
The practice of charging interest on a loan of money. The church condemns this because it was a way to take advantage of the poor and needy.
Excommunication
Cutting off a person from all sacraments
Relic
Physical objects as signs of divine power
Pilgrimage
A journey to a place associated with someone or something important
Shrine
A place housing a relic.
Infidel
Non-Believer
First crusade
1096-99
Dominicans
Members of the order (Order of Preachers) created by St. Dominic
Franciscans
Members of the orders (Order of Friars Minor, Mendicants) created by St. Francis
Mendicant
“Begging men” One of St. Francis’s orders
Cloister
Living behind walls to symbolize being apart from the rest of the world.
Vita apostolica
The lifestyle of Jesus and the apostles. Became popular as subsistence farming gave way to real prosperity and people worried that their riches would prevent them from being admitted to heaven.
Avignon
The city in Southern France where the papacy moved and was under the influence of the King.
Catherine of Sienna
Convinced the papacy to leave Avignon and to go back to Rome, twice. Wrote The Dialogue, and is honored as a Doctor of the Church.
Gothic
A style of architecture that arose with the innovation of flying buttresses. Replaced Romanesque style.
Romanesque
Dark buildings, small windows, short thick stone walls.
Flying buttresses
A load-bearing structure that made possible the large windows and tall walls of Gothic architecture.
Abba
“Papa,” what Jesus called God.
Evangelist
Gospel-writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Epiphany
The feast that marks the end of Christmas where it becomes evident the Jesus is King. When the three kings arrive.
Polytheism
Belief in many gods.
Monotheism
Belief in one god.
Magic
Pagans’ attempts to use demons for personal use
Creed
Summary of what Christians believe
Abbott
Father figure, leader of an abbey/monastery
Arianism
Arius said that Jesus is above humans but below God, like a demigod
What were the 2 types of decrees at the 4 Lateran Councils? Give an example of each.
- Reform of the Church [ex: fighting simony, priest marriage]
- Reform of the society [ex: excommunicating counterfeiters, condemning the use of the catapult]
Name 4 modern religious orders
- Jesuits
- Franciscans
- Dominicans
- Poor Clares
Recite the Shema
Shema, O Israel! The Lord is your God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God, with all your mind, with all your heart, with all your strength.
Recite the formula about Christ from the Council of Chalcedon
The Son is fully like God as regards divinity, fully like us as regards humanity.
3 incidents from the career of Clovis, King of the Franks.
- He prays to Christ during a battle and wins against all odds, so he is baptized.
- He wages war against the Goths because they “are Arian heretics”
- On the way to the Goth war, he detours around the city of Tours to avoid offending St. Martin of Tours, even though he was long dead.
5 key beliefs of the Christians in response to gnostic dualists
- The goodness of creation (including the goodness of humans)
- Incarnation
- Redemptive death by Jesus
- Resurrection
- Salvation is for all (the church is catholic [universal])
Explain the Trivium and its 3 courses
The 3 basic liberal arts which people began to focus on as education improved. They were…
Grammar—reading and writing
Rhetoric—the art of persuasive expression
Dialectic—logic, the art of thinking in an orderly way
How was Jesus portrayed in art during the Middle Ages?
As a law-giving King; seated and sometimes holding a book
What did Pope Nicholas II say in the Decrees of 1059?
- The pope will be selected by cardinals in a closed-door setting without outside influence.
- Lay leaders (like kings) would have no say in the selection of bishops
What did pagan religion resemble?
A business transaction
What problem did Paul encounter with Eucharistic banquets?
The Greek Christians who were unfamiliar with the traditional Jewish meal didn’t treat the Eucharist correctly. Some people showed up late, some got drunk, some have too much food while others have none. This is why the Eucharist was changed to a ritual meal.
What was Augustine’s teaching about reading pagan literature in “On Christian Doctrine”?
Christians ought to read pagan books critically, in order to use whatever ideas are compatible with Christian beliefs.
What did John say in Chapter 1?
He emphasized that Jesus was God. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Why did Christians have Crusades?
To protect relics.
What were 4 ways in which Jesus offended Jewish beliefs and the Jewish groups of the time?
- When Jesus heals the paralyzed man, he tells him that his sins are forgiven. Upsets the Pharisees, who say only God can forgive sins.
- Jesus is friends with Levi the tax collector.
- He heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
- Jesus’ disciples don’t observe kosher laws. Jesus says that what makes you unclean is the evil in your heart.
Jesus and the rich young man
A man asks, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus says only God is good and to follow the commandments. The man says he does. Then Jesus says, “Go, sell all you own, and come follow me……..camel through eye of needle…….” They ask, “then who can be saved?” Jesus replied, “For a human, it is impossible, but not for God. With God all things are possible.”
What Thomas said about God, drawing from Exodus 3:14
In Exodus 3:14, God says “I am.” From this, Thomas Aquinas reasoned that God must be pure being.
What did Paul say the Church is like?
The Church is like a human body: every part is needed.
What were Alexander III and Innocent III?
Canon lawyers
What was Mass like in the Middle Ages?
It seemed mysterious, spoken in a language they didn’t understand. There was little participation by the people.
Story of Jesus and the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
4 men lower their paralyzed friend through the roof of a house, right to Jesus. Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven.” The scribes and Pharisees say that this is blasphemy. Jesus responds, “So that you may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins, I say, ‘Get up and walk.’” And the paralyzed man gets up and walks.
What did Jesus say in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“Abba, father, all things are possible for you. Let this cup pass from me. But not my will but your will [may be done].”
The creed from 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
What was the key to literacy and education during the Middle Ages?
Food production
What kind of difficulty did the church have in enforcing its laws about celibacy and simony?
They had to re-address it time and time again, because it just wouldn’t go away.
What happened in 1054 that affected relations between Eastern and Western Christians?
Islam had cut off communication between East and West, so in 1054, Pope Leo IX sent 2 cardinals to meet with the Patriarch of Constantinople. Both sides excommunicated each other.
In Augustine’s “City of God,” how did the City of Man people differ from the City of God people?
When faced with suffering, the City of Man people curse God, while City of God people praise God and pray to him.
