theology ch. 2 vocab Flashcards
apocrypha
from the Greek word for “hidden”; hence, to describe writings of unknown or spurious authorship. These writings are neither authentic nor inspired by the Holy Spirit nor part of the Bible. Protestants often classify as apocryphal the books of the Old Testament the Catholic Church considers deuterocanonical.
church fathers
Christian teachers and writers of the early centuries whose explanations of the Apostolic faith and personal sanctity are a witness to the Tradition of the Church.
consubstantial
of the same substance, the three persons of the trinity- father, son, and holy spirit.
divine attributes
Those characteristics uniquely describe God: omniscience, omnipresence, omnibenevolence, perfection, and eternity.
doctors of the church
33 men and women whose teachings are especially helpful to understanding Christian doctrine.
ecumenical council
in Greek meaning, the whole world, a formal synod of bishops (sometimes with other ecclesiastics) from the whole inhabited world convened to define doctrine, regulate the Christian life, or apply discipline in the Church. The first ecumenical council was held at Nicaea AD 325.
Elohim
an early Hebrew word for God found in the book of Genesis.
Filioque
Latin for “and the Son.” This addition to the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed expresses the double procession of God the Holy Spirit from both God the Father and God the Son. Beginning in the tenth century, the bishops of the East condemned this Western addition, thus contributing to the Great Schism.
Heresy
The obstinate denial by a baptized person of some truth that must be believed with divine faith.
image
a representation such as a statue or a picture. Each person is made in the image of God; that is, like God insofar as having intelligence, free will, and the capacity to love.
immutable
the quality of being unchangeable or unaltered.
logos
A Greek word with a multitude of meanings, including word, account, meaning, reason, arguments, saying, speech, story, and the like. The Gospel of St. John refers to Jesus, the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, as the Logos.
monotheistic
refers to any religious tradition that believes in one God, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
nature
The essence of a being considered as the principle of activity and defining its particular characteristics.
Nicene Creed
The first official creed of the Church, adopted by the bishops at the Council of Nicaea AD 325. It was later amended at the Council of Constantinople AD 381. This is the version of the creed used in the Mass today.
omnibenevolent
the quality of being perfectly good, an attribute that belongs only to God.
omnipotent
the quality of being all-powerful, an attribute that belongs only to God.
omnipresent
the quality of being present everywhere, an attribute that belongs only to God.
omniscient
the quality of having perfect knowledge, an attribute that belongs only to God.
polytheistic
refers to any religious tradition that believes in more than one god, such as Zoroastrianism and most expressions of paganism.
sabbath
the celebration of the Sabbath, or 7th, day on which God rested after the work of the 6 days of creation was completed, is and inheritance from Judaism. In honor of Christ’s resurrection, Sunday is observed as the Christian Sabbath and must include rest from labor and the worship of God, as required by the 3rd commandment.
Yahweh and YHWH
the personal name of God of Israel revealed to Moses on Mt. Sinai, meaning “I AM WHO I AM.” This rendered Lord in most Bibles.
Theotokos
Greek for God-bearer, often translated as Mother of God. Used since the early centuries of the Church, this title of Mary was defended by the 3rd Ecumenical Council.
spirit
that which is positively immaterial, having no dependence on matter for its existence or activities. God is uncreated pure spirit; angels are created pure spirits; human souls are created spirits. Spirits have the power to know and love.
