theology ch. 2 vocab

Question 1

apocrypha

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

church fathers

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

consubstantial

Answer 3

of the same substance, the three persons of the trinity- father, son, and holy spirit.

Question 4

divine attributes

Answer 4

Those characteristics uniquely describe God: omniscience, omnipresence, omnibenevolence, perfection, and eternity.

Question 5

doctors of the church

Answer 5

33 men and women whose teachings are especially helpful to understanding Christian doctrine.

Question 6

ecumenical council

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Elohim

Answer 7

an early Hebrew word for God found in the book of Genesis.

Question 8

Filioque

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Heresy

Answer 9

The obstinate denial by a baptized person of some truth that must be believed with divine faith.

Question 10

image

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

immutable

Answer 11

the quality of being unchangeable or unaltered.

Question 12

logos

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

monotheistic

Answer 13

refers to any religious tradition that believes in one God, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Question 13

nature

Answer 13

The essence of a being considered as the principle of activity and defining its particular characteristics.

Question 14

Nicene Creed

Answer 14

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.

Question 14

omnibenevolent

Answer 14

the quality of being perfectly good, an attribute that belongs only to God.

Question 14

omnipotent

Answer 14

the quality of being all-powerful, an attribute that belongs only to God.

Question 15

omnipresent

Answer 15

the quality of being present everywhere, an attribute that belongs only to God.

Question 16

omniscient

Answer 16

the quality of having perfect knowledge, an attribute that belongs only to God.

Question 17

polytheistic

Answer 17

refers to any religious tradition that believes in more than one god, such as Zoroastrianism and most expressions of paganism.

Question 18

sabbath

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Yahweh and YHWH

Answer 19

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.

Question 19

Theotokos

Answer 19

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.

Question 19

spirit

Answer 19

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.