Unit 2 - Community and Tradition Flashcards
0
Q
Define Anglican churches
A
Churches that are in communion with the Church of England
1
Q
Define apostolic
A
The belief that the church can only be understood in the light of the apostles
2
Q
Define bishops
A
Priests specially chosen by the pope who are responsible for all the churches in a diocese
3
Q
Define Catholic
A
Universal or worldwide
4
Q
Define celibacy
A
Living without engaging in any sexual activity
5
Q
Define holy
A
Of, or relating to, God, sacred
6
Q
Define laity
A
All the people of the church who are not chosen to be bishops, priests or deacons
7
Q
Define magisterium
A
The pope and the bishops interpreting the bible and tradition for Roman Catholics today
8
Q
Define ordination
A
Making someone a priest, bishop or deacon by the sacrament of holy orders
9
Q
Define nonconformist churches
A
Protestant Christians separated from the Church of England
11
Q
Define orthodox churches
A
National churches which are in Union with the patriarch of Constantinople (eg The Russian orthodox churches)
12
Q
Explain what ‘the Church as a means to faith’ means. (10.2.1)
A
- Church has kept Christianity through Apostolic Succession; apostles taught by Jesus so we learn true faith from Jesus
- Catholics believe Pope&Bishops can interpret Bible&Apostolic Tradition through the Magisterium, so only through Church true faith can be found
- To prepare for Baptism, First Confession&First Communion, and Confirmation, Catholics are taught Christian beliefs&learn to have faith in God
- In Bible readings&homily in Sunday Mass, Catholics learn more&therefore deepen their faith; Church is their means to faith
- The Church’s sacraments proclaim Church’s faith&give spiritual strength to live faith daily
13
Q
Explain why ‘the Church as the means to faith’ is important for Catholics. (10.2.1)
A
- Important their faith is the true faith; Church teaches they’re the ‘one true faith’, passed down through Church from apostles
- Brings salvation; belief in Christ leads to eternal life
- Place where people can learn about Catholicism&the Church, through local parish churches
- People are guided into faith through Church’s worshipping&teaching
- People are supported&strengthened as they seek to believe; provided by Church’s sacraments&priest&ordinary members of the parish
14
Q
Explain what ‘the Church as the means to salvation’ means. (10.2.1)
A
- Baptism washes away original sin, welcoming them to the Church, so they can achieve salvation
- Reconciliation; receive absolution for their sins, getting forgiveness through the Church, offering gifts of the HS
- Penitential Rite at Mass; people can confess sins and receive absolution
- Confirmation; affirm vows taken on their behalf at baptism, making them a full member of the Church&gives them gifts of the HS
- Anointing of the Sick; receive God’s forgiveness&be prepared for heaven&receive absolution
15
Q
Explain why ‘the Church as the means to salvation is important for Catholics. (10.2.1)
A
- Without salvation, could never become close to God, so can only go to hell or purgatory after death
- Only way to have eternal life with God
- Gives Catholics a clear route to salvation; taking part in sacraments and following Church’s teachings will lead to salvation
- Gives Catholics second chances; salvation is not just once at Baptism, a process; life is a journey to salvation, so Catholics can get on right path again through Mass, reconciliation and anointing
16
Q
Explain what ‘the Church as the Body of Christ’ means. (10.2.2)
A
- All Christians continue Christ’s work on Earth; His physical body as His is no longer present
- Christ’s work on Earth did not end with Ascension; lives on in followers&through Church
- Christians become part of the Church&so part of the Body of Christ through baptism; united with one another&Christ
- All Catholics receive Body of Christ weekly through Mass; joins Catholics with Christians worldwide receiving the sacrament
17
Q
Explain why ‘the Church as the Body of Christ’ is important for Catholics. (10.2.2)
A
- Church is described in this way in NT (St Paul’s letter to Corinthians)
- Explains Mass’ importance; by sharing consecrated host at Communion, Catholics share Body of Christ through transubstantiation; strengthened each week by grace of Eucharist
- Shows Christians can continue Jesus’ physical help on Earth; Christ is still active in the world today
- Shows all Catholics can be different yet a unity; all working together in the Body of Christ
18
Q
Explain what ‘the Church as the Communion of Saints’ means. (10.2.3)
A
- No division between Church on Earth&in heaven; all Church members are joined together, on Earth, in heaven&purgatory
- Christians on Earth can offer prayers of intercession to saints closer to God in heaven
- All faithful Christians are part of the Church; God sends riches through the sacraments; Communion of holy things&of holy people
- Catholics can pray for the dead as part of the communion of saints; Christians on Earth can pray for dead friends/relatives in purgatory
- Christians on Earth can get comfort&support from the prayers for them
19
Q
Explain why ‘the Church as the communion of saints’ is important for Catholics. (10.2.3)
A
- Taught in the Catechism&Creeds
- Gives Catholics direct contact with official saints for hlp, to get comfort&support from past great Christians
- Means prayers can be offered for the dead so they ascend into heaven from purgatory
- Shows all Christians are equally important; can be joined and pray for one another
- Shows communion among people as all share in gifts of the HS, so can be used for all’s benefit; saints help in heaven as they did on Earth
20
Q
Explain why the Bible has authority for Catholics. (10.2.4)
A
- Inspired by HS so comes from God; considered holy and authoritative
- Reveals God; He speaks in OT&NT and His character and commands, so should be followed
- Contains God’s laws on how to behave, e.g. Ten Commandments; shows how God wants us to live
- Contains the teachings from Jesus (2nd person of the Trinity); what He taught has authority
- Can strengthen one’s relationship with God; learn about what He wants and His care for us
21
Q
Explain why the Bible is important for Catholics. (10.2.4)
A
- Records Jesus’ teachings during His ministry on Earth; teachings (especially SOTM) show Christians how to live/make decisions
- Records Jesus’ life, death and resurrection; supreme importance as Jesus’ work for salvation is basis for Christianity&story of early Church
- Contains Ten Commandments; God’s guideline on how to live
- Reveals God’s nature; only through knowing this can we fulfil 1st commandment: love God
- Through use in private devotion&reading God’s actions&words leads to a closer relationship with God
- Through use in public worship, Christians learn how to live as God wants in today’s world
22
Q
Explain the meaning of Apostolic Tradition. (10.2.5)
A
- Church believes Jesus gave apostles message of authority to begin the Church; Gospel handed on not just NT, but oral message of apostles
- Apostles preached the Gospel&established 1st Churches; inspired by Jesus
- Teachings used&handed down were given to apostles from Jesus; should be followed today to live as Jesus wants
- The tradition handed down by apostles to Church come directly from Jesus
23
Q
Explain the importance of Apostolic Tradition. (10.2.5)
A
- Gives Church authority of Jesus to teach the faith
- Means teaching of the Church is teachings given to apostles from Jesus; gives confidence true faith is taught in the Church
- Guarantees teachings Catholics follow are correct; not changed since Jesus gave them
- Not all Jesus did/said is recorded; preserved unwritten message of Jesus to present day
24
Q
Explain the meaning of Apostolic Succession. (10.2.5)
A
- Same teachings apostles gave their congregation is given to today’s congregations; it is unchanged since the apostles
- Only Priests ordained by a bishop ordained in line of Apostolic Succession are true priest’s with Jesus’ authority to administer sacraments
25
Q
Explain the importance of Apostolic Succession. (10.2.5)
A
- Authority of St. Peter has been passed down through Apostolic Succession to current Pope; Pope has same authority Jesus gave to St. Peter
- When Pope&College of Cardinals proclaim Magisterium of the Church, speaking as successors of apostles&proclaiming Jesus’ message
- Apostolic Succession preserves apostles’ faith; faith of Church today is same as that of the apostles
- Power to confer sacraments is passed down through Apostolic Succession; power came from Jesus, an authentic way to pass on God’s grace to Catholics today
- How Jesus fulfils His promise to stay with His Church
26
Q
Explain the role of the Magisterium. (10.2.6)
A
- Interpret the Bible&Apostolic Tradition for 21st century Christians
- Shows Catholics how to treat medical advancements (e.g. genetic engineering)
- Define beliefs (dogmas) of Catholic Church; done through writing, authorising&publishing CCC
- Ensure teachings are communicated to all bishops to pass on to their diocese’s priests so laity are fully informed on Church’s beliefs/teachings
27
Q
Explain the importance of the Magisterium. (10.2.6)
A
- Supreme authority to Catholics; tells them what to believe, as what they so to believe is what should be believed; no higher earthly authority than them (unless Pope makes an ex cathedra definitive statement on doctrine)
- Address issues that did not exist in apostles’ time, e.g. same sex partnerships; Catholics cannot look in Bible for answers
- Their teachings point the way to salvation; its teachings must be correct and holy as guided by HS
- Provides clear guidelines for Catholics on what to believe/how to behave in today’s world
- Ensures teaching of the Church is updated but doesn’t change Apostolic Tradition; always correct to follow Magisterium’s teachings, leading Catholics to not sin against God
28
Q
Explain the meaning of Protestant beliefs about authority of the Church. (10.2.7)
A
- Bible is only authority for Catholics; can be understood by anyone with faith; Church doesn’t have authority to interpret the Bible for Christians
- Church is community of believers all of equal value; only decisions agreed by all the Church can have authority; ruled democratically
- Each has an agreed statement of beliefs members are expected to accept (e.g. Apostles’&Nicene Creeds&the Chalcedonian Definition of nature of Jesus)
- Any guidance Church offers in not a command; can be interpreted by members in the light of their own interpretation of Bible teachings
- Church has authority to decide on how the Church shall be organised (e.g. ministers) but does not bring salvation; salvation only comes from the Bible
29
Q
Explain why the Protestant beliefs about authority of the Church are important. (10.2.7)
A
- Allow them to have input on decisions/beliefs of the Church
- Explain why so many different Protestant Churches; if Church doesn’t have complete authority and salvation is based on individual Bible interpretations, there will be different interpretations&new Churches will be set up
- Show why the Protestant Churches broke away from Rome; why they cannot accept authority of Pope/Magisterium
- Explains why different attitudes to sacraments amongst Protestant Churches
- Explains why there are so many different Protestant Churches; no agreed Church authority
- In England, beliefs about authority of the Church help explain differences within the Church of England
30
Q
Explain the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church. (10.2.8)
A
- Carries out duties as Bishop of Rome, caring for diocese etc.
- Organises Magisterium, ensuring all issues considered to guide today’s Catholics
- Acts as Catholic’s ultimate authority; can speak ex cathedra - infallible (cannot be wrong)
- Appoints&ordains new cardinals&bishops, ensuring enough care for the laity&their teaching is correct
- Ensures Catholics are kept updated with issued that arise for both the laity&the priesthood
- Leads to the worldwide Church, ensuring unity is maintained&Church community is cared for; helped in this by the Curia
- Responsible for the Vatican City - an independent state
31
Q
Explain the importance of the Pope in the Catholic Church. (10.2.8)
A
- Responsible for the Magisterium, therefore all teachings&beliefs of the Church that affects all Catholics
- Successor of St. Peter; passes on teachings of Christto Catholics like St. Peter did
- Head of the Church who appoints&ordains cardinals&bishops as leaders; important to priests&the lay people
- Gives guidance&inspiration to Catholics through encyclicals, letters, addresses&worldwide pastoral visits
- Chosen by cardinals guided by HS; chosen by God; Catholics know they are being led correctly
- is infallible under some cicumstances (e.g. speaking ex cathedra); can make statements Catholics must believe
32
Q
Explain the role of bishops in the Catholics Church. (10.2.8)
A
- Responsible for ensuring all priets&laity in diocese are attended to
- In charge of all priests in their diocese; ensure there are sufficient priests in all areas of diocese&they’re correctly carrying out their role
- Responsible for appointing, ordaining&disciplining priests&deacons in their diocese
- Responsible for passing information from national Bishops’ Conference to his diocese; ensure everyone is aware of Church’s teachings&issues of faith are explained correctly
- Acts as a link between parishes&the Vatican, allowing whole Church to contact Pope
33
Q
Explain the importance of bishops in the Catholic Church. (10.2.8)
A
- Responsible for (with Pope) for establishing Magisterium; participate deciding of Church’s beliefs/teachings
- Cardinals are chosen from bishops; bishops are important in hierarchy of the Church
- Only bishops can administer holy orders (ordination); usually ordain priests in their diocese
- Ensure their diocese is following the faith of the Church; ensure teachings are given to the laity correctly; correct/discipline any priests who teach/act incorrectly
34
Q
Explain the role of the priest in the local parish. (10.2.9)
A
- Lead daily Mass&special occasion liturgies; celebrate/consecrate bread&wine (laity can’t do this)
- Teach people of the parish about faith, through sermons&other education groups
- Administer sacraments of baptism, marriage, reconciliation&healing; ensure people understand them
- Conduct funerals&care for the bereaved; visit them for spiritual counselling
- Ensure people are fully prepared for sacraments; may run special classes
- Pray for congregation&whole congregation through daily office
- Pray with congregation members privately&publicly; regular worship&one-off events
- Ensure church building is looked after&maintained
- Look after people in the parish, providing advice/counselling
- Build links with other local faiths/churches
35
Q
Explain the importance of priests in the local parish. (10.2.9)
A
- Fulfils role of Jesus in Mass; transubstantiates bread&wine - feed people body&blood of Christ
- Brings people together through rite of communion
- Is the ‘shepherd of his flock’; ensures they’re cared for&church runs smoothly; without priest church may not be run for benefit of congregation equally
- Gives grace to his parishioners through sacraments&Mass; need grace for salvation
- Give advice on matters of faith&personal problems; helps people face challenges
- Help organise material care for people through money&charity; essential to needy as would suffer greatly
- Is a link between bishop&parish; ensures new teachings&messages are given to people
- Helps with important stages of ones life: baptism, confirmation, marriage, funerals; person’s understanding of faith is constantly changing, need priest to guide them on the correct path
36
Q
Explain why Catholics teach that the clergy must be celibate. (10.2.10)
A
- Tradition handed down from St. Paul; taught ‘an unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs’
- Jesus remained single; priests should follow his example
- Allows priests to be completely devoted to God&their vocation; not distracted by worldly problems&have more time for their parishioners
- Unmarried priests can deal with needs of parish rather than being tied to family matters
- Means sacrifice their lives to God as Jesus did; gave up home, stability, married life opportunity&having children; priests should do the same
37
Q
Explain why other Christians allow priests marry. (10.2.10)
A
- St. Peter was married (Jesus healed his mother-in-law)
- Priests can be devoted to God&their families; can fulfil more than one role like other people can
- First hand experience to recognise&deal with marriage problems; person with marriage problems may feel more comfortable talking to him
- Early Christian priests were married; seems married priests were allowed in early Church until celibacy became the norm
- There would be a shortage of priests if they had to be celibate; Catholics Churches have a shortage of priests, perhaps put off by celibacy
38
Q
Explain the role of the Virgin Mary for Catholics. (10.2.11)
A
- Mary is an intercessor, e.g. Hail Mary&Angelus; not worshipping but prayers of intercession due to her special relationship with God; she is in the Magnificant ‘All generation will call me blesses’
- She is a role model for Christians on how to live a pure life; conceived without sin (immaculate conception); remained a virgin throughout her whole life; by following her example, Catholics try to live a pure life
- A role model for her love to Jesus; loved her son right to the end&shared in his suffering on the cross; how Christians should love Christ
- She was present at Pentecost&helped apostles start early Church
39
Q
Explain why the Virgin Mary is important for Catholics. (10.2.11)
A
- Special due to immaculate conception; sinless&predestined to be mother of God; means Jesus was sinless as mother had no original sin&father was God
- She was chosen by God to be the mother of his Son; without her acceptance Jesus wouldn’t have been incarnated; would be no Christianity/salvation
- Due to virgin birth, she is the mother of God; though conceived by HS, Mary gave birth naturally so is his mother; she must have been the most important human that ever lived
- At the end of her life, she was taken up to heaven instead of dying (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary); means didn’t suffer death like everyone else; important to God as first person assumed into heaven
- In heaven, she can pray for the souls of Christians on Earth; intercede on God’s behalf of Christians on Earth; makes her very important as she can make prayers more effective, giving them more chance of God’s help
