MR. MCGRATH FINAL EXAM REVIEW
What is the hypostatic union?
("Personal Union") The union of both a human nature and a divine nature in the one divine person of Christ.
There will be a question in which you'll be given one of three quotes from the bottom of pg. 7, and asked who the author of the quote is.
- "The gates of hell are locked from the inside." - C.S. Lewis - "Satan does not love and wants forever not to love." - St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower) - All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things shall be well..." - Julian of Norwich
According to our textbook, why is the Church one? Also, what are some threats to this oneness/unity, and what does ecumenism have to do with this?
- B/c example and source of unity is Trinity. - Doesn't mean uniformity ; diverse in many ways. - Unity also seen in profession of one faith, common worship, apostolic succession. - Unity threatened by heresies, schisms. - Ecumenism is movement to restore unity among Christians, and ultimately unity of all humans.
According to our textbook, why is the Church holy, and why is the holiness also imperfect?
- Church made up of human and divine elements. - Holy b/c created by holy God, who's given her gifts to be instrument of salvation, and b/c HS dwells in her. - Holy b/c of grace. - Holiness seen in saints and Mary as models of holiness. - Holiness of Church on earth is really but imperfect, b/c members can't be perfectly holy in this life.
What is the difference between the kind of acceptance we give to infallible vs. non-infallible doctrines?
Acceptance we give to infallible doctrines: We need to give an irrevocable (irreversible) "faith assent" - i.e., we have faith in it in the same way we have faith that God exists, that He loves us, etc. Acceptance we give to non-infallible doctrines: The Church asks us to accept them, but not with faith - rather, we give what's called "religious assent," a kind of obedience.
Catholicism says that Christ is the only way to salvation and Catholic Christianity is the one true faith, but that does NOT mean that...
1) non-Catholics can't be saved, 2) or that there isn't goodness and truth in other religions, 3) or that God can't be present to people through other religions, 4) or that other religions can't be part of God's plan for salvation, etc.
Hell isn't so much like a place, but like a what?
A "sickness" of the soul, a "hellish condition."
What does a revelation have to do with a doctrine?
A doctrine is basically an explanation of what God has already revealed.
What is Purgatory? What is its purpose?
A state of purification between death and Heaven that removes any remaining obstacles or sinfulness that keeps us from eternal union with God.
Explain the Gettysburg address analogy, and what the difference parts of it represent.
Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in history [revelation], the speech is passed down in books and word of mouth [Scripture & Tradition], and your history teacher [Magisterium] teaches you about it.
In Catholicism, bishops are successors to the _______________, and the pope is the successor to ______________.
Apostles' ; Peter
What does the Church say about dialogue with other religions?
Catholic theology and Catholics themselves, can be enriched by dialogue with other religions; it's good and valuable to learn about other religious traditions, for many reasons.
Would Catholicism say that "all religions" lead to God"? Explain.
Certainly God can use other religions to lead people to Himself, even if some of their teachings are incorrect or they lack revealed truths. However, for Catholicism, saying "all religions lead to God" is an overly-simplistic and misleading way of putting it.
The ____________ is the cup used during the Mass that holds the wine before the Consecration and the Blood of Christ after the Consecration. It represents the cup used at the Last Supper and is a symbol of Jesus's sacrifice and eternal life.
Chalice
What is the difference between temporal punishment and eternal punishment?
As opposed to hell, which is "eternal punishment." "Temporal" means related to time; you might think of it as "temporary punishment" since it doesn't last forever.
When are the body and soul reunited?
At the end of time
Explain how baptism of desire works.
Baptism of desire allows people to be part of the Church in a mysterious way and to be saved, even if they're not an official member and have never been baptized with water. This makes it possible to have the effects of baptism (i.e., infusion of sanctifying grace) before actually receiving the sacrament. And the desire can be implicit or unconscious.
What does Purgatory have to do with penance?
Basically, it's about unfinished penance for sins already forgiven.
After the trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders bring Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate. What do they accuse Jesus of, and why is this charge different from what he was found guilty of before the Sanhedrin? How does Pilate react?
Because Pilate doesn't care about Jewish religious law, they have to accuse Jesus of treason rather than blasphemy. They charge Jesus with inciting rebellion against Rome, probably of even claiming to be the king of the Jews. The reality is that only Pilate could've ordered Jesus to be crucified. That Pilate does so indicates that he believes that Jesus' message is in some way a threat to Roman authority.
For Catholicism, what are the two overall ways we can know things about God?
By our own reason (i.e., reasoning), and by faith in God's revelation to us.
What does Heaven have to do with the Mystical Body of Christ?
Perfect and eternal life, love, happiness, and communion with the triune God, others, and all creation as part of the Mystical Body of Christ.
For Karl Rahner, why does God create us and give us freedom?
Creates us in order to love us, and gives us freedom so that we can love Him too - real love needs freedom. But because we're free, we can choose to reject God.
As your read this chapter, you'll see that when Catholic theology speaks of the Church as the Temple of the Holy Spirit, it's not talking only or even mainly about Church buildings. Instead, what is it talking about?
Each of us individually, and the community of the Church as a whole, is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
In Catholicism, which of the following is true of Purgatory?
Purgatory purifies the soul of anything preventing full union with God.
What is the name of the area of theology that deals with the "Last Things"?
Eschatology
What exactly is hell?
Eternal separation from God.
The ____________ is the passage of Jesus from death to new life "on the third day" after His Crucifixion.
Resurrection
What does revelation have to do with salvation history?
For Catholicism, God has revealed Himself by His words and actions in salvation history, leading up to Jesus Christ, God's ultimate revelation.
According to our textbook, what was the main, overall reason why the Jewish leaders in the Gospels wanted to put Jesus to death?
For the religious leaders, the answer is fairly clear: Jesus challenged their authority to such an extent that they believed Jesus was undermining their authority with the common person. a) Mark 2 : 23 - 3 : 6. The Pharisees and scribes taught that you could do absolutely no work on the Sabbath. Jesus' disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, and Jesus healed on it. Then, Jesus challenged their teachings. b) Mark 2 : 1 - 12. Jesus claimed to have the power to forgive sins, which the Jewish leaders believed was a power that belonged to God alone. c) Luke 16 : 19 -31. Many of the religious leaders believed that having material wealth was a sign of being right with God. Jesus claimed that God also blessed the poor. He even taught that being rich while ignoring the poor was a sin. d) Luke 15 : 1 -10. The religious leaders avoided having anything to do with common sinners such as prostitutes and tax collectors. Yet Jesus freely associated with these people and chided the Pharisees for avoiding them.
What is infallibility; what does it mean for a doctrine to be infallible?
Freedom from error. It's the gift of the Holy Spirit that ensures freedom from error in the Church's core teachings on faith and morals. For a doctrine to be infallible means that it can't be incorrect; it's proclaimed as being guaranteed by God to be true and free from error.
The only people who go to hell are people who have done what?
Freely and consciously rejected God's love and grace, even at the final moments of earthly existence.
Why should Catholics not feel like they're better than/superior to others?
Since their special position is undeserved and comes from Christ.
If hell is real, how is it still possible, according to Balthasar, that all could be saved? For Balthasar, can we say definitely that all will be saved?
Some theologians (notably Balthasar) argue that the Church requires us to believe in hell as a possible outcome for the soul, but not that any set number of people actually have died or will die in a state of sin, rejecting God at death. I.e., they say it is possible (but NOT certain) that all could die in a state of grace and be saved, and we should hope and pray for that.
For Catholicism, can we know some things or all things about God by reasoning alone?
Some things
In Greek, the word pneuma means ___________; it can also mean ____________ or _____________.
Spirit ; wind ; breath
What is temporal punishment?
Term for the purification we undergo in purgatory.
Is Purgatory about penance for sins that have not yet been forgiven, or for sins that have already been forgiven?
That have already been forgiven.
What happens in the story of Pentecost?
That suddenly a noise like a strong, driving wind filled the house where Jesus' Apostles were. Tongues as of fire rested on each one of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to preach in different languages. A crowd gathered, formed of Jews from Egypt, Rome, Turkey, Iraq, Palestine, and other places. Miraculously, each heard the message of the Apostles in his own language.
Why is "punishment" a misleading way of thinking about hell?
God doesn't send us to hell; mortal sin does. God doesn't punish us in hell; we "punish" ourselves - the suffering comes from inside of us; it's not inflicted from outside.
What does hell have to do with sanctifying grace?
Hell comes from dying in a state of mortal sin, without sanctifying grace.
Which of the following ideas is part of Hans Urs von Balthasar's theology?
Hell is a possible outcome for the soul and it is possible that all people will be saved.
The Magisterium (teaching authority) was given by Christ to whom?
His Apostles and their successors (the bishops in union with the Pope).
What does the Church teach about the elements of goodness and grace in other religions?
That the elements of goodness and grace in other religions flow from Christ and lead to Christ.
What does the immortality of the soul mean?
The Catholic doctrine (teaching) that the human soul survives the death of the body and remains in existence. The soul is then reunited with the body at the end of time in the resurrection of the body.
In Catholic doctrine, is it possible for non-Catholics to go to Heaven?
The Church teaches it's possible for non-Catholics of any kind to go to Heaven - but when they are saved, they're saved by Christ and through some mysterious connection to the Church.
What does revelation have to do with the Church's Magisterium?
The Church's Magisterium (teaching authority), through its doctrines, teaches and keeps alive this revelation.
According to our textbook, when and how does the Holy Spirit first appear in Scripture?
The Holy Spirit first appears in the Scriptures in the Book of Genesis, in the first account of Creation. Here, the Holy Spirit is present in the form of a might wind that sweeps over the waters.
In Catholic teaching, what does Israel have to do with the Church?
The community of Israel foreshadows the Church. Just as God chooses us to be saved as part of the Church, so too did God call Israel as a nation to be his Chosen People as part of His larger plan of salvation.
What is the deposit of faith, and what does it have to do with the Church?
The deposit of faith is God's revelation and it is entrusted in the Church.
Which of the following is part of how Catholicism views other religions?
The elements of goodness and grace in other religions flow from and lead to Christ.
At death, what happens to the soul and body?
The end of life on earth; the separation of soul from body.
What is the relationship between the particular and final judgments? Can the final judgment change the particular judgment?
The final judgment just "confirms" everyone's individual, particular judgment, making them known to all - it doesn't change anything.
According to our textbook, what does the Church have to do with the Kingdom/Reign of God?
The group of followers, the disciples, became the Church, Jesus' true family, and the seed and beginning of the Kingdom on earth. The Church is thus a sign, as well as the actual beginning, of that perfect peace and happiness that all of us desire: the Reign of God mysteriously present in the world.
What is an ex cathedra statement?
The highest and most solemn type of pronouncement a pope can make.
What is the particular judgement?
The individual judgement that occurs for each person at the moment of death. Leads either to Heaven (perhaps with purgatory first) or to hell.
What is the final judgement?
The judgment of all the living and the dead, at the end of time, by Jesus Christ at his Second Coming (Parousia). Also known as "Last Judgment" or "General Judgment."
How can those two seemingly-opposite ideas both be true?
The key is in how you understand the words "outside" and "Church" in the first statement.
The Church acknowledges that the historical figures and positive elements in non-Christian/non-Jewish religions may somehow be part of God's plan for salvation, but what else needs to be kept in mind?
Though always in a subordinate way to Christ and the Church. In other words, its from the mystery of Christ that the good things in other religions receive their value. To put it in another way: the good elements of other religions can help make non-Christian's a part of the Mystical Body of Christ in some mysterious way.
According to our textbook, where did the Church's hierarchical structure of the pope and bishops come from, and how long is it intended to last?
The structure and hierarchy of the Church established by Christ continues to this day and will remain until the Kingdom is fully established at the end of time.
What does the term "Passion" mean when referring to Jesus?
The suffering of Jesus during his final days in this life: His agony in the garden at Gethsemane, his trial, and his Crucifixion.
"If I leave the Church, am I going to hell?" - explain the complex way Catholicism answers this.
However: the Church also teaches that anyone who truly knew the Catholic Church was made necessary by God, but refused to enter the Church, or refused to remain in the Church, could not be saved. I.e., it would be a serious sin for someone who had received the gift of faith to reject the Mystical Body of Christ. (I.e., it would be a serious sin to go against your conscience if your conscience said to enter/stay in the Church.)
What is the Greek term that's equivalent to "person"?
Hypostasis
Explain how, according to Catholicism, the Church can be infallible, when there have been popes and bishops who've done horrible things.
Infallibility keeps the Church's core teachings from error, but it doesn't mean Church leaders will always practice what they preach. Infallibility means freedom from error, not freedom from sin. I.e., infallibility is about true vs. false, not moral vs. immoral or holy vs. sinful. Unfortunately, infallibility doesn't guarantee that popes and bishops won't be hypocritical or corrupt. Bishops, popes, and the Church in its human institutions can sin just like anyone else.
What is the difference between infallibility vs. impeccability?
Infallibility means freedom from error. Impeccability means freedom from sin (sinlessness), never doing anything wrong. Infallibility keeps Church teachings from error; it does not protect bishops and popes from sin. Church leaders do not have impeccability.
Explain why infallibility doesn't mean that God "talks to" or gives revelations to the pope and bishops.
Infallibility, revelation, and inspiration are all different from each other. With infallibility, God doesn't give revelations to the Church - rather, with infallibility, God enables the Church to teach/explain/clarify without error what God has already revealed (i.e., the revelation given in salvation history, and transmitted by Scripture and Tradition). I.e., with infallibility, God doesn't "talk to" the Pope or the Church - rather, God helps the Pope or the Church to "talk" (teach) without error.
According to our textbook, which of the following is true about the Kingdom of God (KOG)?
It is God's reign or rule over people's hearts and over all creation. * KOG doesn't just mean Heaven, but also here and now.
Explain the point of the analogy about the streams of grace.
It's not that God's grace flows through many streams, with Christ (and the Church) being just one of those streams. Rather, God's grace flows through Christ (including the Church, Christ's body), and THEN flows into other religions. So, it's: God's saving grace ---> Jesus Christ ---> Catholic Church ---> other religions; all humanity.
According to St. Paul, what is a resurrected body like? Include the seed analogy.
Its a transformed body, as unlike an earthly body its incorruptible, honorable, powerful, and is a spiritual body. Paul also attempts to explain this through an analogy that likens our earthly body to a seed. For a seed to become what its destined to be, it must first "die," by being buried in the ground. Only then can it grow into a plant. The plant looks nothing like the seed, but they are the same being and one is a continuation of the other. Just as our earthly and resurrected body. * RB cannot be damaged by sickness, will not be subjected to temptation, will not be limited by the physical constraints of time and space, and will never die. * At the end of time, God will join our soul to our resurrected body.
According to St. Paul, what does Jesus's Resurrection have to do with us?
Its proof or guarantee of our resurrection. He says that if we deny it, we deny any hope of our own. He goes on to say that in Gods saving plan, Christ is the first to be resurrected in order that we might all be resurrected. Paul concludes by listing all the Christian practices that would be useless if there were no resurrection.
When non-Catholics are saved, they are always saved by ____________, and through what? ____________
Jesus ; Some mysterious connection to the Church.
As our textbook says, the Church is called not only the Body of Christ, but also the Bride of Christ. Reflect on the following: how can the Church be both the Body AND the Bride of Christ; how could one lead to or bring about the other?
Just as husband and wife (bride) become one flesh (i.e., one body), so Bride of Christ can become the Body of Christ.
What's the point of the analogy about rejecting air or water?
Just as you suffer if you reject air or water, you suffer if you reject God, because you need God (need sanctifying grace, etc.).
What is the beatific vision?
Knowing and loving God directly, rather than indirectly through created things as we do now - our minds and hearts are "flooded" with God's light, love, life, grace, revelation, etc., satisfying our deepest longings. The traditional metaphor is "seeing" God "face to face."
What are the only two doctrines that have been proclaimed by papal infallibility?
Mary's Immaculate Conception (Pope Pius IX, 1854) and Mary's Assumption into Heaven (Pope Pius XII, 1950).
The Church's teaching authority is limited to what? ____________ It doesn't cover what? ____________
Matters of faith and morals ; Other matters like science or politics.
If a Catholic fails to respond to grace, are they "judged" more or less severely than a non-Catholic?
Moreover, if Catholics fail to respond in thought, word, and deed to God's grace, "they shall be more severely judged."
What does revelation have to do with infallibility?
Moreover, the gift of infallibility protects the Church's core teachings from error (not all Church teachings are regarded as infallible).
What kind of sin leads to hell?
Mortal sin
Are Church leaders impeccable?
No
Can you go from Purgatory to hell?
No
Has Jesus's human nature always existed?
No
It is possible to remain in Purgatory and never go to Heaven?
No
At death, does the soul die with body? Does it stop existing?
No & no
Does God ever stop loving anyone? Does God abandon anyone?
No & no. God doesn't abandon us; we abandon God.
Is baptism of desire something we reach on our own? ____________ How do we "get" baptism of desire?
No ; These things are still supernatural gifts of God's grace. E.g., if you have the theological virtue of love, you must have sanctifying grace and vice versa.
Has Jesus's human body always existed?
No, only began to exist when it was formed within Mary's womb from her flesh.
Has Jesus's human soul always existed?
No, only created by the Trinity within Mary's womb too.
All of the following are true in Catholic doctrine EXCEPT...
Non-Catholics will be excluded from the beatific vision and cannot be saved.
Are all Church teachings considered to be infallible?
Not all, even on matters of faith and morals, are infallible.
According to our textbook, how have many people misinterpreted the Gospels throughout history? What did the Church teach at the Second Vatican Council in response?
Throughout history many people have misinterpreted the Gospel accounts to conclude that all Jewish people of Jesus' time are responsible for his death. The Second Vatican Council states that "God holds the most dear" and "the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews... decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Antisemitism, directed against Jews at any time."
At the Last Supper, Jesus washes the feet of the Apostles. According to our textbook, why does He wash their feet?
To show that true leadership is service.
In Catholic doctrine, what is Transubstantiation, and when during the Mass does it occur?
Transub = the changing of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Happens during the Mass at the consecration. [The SUBSTANCE (essence, what it really is) of bread changes into the SUBSTANCE of Christ's Body, etc. but the "ACCIDENTS" (appearances, etc.) stay the same].
According to our textbook, besides the Church, Pentecost was also the first time that the ________________ was fully revealed.
Trinity
True / False: A teaching can only be proclaimed infallibly in certain ways, such as by an ecumenical council.
True
True / False: In Catholicism, popes and bishops can teach infallibly even if they are in a state of mortal sin.
True
True/False: According to Catholicism, when non-Catholics are saved, it is always through a mysterious connection to Christ and to the Church.
True
True/False: As a human, Jesus sometimes found obedience difficult, even though He obeyed the Father.
True
True/False: Catholic teaching says, "Outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation."
True
True/False: For Catholicism, Jesus as the Son of God lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father.
True
True/False: For Catholicism, it would be a sin for someone who had received the gift of faith to then reject the Catholic Church.
True
True/False: For our textbook, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church is meant to bring all people into union with the Trinity and with each other.
True
True/False: In Catholic doctrine, the Church is necessary for salvation.
True
True/False: In Catholic doctrine, the Holy Spirit is present throughout the Old Testament and participates with the Father and the Son in the work of salvation.
True
True/False: In Church teaching, it is possible for non-Catholics to be saved by baptism of desire, even if they are atheists.
True
True/False: Most of the early disciples of Jesus, the Apostles, Jesus's mother Mary, and Jesus Himself were Jewish.
True
Christ has how many natures?
Two
According to our textbook, what does our union/communion with Christ as part of the Church (His Body) have to do with our relationship with others? Also, something to consider - if you "flip it," what might our relationship with others have to do with our relationship with God?
Union with Christ brings about union with others.
What is natural knowledge of God?
When we can know some (not all) things about God by our own reasoning, even without God revealing them to us (i.e., without the Bible, or Christ, or the Church, etc.). It includes things like God's existence and the immortality of the soul, which the Church claims can be demonstrated by logical arguments.
In the eye/light analogy, what is Heaven like?
When you die with your eyes open and fully adjusted to the light (or, Heaven is when your eyes eventually adjust to the light after purgatory, etc.).
In the eye/light analogy, what is Purgatory like?
When you die with your eyes open, but they're not fully adjusted to the light, so you experience temporary pain as they adjust.
In the eye/light analogy, what is hell like?
When you die with your eyes shut and you're refusing to open them to the light.
For our textbook, what do the missions of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit have to do with each other?
Whenever God sends His Son, He also sends his Spirit, so when we recite the Nicene Creed, we should see all of Jesus' actions in the second section as a joint mission with the Holy Spirit.
Has Jesus's divine nature always existed (i.e., is it eternal)?
Yes
Has Jesus's person/hypostasis always existed (i.e., is it eternal)?
Yes
Is Jesus's divine nature the same divine nature as the Father's and the Holy Spirit's?
Yes
Is faith necessary for salvation?
Yes
Is it possible to know things about God without the Bible? Without Christ? Without the Church?
Yes ; Yes ; Yes
According to the Church, are non-Catholics at a disadvantage?
Yes. But, only without the full means of salvation.
Can an atheist be part of Christ's Mystical Body?
Yes. E.g., if an atheist wants to live a good life and do what is good is good, they desire baptism, even if they don't realize it.
Can you be a part of the Church if you're not an official member?
Yes. It's possible to be part of the Mystical Body of Christ, because of baptism of desire.
Is it possible for an atheist to have the theological virtue of faith?
Yes. Suppose an atheist said, "I don't believe in God, but i follow a voice within my heart that guides my life; I believe in a loving presence in all things that I can't name." In a way, that atheist has faith in God and Christ, but without being able to label it.
According to our textbook, the Holy Spirit...
a) ...animates (gives life to) the Church, for the Spirit is like the "soul" of the Body of Christ. b) ...sanctifies the Church in various ways, such as through the sacraments.
According to our textbook, what are the two senses/meanings in which the Church is called "catholic" (i.e., universal)?
a) B/c Christ is present in her and has given her the fullness of the means of salvation. b) B/c she has been sent on a mission by Christ to all ppl in the world to gather all into the People of God.
For Catholicism, which of the following is among the ways Jesus instituted the Church?
a) He preached the Kingdom through words and actions, directing His message especially to the poor and sinners. b) He sent out disciples to preach the Kingdom of God and to call all to join His Church. c) He gave us the saving gift of Himself, anticipated in the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross.
Our textbook tries to address the question, "How does Jesus's death free us from sin?" It discusses three metaphorical/symbolic explanations that Scripture gives.
a) Jesus as Suffering Servant: (Isiah) An unnamed servant of the Lord who suffers great - not as punishment for his own sins, but to save the people from theirs. In making this connection, the early Christians began to understand how Jesus' freely given obedience to the Fathers will helped to explain how we have been freed from our sins. b) Jesus as the Paschal Lamb: (John) Jesus can be referred to as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." * In Exodus God sent 10 plagues to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelites go from slavery. Last plague was death of firstborns. Moses instructed the Israelites to kill a lamb and put its blood on their doorsteps so the angel of death would "skip" them. Just as the blood of the Paschal lambs liberated the Israelites from death and slavery, so too does Jesus' death and Resurrection save all humanity from death and from slavery to sin. c) Jesus as the Ransom for Many: (Mark) The idea of ransom helps us to understand that Jesus paid to God the price of our freedom so that we are no longer "owned" by sin and death.
According to our textbook, what are three ways in which the Church is apostolic?
a) She was and is built on the "foundation of the Apostles," who lived with and were taught by Jesus. b) With help of HS, Church preserves and hands on teaching of Apostles and their successors. c) Church continues to be taught, made holy, and lead by Apostles through their successors - the college of bishops (assisted by priests), in union w/ Pope, the visible head of the Church.
In Christian usage, what are three meanings of the word "Church"?
a) The entire community of God's People around the world. b) The local community, which is a diocese or archdiocese. c) The community assembled for liturgy, especially the Mass.
When can temporal punishment take place?
a) after death in Purgatory, and/or b) before death through prayer, penance, good works, fasting, bearing unavoidable sufferings patiently and offering them up to God in satisfaction for our sins, etc.
Four our textbook, what does the Kingdom of God have to do with a) grace, b) salvation, and c) the end of time?
a) grace: "Place" where the fullness of Gods grace is present and human beings are restored to full communion with God and with one another. b) salvation: The full realization of the Kingdom of God is the end result of Gods saving plan. c) end of time: The fullness of Gods kingdom will not be realized until the end of time. * KOG is not something we can bring about on our own.
The ________________ means knowing and loving God directly in Heaven, being "flooded" with God's light, love, life, grace, etc.
beatific vision
In Catholic doctrine, Jesus Christ is ________ and fully ________.
divine ; human
The New Testament Greek word translate as "church" is __________________________.
ekklesia
For Catholicism, the Magisterium only has the authority to teach about ____________ and ____________.
faith ; morals
Pentecost is celebrated _________ days after Easter.
fifty
In Catholic theology, the Church is the Body of Christ, and Christ is ____________ of his Body.
the Head
The Greek word translated as "church" is related to the Greek verb ek-ka-lein meaning "____________________," and thus refers to the convocation or assembly of people whom God calls together to be in a special relationship with Him.
to call out
For Rahner, why is hell an endless "frustration"?
Our own true humanity.
If the Church didn't actually begin at Pentecost, then what happened at Pentecost with regard to the Church?
Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fully revealed the Church to the world for the first time.
In Catholic doctrine, which of the following is true about the salvation of non-Catholics?
Outside the Catholic Church, there is no salvation; the Church is necessary for salvation.
What do we call the hellish pain of separation from God?
Pain of Loss
The Greek term for the Second Coming of Christ is ________.
Parousia
At the Last Supper, which is a ________ meal, Jesus identifies Himself with the ________ whose blood was shed and flesh was eaten. He does this by instituting the ________.
Passover ; Paschal Lamb ; Eucharist
According to our textbook, what points on the Resurrection do the Gospel stories have in common?
- First some women disciples, and then the men, go to the tomb and discover that the body of Jesus is no longer there. - The woman who go to the tomb find out from angels that Jesus is no longer dead but alive and will reveal Himself to the disciples soon. - Jesus reveals Himself to Mary Magdalene at the tomb (and to the other Mary in Matthew). - Later Jesus appears to groups of disciples to wish them peace and charge them with continuing his mission. Often the disciples initial reaction is shock and fear. But soon they experience Jesus in striking ways that they cannot doubt that it is he - alive again, and yet somehow different from the way he was before death.
For our textbook, what are various ways in which Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies, proclaiming and bringing about the Kingdom of God?
- His words were good news for the poor and challenging views for the wealthy. - He lived a life of unconditional love and forgiveness. - He called everyone to forsake hate, revenge, violence, and greed. - He helped the blind to see and the lame to walk. - He brought freedom to those held captive. - Whenever He went, the Kingdom of God was present for those who put their faith in Him.
From the section called "The Scourging" - what are some of the ways in which Jesus suffers and is humiliated?
- Jesus is publicity humiliated by being clothed with a purple cloak and then crowned with thorns. - Jesus is scourged with a whip that has pieces of bone and metal embedded in the leather. - Finally, he has to carry on his bloody back the crossbeam on which he will be crucified. * To Golgotha/Calvary - "Place of the Skull"
A doctrine is...
...an official teaching of the Church.
The Church teaches that our bodies...
...are separated from our souls at death, will be resurrected at the end of time, and will be reunited with our souls as "spiritual bodies."
In Catholic doctrine, the human soul...
...does not die, but survives the death of the body.
Epektasis, a term from St. Gregory of Nyssa's theology, means...
...the never-ending journey out of yourself and into deeper and deeper union with God.
All of the following are good descriptions of Heaven in Catholic theology EXCEPT...
...the physical place where God is located with all who have been saved.
List the only three ways in which the Church can teach a doctrine infallibly:
1) Ecumenical Councils - The bishops and the pope, in union with each other, can teach infallibility in their solemn decrees a an ecumenical council ( a council representing the whole church). 2) The bishops and the pope can also teach infallibility when they are scattered over the earth, yet in agreement that a particular teaching should be believed by all - but often a decree at an ecumenical council is needed to make it clear that they agree on a teaching like that. (Note that individual bishops on their own cannot exercise infallibility.) 3) Papal (the Pope's) Infallibility - The pope can teach infallibly when he speaks "ex cathedra" (literally, "from the chair," i.e., from the chair of St. Peter). A pope's statement is infallible ONLY is it is ex cathedra.
The Church teaches two ideas at the same time that sound opposed - what are the two things?
1) Outside the Catholic Church there is no salvation ("extra ecclesiam bulla salus"); the Church is necessary to "go" to Heaven. 2) It is possible for non-Catholics of all religions and no religion to be saved in Christ.
Baptism of desire is basically what two things?
1) Perfect love of God (i.e., theological virtue of love/charity). 2) Perfect contrition (sorrow for sin). - Both of which involve the other and include an implicit desire for baptism.
What is a doctrine?
An official teaching of the Church. It's basically an expression, explanation, or clarification of something God has already revealed (e.g., doctrines about the Trinity, or how Christ is both divine and human, or the Eucharist, etc.)
What does Catholicism say about the different non-Catholic branches of Christianity?
1. Non-Catholic Christians - those who are baptized and believe in Christ are in a "certain, although imperfect," communion with the Catholic Church. The Church sees two categories: A) Churches with a valid Eucharist and apostolic succession (e.g., Eastern Orthodox Churches). B) Churches which, from the Catholic point of view, don't have a valid Eucharist and apostolic succession, and so don't fit Catholicism's technical definition of "church," even though they're still Christian and good, faithful people, etc. (e.g., Protestant churches).
What is the difference between the terms "doctrine" vs. "dogma"?
All dogmas are doctrines, but not all doctrines are dogmas - in other words, not all doctrines are infallible, but all dogmas are infallible.
What is a diocese?
Also known as a "particular" or "local" Church, the regional community of believers, who commonly gather in parishes, under the leadership of a bishop. At times, a diocese is determined not on the basis of geography but on the basis of language or right.
What was the Sanhedrin?
An assembly of Jewish religious leaders - chief priests, rabbis, scribes, and elders - who functioned as the supreme council and tribunal during the time of Christ.
What is a dogma?
An infallible Church teaching/doctrine.
True / False: In Catholicism, all Church teachings are considered to be infallible.
False
True / False: In Catholicism, only infallible teachings must be accepted by Catholics.
False
True/False: "Purgatory tests you to see if you should go to Heaven or hell."
False
True/False: According to Catholicism, non-Christian and non-Jewish religions are also revealed by God, just as Christianity and Judaism are.
False
True/False: In Catholic doctrine, the Holy Spirit did not begin to exist until Pentecost.
False
True/False: In Catholicism, only infallible teachings need to be accepted by the faithful.
False
Our textbook says that the above metaphors shouldn't be taken too literally, because we need to avoid what misunderstanding?
If we take any of these metaphors to the extreme, God comes off as an angry and cold-hearted accountant, demanding exact payment in blood before setting us free.
Explain the tree analogy, and what different religious groups are like in the analogy.
In Catholic theology, the Catholic Church is like a tree planted by God. Eastern Orthodox Churches are a branch that's partially broken off. Protestant groups are branches that have separated completely. Judaism is like a large chunk of the roots that got separated. And other religions are plants that are similar to the tree, but different, and planted by humans, not directly by God.
The hypostatic union is the result of the ____________.
Incarnation
In Catholic teaching, where did the Church come from? Also, how was God preparing the way for the Church even before it was instituted?
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who is himself fully God, established the Church when he proclaimed and ushered in the Kingdom of God. The Father's call to the people of Israel to enter into a covenant relationship with Him was the clearest preparation for the Church. God desires that the whole human race, rather than simple one people, may come together as one People of God. Thus from all eternity, God planned to form a church as a means of fulfilling that plan.
After the Last Supper, where does Jesus go, and what happens there?
Jesus goes with the Apostles to one of his favorite places to pray, the garden at Gethsemane. While hes in prayer, accepting his Fathers will, Judas leads the Temple guards to him so that he can be arrested and taken before the Jewish religious leaders.
According to the Gospels, when Jesus first enters Jerusalem in the days leading up to His death, how do the crowds react to Him?
Jesus' presence in the city was too direct a challenge to ignore. When Jesus arrived, crowds welcomed him as a triumphant king.
According to our textbook, what is the difference between the way Jewish people become part of the People of God vs. the way followers of Christ become part of the People of God?
Jews became part of the People of God by birth [i.e., being descended from Abraham]; followers of Christ become part of the People of God not through physical birth but through the spiritual birth of baptism and faith in Christ.
What does Catholicism say about Judaism?
Judaism - closer to Catholicism than other non-Christian religions, because the Jewish faith is "already a response to God's revelation in the Old Covenant." Christianity's roots are in Judaism.
For Catholicism, are other religions "false"? Are they also revealed by God? How is the answer for this different for 1) Judaism and non-Catholic branches of Christianity, vs. 2) other religions besides Christianity and Judaism?
Judaism and non-Catholic types of Christianity believe many of the same revealed truths that Catholicism does, so they're not "false." Rather, the Church would say that they lack certain truths that God has revealed, or have a mistaken understanding of certain revealed truths. Similarly, although according to Catholicism, other (non-Jewish and non-Christian) (e.g., Islam, Hinduism, etc.) are not revealed religions in the way that Christianity and Judaism are, they still have many good and true elements.
In one episode of Downtown Abbey, the cook, Mrs. Patmore, gets angry at her kitchen maid, Daisy, for saying something in front of Lady Grantham that could make her (Mrs. Patmore) look bad. Mrs. Patmore feels betrayed by Daisy. "I was only trying to help," Daisy says apologetically, to which Mrs. Patmore yells, "Oh, like Judas was only trying to help, I suppose, when he brought the Roman soldiers to the garden!" Based on what you've learned, what's wrong with that line?
Judas deliberately did it and they were Temple guards.
What is the point of the analogy about how not everything a president or Congress member says is a law?
Not everything the president or a member of Congress says or writes is a law, or an official policy of the government. Also, not everything someone from some organization says represents that organization's official position. Indeed, sometimes a bishop or even a pope might say or write something that is not in line with Church doctrine, and they'll get called on it. And often, a bishop or pope might express an opinion on some religious matter, but without intending to make it official Church teachin
How is the term "redemption" used in the Old Testament and in the New Testament?
OT: Refers to Yahweh's deliverance of Israel. NT: Refers to Christs deliverance of all Christians from the forces of sin. Christ our Redeemer paid the price to free us from the slavery of sin and bring about our redemption.
Christ is how many persons?
One divine person
Only who has this authority to teach in Jesus's name?
Only the bishops and Pope.
According to our textbook, what does Jesus's obedience have to do with original sin and with us?
Our first parents disobeyed God, and through their disobedience brought sin and death into the world. To rescue us from this situation, the Son of God assumed a human nature, becoming our perfect mediation. Through Christs perfect obedience to His Fathers will he restores human nature to its original holiness. This is why we call Jesus the New Adam. However, we should never assume that obedience always came easily to Jesus and that he never struggled with it. We are called to follow Jesus' example to be obedient to his Fathers will because God is a perfectly loving parent who wants what is best for us. When we are obedient to him, we grow in holiness, which is to say we grow to be in closer communion with him.
What is the Parousia / Second Coming?
The Second Coming of Christ at the end of time, when God's kingdom will be fully established and His triumph over evil will be complete.
What is eschatology?
The area of theology that focuses on the "last things" (death; judgment; hell, Purgatory, and Heaven; resurrection of the body) and the last or final condition of creation.
What happens to the body at the end of time? When does our body become a "spiritual body"?
The bodies of all who have died will be resurrected (like Jesus's body) and reunited with the soul as "spiritual bodies," whether the soul is in Heaven or in hell.
What is G-Nys's idea of epektasis?
The never-ending journey of being drawn "out of yourself" and united more and more with God, going "deeper and deeper" or "higher and higher" into God, even in Heaven.
What does "pain of loss" mean?
The pain in hell that comes from separation from God, the loss of grace, etc.
According to our textbook, what power did Christ give to His apostles and their successors?
The power to act in his place.
What is the Communion of Saints?
The spiritual union of all those who believe in Christ and have been redeemed, including both those who have died (in Heaven and Purgatory) and those who are still living.
What is the relation between Passover, Jesus, and the Eucharist?
These all testify that soon before his death, at a Passover meal, Jesus turned ordinary bread and wine into his sacred Body and Blood and shared these with the Twelve Apostles, commanding them to "do this in memory of me." This was the first celebration of the Eucharist. By instituting the Eucharist, Jesus gave the Church a great gift - the gift of himself - present to us in his Body and Blood. This LM reveals that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, who's life is given that we might be freed from sin and death. Just as the original Paschal Lamb was offered to free the people of Israel from their slavery in Egypt, so through the Paschal Mystery Jesus life is offered up for us. This is the core of the PM, which we enter into every time we participate in the Eucharist. *Jesus is new Paschal/Passover Lamb.
Who/what were the chief priests?
These were Jewish priests of high rank in the Temple. They had administrative authority and presided over important Temple functions and were probably leaders in the Sanhedrin.
What does Catholicism say about other religions besides Christianity and Judaism?
They have many good and true elements.
After Jesus is arrested by the Temple Guard in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is brought before the Sanhedrin for a trial. How do the religious leaders feel about Jesus as they begin the trial, and what is their goal? When is the trial held, and why? What happens at the trial? Also, why is Jesus not immediately condemned to death by the Sanhedrin?
They question Jesus, and key leaders are determined to find him guilty of a capital crime. The fact that its now late at night would seem to indicate that these leaders wanted to keep this trial out of public view and get it over quickly. Because of Jesus' popularity with the non-elites, they were concerned that there would be riots if their treatment of Jesus became public. They find Jesus guilty of blasphemy when he confirms that he is the Messiah. According to the Law, the penalty for blasphemy is death by stoning. However, since they're now under Roman authority, the Jewish leaders didn't have authority to condemn someone to death.
Things revealed and established by God vs. things that are human-made and established only by the Church:
Things revealed and established by God: - The Trinity - The Incarnation - Original sin - The Ten Commandments - The hierarchy of pope - Bishops - Priests - And deacons - Etc. Things human-made and established only by the Church: - The system of cardinals for electing the pope - Rules about eating meat on Fridays in Lent - Priestly celibacy - The prayers said at Mass - Etc.
What is supernatural knowledge of God?
Things that we can only know if God reveals them to us, i.e., things we know not because we can demonstrate them by reasoning, but because we have faith in God's revelation. It includes things like the Trinity and the resurrection of our bodies at the end of time.
What would be a more positive way of talking about temporal punishment?
Think of it not as punishment, but healing, cleansing, sanctification, a journey of becoming more holy and loving, which can sometimes be painful, and involve a "purging" of our selfishness, etc.
According to our textbook, why can the common idea of Pentecost as the "birthday of the Church" be misleading?
This can be misleading if we mean that the Church began on Pentecost. Recall that the Father and His Son were involved with the Church before the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The Church was born primarily of Christ's total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated when he instituted the Eucharist, and fulfilled in his death on the cross.
What does revelation have to do with Scripture and Tradition?
This revelation is contained in Scripture and Tradition, which together make up the deposit of faith, which is entrusted to the Church.
Reason gives us ____________ knowledge of God, while revelation gives us ____________ knowledge of God.
natural ; supernatural
