Final

Question 1

Unity over purity

Answer 1

being in agreement is more important than the thing that is being agreed upon

Significance: Constantine cared more about unity because he wanted everyone to be united under him. He didn’t much care if his people were united in Christianity or paganism, but he wanted to have a united front

Question 2

cult

Answer 2

community that venerates an individual

significance: this idea is present throughout the course of the Christian tradition–cult of Mary (Proto-Gospel of James), cult of Cassie (Columbine), cult of Perpetua (martyrdom), cult of Jesus, etc. This shows how there were always groups of people who had a connection (the individual venerated) with each other that outsiders did not understand–because outsiders were not a member of the cult.

Question 3

Tri-Lingualism

Answer 3

Only languages that were appropriate for religious purposes until the 1960s: Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. This created a language barrier and the church community couldn’t understand what was happening during religious ceremonies.

Question 4

Tetrarchy

Answer 4

system by which the next emperor peacefully assumed power; consisted of the west and the east both of who had a Caesar (emperor) and an Augustus (next in line)

Significance: when Constantine usurped to the thrown, he upset this system and to many people at the time, gained control of the East illegitimately.

Question 5

gnosis

Answer 5

Greek for knowledge

significance: this special mythical knowledge was only for those with true understanding. Those who had the knowledge could unlock salvation. Gnosticism is founded on this belief of being worthy enough to possess the secret knowledge that leads to salvation, reflecting Origen’s locks and keys idea: that salvation is a search for the “right” key

Question 6

Ecumenical Council

Answer 6

Meeting that is comprised of the Pentarchy (bishops from the five major churches). This includes Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople and Rome.

Question 7

hagiographies

Answer 7

Writings about the lives of saints. An example of this is Acts of the Christian Martyrs of Perpetua and Felicitas. Perpetua died according to her vision, indicating it was a part of God’s plan

Question 8

Synagogue Gentiles

Answer 8

worship the Hebrew God but were not circumcised

Significance: As Paul taught and James affirmed, after Jesus came circumcision was no longer needed for them to be a part of the church because they were saved and accepted by Jesus as they were, without circumcision

Question 9

Relics

Answer 9

items of martyrs’ memory that helps us tell their story, and connect us to the martyr. Later in the Catholic tradition, we transition to veneration of the saints, asking them to intercede for us, asking God for help. (Saturus’ relic was a ring dipped in his blood)

Question 10

Significance

Answer 10

At the time of his reign, only 10% of people were Christians. Since the other 90% were those who respected the tetrarchy, they didn’t like how Constantine usurped to power. If Constantine chose to use this symbol, he would appeal to the Christians who were his only hope of support at the time.

Question 11

Chi-Rho

Answer 11

Symbol Constantine sees in the sky and decides to make it the symbol for his army. This also translate to Christus.

Question 12

usurper

Answer 12

A person who takes power illegitimately. This is the way the government views Constantine when he claims power after his father dies. He eventually defeats Licinus (Caesar of the West) in 324 and Rome is ruled under one emperor. This is when he makes Christianity legal.

Question 13

apostle

Answer 13

a person who knew and was around Jesus during his life

significance: Paul considered himself an apostle even though he never met Jesus, as he calls himself an apostle of Christ in his letters to the Corinthians. He justifies this by saying that he had a vision that enlightened him about Jesus, putting him on the same level as those who actually met Jesus

Question 14

gematria

Answer 14

When someone turns a name into a number; usually as a code. An example of this is the number 666 that comes up in Revelations. This number is code for Nero Caesar who was famous for persecuting Christians. This would allow Christians to communicate to other Christians that persecution was occurring.

Question 15

adiaphora

Answer 15

things between the churches that can be disagreed on that do not affect the official doctrine. An example would be the type of bread used. Filioque is not something that can be disagreed on.

Question 16

hesychastic method

Answer 16

to sit with legs crossed, focused on your belly button while repeating the Jesus prayer. This creates a loop allowing for a mindless state that allows you to transcend yourself.

Question 17

anathema

Answer 17

will lead you to death
Athanasius believed this of Arius’s idea of the differentiation between the Father and the Son. Athanasius claimed Arius was a heretic and was leading his followers on a slope to polytheism.

Question 18

Gnostic Christianity

Answer 18

The Gnostics believe that the spirit is trapped inside the body and believe that it was Jesus’s purpose to teach how to unlock the spirit inside of us with knowledge. The knowledge gave one access to secret keys and passwords that would lead to salvation. Most Gnostic texts are coded and only those within that particular community would know how to read them the correct way.

Question 19

Revelation

Answer 19

vision

Paul got his gospel from a revelation of Jesus. Paul believed he was an apostle because of his revelation of Jesus.

Question 20

Used/Enjoyed

Answer 20

Author: Augustine (430)

Definition: an enjoyment is something that we love intrinsically because it makes us happy. Some things we use in order to get to the things we enjoy

Significance: everything in this life we use to get to our one true enjoyment, the Trinity, because this is the only thing that makes us happy for it’s own sake

Question 21

Jewish Exception

Answer 21

Because Judaism was such a common religion in the ancient world, they were excused from the Roman law which forces its citizens to worship their gods. When Christianity became a separate religion, they no longer fell under the exemption and were subject to punishment.

Question 22

Logos

Answer 22

Author: Origen (ca. 160)

Definition: the mind of God

Significance: scripture is good because it is sourced by Logos (apostles were divinely inspired) and the Word of God (scripture) is Jesus. Everything in the word is good. If what you are reading literally seems to contradict this good, then you must find a figurative meaning

Question 23

Passover

Answer 23

Jewish holiday, celebrating when the Jews were freed from Egypt. They killed lambs and put the blood over their doors so that the angel of death would pass over their home. In the gospel of John, Jesus is crucified the day before Passover when this ceremony would occur. He reclaims the Jewish image of the lamb as Jesus who protects the land of Israel.

Question 24

Locks/keys

Answer 24

Author: Origen (ca. 160)

Definition: scripture is a house with many doors and the keys for each door are hidden behind a door they do not unlock

Significance: scripture interprets other scripture –we understand how Abraham can give Sarah away in Genesis because of how a wife is described as a virtue in Proverbs

Question 25

Massacre of Innocents

Answer 25

In the context of Matthew (80-90) King Herod (King of the Jews) knows that Jesus the messiah or "anointed one" will be born and that he will threaten his throne, so he kills all babies born in the kingdom. In this gospel, Jesus is a king not the savior or God.

Question 26

Epistles

Answer 26

collection of letters

Question 27

Hellenism

Answer 27

Greek system of education and Jewish culture It affected their interpretation of the Torah because they could no longer read the Hebrew language and they participated in Greek traditions along with their Jewish traditions. They became a separate group from the original Jewish communities because of this.

Question 28

Diaspora

Answer 28

The spreading of people due to circumstances such as war. In the context of Paul, this causes his Jewish family to move to a Greek area. This leads to Jewish communities. Over the course of time, it is difficult for this community to read their sacred texts which are in Hebrew. This leads to the translation of the Torah, and as mentioned earlier is known as the Septuagin

Question 29

Signs

Answer 29

those things which are employed to represent something. Augustine says we use things to represent other things which turns them into signs, but not all things are sign. Everything is constructed of interlacing sings, so all things are eventually signs. Augustine says the only thing that can be a thing (represent itself) is the trinity. Everything else is in some way a sign.

Question 30

Septuagint

Answer 30

Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible Septuagint is translated before the NT was written. So, 2nd C BCE.

Question 31

Filioque

Answer 31

Latin for "and the son" Relevance: Put the son on the same level of importance as God, also caused a split between Catholic and Orthodox church.

Question 32

Transubstantiation

Answer 32

Catholic doctrine, bread and wine become different substance when the priest performance of the words of consubstantiation. Relevance: Catholic church use to not allow people to drink the wine (blood) of Christ because of the fear of people spilling and wasting the blood of Chirst, so only the priests would drink the wine. Luther argues that if this is your access to grace why limiting your ability to receive Christ.

Question 33

Assurance of Salvation

Answer 33

Idea originally proposed in Luther's "Freedom of a Christian" that by grace every Christian is confident that the faith that they have is sufficient. We can be assured of our salvation once we have faith in Christ. - Relevance: How do we know if we have authentic faith? Also, Luther says that every believer is a priest and can have access to Jesus and his grace. All believers are kings/part of the royal priesthood mediating for ourselves.

Question 34

Substitutionary atonement

Answer 34

As humans who are sinful we deserve to make an atonement to be right again with God, but Jesus instead does it for us. - This is from the writings of Anselm & his ideas on soteriology

Question 35

Superabundance of Grace

Answer 35

Idea proposed by Anselm that Jesus pays off more than enough debt by his obedience in his death on the cross and He tells us that it cost us nothing. The free will of Jesus covers the free will of man. Since his payment is God-sized, it is big enough to cover us all & our sins. Relevance: Contradicts Athanasius (Orthodox) standpoint that the problem is death and not our debt. Also, Aquinas says that the access to salvation is only through the pope who through apostolic succession has been granted the keys to salvation from St. Peter.

Question 36

Feudalism

Answer 36

The economic structure used in medieval Europe based on a pyramidal relationship of taxation. (Lowest are serfs, then lords, then princes and then the king). Relevance: The system of debt and repayments is then used in developing Catholic theology related to the distribution of grace.

Question 37

Apophatic Theologian

Answer 37

a theologian who uses negation to talk about God, since God is beyond words. -Relevance: In reference to Pseudo-Dionysius who was known for his mystical theology.

Question 38

Mystical Theology

Answer 38

Theology explored by Ps-Dionysius with the critical belief that God is darkness and unknowing. He taught that Christians should not be certain about our comprehensions of God, or our lack of ability to capture God through the use of words in the Bible.

Question 39

Scholasticism

Answer 39

fide quarens intelligatiam (faith seeking understanding which leads to logic) Logic: Inquiry for an understanding Significance: we use rational thinking and logic to confirm our faith (Aquinas, Summa Theologica, 1271)

Question 40

Priests

Answer 40

people in charge, they are the mediators of the 7 sacraments

Question 41

Mysteries

Answer 41

Rituals of contemplation Greek Orthodox believes in mysteries, and that there is no set number of mysteries. This is not transactional

Question 42

Sacrament

Answer 42

Things that make you holy or more sacred Roman Catholic's believe in 7 Sacraments (1. Baptism, 2.Communion, 3. Reconciliation, 4. Confirmation, 5. Marriage, 6. Ordination, 7. Unction) Each sacrament adds more grace paid to your debts for all of the constant sinning that you do. Each sin dishonors God, so by participating in the sacraments, Catholics are honoring God again by receiving his favor and forgiveness. Very transactional in nature.

Question 43

Soteriology

Answer 43

Definition: The study of religious traditions of salvation, mainly as they apply to Jesus Christ. Significance: Throughout the years, different religions (Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic, churches we've discussed) have disputed on these doctrines, often comparing beliefs on what salvation is and how it is reached.

Question 44

Creed

Answer 44

Is a statement of belief

Question 45

Marriage in the Ancient World

Answer 45

making babies with someone means you are married. In the 11th Century Catholics developed the Sacrament of Marriage

Question 46

Sexual Renunciation

Answer 46

Giving up sex all together, even in the context of marriage Augustine practices sexual renunciation to prove that he is a hardcore Christian and is not just jumping on the bandwagon because it is no longer illegal. Augustine believed that in order to show his devotion he had to give something up to God to show his conversion to Christianity.

Question 47

Ascetics, asceticism

Answer 47

A life of simplicity, those who live lives of simplicity. A rise in monastic life came about around 325 and after, such as in the Life of Antony. Monks were known to live in the desert, or in mountain sides/caves as a way to separate themselves from society and seek a next-level devotion to God. -New type of martyrdom

Question 48

Hypostatic Union

Answer 48

Teaching that Jesus is 2 ousios (both human and God) and 1 hypostases (that which makes the Son the Son... begotten, incarnated). Belief established at the Council of Chalcedon 451ce.

Question 49

Homoousios

Answer 49

Same substance, consubstantial. Stance that the Son and the Father are of the same substance. Problem: Where is the Holy Spirit? This is the stance of Athanasius.

Question 50

Cappadocian Fathers

Answer 50

3 bishops who agreed with Athanasius' presentation of homoousios. (1 ousios & 3 hypostases). Using philosophical reasoning, they taught there is one undifferentiated substance and 3 differentiated substances in God. This developed the first teachings on the Trinity.

Question 51

Homoiousios

Answer 51

of a similar substance. Idea that Jesus had a similar substance as the Father. (Semi-Arian belief). Arius taught that there was differentiation of the Father and Son, that the Father had to come first and create the Son.

Question 52

Theosis

Answer 52

the belief of the process of becoming more like God daily. This is a belief of many Orthodox churches. Relevance: For saints (ex. Perpetua) it can happen during life, but in Orthodox theology, or "dormition" the fulfillment of life or transformation after death, is to being like God.

Question 53

Orthodoxy

Answer 53

Correct teaching

Question 54

Heresy

Answer 54

a belief contrary to orthodox (in this case Christian) doctrine

Question 55

Proto Gospel of James (ca. 150)

Answer 55

1. Definition: The gospel account supposedly written by James, Jesus' half brother, and tells the account of Mary and her birth through the time that she has Jesus. 2. Significance: Written for those who were in the cult of Mary, or followers of Mary, this account has the angel Gabriel appearing to both Joseph and Mary rather than just one of the two. Also, it tells the story of Mary being raised in the temple, and how her birth was a miracle, and could have been a virgin birth as well. However, this gospel account is not canonical, meaning it isn't in the New Testament.

Question 56

Gospel of John (ca 120)

Answer 56

1. Definition: 4th gospel, which is separate from the Synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). 2. Significance: This gospel account does not include a genealogy or birth story, but rather starts by stating that Jesus has always existed, as a part of God. Jesus is the "Word", which in Greek means "logos", which explains this connection between God the creator and Jesus. Also, it could have been written to convince believers that Jesus was a part of God the Father/Creator.

Question 57

Matthew

Answer 57

Jesus is portrayed as a king in Matthew because of the genealogical connection Matthew makes between Abraham all the way to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is the King of the Jews because of his heritage/tie to Abraham and other spiritual leaders who God made promises to throughout the Old Testament. (Abraham, David, Solomon, etc) Significance: It portrayed Jesus being like a King since he was a child (opposite of Luke)

Question 58

Luke

Answer 58

80s-90s, In Luke, Jesus is genealogically tied to Adam, the first man. This is significant because he is then related with the "father of humanity" which makes him also a common person, or highlights his humanity.

Question 59

Immaculate Conception

Answer 59

Teaching that the Virgin Mary birth was also a virgin birth. Significance: If Mary was not born from Virgin Birth she would have had original sin. She then would have "passed" this sin on to Jesus and Jesus would not have been sin-free from the start.

Question 60

Quelle

Answer 60

Book that was used as source for the Gospels ( the other source being Mark). This book or collection has not been found, only exists as a hypothesis currently 2. Significance: There are parts of Matthew and Luke that are very similar, so they think that they must have come from the same source. But those events/parts do not occur in Mark, so they think it must have come from another book (Quelle)

Question 61

2-Source Theory

Answer 61

Theory that the Gospel was written from 2 sources ( Mark and Quelle) 2. Significance: Books such as Luke and Matthew have similar events/parts because the sources used to create them were the same or very similar

Question 62

Gentile

Answer 62

Definition: The removal of foreskin 2. Significance: The act of circumcision was a dividing line between Jews who believed one must circumcise and Gentiles who did not believe it was necessary

Question 63

Mary Magdalene

Answer 63

Defintion: Jesus's wife | 2. Significance: It is thought by some that she knew more about Jesus than the 12 Apostles

Question 64

Gentile

Answer 64

1. Definition----- Person who is not a Jew 2. Significance ------ Some were believers in God, but many did not circumcise like the Jews although it was part of the law

Question 65

Figurative reading

Answer 65

1. Definition: Not reading the Bible literally 2. Significance: The Jews did not read the Bible figuratively and would cause conflicts with others who do (the only time reading figuratively is acceptable is if the literal meaning contradicts itself )