Nostra Aetate

Question 1

The document that, during this time, “mankind is being drawn closer together.” What must the Church do, therefore?

Answer 1

Examine more closely her relationship to other non-Christian religions.

Question 2

What is the document trying to do?

Answer 2

Consider what men have in common and what draws them to “fellowship.”

Question 3

What is similar about the human race?

Answer 3

We all have…
1) One community
2) One origin
3) One final goal: God

Question 4

To whom do the “manifestations of goodness” that come from the Lord extend to?

Answer 4

All men

Question 5

What do most men expect from their religion?

Answer 5

Answers to questions that the finite mind cannot comprehend. A solution to riddles that have been presented to mankind about its condition.
- What is man?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is sin?
- What is moral good?
-What is suffering? Why do we have it?
- Where are we going?
- What are death and judgement?

Question 6

All throughout history, people have recognized the _________________.

Answer 6

Presence of a Supreme Being, that some might even call a Father.

Question 7

As time advances, how does this affect the ability of religions to answer the questions previously listed?

Answer 7

It makes it significantly more difficult.

Question 8

How does Hinduism contemplate and express divine mystery?

Answer 8

Through myths and “searching philosophical inquiry.”

Question 9

What is the goal of the Hindu religion?

Answer 9

To achieve an ultimate state of enlightenment (nirvana) and to be free from the anguish of the human condition.
- This can be achieved through meditation (or a flight to God with love and trust).

Question 10

What do the Buddhists recognize?

Answer 10

The insufficiency of this world and also its changeability.

Question 11

What does Buddhism teach?

Answer 11

That men who are devout may be able to reach an ultimate state of enlightenment or perfect liberation (which may be done with divine help).
- This is called moksha.

Question 12

What does the Catholic Church think/feel/say about other religions’ methods of combating the relentless human heart?

Answer 12

Nothing; we do not condemn it. In fact, we absolutely respect it, despite our own differing rites, rules of life, and teachings.

Question 13

In whom will men find the fullness of religious life?

Answer 13

Jesus Christ

Question 14

Who do the Muslims also worship/adore?

Answer 14

• The one God, who is merciful, all-powerful, and the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Question 15

The Muslims “take pains” to submit to God’s will and decrees, just like which historical/religious figure who they (correctly) link themselves with?

Answer 15

Abraham

Question 16

Do the Muslims acknowledge Jesus as God?

Answer 16

NO, they do not; rather, they revere Him as a prophet.

Question 17

Who do the Muslims especially honor?

Answer 17

Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ

Question 18

What type of life do the Muslims value?

Answer 18

*Moral life

Question 19

In what three ways do the Muslims especially worship God?

Answer 19

1) Prayer
2) Fasting
3) Almsgiving

Question 20

What can these three things be related to?

Answer 20

Christians during the season of Lent; the faithful are called to do these three things wholeheartedly and sincerely especially during this time of the liturgical year (although we should absolutely do it all year round.)

Question 21

What does this synod urge Muslims and Christians do to in regards to their hostile and often violent history with one another?

Answer 21

1) Forget the past
2) Work for a better understanding
3) Preserve and promote social justice and moral welfare

Question 22

Who is the statement about “forgetting the past” directed to in this document?

Answer 22

The Muslims regarding the Crusades (which were started by the Christians)
- Pope Urban II gave a sermon at the Council of Clermont that called for the Christians to unite and recapture Jerusalem from the Muslims, thus inciting the First Crusade.

Question 23

What question can be raised now about the history between the Muslims and the Christians, based off of events that have taken place since Vatican II?

Answer 23

9/11 raises certain questions towards the Muslim-Christian relationship; should we (the Christians) forget this? Would it be in accordance with our faith to forget the anger and resentment that we still undoubtedly hold towards all Muslims/Islamic people even now due to the events of 9/11?

Question 24

The Church acknowledges that its founding and beginnings are found within the Jewish faith. Specifically, which aspects of it?

Answer 24

1) The Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)
2) Moses
3) All of the prophets

Question 25

What does this document say the salvation of the Church is foreshadowed by?

Answer 25

The exodus of the Chosen People (the Jewish people) from the land of bondage (Egypt).

Question 26

The Church cannot forget that she received the revelation of the _____________________ from the Jewish people.

Answer 26

Old Testament

Question 27

What does the Church believe the Cross of Christ accomplished for the Jewish people and the Gentiles?

Answer 27

Reconciled the two peoples and made them one in Himself.

Question 28

What question can be raised about this?

Answer 28

How can this be, because the Jewish people do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior/the Son of God?

Question 29

What does the Church also have to recognize about the most important figures in our own faith?

Answer 29

That these figures (including Jesus Christ, his Apostles/disciples, his Mother, Mary, etc.) were all of the JEWISH faith.

Question 30

Nostra Aetate notes that, when Jesus Christ was in Jerusalem, it did not recognize that it was in the presence of the Son of God, and that many Jews did not accept the Gospel and, in fact, opposed its spreading. What does this document still assert?

Answer 30

That God chose them as his People, and that he does not and cannot regret any of his choices or blessings.

Question 31

The Church states that, because our ties as Christians to the Jewish people are so great, what must we do?

Answer 31

Foster and nature a loving and caring relationship.

Question 32

Yes, the Jewish leaders ___________________, but this CANNOT _____________________.

Answer 32

1) Pressed for the death of Christ 2) charged against all Jewish people then AND now

Question 33

The Church calls itself what throughout this document?

Answer 33

"The new people of God"

Question 34

What does the Church state is unethical now that the Church is in existence?

Answer 34

The teaching that the Jewish people are rejected now that the Church is in existence.

Question 35

What does this document, speaking on behalf of the entire Church, reject?

Answer 35

"Hatred, persecutions, displays of antisemitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone." - Additionally, the Church also "reproves, as foreign to the mind of Christ, any discrimination against men or harassment of them because of their race, color, condition of life, or religion."

Question 36

The Church/this document makes what argument about the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ?

Answer 36

That Christ endured His Passion and Death freely, and that he did so that all may receive salvation.

Question 37

Because Jesus Christ endured his Passion and Death freely, what is the Cross of Christ a sign of?

Answer 37

God's all-embracing love as the fountain from which every grace flows.

Question 38

What can we NOT do if we refuse to treat another man in a brotherly way?

Answer 38

Truly call upon God for any reason, as every man was created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore deserves dignity (and is worthy of honor and respect).

Question 39

What Scripture passage shows the close relationship between man and God the Father and man and his brothers?

Answer 39

"He who does not know love does not know God" (1 John 4:8).

Question 40

What is the major purpose of this document, paraphrased?

Answer 40

To ask all Christians to live a life in peace, in which they live in peace with all peoples for the entirety of their lives, in order to be true children of God.