Religion Chapter 8

Question 1

What does Jesus reveal about God?

Answer 1

Jesus reveals the identity and nature of God. God is Trinity of Divine Persons.

Question 2

What is the Trinity?

Answer 2

The Trinity is one God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Question 3

How is our understanding of the Trinity deepened?

Answer 3

By considering the unique role of each Person within the Trinity and by understanding the nature of the human family.

Question 4

Does God create evil or suffering?

Answer 4

No, God does not make evil or suffering, but He permits them out of respect for our free will and because He can bring good out of even the greatest evil.

Question 5

Who is the First Person of the Trinity?

Answer 5

God the Father.

Question 6

What is the first biblical image of God?

Answer 6

Creator — ‘In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1).

Question 7

Why do we owe our existence to God?

Answer 7

Because God is the source of our life and being; we did not create ourselves nor our world.

Question 8

What does baptism do for our relationship with God?

Answer 8

Through baptism, we become adopted sons and daughters of the Father.

Question 9

What does ‘Abba’ mean?

Answer 9

Abba means ‘Papa’ or ‘Daddy’, and is how Jesus referred to God.

Question 10

Why is God called ‘Father’?

Answer 10

Because He has a Son in the Trinity; a father is a father because he has a child, and a son is a son because he has a father.

Question 11

What does Saint Paul write in 1 Timothy 2:4?

Answer 11

God wills everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Question 12

How is God like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

Answer 12

He is a forgiving and loving Father who waits for us to accept His invitation to come home.

Question 13

How do we know God is Father of everyone?

Answer 13

Because He sent His Son to die for the sins of the world.

Question 14

Who is the Second Person of the Trinity?

Answer 14

God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Question 15

What does ‘consubstantial’ mean?

Answer 15

‘Consubstantial’ means of the same essence. The three Persons of the Trinity fully share in the divine nature. We say in the Nicene Creed every Sunday at Mass that the three Persons of the Trinity are consubstantial with one another.

Question 16

What does the Nicene Creed say about the Son?

Answer 16

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

Question 17

Why does the phrase ‘born of the Father before all ages’ matter?

Answer 17

Because time is part of God’s creation; God exists outside of time.

Question 18

What does it mean that the Son is ‘begotten’ of the Father?

Answer 18

The Son is born of the Father, but not in time—it’s eternal.

Question 19

What happened when the Eternal Son became incarnate?

Answer 19

He entered into time.

Question 20

Why is Jesus called the new Adam?

Answer 20

Because as Adam damaged all mankind in the fall, Jesus repairs all mankind through His death and resurrection.

Question 21

How is Jesus our Redeemer?

Answer 21

He saved us from the slavery of sin and death and bridged the gap between heaven and earth.

Question 22

Who is the Third Person of the Trinity?

Answer 22

The Holy Spirit.

Question 23

Why may the Holy Spirit seem veiled?

Answer 23

Compared to our understanding of the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit may seem veiled or hidden.

Question 24

Where does the Holy Spirit proceed from?

Answer 24

From the love between the Father and the Son.

Question 25

When did Jesus send the Holy Spirit?

Answer 25

After His Ascension. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit after His Ascension to guide us to Him.

Question 26

What does the Holy Spirit do in the Church?

Answer 26

He makes her alive and more than just a society of people.

Question 27

Where is the Holy Spirit active?

Answer 27

In the whole Church and in the life of each individual Christian.

Question 28

What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Answer 28

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord.

Question 29

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)?

Answer 29

Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.

Question 30

Why do people question God's goodness if evil exists?

Answer 30

Because it seems contradictory for a good God to allow evil and suffering.

Question 31

What does Genesis 1:31 affirm?

Answer 31

That everything God creates is good.

Question 32

Where did evil come from?

Answer 32

Evil did not come from God but from outside of God.

Question 33

Why doesn’t God destroy evil?

Answer 33

Because it would eliminate our free will, which is necessary for true love and goodness. If God destroyed all evil and suffering, we would no longer be free. In addition, God actively works to bring good out of evil.

Question 34

What does C.S. Lewis say about free will in 'Mere Christianity'?

Answer 34

Free will makes evil possible but also makes love, goodness, and joy possible. God thought it worth the risk.

Question 35

Who is St. Patrick?

Answer 35

A saint known for converting the country of Ireland to Christianity. He converts the pagan people of Ireland.

Question 36

What legend is associated with St. Patrick?

Answer 36

That he used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity.

Question 37

What lesson does Genesis 50:20 teach, related to St. Patrick's story?

Answer 37

'Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good.'

Question 38

Can we fully understand the Trinity?

Answer 38

No, we will never fully understand the Trinity, just as we cannot hold the planet Jupiter in our hand.

Question 39

How are the three Persons of the Trinity described?

Answer 39

They are all equally and fully God, yet really distinct Persons.

Question 40

What gives us a glimpse into the Trinity and heaven?

Answer 40

The love we have for others.