Biblical Concepts: Virtue, Covenant, and Parables

Study Notes

Key Concepts

Vice vs. Virtue: Vice represents bad behavior (e.g., lying, selfishness), while virtue embodies good behavior (e.g., honesty, kindness).
Covenant: A sacred promise or agreement between God and people. Old Testament covenants involved promises with figures like Abraham and Moses, primarily for the Jewish people. New Testament covenants signify God's promise of salvation for all through Jesus.
Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus: Incarnation describes Jesus' divine nature taking human form. The Resurrection signifies Jesus' return to life after death.
Old Testament vs. New Testament Themes: The Old Testament focuses on laws and God's promises to the Jewish people. The New Testament emphasizes Jesus' teachings on love, forgiveness, salvation for everyone.
Parables: Short, illustrative stories used to teach moral lessons. Examples include the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan.
Agape/Charity: Agape represents unconditional love. Charity is the act of giving due to this unconditional love. Philia is friendship love, and Eros is romantic love.
Literalist vs. Contextualist: A literalist interpretation takes the Bible's words literally, whereas a contextualist perspective interprets them within their historical and cultural context.
Inerrancy: The belief that the Bible's contents are without error, attributed to God's guidance despite human authorship.
Social Justice Issues: Concerns like racism, sexism, and poverty highlighting inequality and injustice. Catholic social justice is rooted in human dignity and unconditional love (agape).
Inclusivity vs. Exclusivity: Inclusivity emphasizes the acceptance of all. Exclusivity is a practice that excludes certain people or groups.
Repentance and Forgiveness: Repentance refers to feeling remorse for wrong actions. Forgiveness describes releasing anger toward someone who has hurt you.
Conscience: An inner voice guiding decision-making between right and wrong.
God's Gifts: Ourselves, our bodies, and free will are gifts from God, requiring careful stewardship.
Free Will: The ability to choose between right and wrong actions.
The Beatitudes: Teachings on how to live a fulfilled life, emphasizing virtues like meekness.
Prayer: Communication with God; a petitionary prayer is a request to God.
Infatuation vs. Love: Infatuation is a temporary, strong attraction. Love is a lasting bond built on respect and care.
Christ-like Love: Selfless, compassionate, and sacrificial actions, modeled after Jesus' example.
Faith: Trusting in God's promises even without complete understanding. Two forms of parables are similitudes (making comparisons) and exemplary tales (using stories to drive home a point).

Course Themes

Reconciliation and Forgiveness: Forgiveness releases anger, while reconciliation resolves damaged relationships.
The Beatitudes: Guiding principles to live a virtuous life.
Old Testament vs. New Testament: The Old Testament emphasizes laws; the New Testament focuses on love and universal salvation.
Learning Through Parables: Jesus' use of simple stories made complex moral teachings accessible.
Christ-Like Love: Actions like self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and compassion are examples of Christ-like behavior.
Infatuation vs. Love: Identifying the difference between fleeting attraction and profound emotional connection is crucial for healthy partnerships.
God's Love and Life Events: God's love remains constant despite life's challenges.
Trust in God vs. Following Rules: The New Testament emphasizes trust and love over strict adherence to rules.
Why Was the Incarnation Necessary?Jesus' embodiment as a human allowed him to demonstrate God's love and offer salvation to all.
What Prevents Us From Accepting Love? Pride and selfishness hinder acceptance and giving of love.
Sin vs. Goodness: Sin is actions that cause harm, while goodness follows God's will and benefits all.
Christian Opposition to Discrimination: All people deserve equal respect and treatment.
God Accepts Sinners, Not Sin: God forgives sinners, but aims for change from sin.
Free Will: Freedom to choose between right and wrong is a crucial aspect of human agency.

Further Reflections

Moral Decision-Making Model: A framework for evaluating choices based on action, motive, and context.
Stewardship of Creation: Taking care of Earth and living things as God's entrusted gift.

Description

Explore key concepts from the Bible, including the contrasts between vice and virtue, the significance of covenants in both the Old and New Testaments, and the teachings of Jesus through parables. This quiz delves into themes like incarnation, resurrection, and the essence of agape love. Test your knowledge and understanding of these foundational biblical principles.