Christian Theology Key Terms

The final revelation of God, marking the end of the story of salvation.

The time between Jesus' resurrection and his second coming.

Jesus' teachings, as recorded by Matthew, are intended to guide Christians after the apostles have passed.

Matthew's Gospel emphasizes unity, forgiveness, and the importance of the Church.

Jesus' authority is emphasized by tracing his lineage back to Abraham and King David, significant figures in Jewish history.

Jesus is presented as the ultimate teacher and authority on Earth.

The Holy Spirit is sent to guide and stay with believers until the end of time.

Jesus' teachings are presented as the fulfillment of the teachings of Moses.

The five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The explanation and interpretation of a text, particularly from the Bible.

The study of how a text's meaning changes across time and cultures.

Matthew's Gospel was written in the city of Antioch, which is now located in Turkey.

Matthew's Gospel was written around 80 C.E., about 50-60 years after Jesus' death.

Matthew's Gospel was written for a Jewish audience.

Matthew's Gospel was written to explain Jesus' identity as the Messiah to a divided Jewish community.

A style of writing that expresses a sense of crisis and hopelessness, often focusing on the belief that God will intervene to liberate people from suffering.

Jesus uses the language of apocalyptic literature to describe the coming of God, but emphasizes God's abundant goodness and not just judgment.

The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of teachings by Jesus that reinterprets and fulfills the teachings of Moses.

The Sermon on the Mount presents Jesus as the ultimate teacher, not just a teacher of the Law but the living embodiment of love.

Jesus' teachings are not imposed from the outside but are written on our hearts; they are meant to be internalized and lived out in our actions.

The Sermon on the Mount presents five contrasting teachings that go beyond the literal interpretation of the Law of Moses.

Jesus expands the 5th Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill", to include any form of anger or hostility towards another person, even thoughts or feelings.

The commandment against adultery (6th) is broken by lustful thoughts even if no physical actions occur. Jesus emphasizes that lustful thoughts violate the commandment.

The 2nd commandment says that God's name is sacred and should not be used lightly. Using God's name to swear is forbidden. Jesus emphasizes oaths should be made using one's own name.

Jesus rebukes the 'eye for an eye' principle of retaliation (Exodus 21:23-26). He urges followers to respond to evil with good, even going so far as to love enemies and pray for those who persecute them.

The Sermon on the Mount provides a blueprint for Christian discipleship. Jesus' teachings highlight a new moral standard: a greater righteousness.

The opening section of the Sermon on the Mount introduces the Beatitudes. They portray the qualities of Jesus' disciples and challenge them to live a righteous life.

The main focus of the Sermon on the Mount is how to live a righteous life. This includes three key areas: contrasting Jewish teaching with Jesus' principles, rejecting Pharisaical practices, and emphasizing true righteousness in God's kingdom.

Jesus insists on a complete trust in God. He encourages believers to live with a single-minded devotion and unwavering faith in their loving Father.

The final message of the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes seeking the Kingdom of God above all else. This means placing God's will at the center of one's life.

A type of proclamation that assumes good or happiness has already been bestowed or is about to be received. The Sermon on the Mount lists these pronouncements: Blessed are the poor in spirit...

Relating to the end of time, signifying its fullness. Jesus taught that the arrival of God's kingdom at the end of time has already started with his life, death, and resurrection.

A unique literary genre that declares the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus from the viewpoint of early Christian communities.

The undeserved and freely given favor that God offers us to become his children, partake in his divine nature, and experience eternal life.

Sacred Scripture is inspired by God. The apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, passed on Christ's teachings through preaching and writing, which are divinely inspired for all generations until Christ's glorious return.

It's a world reflecting God's values, like forgiveness, honesty, and helping others, not just in our actions but in our overall being.

It highlights God's desire to be present in our lives, actively participating in our history. It's about God's love and involvement in our everyday.

It emphasizes that we should embody the characteristics of God, being generous, caring, and forgiving, just as God is.

It refers to being placed in the right relationship with God, not through our own efforts but through God's love and grace.

The sermon's teachings express a yearning for a future reality, where God's kingdom reigns fully, while recognizing the tension between that future and our present.

The Sermon on the Mount emphasizes that while we are invited to live out the values of God's kingdom now, that kingdom will be revealed fully in the future.