Christianity Themes and Key Terms

Key Terms & Themes

• Vice vs. Virtue: Vice is bad behavior (e.g., lying, selfishness); virtue is good behavior (e.g., honesty, kindness).
• Covenant: A promise or agreement between God and people.
• Old Testament Covenants vs. New Testament Covenant: Old Testament: God made promises to specific people (Abraham, Moses, Jewish people). New Testament: God's promise is for all people through Jesus.
• Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus: Incarnation: Jesus (God) becoming human; Resurrection: Jesus rising from the dead.
• Old Testament Themes vs. New Testament Themes: Old Testament focuses on laws and promises to Jews; New Testament focuses on Jesus' teachings of love, forgiveness, and salvation for everyone.
• Parables: Short stories with lessons, like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan.
• Agape/Charity: Agape is unconditional love (God's love for us); Charity is helping others out of love.
• Philia, Eros: Philia is friendship love; Eros is romantic love.

Additional Topics

• Literalist vs. Contextualist: Literalists interpret the Bible literally; Contextualists consider the situation and culture of the time.
• Inerrancy: The Bible has no mistakes (written with divine guidance).
• Social Justice Issues: Issues like racism, sexism, and poverty affecting fairness and equality.
• Foundation of Catholic Social Justice: Based on respect for human dignity and unconditional love (agape).
• Inclusivity vs. Exclusivity: Inclusivity is accepting everyone; Exclusivity is excluding some people.
• Repentance and Forgiveness: Repentance is feeling sorry for wrong actions and wanting to change; Forgiveness is letting go of anger toward those who have hurt you.
• Conscience: The inner voice guiding decisions between right and wrong.
• Gifts from God: Ourselves, bodies, free will are gifts to be cared for wisely.
• Free Will: The ability to choose between good and bad actions.
• The Beatitudes: Teachings by Jesus about happiness and a good life (e.g. "Blessed are the meek").
• What is Prayer?: Talking to God; Petitionary prayer asks God for something.
• Infatuation vs. Love: Infatuation is a brief attraction; Love is a lasting connection based on care and respect.
• Christ-Like Love: Self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and compassion.
• Two Kinds of Parables: Similitudes (comparisons) and Exemplary parables (teaching lessons).
• Stewardship of Creation: Taking care of the earth and its living things.
• Moral Decision-Making Model: Analyzing decisions by considering the action, reasons, and circumstances.
• Reconciliation and Forgiveness: Letting go of anger to fix broken relationships.
• God's Love and Life Events: God's love is constant throughout life's struggles.
• Trust in God vs. Following Rules: Old Testament focuses on rules; New Testament emphasizes trusting and loving God.
• Why was the Incarnation of Jesus Necessary?: Jesus became human to show God's love and save people.
• What Prevents Us From Accepting Love?: Vices like pride or selfishness.
• Sin vs. Goodness: Sin is doing wrong; Goodness is doing right and following God's way.
• Free Will: The ability to choose good or bad actions; important for personal choices.
• Christians Against Discrimination: Believing everyone deserves equal treatment.
• God Accepts Sinners, Not Sin: God loves everyone, but desires us to ask for forgiveness and not persist in sin.

Explore key terms and themes in Christianity, focusing on the concepts of vice vs. virtue, the nature of covenants, and the significance of Jesus' incarnation and resurrection. This quiz also delves into the differences between the Old and New Testament themes, as well as the importance of parables and types of love.