Gospels Overview and Key Themes

I. Gospels

• Four Canonical Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke): Summarize Jesus' earthly life, beginning with the nativity and lineage.
• John's Gospel: Provides a theological account of Jesus' life, starting with the Logos (Word).
• Other Gospels (e.g., Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary Magdalene): Not part of the official canon due to theological inaccuracies or lack of apostolic origin.
• Luke's Account of the Annunciation and Visitation: The angel Gabriel announces Mary's conception of Jesus; Mary visits Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist.
• Connection between Birth of John the Baptist and Jesus: Both births were prophesied by angels; Zechariah doubted but Mary believed. John prepared the way for Jesus.
• Dynamics of the Passion/Cross/Resurrection: Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection are not about divine punishment, but about kenosis (self-emptying love), demonstrating power to raise life over taking it. This contrasts with ancient and modern misconceptions of sacrifice as appeasing divine anger.
• The Passion/Cross/Resurrection is an act of violence, the litmus test of human pain, self-offering; God did not demand it.

II. Christology

• Jesus as a Divine Person with Two Natures: Fully human and fully divine, teaching what it means to be truly human. Humanity was intended for relationship with God and each other.
• Jesus as the Divine Logos: Pre-existed creation, not created but begotten, consubstantial, the second person of the Trinity.
• Communication of Idioms: How the divine and human natures in Jesus are united in one person.
• Events of the Passion: Suffering, death, and resurrection as described in the Gospels.
• Sermon on the Mount/Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12): Teachings on humility, mercy, and righteousness as paths to the Kingdom of Heaven.

III. Pneumatology (Study of the Holy Spirit)

• The Holy Spirit: Third person of the Trinity, consubstantial with Father and Son, involved in creation, redemption (Jesus' baptism, empowering the Church), and sanctification (guiding believers to holiness).

IV. Creation

• Tertullian's Argument for Creation Ex Nihilo: God created the universe from nothing, emphasizing His omnipotence and independence; God is the source of all things.
• Necessity of Creation Ex Nihilo: Demonstrates God's power and sovereignty, creation is a distinct act, not an extension of God.

V. Soteriology

• Three Models of Salvation:
  • Subjective: Personal faith and acceptance of Christ.
  • Substitution: Christ's sacrifice satisfies divine justice for humanity.
  • Christus Victor: Christ's death and resurrection overcome sin, death, and the devil.
• True Meaning of Sacrifice: Kenosis (self-emptying love), dispelling false notions of sacrifice (e.g., appeasing God).
• Revelation of God's Truth: Jesus' life and sacrifice reveal who God is; resulting in a proper relationship between humanity and God.

VI. 4 Marks of the Church

• One: One Body, One God, One Spirit, One Baptism, One Faith.
• Holy: Set apart for God's purpose, holiness from God, expressed through teachings and sacraments.
• Catholic: Universal, Christ present in all times and places, consistent doctrines and sacraments, mission for all people.
• Apostolic: Founded on Apostles' teachings, continuing their mission through apostolic succession.

VII. Baptism

• John's Baptism vs. Christian Baptism: John's baptism was a call to repentance; Christian baptism cleanses sin, imparts grace, and incorporates believers into Christ's Body.
• Infant Baptism: A source of theological division, Catholic Church emphasizes God's grace as a gift, not dependent on merit.
• Effects of Baptism: Forgiveness of sins, new creation, sanctifying grace, incorporation into the body of Christ, participation in the priesthood of Christ, indelible mark on the soul.

VIII. Eschatology

• Resurrection of the Body: Glorified body united with the soul. 1 Corinthians 15:35–49, 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10
• Millennialism: Belief in a 1,000-year reign of Christ; early views included interpretations, no definitive Catholic view point, not a literal thousand years.

IX. Heresies

• Arianism: Denied Jesus' divinity.
• Dynamic Monarchianism (Adoptionism): Jesus was adopted as God's Son.
• Marcionism: Rejected the Old Testament.
• Modalistic Monarchianism (Modalism): God appears as one person in different forms.
• Nestorianism: Denied Mary as the Mother of God, differentiating Jesus' natures.
• Gnosticism: Secret knowledge is the path to salvation, material creation is evil.

X. Creeds

• Nicene Creed: Defines the Trinity and Christ's nature, refuting heresies like Arianism and Nestorianism.

XI. Faith, Reason, and Science

• Christianity and Greek Philosophy: Early theologians integrated Greek thought with Christian theology (e.g., Augustine, Aquinas).
• Church's Stance on Science: Encourages inquiry aligning with faith and morals.
• Ordered World and Modern Science: Belief in an ordered creation grounded the scientific method.