Questions and Answers
What is the definition of solidarity?
A Christian virtue of charity and friendship whereby members of the human family share material and spiritual goods.
Upon what is the unity of the Church modeled?
The perfect, intimate relationship of the Blessed Trinity.
One of the great strengths of the Church's unity is her great diversity.
True
What are examples of some of the divisions in the Church?
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The mark of the Church's unity transcends ______ and is basic to the human experience because all people are children of God and created in God's ______.
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The Church is a ______ which offers the world a vision of the unity of the ______ ______ that God intends for all and also offers grace that ______ people to him and one another.
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Besides charity, what are three other realities that guarantee the Church's unity?
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The Church's unity exists in many ______ kinds of people united by ______ ______ and gathered together for ______.
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But on a deeper level, the Church's unity is in God's very ______ -- in love, for as Scripture says, 'God is ______, and whoever remains in love remains in God and ______ in him.'
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How does St. Thomas Aquinas describe God?
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What does St. Augustine say about the desire to know God?
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Agapic love is love that is directed toward the ______, somewhat like a marital ______ between a man and a woman.
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However, the relation between ______ and humans is made deeper because it involves a relationship between the ______ ______ in one God who are already in a loving ______ with one another.
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How does St. Augustine explain the interrelation of the Blessed Trinity?
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Jesus teaches that love of God and ______ ______ ______ are inseparable.
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Jesus' love for other is a ______ expression of the love he shared with his ______, and he knows that love of ______ and love of neighbor do not compete with one another; rather, they are ______ related.
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What did Jesus declare in Matthew 18:20?
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The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is the oldest creed in the Church while the Apostles' Creed, which is recited at Mass on Sundays, dates to a Church council in AD 325.
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The recitation of the creeds in public signifies one's unity with Catholics both locally and worldwide.
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The unity between ______ and God is present in the Church because the ______ ______ beings people together and joins them in Christ.
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What is apostasy?
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Roman emperor Julian did everything within his power to promote the growth of the faith during his reign in the middle of the fourth century.
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A...
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Study Notes
Key Concepts of Church Unity
- Solidarity: A Christian virtue emphasizing charity and friendship, facilitating the sharing of material and spiritual goods among all members of humanity.
- Model of Unity: The unity of the Church is modeled after the perfect relationship of the Blessed Trinity.
- Diversity: The Church's significant strength lies in its unity amid great diversity among its members.
Divisions in the Church
- Denominations: Examples of Church divisions include Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, highlighting the variety of faith expressions within Christianity.
- Basic Unity: The Church’s unity transcends human divisions and reflects the divine creation of all people as children of God.
Features Ensuring Unity
- Realities of Unity: The Church's unity is guaranteed by the profession of one faith, the common celebration of divine worship (especially the Sacraments), and apostolic succession through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
- Diversity in Unity: The Church includes diverse people united by common beliefs, gathering for worship, reflecting a unity rooted in God's love.
Understanding of God
- St. Thomas Aquinas: Describes God as "pure being," the fundamental power and possibility of existence.
- St. Augustine's View: Asserts that knowing God involves understanding love; one cannot confine God to human imagination but must recognize God as love itself.
Nature of Divine Love
- Agapic Love: Reflects a deep love aimed at others, akin to a marital relationship, intertwined with the divine relationship between the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity.
- Trinitarian Love: The Father (Lover), Son (Beloved), and Holy Spirit (bond of love) illustrate interrelations of divine love.
Integration of Love
- Inseparability of Love: Jesus teaches that love for God and love for neighbor are integrated; His love for others expresses His love for the Father and highlights their intrinsic connection.
Community and Presence
- Jesus' Promise: In Matthew 18:20, Jesus assures believers of His presence among them when gathered in His name.
The Creeds
- Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed: The oldest creed of the Church, distinct from the Apostles' Creed, which dates back to AD 325.
- Significance of Creeds: Reciting the creeds publicly affirms unity among Catholics worldwide.
Role of the Church
- Unity in the Church: The unity of individuals with God is manifested through the Church, fostered by the Holy Spirit and the Catholic Church's mission.
- Commissioning: Jesus appointed Peter and the Apostles, establishing the Church's foundational leadership.
Apostasy
- Definition: Apostasy refers to the denial of Christ and the repudiation of the Christian faith by someone who has been baptized.
Historical Context
- Emperor Julian: Contrary to assertions, he took measures to suppress the growth of Christianity during his reign, highlighting the historical challenges faced by the faith.
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Description
Explore the vital aspects of Church unity, emphasizing solidarity, diversity, and the model of unity based on the Blessed Trinity. This quiz covers different denominations and the features that ensure unity within the Church. Test your knowledge on how these concepts shape the Christian faith today.
