The Four Marks of the Church Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Apostasy?

The total repudiation of the Christian Faith.

Who are considered Apostles?

The twelve chosen by Jesus and others like St. Matthias and Paul of Tarsus.

What does Apostolic indicate about the Church?

The Church was founded by Christ and given to the apostles.

What is Apollinarianism?

A heresy that held Christ had only a divine mind and will. Signup and view all the answers

What does Arianism claim about Jesus Christ?

That Jesus Christ was neither God nor equal to the Father. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Athanasian Creed?

An enumeration of Christian beliefs authored by St. Athanasius. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ekumenical mean?

Meaning 'the whole inhabited world'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Ecumenism?

To reunite all Christians and cooperate among faith traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gnosticism teach about salvation?

That salvation comes from obtaining secret experiential knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is Heresy?

The obstinate denial of some truth that must be believed by a baptized person. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Holy See?

The diocese of the Pope, Bishop of Rome. Signup and view all the answers

What does Immutable mean in the context of the Church?

Will never change in its essential aspects. Signup and view all the answers

What is Indulgence?

A remission before God of the temporal punishment due to forgiven sins. Signup and view all the answers

What is Canon Law?

The official internal law of the Catholic Church. Signup and view all the answers

What does Indefectible mean?

Having no flaw or defect. Signup and view all the answers

What is Logos in the New Testament?

A reference to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Marks of the Church?

The four attributes mentioned in the Nicene Creed: One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic. Signup and view all the answers

What is Monophysitism?

The belief that Christ has only one nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is Neo-Platonism?

A pagan school of thought based on the ideas of Plato. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nestorianism teach about Christ?

That Christ is a unity of a divine person and a human person. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Eastern Orthodox Churches?

Various churches that broke communion with the Catholic Church in the 11th century. Signup and view all the answers

What does Perennial mean in relation to the Church?

Will exist until the end of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is Protestantism?

Christian denominations that broke from the Catholic Church during the Reformation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Reformation?

An interrelated series of schisms from the Catholic Church from 1517 to 1648. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Schism?

A breach of the unity of the visible Church. Signup and view all the answers

What does Schismatic mean?

An individual part of a group that breaks away from the Catholic Church. Signup and view all the answers

What are Separated Brethren?

Persons born into schismatic communities and Orthodox Churches. Signup and view all the answers

What does Theotokos mean?

Greek for 'Bearer of God'. Signup and view all the answers

What does Unicity refer to in the context of the Church?

The uniqueness of the Church founded by Christ. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Deposit of Faith?

Sacred tradition and sacred scripture that cannot be changed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Apostacy and Heresy

Apostacy refers to the total repudiation of the Christian Faith, forbidden by the First Commandment.
Heresy denotes the obstinate denial of a truth that must be believed with divine faith.

Apostolic Nature of the Church

Apostolic indicates the Church was founded by Christ and entrusted to the apostles.
The Church is apostolic in three key ways:
- Built upon the foundation of the apostles.
- Guards and transmits apostolic teachings through the Holy Spirit.
- Maintains apostolic succession via bishops, with the Pope as St. Peter's successor.

Key Heresies

Apollinarianism: Denies that Christ had a fully human mind and will, asserting he only possessed a divine nature.
Arianism: Claims Jesus Christ is not truly God or equal to the Father, presenting Him as a unique creature elevated to "Son of God" due to his fidelity.
Gnosticism: Teaches that salvation comes from secret knowledge, denying Christ's true humanity and divine nature.
Monophysitism: Asserts Christ has only one nature, merging divine and human aspects.
Nestorianism: Argues that Christ is two separate persons (divine and human) rather than one person with two natures.

Creeds and Official Teachings

The Athanasian Creed, authored by St. Athanasius, outlines Christian beliefs against Arianism.
The concept of "Logos" refers to Jesus Christ, emphasizing his divine nature in the New Testament context.

Church Structure and Authority

Holy See refers to the Pope's diocese, embodying the central administration of the Catholic Church.
Canon law is the official internal law of the Church, distinguishable between Latin and Eastern rites.

Church Characteristics

Immutable means the Church will not change in its essential aspects, derived from its divine nature.
Indefectible signifies having no flaw, also tied to the Church's divine origin.
Perennial indicates the Church's existence until the end of time, inherent to its divine foundation.
Unicity highlights the Church’s uniqueness as the sole institution founded by Christ.

Ecumenical Efforts

Ecumenical pertains to the global communion of bishops and councils addressing universal Church issues.
Ecumenism seeks to unify Christians globally and foster cooperation among various denominations.

Historical Context

Protestantism encompasses denominations that split from the Catholic Church during the Reformation in the 16th century.
The term schism denotes a breach of unity, particularly the refusal to recognize papal authority.

Other Terminologies

Separated brethren refers to individuals from schismatic communities often unaware of the Catholic Church's truths due to circumstances of their birth.
Theotokos, meaning "Bearer of God," is a title for Mary that affirms Christ's divine and human natures, established at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431.
Deposit of Faith includes sacred tradition and scripture, remaining immutable and essential to the Church's teachings.

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Description

Explore the essential concepts of the Four Marks of the Church through these flashcards. Each card provides definitions for key terms such as Apostasy and Apostle, helping you to better understand the Christian faith. Perfect for those studying theology or preparing for discussions on ecclesiology.