Theology Unit 1: Knowing God

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of theology?

The study of the universe and cosmic events

The analysis of historical religious figures

The study of God and religious beliefs (correct)

The examination of sacred texts only

Which concept explains the belief that God reveals Himself through creation and human reasoning?

Divine Revelation

Deposit of Faith

Sacred Tradition

Natural Revelation (correct)

What does 'Apostolic Succession' refer to?

The tradition of moral teachings in the Church

The method of interpreting sacred texts

The historical events surrounding Jesus' life

The spiritual authority passed from apostles to bishops (correct)

According to St. Augustine, what is the reason for human restlessness?

A desire for fulfillment in God Signup and view all the answers

Which of Aquinas’ proofs argues that there must be a cause behind every effect?

Causation Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Magisterium' refer to in the context of the Church?

The Church's teaching authority Signup and view all the answers

In the context of theological concepts, what does 'Deposit of Faith' encompass?

The complete teaching of the Catholic faith from Sacred Scripture and Tradition Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about secularism is true?

It advocates for the separation of religion from public life Signup and view all the answers

What does the first premise of the Kalam argument assert?

Everything that begins to exist has a cause. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate source of Divine Revelation?

God Himself. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct response to Divine Revelation according to the content?

Faith. Signup and view all the answers

Why do we have multiple creeds in Christianity?

To clarify Church teachings and combat false beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

In the explanation of the Trinity, what does the term 'consubstantial' mean?

The Son shares the same divine essence as the Father. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hypostatic union' refer to?

The union of divine and human natures in Christ. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of truth is NOT typically found in Scripture?

Personal anecdotes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines Original Sin?

The first sin affecting all humanity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Holy Spirit as per the Economic Trinity?

To sanctify. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Deuterocanonical' refer to?

Seven Old Testament books included in the Catholic Bible. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'inerrancy' in the context of the Bible refer to?

The belief that the Bible is free from error in teaching faith truths. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Allegorical Sense of Scripture?

The deeper meaning pointing to Christ. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Protoevangelium?

It is a promise of a coming Savior. Signup and view all the answers

What did God reveal His name to be at the burning bush?

Yahweh Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the Israelites being spared during the Exodus?

Marking their doors with lamb's blood Signup and view all the answers

Which cycle demonstrates the pattern of behavior found in the Book of Judges?

Sin → Oppression → Repentance → Deliverance Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the prophet in the Old Testament?

To deliver God's messages to the people Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of King David's sin with Bathsheba?

He repented and wrote Psalm 51 Signup and view all the answers

How did God help the Israelites conquer Jericho?

Through their musical instruments and silent marching Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of Original Sin according to the beliefs described?

Loss of grace and separation from God Signup and view all the answers

Which kingdom was conquered by Babylon?

Kingdom of Judah Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Messiah' refer to in the Old Testament context?

The anointed one promised by God Signup and view all the answers

Who led the Israelites into the Promised Land?

Joshua Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the creation accounts in Genesis?

Both emphasize God’s power but differ in details Signup and view all the answers

What event is represented by the Golden Calf?

An idol worshiped when the Israelites lost faith Signup and view all the answers

What action did God take to cleanse the world of sin during Noah's time?

Sent a flood Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

UNIT 1: KNOWING GOD

Theology: The study of God and religious beliefs, understanding God's nature and relationship with humanity.
Divine: Related to God, possessing supernatural qualities.
Natural Revelation: God revealing Himself through creation and human reason.
Divine Revelation: God revealing Himself directly through Scripture, Tradition, and Jesus Christ.
Sacred Scripture: The inspired Word of God in the Bible.
Sacred Tradition: The Church's teachings passed down from the apostles.
Magisterium: The Church's teaching authority (Pope and bishops).
Apostolic Succession: Passing of spiritual authority from apostles to bishops.
Faith: God-given belief and trust in Him.
Deposit of Faith: The full teaching of the Catholic faith in Scripture and Tradition.
Secularism: Religion's separation from public life, emphasizing worldly concerns.
Human Desire for God: Every human has a natural desire for God, written in their hearts, because they were created by Him.
Fulfillment in God: Only God can completely satisfy human desires as humans are created for eternal life with Him.
St. Augustine's Quote: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." Humans seek fulfillment in God.
Natural Revelation Examples: Creation's beauty and order point to a creator; human reason's ability to think and seek truth leads to recognizing God's existence.
Aquinas' Five Proofs: Motion, Causation, Contingency, Degrees of Perfection, and Intelligent Design prove God's existence.
Kalam Argument Premises & Conclusion: Everything that begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe has a cause (God).
Natural vs. Divine Revelation: Natural Revelation: Knowing God through nature and reason; Divine Revelation: God revealing Himself directly through Scripture and Jesus.
Learning about God: Natural Revelation reveals God as Creator, eternal, powerful, and intelligent; Divine Revelation reveals God's love, salvation plan, and Jesus Christ.
Need for Divine Revelation: Human understanding is limited; we need Divine Revelation to fully know God.
Divine Revelation's Transmission: Through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
Response to Divine Revelation: Faith is the adequate response, believing and trusting in God.
Source of Divine Revelation: God passed down through the Church.

UNIT 2: THE CREED

Creed: A formal statement of Christian beliefs.
Trinity: One God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Person: A distinct individual; each Trinity member is a Person.
Substance/Nature: Essence; Trinity shares one divine nature.
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Visible effects of the Holy Spirit's work (e.g., love, joy, peace).
Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Special abilities helping live a holy life (e.g., wisdom, understanding).
Incarnation: God the Son becoming fully human while remaining fully divine.
Hypostatic Union: Jesus' divine and human natures in one Person.
Hypostasis: The term for each Person of the Trinity.
God is Love: God is love, calling us into a relationship of love with Him.
Multiple Creeds: Developed to clarify Church teachings and combat false beliefs, clarifying Christian doctrines.
Trinity Explanation: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, sharing one divine nature.
Trinity Relationships:
Father: Generates.
Son: Begotten.
Holy Spirit: Proceeds from both.
Trinity's Central Mystery: Reveals God's nature and eternal relationship of love.
Augustine's Analogy: Father = Lover, Son = Beloved, Holy Spirit = Love between them.
Consubstantial: Being of the same divine essence as the Father (Jesus).
Fourth Lateran Council: Defined the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—creating, begetting, proceeding respectively.
God as Father: Source of all life, eternal relationship with the Son.
Jesus' Humanity: Perfectly human, born, suffered, and died.
Jesus' Divinity: Performed miracles, rose from the dead, fully divine.
Holy Spirit Symbols & Titles: Dove, fire, wind; Comforter, Advocate.
Importance of Jesus' Full Humanity and Divinity: To save humanity from sin and as a perfect sacrifice.
Economic Trinity: The Trinity's common work in creation, redemption, and sanctification.
Specific Trinity's Work: Father creates, Son redeems, Holy Spirit sanctifies.

UNIT 3: INTRO TO SCRIPTURE

Inerrancy: Bible's freedom from error in teaching faith and salvation.
Canon: The official list of divinely inspired books in the Bible.
Deuterocanonical: Seven Old Testament books (Catholic, not Protestant).
Septuagint: Greek translation of the Old Testament used by early Christians.
Exegesis: Interpretation and study of Scripture for meaning.
Inspiration: Holy Spirit's guidance in Scripture writing.
Reading the Bible: Consider historical context, literary genres, and Church interpretation.
Dual Authorship: Human authors, inspired by God.
Old vs. New Testament: Old prepares for Christ; New fulfills the Old.
Scripture Senses:
Literal Sense: Intended meaning.
Allegorical Sense: Symbolism pointing to Christ.
Moral Sense: How we should live.
Anagogical Sense: Scripture's relation to eternal life.
Literal vs. Literalistic: Literal: Understanding the intended meaning; Literalistic: Taking everything literally without context.
Biblical Criticism Types: Historical, Source, Form, Redaction.
Scripture Truths: Religious, moral, historical, and scientific.
Scripture Citations: Book, Chapter:Verse format (e.g., John 3:16).
Scripture Writing: Originally oral, later written by inspired authors.
Word of God: Jesus Christ, the ultimate incarnate Word of God.

UNIT 4: OLD TESTAMENT: CREATION TO THE PROMISED LAND

Free Will: Ability to choose between good and evil.
Sin: Deliberate offense against God's law.
Original Holiness: The perfect relationship humans had with God before the Fall.
Original Justice: Perfect harmony between humanity, nature, and God before sin.
Original Sin: Adam and Eve's first sin, affecting all humanity.
Protoevangelium: First promise of a Savior (Genesis 3:15).
Baptism: Sacrament that washes away Original Sin and welcomes one into God's family.
Exodus: Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses.
Old Testament Sections: Law (Torah/Pentateuch), Historical, Wisdom, Prophetic.
Covenants: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David.
Creation Goodness: God declared all creation good.
Creation Accounts: Both emphasize God's power, but one is more poetic, while the other is more detailed.
Creation Purpose: Teach theological truths about God and humanity.
Human Freedom: God made humans free to choose to love Him.
Effects of Original Sin: Suffering, death, loss of grace, and separation from God.
Flood: God sent the flood to cleanse the world of sin.
God's Name: "I AM WHO I AM" (Yahweh) at the burning bush.
Egyptian Plagues: Ten plagues to show God's power over false gods.
Passover: God spared Israelites by marking their doors with lamb’s blood.
Red Sea Miracle: God parted the sea for the Israelites' escape.
Golden Calf: False idol worshiped by faithless Israelites.
Image of God: Humans made in God's likeness—reason and free will.

UNIT 5: OLD TESTAMENT: PROMISED LAND TO THE PROPHETS

Messiah: The promised Savior (Jesus).
Kingdom of Israel: Northern kingdom after division (destroyed by Assyria).
Kingdom of Judah: Southern kingdom (conquered by Babylon).
Prophet: God's messenger.
Samaritans: Mixed Israelites and foreigners, often looked down upon.
Judge: Leaders guiding Israel before the kings.
Crossing the Jordan River: Israelites enter Promised Land—Jordan River parts.
Conquering the Promised Land: God's help, including the fall of Jericho.
Judges' Cycle: Sin → Punishment → Repentance → Deliverance → Repeat.
David and Bathsheba: David committed adultery and had Bathsheba's husband killed, but repented.
David's Repentance (Psalm 51): Repentance and asking for mercy.
Northern & Southern Kingdoms' Fates: Northern Kingdom defeated by Assyria, Southern Kingdom exile to Babylon.
Jerusalem’s Significance: Jerusalem is the spiritual center, housing the Temple.
Prophet's Role: Messenger of God, calling the people to repentance and faithfulness.
Key People: Joshua, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah.

ADDITIONAL TOPICS FROM YOUR NOTES

Babylonian Exile: Jews exiled to Babylon after their kingdom's destruction.
Intermarriage: Intermarriage led to fears of losing Jewish identity.
Synagogues: Jews gathered in synagogues for worship without the Temple.
Jewish Faithfulness During Exile: Keeping the Sabbath, studying the Law, and circumcision.
Return from Exile: Jews rebuilt the Temple and purified their faith, leading to Old Testament compilation.
Hellenism and The Maccabean Revolt: Greek rule and culture imposed on Jews, leading to revolt.
Jesus' Birth: Jesus born in Bethlehem during Herod's reign.

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Explore the foundational concepts in Theology with this quiz on Unit 1: Knowing God. This quiz covers divine revelation, sacred scripture, natural revelation, and the role of the Magisterium in understanding faith. Test your knowledge of the Catholic faith and its teachings!