Theology Study Guide PDF

### 1. What is Theology? Theology is the rigorous study of faith that seeks understanding (fides quaerens intellectum). It begins with the acceptance of God's self-disclosure through revelation and works to comprehend this revelation through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Through this proces...

### 1. What is Theology? Theology is the rigorous study of faith that seeks understanding (fides quaerens intellectum). It begins with the acceptance of God's self-disclosure through revelation and works to comprehend this revelation through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Through this process, one learns about the nature of God, the human condition, and the relationship between them. This knowledge is both factual, consisting of information about God and religious truths, and personal, allowing for a deeper relational understanding of the Divine. ### 2. Who is Israel? The first two accounts of creation in Genesis (1:1-2:4 and 2:4-3:24) collectively communicate the sovereign creation of the world, which is good and ordered, and present the ideal vision of humanity in communion with God. The first narrative establishes a structured creation by God, emphasizing His authority and the inherent goodness of the created order, while the second account introduces the more personal relationship between God and humanity, highlighting human freedom and the consequences of disobedience. Together, they reveal the complexities of humanity’s relationship with God and the implications of exercising free will. ### 3. What is the nature of sin, and what are its consequences? Sin is portrayed as an ironic grasping for goods that ultimately leads to destruction and separation from God. The consequences of sin include estrangement from God, oneself, and others. It disrupts the intended harmony and fulfillment in life. God's response to sin is always redemptive and educational, seeking to restore and rehabilitate rather than simply punish. ### 4. God chooses Abraham. For what purpose? God’s choice of Abraham serves the purpose of establishing a covenant relationship with humanity. This requires Abraham to demonstrate faith and trust, leading to the formation of a great nation that would be a blessing to all people. ### 5. Taken together, the narratives in Genesis 12-50 provide an image of what it means to be God's elect. These narratives illustrate the journey of God’s chosen people through trials, suffering, and ultimately, deliverance. They reflect the core theme of death and resurrection—each patriarch endures challenges that refine their faith and character, embodying the call to love and reconciliation. ### 6. God's deliverance of the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt is the beginning of and a sign of his eventual deliverance of the human family from the bondage of death. This deliverance, initiated by the plagues, particularly the tenth plague, represents a pivotal moment. The firstborn of Egypt is struck down, highlighting the cost of disobedience, while the Hebrew people are required to identify with God's covenantal instructions through the Passover, symbolizing their need to participate actively in their own liberation. ### 7. At Sinai, Moses and the Hebrews enter into a covenant with YHWH. What is this covenant? The covenant at Sinai is a formal agreement in which God lays out the conditions and responsibilities for the Hebrews. It includes the Ten Commandments and additional laws that define how they are to live in relationship with God and one another. This covenant is meant to transform them into a holy people, serving a greater purpose. ### 8. How does the covenant at Sinai relate to God's covenant with Abraham? The Sinai covenant expands upon the promises made to Abraham. While God's covenant with Abraham focused on individual blessings, the Sinai covenant specifies the communal practices and moral framework required for the descendants of Abraham to fulfill their role as a blessing to all nations. ### 9. What is sacrifice; what is worship? Sacrifice is the presentation of oneself and one's life in a gesture of love and devotion to God, wholly offering oneself without the sole focus on destruction. Worship involves recognizing and acknowledging God for who He is, which naturally leads to the offering of oneself in service and love. ### 10. What is the Incarnation? Why does it matter? The Incarnation refers to God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. It matters because it signifies God's deep desire to be in communion with humanity, demonstrating His intimate involvement in the human experience. Jesus as a member of the people Israel and His life on earth exemplify God’s profound commitment to restoration and relationship with humanity, culminating in the offering of Himself for our redemption. ### 11. If God is already with us in the Incarnation, what is the value of Jesus' death-and-resurrection? The death and resurrection of Jesus serve a transformative purpose beyond mere substitution for punishment. They achieve the reconciliation between humanity and God by confronting the very limitations and brokenness of human existence, such as sin and death. Jesus' sacrifice embodies a way of being towards others, demonstrating love and self-giving. By sharing in human experiences, including suffering and death, Jesus shows that love triumphs even over death. His resurrection signifies that this love leads to new life and hope for all humanity, not simply that He pays a penalty. ### 12. What is the Church? The Church is described as the Body of Christ, an extension of Christ's presence in the world. Just as Christ is alive and active, the Church lives through the participation of its members in the life of grace and community that He established. This concept emphasizes unity and interdependence, highlighting how each member of the Church contributes to the whole. In this way, the Body of Christ signifies a communal relationship that embodies God's love and mission on earth. ### 13. What are the sacraments? The sacraments are outward signs instituted by Christ to confer grace. Specifically, Baptism and Eucharist serve to initiate and nourish believers in their faith. Baptism is the sacrament of initiation, marking the entry into the Church and the beginning of a new life in Christ. It symbolizes the cleansing of sin and rebirth as a member of the Body of Christ. The Eucharist, often referred to as Communion, is the sacrament that provides spiritual nourishment by partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ, deepening the believers' union with Him and with one another. ### 14. What is monastic life? Monastic life is a structured way of living that emphasizes community, prayer, work, and sometimes silence, aimed at deepening one's relationship with God. As an exemplar for all Christians, monastic life represents a commitment to spiritual growth and the pursuit of holiness. Life in the body of Christ, as seen through monasticism, includes devotion to shared prayer, love for one another, and service, engaging in practices that facilitate a deeper connection with God and the community of believers. ### 15. What is martyrdom? Martyrdom is the act of witnessing to one's faith, often at the cost of suffering or death. For nuns facing execution, considering it a mercy reflects their understanding of martyrdom as a testament to their unwavering commitment to God. They believe that through their sacrifice, they bear witness to God's love and invite others to recognize that same love, even in the face of death. This profound act of faith can inspire others and encapsulates a deep sense of hope and redemption. ### 16. What is affirmed by the councils of Nicea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon? The councils of Nicea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon collectively affirm essential doctrines regarding the nature of Christ—His divinity, His role as Theotokos (God-bearer) for Mary, and the understanding of Christ as one person in two natures. These formulations matter because they clarify the foundational beliefs of Christianity regarding the identity of Jesus, affirming both His full humanity and full divinity, critical for understanding salvation and the nature of God’s relationship with humanity. ### 17. What does it mean to speak of Mary as Jesus' mother? Mary is recognized as Jesus' mother because she bore Him in her womb, giving physical birth to the incarnate Word of God. Understanding her as our mother too comes from the notion that in Christ, all believers are incorporated into a familial relationship with God. Just as a mother nurtures her child, Mary is seen as a nurturing figure for all who belong to the Church, encouraging believers in their faith journey. ### 18. With this in mind, what is the substance of Christian hope? The substance of Christian hope is the anticipation of communion with God and the fulfillment of our deepest longings. As expressed in the Scriptures, this hope is characterized by an innate thirst for God, rooted in the belief that ultimately, our hearts will find rest and satisfaction in Him. The end goal of this hope is eternal communion and joyful relationship with God, where love prevails, all desires are fulfilled, and true peace exists.