Unit 3 SG_ Revelations PDF

Vocabulary: Revelation: "disclosure of information or knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency," / uncover General Revelation - A revelation that is directly inspired or started by God in order to make himself known to certain people ​ Example: ​ Observing the vastness of the univer...

Vocabulary: Revelation: "disclosure of information or knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency," / uncover General Revelation - A revelation that is directly inspired or started by God in order to make himself known to certain people ​ Example: ​ Observing the vastness of the universe through astronomy and experiencing awe at its complexity, which points to a divine creator. ​ Witnessing the intricacy of biological systems, such as DNA, and concluding that an intelligent designer must have created life. Special Revelation - A revelation that is directly inspired or started by God in order to make himself known to certain people Example: ​ The Bible as the inspired Word of God, revealing His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. ​ Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. ​ The incarnation of Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate special revelation in Christianity. Movement I Vocabulary: ​ Call: Stories in the Bible where God imparts a mission to individuals (e.g., Moses, prophets). ​ Covenant: A promise that is made between two parties where one will keep certain promises and the other will in return promise to protect or support With God: A sacred, love-based agreement between God and His people, marked by eternal commitment. Example: Garden of Eden, The Rainbow after the Flood, the Promises to Abraham, the Passover Meal, the Anointing of King David ​ Sin (transgression): Falling short of God's standards. ​ Vocation: A personal calling from God to live a life of love, which may manifest in priesthood, religious life, or community service. ​ Prophet: A divinely chosen messenger.  ​ Kingdom of Heaven– The idea that there is a life after death in which we can participate both now (trying to bring love to earth) and in the afterlife (in Heaven) ​ Magisterium– The body of official teachers, philosophers, theologians of the Vatican whose role it is to interpret and officially represent the position of the Catholic Church on issues of Moral and Theological standing Key People: ​ Moses: Central figure in Israelite history, lawgiver, and covenant partner with God. ​ YHWH(ya-way): The sacred, ineffable name of God, often replaced with "Adonai" in worship. Key Concepts: ​ Traits of a Covenant: Includes elements like 1.​ Preamble: The introduction that identifies the parties involved in the covenan -​ Biblical Example: In God’s covenant with Moses, the preamble is God declaring His identity: "I am the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:2). -​ Purpose: Establishes the authority and nature of God as the initiator of the covenant. 2.​ Historical prologue: A recounting of the history or relationship between the two parties, particularly emphasizing what one party (God) has done for the other. -​ Biblical Example: Before giving the Ten Commandments, God reminds the Israelites of how He delivered them from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 20:2). Or “ I am the god of your ancestors, the god of isiac, abrah, david” -​ Purpose: Builds trust and shows God's faithfulness as the foundation for the covenant. 3.​ Submission: The conditions or obligations that the parties agree to fulfill. -​ Biblical Example: The Ten Commandments outline the responsibilities of the Israelites as part of their covenant with God (Exodus 20:3-17). -​ Purpose: Clarifies the behavioral expectations and moral framework for the covenant community. 4.​ Witnesses: Those who observe and affirm the covenant. In biblical covenants, witnesses can be people, objects, or even God Himself. -​ Biblical Example: In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses calls heaven and earth to witness the covenant between God and Israel. -​ Purpose: Provides accountability and a communal recognition of the covenant. 5.​ Blessings and curses : The promised rewards for obedience and the consequences of disobedience.  Biblical Example: In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines blessings for following His commands and curses for turning away. (iseralities and moses obeyed god so they escaped egypt. The exodus, and moses broke the tablets on which the 10 commandments were written so he never got to reach the promised land ) Purpose: Encourages faithfulness to the covenant and highlights the seriousness of the relationship. Structure of a Call Story: Typically includes six stages, from God's confrontation to a confirming sign. 1.​ Encounter With God -​ The individual encounters God in a powerful, personal way. -​ Example: Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6). 2.​ Defining Relationship -​ God speaks and establishes His presence, often identifying Himself. -​ Example: "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). 3.​ The Call -​ God assigns a task or mission to the person. -​ Example: Moses is tasked with leading the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:10). 4.​ The Response(Objection by the Prophet-to-Be) -​ The person resists, citing feelings of inadequacy or fear. -​ Example: Moses says, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?" (Exodus 3:11). 5.​ Reassurance by God -​ God provides encouragement, promises His presence, and often gives a sign. -​ Example: "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12). 6.​ The Sign -​ God offers a sign to confirm the mission and His authority. (What sign accompanied Moses to prove to himself and others that God was with them ) -​ Example: God tells Moses that the Israelites will worship Him on Mount Sinai as proof of His call (Exodus 3:12). Staff to snake, 7 plagues Movement II Vocabulary: hermeneutics – A way of interpreting texts and events to help us understand what they mean for us in the twenty-first century. exegesis – The analysis of texts in their original context. Uncovering the historical, cultural, linguistic, etc., particularities that the original author was dealing with in order to better understand the original meaning and intent of the text. parousia – Refers to the second coming of Christ, which is to take place “at the end of the age.” This time ends time: it is the ending of the story of salvation. The end is described as a completion: the full revelation of God. eschatological (hint: it has already happened) – Pertaining to the end of time, in the sense of its fullness. The coming of the kingdom of God at the end of time, according to Jesus, has already begun in his life, death and resurrection. Eschatological ethics is an ethics that insists that we can already live what God will reveal at the end. Gospel Ethics: New Covenant ethics centered on love and relationships. Incarnation: God becoming human in Jesus Christ. Key Concepts: ​ The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount: 1.​ Kingdom of God: God's active presence and desire to be part of our lives. -​ Teaching: Jesus embodies this kingdom as his presence was a great act of love and sacrifice that comes with it. His death for our sins reflects a desire of God to be with us. (Care, Justice) 2.​ Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect: we are called to be children of the father and love each other as a holy family. Only to be achieved within a deep, personal relationship with God as Father— striving for holiness and love, modeled after God's perfection. 3.​ Makes Us Righteous: We are made righteous by God’s loving action, not by our own efforts—it is a gift of grace. This means we are in right standing with God, not because of what we’ve done, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice. When we accept this gift, we are called to live in a way that reflects it, aligning our actions with God’s will. God sees us as righteous because Jesus lives in us through the Holy Spirit, transforming our hearts and lives. Through this, we are both forgiven and empowered to live for Him. 4.​ Eschatological Ethics: Living in light of God's ultimate plan for humanity. Our  actions should be driven by a genuine desire to display generosity to our fullest capacity and love(care to give). Both which are responses to God's infinite goodness. 5.​ Right with God, Right with One Another: Our relationship with God is tied to how we are able to act his word through our actions. Servitude ( vulnerable: hungry, thirsty, sick etc) 6.​ Gospel Ethics: New Covenant ethics based on relating to each other with love and community. Seeing each other as keepers for one and other to care for and reflect humanity and mercy. Movement III Vocabulary: Apostle- Refers to Jesus' chief disciples and Paul. Pentecost- Event marking the Holy Spirit's descent, beginning the Church. Grace- God’s active love and presence in our lives. Conversion– A radical transformation of values, a turning around, that takes place at the intellectual level recognizing truth, a moral level recognizing your freedom and responsibility and a religious level when you shift your beliefs. Gentiles– A term used by the Jewish people to describe all of the people who were not Jewish. Generally these are the people that St Paul Evangelized while St Peter stayed in Jerusalem to minister to the Jews (non- believers) Communion: The special bond that unites all believers in Jesus Christ together. This is what makes the different communities of believers into the Universal Church. Key People ​ Paul (Saul): destroyer of Christians prior to conversion, after conversion name change to Paul, known for the conversion of Gentiles. 1. Tasks of the Church in Guiding Moral Life The Church’s mission is deeply tied to moral and spiritual formation. This includes: 1.​ Shaping Moral Character: The Church helps individuals develop virtues and align their lives with God’s will. This is achieved through preaching, sacraments, catechesis, and living as a model of Christ's teachings. Example: The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount guide Christians toward humility, mercy, and justice. 2.​ Guarding and Maintaining Moral Tradition : The Church preserves the teachings of Christ and the apostles, ensuring they are not lost or distorted over time. This involves studying scripture, interpreting tradition, and clarifying moral truths in new contexts. Example: Defending the sanctity of life, marriage, and social justice based on biblical principles. 3.​ Being a Community of Moral Deliberation: The Church fosters open dialogue and discernment on emerging moral issues, such as bioethics, technology, and social justice. Through councils, synods, and local communities, it provides guidance for navigating contemporary challenges. Example: Papal encyclicals like Laudato Si’ on environmental ethics. The Church as Both Graced and Sinned: The Church is graced because it is the Body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel and administer the sacraments. This grace enables the Church to be a vessel of God’s love, truth, and salvation. Example: Acts of charity, missionary work, and moral guidance that reflect God’s presence in the world. Sinned: The Church is also composed of human beings who are fallible and subject to sin. Over its history, the Church has faced moments of failure, such as corruption, abuse of power, and moral scandals. Example: Historical events like the Crusades or cases of clerical misconduct reveal the human flaws within the institution. Reconciliation of Both Aspects: Despite its imperfections, the Church continually seeks renewal through repentance, reform, and reliance on God’s grace. This duality calls for humility and accountability while remaining faithful to its divine mission. Four Groups Responsible for Moral Tradition (pg 119-120) Moral tradition is not the responsibility of one group but a shared effort across the entire Church. Each group plays a distinct role: 1.​ The Faithful: Laypeople live out the Gospel in their daily lives, bringing Christian ethics into families, workplaces, and society. Example: Parents teaching children moral values based on faith. 2.​ Theologians: Scholars study scripture, tradition, and theology to deepen the Church’s understanding of moral truths. Example: The works of St. Thomas Aquinas, who articulated ethical principles grounded in reason and faith. 3.​ Priests and Pastoral Workers: They guide communities by preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care. Example: A parish priest addressing ethical dilemmas during homilies or offering counsel to parishioners. 4.​ The Teaching Authority of the Church (Magisterium): The Pope and bishops, in communion with the Church, provide authoritative interpretations of scripture and tradition. Example: The issuance of encyclicals, catechisms, and official teachings that clarify moral questions.