Exam 2 - Christianity

belief that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without the "stain of original sin" (Virgin Mary was preserved free from original sin so that Jesus;s was delivered by a "pure vessel")

Jewish prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ by preaching a message of repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River (including Jesus Christ).

Christian rite of passage which involved the use of water to symbolize spiritual purification and new life; often viewed as a delaration of one's faith in Jesus Chris and their belief in his death, burial and resurrection.

a Christian rite believed to be an outward, visible sign of an inward, spiritual grace. Seven of them in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.

primary disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to be his closest followers and to spread his message. "apostle" - "one who is sent out"

"Doctrine of the last things" (end times); branch of theology and philosophy concerned with the end of the world, human history and the ultimate destiny of humanity and the cosmos.

"annointed one;" a divinely appointed leader. In Christianity this is "Jesus Christ" as he fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning a "coming Messiah."

short didactic story that illustrates a lesson or principle

(Holy communion) - central rite/ sacreament that commeorates Jesus's Last Supper. Ritual in which Bread (Body) and Wine (Blood) are consumed.

2nd major division of the Christian Bible (following the old Testament) 27 books written in Koine Greek and categorized into four main sections (The Gospels, The Acts of the Apostles, The Epistles, The Book of Revelation).

first four books of the new testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Serve as the founational accounts of Jesus Christ's life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

First Three books of the New Testament (Matthrw, Mark, and Luke - Not John). "synoptic" means "seen together." these three books share a great deal of content, while John's content, structure and theological focus is largely distinct.

thirteen letters in the New Testament, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. Authorship of seven of the epistles is widely accepted to Paul, while the other six are debated and often believed to have been written by his followers in his name.

academic question of how the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke relate; search for a "convincing theory" that can explain how these three share so much material while also having their individual character and content

most widely accepted scholarly solution to the Synoptic Problem; Proposes that Matthew and Luke were written written independently of each other but referencesd two common sources (Mark + Q)

hypothetical, now lost, written source that is believed to have been a collection of the sayings and teachings of Jesus, central to the Two Source Hypothesis. Believed to have predated Mark and to contain almost exclusively Jesus's sayings and parables (no narratives).

event 40 days after Jesus' ressurection, where Jesus ascended into heaven. Signifies end of "earthly ministry" and start of his role as "mediator for believes in heaven" promised too that he would one day return

Event (in Acts) where, during Shavout, where "tongues of fire" descent and grant them ability to speak other languages - symbol of unification and universalization of Christianity

(saul) a Jewish Pharisee who was converted on the road to Damascus. Took missionary journeys and focused on spreading the gospel to gentiles.

dying for one's beliefs; Stephen highlighted as the first.

hostility, harassment, or ill-treatment experienced by Christians for their faith.

non-jew

belief/ debate as to whether or not God's salvation should be extended to non-Jewish people (Gentiles)

Roman army officer who is considered by many to be the first Gentile to convert to Christianity (Acts 10)

council created in 50 CE to determine whether or not Gentile converts should be allowed into "Christianity"

influential Christian theologians whose writings played a crucial role in establishing founcational doctrines/ framework of Christianity (ex: Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons + Augustine of Hippo)

study of the church fathers

Christian writers/ theologians who were believed to have been the generation directly after the Apostles of Jesus (believed to have either known/ influenced by the Apostles)

"Teaching" early document thought to be the early teaching of the Twelve Apostles (3 sections: "the Two Ways," Rituals, Church Organization

section of the Didache which outlines foudational moral framework for Christian living by contrasting "the way of life" and the "way of death"

church governance in which bishops are the chief leaders (bishops, priests, presbyters and deacons) and are considered successors of the original apostiles

first instance of state "sponsored" persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire (64CE) under Emperor Nero triggered by the Great Fire of Roman whom Nero wished to blame on the Christians.

2nd century Greek philosopher wgi write a polemical work against Christianity (jesus as a petty sorcerer, son of Pantera, etc.)

majory dualistic religion founded in 3rd century which was focused on forces of light and dark; good and evil. Blended elements of many faiths, still eventually disappeared

field related to the defense of a belief system; in Christian history refuting the ill willed roman accusations

key Christian apologetic who wrote two key apologies (Tertullian and Origen)

last and most severed persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire in their series of "Roman Persecutions" under Diocletian

belief contrary to the Orthodox doctrine (important ones are Arianism and Gnosticism)

beliefs associated with Arius, that the son is not consubstantial with the Father

esoteric sects emphasizing secret knowledge (gnosis) material world enacted by a lesser God (Demiurge)

1st Christian Emperor (306CE to 337CE) whom, after defeating rival emperors in civil wars, founded constantinople whos state religion was Christianity. Debated as to whether or not his conversion was a matter of real faith or political strategy. Nonetheless his reign turned Christianity into a dominant religion.

Constantine, before this battle, had a vision of a cross and was instructed to place the Chi-Rho on his soldiers shield. His subsequent victory was seen as a turning point in his life and a key event in Christian history.

a procolmation issued by Constantine which granted religous tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, legalizing Christianity and ended the state-sponsered persecution (not yet official religion of the empire).

statement created at the First Counsil of Nicaea in 325 CE - primary purpose of the creed was to settle the Arian controversy and affirmed that Jesus is "of one substance with the Father"

greek theological term meaning "of the same substance" or "of one substance" formally adopted in the Nicene Creed to define the relationship between the holy trinity.

religious "way of life" in which individuals devote themselves to spiritual work

venerated object often kept in cases, etc. in Churches (believed to be tangible links to divine power)