Christianity
1st Semester Exam- Part One Theology II SMORE
The Mystery of Redemption
God created the world and upon it he places creatures of all forms, but of all the visible creatures man was the only one "able to know and love his creator." God created our parents first, Adam and Eve, to share in his love and friendship. Man was destined to a blissful life in Heaven.
Original Sin and its Consequences
Chapter 3- The Word Became Flesh (four reasons)
Expiation, Reconciliation, Restoration
Model of holiness
Share in divine life
The Paschal mystery consists of the Passion, Death and Insurrection of Christ are what achieves salvation and shows us God's infinite love. Redemption from Original Sin was only possible through the Paschal Mystery.
The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. Faith is necessary for salvation so we should live a faithful life. Faith is meant to be lived in a way that inspires every facet of life. God calls us all to a life of holiness. Hope signifies a joyful expectation, and by living a life of hope we can expect God to supply the graces necessary for our salvation. Charity enables us to love God above all else and we should love him "because he first loved us." To foster charity we must recall God's goodness. He gives us all so we can at least love him in return.
People are born with an innate desire for God, though some try to deny this innate desire it is there and it can only be filled by communion with God. Prayer is a person's response to God's call. Through a regular life of prayer we are able to know God's will and it is then easier to fulfill his wishes.Through prayer the life of Christ within is increased by the Holy Spirit. Life in Heaven consists of constant, intimate prayer.
The Church
The four marks of the church are one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Just as the church are these things, so is Christ. The church is Christ. Christ is one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, and He is also unique and firm in His unity and solidarity just as the church is. Holy, the church is holy because Christ fills her with His sanctifying grace. Christ is universal. He is everywhere at everytime, He was there as God when the universe was made. The church also strives to be universal, she is in many places but she in the sense of her universality is whole and complete due to Christ and His holiness. The church is also apostolic because the Twelve Apostles are the foundation of Christ's church, each of whom were entrusted with Christ's authority to teach, sanctify, and govern His church.
The surest way to die happily is to have lived a goo christian life. At death the soul leaves the body and is immediately judged by God, this is called the Particular Judgement. Once judged the soul goes to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. After death the soul goes through a period of purification, Particular Judgement. Then the soul proceeds to its destination. Purgatory is a state of purification from venial sins. It is a delay in being with God. Hell is for those who have died in mortal sin without repentance or seeking refuge in God's compassion, these souls are eternally separated from God. Heaven is a state of everlasting life with God where we become like Him in glory and enjoy happiness for eternity. These souls have made up for their sins on earth or in Purgatory.
Parousia
Parousia is the second coming of Christ. He will appear and establish His kingdom in all its fullness. This will be the time of the General Judgement. At this point the good will go to Heaven and the wicked to Hell. The Parousia marks the definitive triumph of Christ over sin and death. This is the culmination of the history of salvation. At this moment the Church Triumphant will reach her perfection and plenitude.