Christianity
Theology ll~ First Semester Exam
Chapter 1~ In the Beginning
Chapter 3~ The Word Became Flesh
1) to make expiation for sins, reconcile man with God , and restore human nature
2) to manifest the infinite depth of God's love
3) to offer a model of happiness
4) to allow people to share in his divine life
The Word Became Flesh For Expiation, Reconciliation, And Restoration: God became the first of all to reconcile all people with himself by making expiation of sins. Original Sin involved an outright rejection of God's goodness and his will by our first parents. The word became flesh because God's perfection, which demands perfect justice, justice demanded a man should offer the atonement for sin. Only Christ could fulfill this condition for redemption.
The Word Became Flesh To Manifest God's Love: God became man to show all people how much he loves them. God displayed his love for every person on the Earth so people might serve him not out of fear but out of love. A manifestation of his love was designed to create man and woman so they could share in his goodness and eternal happiness. God loves everyone no matter what.
The Word Became Flesh To Offer A Model of Holiness: God became incarnate to offer an example of holiness and show forth the dignity of the human person. The life and words of Christ can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for every human being. Christ is an important and powerful example of potential greatness in a human person, without Christ us humans would fail without him.
The Word Became Flesh To Allow A Share In A Divine Life: Participation in the life of God is made possible by the sanctifying graces Christ obtained through his redemption. Through the sacrament of Baptism, a person is cleansed of all sins, Original and personal. The indwelling of the Blessed Trinity in the soul is a gratuitous gift of God at Baptism, but at the same time, this intimacy requires comforting one's life to the words and action of Christ. Christ enables a person to love everyone.
Jesus: Model of Holiness
God's Love is Eternal
Baptism of Christ
The Paschal Mystery
Theological Virutes
Faith~ elevates the natural intellect and moves the will so a person can assent to the truths supernaturally revealed by God and put those truths into practice.
Hope~ gives the mind and will the power to trust god will give all means necessary to achieve everlasting life.
Charity~ enables a person to love God above all things and his neighbor as him-or herself with the love of Christ.
Prayer: How We Communicate With God
The Four Marks of The Church
One~ referring to the uniqueness and singularity of the Church. It means that there is only one true Church of Christ that is constituted exactly in agreement with the Founder.
Holy~ The Church's goal is the glory of God. The Church has been given to bring all men and women into communion with God, including the teachings of Christ.
Apostolic~ relates primarily to Christ's selection of the Twelve Apostles as the foundation of his Church. Also called apostolic because the Church is founded on the Apostles in a threefold sense, foundation, faith and succession.
Catholic~ The Church is whole and complete and that Christ has unified himself to her entirely. Also the Church has received universal authority from Christ.
The Last Things
Death~ puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.
Particular Judgement~ an act by which God makes the soul see with all clarity. Each person's fate is clearly decided before the judgement seat of Christ.
Heaven~ the state of everlasting life in which we see God, become like him in glory, and enjoy eternal happiness.
Hell~ eternal self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed in Heaven. The souls of Hell continually thirst for God while hating him.
Purgatory~ state of purification from venial sins so that souls achieve the purity necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
Parousia~ Greek term for the second coming of Christ, who will come for the Final Judgement at the end of time.