First Semester Exam For Theology II
The Story of the Word Becoming Flesh
Chapter 1- The Original State of Man; Original Sin and its Consequences
In the beginning, after God created the universe and before man committed Original Sin, the world was in perfect harmony with itself. Man had a perfect loving relationship with God, and preternatural virtues and his supernatural grace that he bestowed upon them in order for them to share in his divine life and love. Our first parents did not endure suffering, sickness, and pain nor physical death. The had total control over their minds and wills until they decided to disobey God.
Original Sin and its Consequences
Original Sin is the first act of disobedience to God by humanity, and is considered the sin of pride. God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to oversee the garden and gave them one rule that they should not break. Adam and Eve could eat from any tree in the garden except the Tree the of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They enjoyed a life without sin and its consequences until the Devil took the form of a serpent and tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. When Eve listened to the serpent, and ate the fruit which she later gave to Adam, she brought pain, suffering, and death into the world. She destroyed humanity's perfect relationship with God. Not only did our first parents (Adam and Eve) endure the consequences of Original Sin, but so did every human being after them. Humans could die physically as well as their soul dying by sinning. The human mind and will were damaged, human intellect became clouded and incapable fully discerning God's Laws, and they experienced concupiscence (the inclination to sin).
Chapter 3 - The Word Became Flesh
- The Son of God wanted to make expiation for our sins, reconcile man with God, and restore human nature lost by sin. When we sin, we are augmenting the rift between God and ourselves. The seriousness of sin is infinite, therefore reparation could not have been made by any finite being (anyone who is not God) which is why Jesus who is infinite had to make reparation for our sins with his eternal sacrifice of dying on the Cross for us.
- He wanted to manifest the infinite depth of God's love. God wanted to show us how much he loves us by becoming man, experiencing life like us, and dying for us. He wants us to serve him out of love not fear. God does not need us to love him, yet he created us to share in his goodness and eternal happiness.
- The Word wanted to offer a model of holiness. He became incarnate to offer an example of holiness and show forth the dignity of the human person. He wanted to show that with grace, a person can overcome the temptations of the world, the Devil, and the flesh.
- God wanted to allow people to share in his divine life. God became man because he wanted to experience his own divine life and share it with us. Through the sacraments we are called to share in his divine life through the Holy Spirit, and Jesus. (And God)
Chapter 4 - The Paschal Mystery
Chapter 6 - The Theological Virtues
Chapter 7 - Prayer: How We Communicate With God
There are many forms of prayer: blessing and adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, praise, and contrition. In scripture, we are asked to praise and thank God first before presenting our needs. (petitions) The more we talk to God, the closer we grow to him and the more we know him.