Critical Mass

52. Be able to identify 2 Christological Heresies and explain them
Adoptionism:  Jesus Christ is the son of God only by adoption.  He did not have a divine nature per se, but the Father is willing to accept this imperfect Son as His own and raise him to perfection.
Arianism:  Claimed that the Son of God was [...]

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51. What four reasons does the Catechism give for why God became flesh?

In order to reconcile us with God
So that we might know God’s love
To be our model of holiness
To make us sharers in the divine nature

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50. What does it mean to call Jesus “Christ” and “Son of God”?
Christ comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “messiah,” meaning “anointed one.”  In Israel, those who were consecrated to God for a special mission were anointed, including priests, prophets and kings.  Jesus is all three of these.  He is the messiah [...]

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49. Describe the relationship between the theologian and the Magisterium
The the0logian unpacks the deposit of faith to uncover new truths.  The Magisterium protects the deposit of faith and sets boundaries within which the theologian can operate.

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48. Why is public dissent a serious matter?
It is a serious matter because it leads to scandal.

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47. What is the difference between struggling personally with conversion to the Church’s teaching and public dissent?
We all need conversion on some level, or we would not sin.  If we are struggling with a Church teaching, the point is not to get them out of the Church, but to reconcile them to the truths of [...]

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46. What was the first ecumenical council, and how many have there been total?
The first ecumenical council was the Council of Nicea.  There have been 21 Councils.

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45. What is a creed and in what ways was it used?
Fides quae.  It is a stable, fixed statement of faith which intends to accurately convey what truths that person (or group of people) hold to.  Creeds have been used as confessions or statements of faith from those who were under the suspicion of heresy; [...]

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44. What is an ecumenical council?
An ecumenical council is a conference of the bishops of the whole Christian Church convened to discuss and settle matters of Church doctrine and practice.  All the bishops are invited, although all are not required to attend.  The Pope need not attend, but he must ratify any definitions which come from the [...]

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43. What is the difference between the ordinary and extraordinary magisterium?
Ordinary magisterium:  the day to day teaching and preaching of the bishops in union with the Pope on faith and morals.  E.g. the Holy Father’s Wednesday audience, or bishop’s homilies
Extraordinary magisterium:  special teaching actions of the College of Bishops and Pope on faith and morals.  [...]

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