-Vocabulary
- Anathema
- - A ban solmnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by exocommunication.
- Anomoeans
- - From the Greek anhomoios, meaning "dissimilar" this sect of Arianism stressed an essential difference between the Father and Son in the Trinity.
- Apocrypha
- - Old Testament books recognized by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, but now by Protestants.
- Apollinarianism
- - Founded by Apollinarius in the fourth century, this heresy denied the existence of a human mind and will in Christ.
- Apostle's creed
- - A statement of belief of the Apostles based upon the New Testament. It is derived from a baptismal creed used in Rome known as the Old Roman.
- Arianism
- -Third and fourth century heresy founded by the Alexandrian priest Arius.
- -It denied Jesus' divinity, claming that Jesus is neither God nor equal to Father, but rather an exceptional creature raised to the level of "Son of God" because of his heroic fidelity to the Father's will and his sublime holiness.
- Athanasian creed
- - A statement of Faith that the Church still affirms whose author is not known.
- Caesaropapism
- - Refers to the dual role of head of State and leader of the Church in which the temporal ruler extends his own powers to ecclesiastical and theological matters.
- Cjrysostom
- - Moniker of St. John Chrysostom meaning "golden mouthed," if refers to the saint's extraordinary preaching skills.
- Church fathers
- - Great, holy leaders who have come forward to lead the Church, wxplain the Faith, and meet the unique challenges posed by different heresies.
- Demiurge
- - Gnostic creator god of the material world.
- Docetism
- - Derived from the Greek word dokesis, meaning appearance, this Gnostic heresy maintained that Jesus did not die on the cross but was spared by someone else who took his place.
- Doctor of the church
- - Doctores Ecclesiae, a specific title given by the pope to those whose development of theology and personal sanctity are exemplary.
- Donatism
- - Heresy that rejected the sacraments celebrated by clergy who had formerly betrayed their faith.
- Dokesis
- - Greek word for appearance. Reffered to heresy which claimed Jesus only appeared to die on the Cross.
- Ecumenical council
- Greek word “oikoumene” which means “the whole inhabited world”
- brings bishops and authorities from all over the world to discuss central issues of the Church
- Pope in control
- issues decrees, with the approval of the pope, which binds all Christians
Filioque
- Latin for “and the Son”
- used to express that the Holy Spirit came from both the Father and the Son
- St. Augustine’s discussion laid a groundwork for additional Filioque to Nicene Creed in Medieval period
Gnosticism
- Greek “knowledge”
- belief that they had all the knowledge
Heresy
- refusal to accept truth of Faith for Catholic belief
Homoeans (Sabellians)
- Greek word homoios “similar”
- a heresy
- refused the use of word homoousios at the council of Nicaea because it was not used in the bible
Homoousios
- Greek word meaning “of the same substance”
Infallible
- Free from error
- Ecumenical council’s definition on Faith and morals are considered free from error, if that is the intention of the pope and bishops in union
Logos
- “word” “account” “meaning” “reason” “argument” “saying” “speech” “story” and etc
- Gospel of St. John uses this word and refers to the Person of Jesus, and the Son of God and a member of the Blessed Trinity, as the logos
Manichaeism
- Heresy found by Mani in the 3rd century
- form of Gnosticism
- involved relationship between light and darkness
- belief: through rituals and sharing knowledge believers could regain the light stolen by Satan and hidden in the brains of men, thus freeing the light to return
- heavily from Scriptures esp. St Paul
Marcionism
- founded by Macrion in 2nd century
- borrowed Gnostic idea of a Demiurge (the force of the jealous and vengeful God of Law)
- Jesus Christ = true God
1. No law
2. Sent to bring about the demise of the Demiurge
- Renounced Jewish influence
- Evil Demiurge = God of the Old Testament = created materials
Good God = God of the New Testament = created souls
- Montanism
- - Founded by Montanius in the second century, he believed that due to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon him, he knew that a new, heavenly kingdom was imminent.
- Monophysitism
- - From the Greek monos, meaning "alone" and physis, meaning "nature," this hereay claimed that there is only one nature in Christ and that His human nature is "incorporated" into the Divine Nature.
- Monothelitism
- - Heresy claiming that Christ has two natures but only one will.
- Neo-platonism
- school of philosophy
- logos created beings, not Supreme Being
- material world is less perfect than world of ideas
- denies Christ’s true identity, deemphasized/denied Christ’s humanity
Nestroianism
- founded by Nestorius (Patriarch of Constantinople) in 4th century
- Christ was union of two men (one human and one divine) but not fully human nor divine
Pelagianism
- heresy
- denies original sin and man’s salvation
- sacraments are unnecessary since salvation and holiness can only be achieved through human effort
Quicumque Vult
- “Whoever wishes [to be saved]” (opening of the Athanasiam Creed)
Theotokos
- “bearer of God” “mother of God”
- used in early centuries of Church
- title of Mary was defended by the Council of Ephesus in 431
Vulgate
- first translation of the Bible from its original language to Latin by St. Jerome
- Bibliography - MLA format
-
Armenio, Peter V., and James Socías. "Chapter 4 The Church Fathers and Heresies." The History of the Church: a Complete Course. 1st ed. Woodridge, IL: Midwest Theological Forum, 2007. 128-76. Print. The Didache Ser.