Who Is Jesus Christ?

Spring 2015
Final Exam Study Guide
For the Final Exam, be sure to familiarize yourself with the following terms and
concepts from lecture, classroom discussions, and activities, as well as your
readings from the text and from the Bible. It is recommended that you study in
groups or with a partner, and that you compare and collate (Look it up!) your lecture
notes. Please note that PowerPoint presentations from lectures will NOT be posted
online. Some of the information on this study guide we have not yet covered in
classdont worry about that material for now.
The Final Exam will consist of 200 Scantron questions, worth 1 point each, plus one
five paragraph essay, worth 50 points. For the essay, 3 out of 6 possible topics (see
below) will be on the Exam; you will choose one of these.
THE BIBLE: THE LIVING WORD OF GOD (BLUE BOOK)
Section 3, Part 5: Wisdom Literature
Terms
Psalter
Psalms
Hymns

Lament
Thanksgiving
praise

Qoheleth
Personification

Concepts
Job: Understanding Suffering
The Psalms: Learning to Pray
Ecclesiastes: The Ongoing Search for

Song of Songs: The Beauty of Love

Wisdom: Seeking Truth

Meaning

Section 4, Part 1: The Gospels

Terms
Gospels

Venerated

Kerygma
Evangelists

Synoptic Gospels
Quelle

Concepts

Paschal Lamb

The Central Place of the Gospels

Three Stages of Gospel Formation
Section 4, Part 2: Revelation in and through Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels
Terms
Gentiles
Matthean
Scribes
Rabbi
Messianic Secret
Syrophoenician
Golgotha

Samaritan
Anawim
Canticle
Magnificat
Infancy Narratives
Annunciation
Magi

Beatitudes
Parables
Miracles
Passion
Garden at Gethsemane

Concepts
The
The
The
The

Gospel of Matthew
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Luke
Central Accounts in the Synoptic

Gospels

The Parables and Miracles in the

Synoptic Gospels
The Paschal Mystery in the Synoptic
Gospels

Section 4, Part 3: Revelation in and through Jesus in the Gospel of John

Terms
Beloved Disciple
Johannine

Logos
Sign

Allegory
Paraclete

Concepts
The Gospel of John: God Incarnate
Signs and Miracles
The I AM Statements

The Bread of Life and Last Supper

Discourses
The Passion, Death, and Resurrection

JESUS CHRIST: GODS LOVE MADE VISIBLE (PURPLE BOOK)

Section 1, Part 1: God is One: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Terms
Covenant
Doctrine
Trinity

Nicene Creed
Monotheism
Divine Economy

Incarnate

Filial
beatitude

Last Judgment
Messiah
Pentecost

Concepts
God is One: Catholics are Monotheistic
God is Three-in-One: Catholics are
Trinitarian
The First Person of the Trinity: God the

The Second Person of the Trinity: God

the Son
The Third Person of the Trinity: God the
Holy Spirit

Father

Section 1, Part 2: The Development of the Trinitarian Doctrine

Terms
Church Fathers
Ecumenical Council

Philosophy
Christology

Solemnities

Concepts
The Early Church Faces Challenges to
Apostolic Faith
Early Christological Heresies
The Ecumenical Councils of the Early

The Nicene Creed

The Trinity: Model for Human
Relationships

Church

Section 3, Part 1: The Incarnation

Terms
Holy Day of Obligation
Original Sin

Personal Sin
Collects

Beatific Vision

Concepts
What is the Incarnation?
Marys Role in the Incarnation

Jesus: The Word Made Flesh

The Union of God with Humanity

Section 3, Part 2: The Two Natures of Jesus, Human and Divine

Terms
Sanctifies
Circumcision
Scribes

Pharisees
Sadducees
Anti-Semitism

Pluralistic
Hypostatic Union

Concepts
Jesus: A Human Mind, A Human Heart
Jesus: A Faithful Jew
Jesus Life in First Century Palestine

Jesus: Union of the Human and the

Divine
Jesus: Lord and Redeemer

Essay Topics
1. Discuss the Wisdom Literature of the Bible. Be sure to:
Define Hellenism, how it spread, and how it shaped the world of
Second Temple Judaism
Explain in general how Greek thought influenced the writing of the
Wisdom Literature
Explain in detail one of the Wisdom Books covered in class (Job,
Psalms, Wisdom of Solomon)
2. Discuss the Historical Context of the Gospels. Be sure to:
Discuss the Roman occupation of Palestine and the Roman structure of
government
Discuss different social and religious groups within Palestine and their
relationship to Jesus
Discuss the emergence of Christianity as a Messianic movement within
Judaism
3. Discuss the Gospels. Be sure to:
Explain the origin and meaning of the word Gospel (Greek:
euangelion)
Explain the three stages of formation of the Gospels
Explain the relationship among the three Synoptic Gospels and Q
Source.
4. Discuss the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke
Briefly discuss the Gospels of Matthew and Luke generally (author,
audience, date of composition, etc.)
Discuss the Infancy Narrative in Matthewwhat themes does Matthew
develop, and how?
Discuss the Infancy Narrative in Lukewhat themes does Luke
develop, and how?
5. Discuss the Trinity. Be sure to:
Discuss the Biblical roots of this dogma
Discuss the relationship of person, hypostasis, and substance in
the Trinity
Discuss one traditional analogy for the Trinity, and explain how and
why this analogy falls short
6. Discuss the Teachings of Jesus. Be sure to:
Discuss the Rabbi-disciple relationship in first century Palestine
Discuss the Sermon on the Mounthow is Jesus depicted as the New
Moses, and what are some themes of his New Torah?
Discuss one of Jesus negative beatitudeshow is this a formula for
spiritual detachment, and therefore happiness?