Glossary
The technical words used in the course, in plain English. Where a word has an everyday meaning that differs from its theological one, the definition gives the theological sense. The lesson where each term is explained is given in brackets.
A–C
Accident. A feature a thing has that is not what the thing is: its size, colour, taste or position. In the Eucharist the accidents of bread remain while the substance is changed. Contrasted with substance. (10.3)
Analogy. Speaking of God in words drawn from creatures, which are true of him but in a higher way. When we call God good or wise, we mean something real, but the unlikeness is always greater than the likeness. (2.3)
Apostolic succession. The unbroken line by which the bishops succeed the apostles through ordination, receiving their authority to teach, sanctify and govern. (1.3, 9.2)
Beatific vision. Seeing God face to face in heaven, the final happiness for which human beings were created. (11.2)
Canon (of Scripture). The list of books the Church recognises as inspired: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. (1.2)
Character (sacramental). The permanent spiritual mark given by Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, which is why they cannot be repeated. (10.1)
Charity. The theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbour for the love of God. (8.3)
Concupiscence. The inclination to sin that remains after Baptism. It is not itself a sin, but it makes sin easier. (4.4)
Consubstantial. “Of the same substance” (Greek homoousios). Used at Nicaea to say that the Son is fully God, as the Father is. (1.5, 5.1)
Credibility, motives of. Signs such as miracles, fulfilled prophecy and the life of the Church that show it is reasonable to believe God has spoken. They make faith reasonable but do not produce it. (1.4)
D–I
De fide. “Of faith.” A teaching revealed by God and proposed by the Church as revealed, to be believed by every Catholic. (1.5)
Deposit of faith. Everything God revealed in Christ and entrusted to the Church, contained in Scripture and Tradition. (1.2)
Development of doctrine. The growth of the Church’s understanding of revealed truth over time, without any change in its meaning. (1.5)
Dogma. A truth revealed by God that the Church proposes as revealed, to be believed with divine and catholic faith. (1.5)
Ex cathedra. “From the chair.” The conditions under which the Pope teaches infallibly: as shepherd of all Christians, defining a doctrine of faith or morals for the whole Church. (1.3)
Ex opere operato. “By the work performed.” The sacraments give grace by the rite itself, not by the holiness of the minister, to those who place no obstacle. (10.1)
Faith (divine). The supernatural virtue by which we believe what God has revealed, because of the authority of God who reveals. (1.4)
Grace. A free gift of God. Sanctifying grace is a share in God’s own life, given in Baptism. Actual grace is God’s help for a particular good act. (8.1)
Heresy. The obstinate denial or doubt, after Baptism, of a truth that must be believed with divine and catholic faith. (1.5)
Hierarchy of truths. The order among revealed truths according to how closely they connect with the centre of the faith. It does not mean any can be dropped. (1.5)
Hylomorphism. The philosophical teaching that material things are made of matter and form. Applied to the human person, the soul is the form of the body. (4.3)
Hypostatic union. The union of the divine and human natures in the one divine Person of the Word, Jesus Christ. (5.3)
Immaculate Conception. Mary’s preservation from original sin from the first moment of her conception. Not to be confused with the virginal conception of Jesus. (7.2)
Inerrancy. Scripture teaches without error the truth God wanted written for the sake of our salvation. (1.2)
Infallibility. The protection from error the Holy Spirit gives the Church, and the Pope in particular, when proposing a teaching of faith or morals as definitive. (1.3)
Inspiration. The action of the Holy Spirit on the human authors of Scripture, so that God is the author of what they wrote while they remained true authors. (1.2)
J–R
Justification. God’s act of making a sinner just: the forgiveness of sin together with the inner renewal of the person by grace. (8.3)
Magisterium. The teaching office of the Church, exercised by the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. (1.3)
Merit. The right to a reward that God attaches, by his promise, to good works done in grace. (8.4)
Mystery. A truth that could never be discovered by reason and cannot be fully understood even once revealed, such as the Trinity. (1.1)
Nature. What something is. Christ has two natures, divine and human. Contrasted with person. (3.1, 5.3)
Person. Who someone is: an individual subject of a rational nature. God is three Persons in one nature; Christ is one Person in two natures. (3.1, 5.3)
Private revelation. A revelation made after the apostolic age, such as at Lourdes or Fatima. It adds nothing to the faith and no Catholic is bound to believe it. (1.1)
Providence. God’s wise ordering of all things to their end. (2.4)
Public revelation. God’s revelation to the whole human race, completed in Christ and handed on by the apostles. (1.1)
Revelation. God making himself and his plan known to us by speaking, above all in his Son. (1.1)
S–Z
Sacrament. A visible sign, instituted by Christ, that gives the grace it signifies. There are seven. (10.1)
Satisfaction. Making amends for an offence. Christ’s love and obedience on the Cross outweigh every sin and restore the order sin broke. (6.2)
Scripture. The inspired books of the Old and New Testaments, the written word of God. (1.2)
Substance. What a thing is in itself, underneath its accidents. Contrasted with accident. (10.3)
Supernatural. Above the powers and needs of any created nature; given by God freely. (1.1, 4.3)
Theological note. A label showing how certain a teaching is, such as de fide, certain, common teaching or opinion. (1.5)
Theotokos. “God-bearer,” Mother of God. Mary’s title, defined at Ephesus in 431. (7.1)
Tradition. The living handing-on of revelation in the Church, from the apostles, alongside Scripture. Distinct from changeable customs or traditions. (1.2)
Transubstantiation. The change of the whole substance of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, while the appearances of bread and wine remain. (10.3)
Trinity. The one God in three really distinct Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (3.1)
Virtue. A stable disposition to act well. The theological virtues of faith, hope and charity are given by God and have God as their object. (1.4, 8.3)