Old Testament

Jesus Christ

the Son of God who became man

God

the true author of the Bible

Divine Revelation

God's making Himself known to us

Blessed Trinity

the three persons in one God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit

Bible

the written record of God's Revelation and His relationship with His people

Sacred Scripture

another name for the Bible

divine inspiration

means the Holy Spirit gave special guidance to the human authors of the Bible

all-knowing

God is this, which means that he knows everything-past, present and future

covenant

an agreement between God and His people

eternal

God is this, meaning he is changeless and timeless

all-powerful

God is this, meaning He can do anything

free will

the freedom and ability to choose; along with conscience; only humans have been created with this

ever-present

God is this, meaning He is everywhere at all times

conscience

the ability to know the difference between good and evil, right and wrong

human dignity

the value and worth that comes from being made in God's image and likeness

genesis

word that means "beginning

stewards of creation

what humans were called by God to be to the rest of creation

soul

the invisible spiritual reality that makes each of us human and will never die

sin

a thought, word, deed or omission against God's law

patriarch

a father, or founder, of a clan, a group of related families

Canaan

an area in western Palestine that included most of present-day Israel

faith

a gift from God that enables us to believe in Him and accept all that He has revealed

providence

God's plan for and protection of all creation

Israelites

the name of God's people

Abraham

our most important Old Testament model of faith; trusted completely in God's will when asked to do something difficult

Isaac

had twin sons, which caused a problem of who would inherit his father's tradition

Jacob

his story is one of conflict because of his twin brother; he inherited his birthright through determination

Joseph

in his story, providence was symbolized by the fulfillment of dreams which indicated God's plan

exodus

the biblical word describing the Israelites' departure from slavery to freedom

Moses

the son of a Hebrew woman but was raised by the pharaoh's daughter

Ten Plagues

endured by the Egyptians; symbolized the struggle between God and the pharaoh

Passover

feast celebrated by Jews; to remember the night that God had spared the lives of their ancestors and brought them out of slavery in Egypt

Red Sea

to Christians, the waters of this body of water symbolize the saving waters of Baptism

Aaron

brother of Moses; explained God's message to the Israelites

miracle

an extraordinary event that is beyond human power and brought about by God

Ten Commandments

the laws of God's covenant

false gods

what God reminded Moses that the Israelites should NOT worship

Balaam

prophet who the Israelites met on the plains of Moab who predicted the greatness of Israel in the centuries to come

Joshua

chosen by God to succeed Moses and lead His people into the promised land

Deuteronomy

book of the Bible; the theme is that God's people must love God and be obedient to Him

(Book of) Joshua

the story of the fall of Jericho is found in this book of the Bible

(Book of) Judges

the story of the Israelites' settlement in Canaan can be found in this book of the Bible

Deborah

judge chosen by God to remind the Israelites to keep the covenant

Samson

the birth of this judge was foretold in an extraordinary way

Nazirite

a person consecrated to God and who must keep special vows

Ruth

her story teaches us that even in difficult times, people can faithfully life out the covenant and follow God's will

Shema

the words of Moses to the Israelites became an important Jewish prayer

strength

gift that God blessed Samson with

Judah

the kingdom made up of the two southern tribes

Israel

the kingdom made up of the ten northern tribes

Elisha

prophet sent by God to the Northern Kingdom during the reign of King Ahab

idolatry

giving worship to a creature of thing instead of God

Assyria

the king of this nation attacked Israel in 746 BC and took over the countryside

Goliath

a giant of a man who led the Philistine army against the Israelites

Samuel

son of Hannah; was dedicated to God's service

Saul

was replaced by David as king of Israel

monarchy

a kingdom or empire ruled by one person, either a king or queen

David

defeated Goliath; became Israel's second king

Solomon

son of David; king of Israel known for his great wisdom

wisdom

the knowledge and ability to recognize and follow God's will in our lives

psalms

a poetic prayer designed to be sung or chanted to some kind of musical accompaniment

Isaiah

sent by God to remind the people of Judah of His love for them

Josiah

king of Judah who began a reform of religious practices in Judah after finding a copy of "the book of the law

vocation

God's call to serve Him in a special way