| A | B |
|---|
| Based on a word meaning “messenger,” a personal and immortal creature with intelligence and free will whoconstantly glorifies God and serves as a messenger of God to humans to carry out God’s saving plan. | Angel |
| : Attributing human characteristics to something that is not human. | anthropomorphic |
| The scientific study of the material remains of past human life. | archaeology |
| The tendency of all human beings toward sin, as a result of Original Sin | concupiscence |
| A story that explains something’s cause or origin | etiology |
| Also called the Fall from grace, the biblical Revelation about the origins of sin and evil in the world, expressed figuratively in the account of Adam and Eve in Genesis. | Fall, the |
| A literary form that uses symbolic images, stories, and names to point to a deeper truth. | figurative language |
| The free and undeserved gift of God’s loving and active presence in our lives, empowering us to respond to his call and to live as his adopted sons and daughters. Grace restores our loving communion with the Holy Trinity, lost through sin. | grace |
| ): Different kinds of writing determined by their literary technique, content, tone, and purpose (how the author wants the reader to be affected). | literary forms (genres) |
| The original state of human beings in their relationship with God, sharing in the divine life in full communion with him | original holiness |
| The state of complete harmony of our first parents with themselves, with each other, and with all of creation | original justice |
| From the Latin origo, meaning “beginning” or “birth.” The term has two meanings: (1) the sin of the first human beings, who disobeyed God’s command by choosing to follow their own will and thus lost their original holiness and became subject to death, (2) the fallen state of human nature that affects every person born into the world | Original Sin |
| The second coming of Christ at the end of time, fully realizing God’s plan and the glorification of humanity | Parousia |
| The time before the invention of writing and recording of historical data | primeval history |
| The deeper meaning that God reveals to us through historical events or texts; an interpretation of historical events or texts. | religious truth |
| The fallen angel or spirit of evil who is the enemy of God and a continuing instigator of temptation and sin in the world. | Satan |
| Facts obtained and accessible through the scientific method. | scientific truth |
| Our spiritual principle, it is immortal, and it is what makes us most like God. Our soul is created by God. It is the seat of human consciousness and freedom. | soul |
| The chains of Tartarus refer to the infernal regions in Greek mythology, mentioned in Second Peter 2:4. | Tartarus |
| This word (from the Latin, meaning “to hand on”) refers to the process of passing on the Gospel message. Tradition, which began with the oral communication of the Gospel by the Apostles, was written down in the Scriptures, is handed down and lived out in the life of the Church, and is interpreted by the Magisterium under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. | Tradition |
