8th Grade Religion
Chapter 1 – Handout 3
Define the following terms:
1. History – History is active reflection on the past. Historians record the events of
the past (not witnessed) as a story or a simple occurrence.
2. Catacombs – ancient underground burial places of the early Christian community
in Rome. They indicate Christian reverence for the body, the temple of the Holy
Spirit; belief in Hope for The Resurrection; and love for the Good Shepherd.
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the value of studying Church History?
Studying Church history can help students make sense of the present; better
understand the Church; appreciate the roots of faith; and avoid making the
mistakes of the past. Knowing our story enables us to prepare for future
achievements.
2. Name and explain some of the things that make history.
History is made up of people, places buildings, events, and ideas. Each category
sheds light on the great pageant of Church history through the ages.
3. What do the catacombs tell us about the early Christians?
The catacombs, or underground burial places, tell us the ancient Christians in
Rome revered the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and believed in the
resurrection of the body.
4. What do we mean when we say that the Church is made up of saints and sinners?
Because the Church is both a human and a divine institution, it has always been
made up of sinners and of saints. Faithful historians tell the truth about the sins
and bad decisions of Church leaders in the past as well as the good things they
have done.
5. What can buildings and ruins tell us about our ancestors in faith?
Buildings and ruins like the Coliseum in Rome tell us that our ancestors in faith
often faced danger and death. Church buildings can reveal how Catholics felt at a
particular time and place.
8th Grade Religion
Chapter 1 – Handout 3
Choose the correct answer.
1. Our Catholic faith is rooted in:
[A] The ancient past [B] fiction
[C] actual historical events [D] both a & c
2. Church History is the story of:
[A] People
[B] Buildings & places
[C] Events & Ideas
[D] All these answers
3. One early Church historian was:
[A] Pontius Pilate
[B] Emperor Constantine
[C] Eusebius
[D] Pope John Paul II
4. Historians tools include:
[A] Buildings & Ruins
[C] Documents & Literature
[B] Archeological discoveries
[D] All these answers
5. This word refer to burial places.
[A] Colosseum
[B] Catacombs
6. Faithful Church Historians:
[A] Ignore evidence of sinfulness
[C] “Tell it like it is”
[C] Creed
[D] Institution
[B] Focus only on saints
[D] Merge fact and fiction
7. The Church condemned Galileo because of:
[A] Poor scientific judgment
[B] His unsettling truths about the universe
[C] Fears about contradicting the Bible [D] All the above
8. The following statement is true:
[A] History has nothing to do with the present
[B] History helps us know ourselves
[C] History is pure fiction
[D] History is made only by those who are famous
9. Jesus promises to:
[A] Make the Church always right [B] Make history easy
[C] Be with us always
[D] Do our work for us