Christian Key Terms Flashcards
Abba
Aramaic term for “father” used by Jesus in addressing God
Advent
season of the Christian church year before the celebration of Christmas
Apostles’ Creed
statement of faith dating from the second century C.E., universally accepted by
Christians
Arianism
a teaching advocated by the priest Arius and his followers that Christ was created in
time as the Son of God; this teaching was rejected by the Council of Nicea
Atonement
doctrine of how humans are forgiven and reconciled to God through Christ’s work
Augustine
leading theologian (354-430) in the early Christian church; bishop of Hippo in North Africa
Baptism
ritual of initiation into the Christian church through washing of water, viewed as a sacrament by many
Bible
sacred scripture for Christians, consisting of the Old Testament (Christian term for the
Hebrew scriptures) and the New Testament
Canon
a standard; refers to the accepted writings that make up the Bible and to other church
standards such as canon law
Catholic
“universal”, pertaining to the whole Christian church; Catholic also designates more
specific bodies, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches and others.
Christ
Greek title meaning “anointed one” from the Hebrew “messiah”, applied to Jesus of
Nazareth by his followers
Christmas
see Feast of the Nativity
Christology
doctrine about the nature and role of Christ
Church
the community of all Christians; also specific groups, congregations, and buildings used
for worship
Clergy
ordained church leaders; in early Christian church, bishops were appointed as overseers,
assisted by presbyters (priests) and deacons, and similar clergy roles have continued to the
present day, with many variants in the different churches and denominations
Confirmation
ritual of reaffirming vows taken in baptism; considered a sacrament by some
Constantine
Roman emperor (273-337) who legalized and promoted Christianity
Council of Nicea
first great church council, convened in 325 to settle disputes about the nature
of Christ
Council of Trent
council convened by the pope in 1545 to reform the church and oppose the
actions of the Protestants
Crusades
attempts by Christians of western Europe to recapture the Holy Land by force
Denomination
church organization consisting of a number of congregations, having
autonomous structure and usually distinctive teachings, especially within Protestantism
Docetism
teaching by some in the early church that Christ only appeared to be human; this
teaching eventually was rejected by church councils
Easter
festival celebrating the resurrection of Christ
Ecumenical Movement
modern movement to achieve understanding, cooperation, and some
form of unity between various branches of Christianity
Epiphany
season after Christmas emphasizing the “showing forth” of Christ to the world; some
Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the nativity of Christ during this time
Eschatology
doctrine about the last things; the end of the world, judgement day, consummation
of God’s plan
Eucharist
Principal Christian sacrament, using bread and wine as a re-enactment or
remembrance of Christ’s last supper; also called Mass, Lord’s Supper, Divine Liturgy, and Holy
Communion
Feast of the Nativity
celebration of the birthday of Jesus; Christians of the Western churches
celebrate this on December 25, while some Eastern Orthodox Christians observe this feast on
January 6
Fundamentalism
in Christianity, a movement by conservative Protestants to reject modernity in
Christianity, advocating the literal inerrancy of scripture and strict adherence to traditional
doctrine and morality
Gnosticism
movement in the Hellenistic world that emphasized a special secret knowledge
about God and the world, holding to a dualism of spirit and matter
Gospels
writings compiled in the early church proclaiming the story of Jesus’ life and death; the four canonical gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Grace
theological term meaning reception of spiritual goals as given by God rather than
attained by one’s own effort
Great commission
commission given by Christ to his disciples to go and “make disciples” of all
nations
Incarnation
“becoming flesh”; especially the Christian teaching that the eternal Son of God became human in the womb of his mother Mary
Judgement Day
the day on which God will judge all according to their and their deeds
Justification by faith
doctrine that justification before God comes by faith, not by good works; a
central emphasis of martin Luther
Kingdom of God
the rule of God; proclaimed by Jesus as a present reality, yet to be fully
manifested in the future
Lent
Christian season of penitence in preparation for the Easter celebration
Liturgy
order of prayer, scripture reading, hymns, and exhortations followed in a worship service
Mass
Roman Catholic term for the Eucharistic service
Messiah
end-time king, descended from King David, expected to redeem Israel; Christians
identified the Messiah (Greek christos) with Jesus
Monasticism
the way of life of monks and nuns, usually celibate, without personal possessions,
and dedicated to meditation, prayer, study, and service
Nicene Creed
doctrinal formulation from the Council of Nicea, setting forth the Orthodox
understanding of the Trinity
Old Testament
Christian designation for the Hebrew scriptures
Original sin
teaching that all humans share a basic condition of sinfulness
Orthodox Church:
term referring to the historic Eastern Christian churches, including the Greek,
Russian, Armenian, and other traditions
Parables
stories by which Jesus taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God
Passion Story
the climax of each of the four Gospels, telling of the suffering and crucifixion of
Jesus
Paul
leading apostle who brought the gospel of Christ to non-Jews and whose letters form part
of the New Testamen
Pentecost
festival approximately seven weeks after Easter, celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the early Christians
Pietism
a reaction to the rationalism of the Enlightenment, emphasizing the experience of God’s
grace and emotional dedication
Pan of Salvation
God’s design for the salvation of the world, foretold through prophets and accomplished through Jesus Christ
Protestantism
Broad designation for the main churches of the Reformation
Reformation
reform movements in the Christian church, especially the reform of the European
church through the work of Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and others
Resurrection
rising from the dead; in Christian belief, Christ’s resurrection as the first fruit of the
resurrection of all at the end of the world
Roman Catholic Church
The historic Western church as it has continued under the leadership of
the pope, the bishop of Rome
Sacraments
rituals that convey god’s grace, such as baptism and the Eucharist
Soteriology
theory of salvation through Jesus Christ
Theology
thinking about God and God’s work
Trinity
the doctrine that the one God is revealed in three “persons” – Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit
