Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings Flashcards
Catholic
A branch of Christianity based in Rome and led by the Pope.
Orthodox
A branch of Christianity mainly, but not entirely, practised in Eastern Europe.
Protestant
A branch of Christianity, originally Protestants were called by that name because they protested against some of the practices of the Catholic Church; there are many Protestant denominations, but they agree on the central belief that the Bible is the only authority for Christians.
Denomination
A distinct group within the Christian faith, with its own organisation and traditions.
God
The Supreme Being.
Monotheistic
A religion that believes there is only one God.
Holy
Separate and set apart for a special purpose by God.
Omnipotent
Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God.
Benevolent
All-loving, all-good; a quality of God.
Justice
Bringing about what is right and fair, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed.
Trinity
The belief that there are three persons in the One God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are separate but are also one being.
Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity whom Christians believe is the inspiring presence of God in the world.
Son of God
A title used for Jesus, the second person of the Trinity; denotes the special relationship between Jesus and God the Father.
Creation
The act by which God brought the universe into being.
The Word
Term used at the beginning of John’s gospel to refer to the Son of God.
Incarnation
Becoming flesh, taking a human form.
Resurrection
1.Rising from the dead; 2. Jesus rising from the dead on Easter day. An event recorded in all four gospels and the central belief of Christianity.
Blasphemy
A religious offence which includes claiming to be God.
Crucifixion
1.Roman method of execution by which criminals were fixed to a cross; 2.the execution and death of Jesus on Good Friday.
Ascension
The event, 40 days after the resurrection, when Jesus returned to God, the Father, in Heaven.
Heaven
A state of eternal happiness in the presence of God; the place of eternal peace ruled over by God.
Afterlife
What Christians believe follows life on earth.
Day of Judgement
A time when the world will end and every soul will be judged by God and rewarded or punished.
Hell
The place of eternal suffering or the state of being without God.
Purgatory
The intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven.
Satan
Name for the Devil – the power and source of evil.
Sin
1.Any action or thought that separates humans from God; 2. Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes or against principles of morality.
Original Sin
An Augustine Christian Doctrine that says that everyone is born with a built-in urge to do bad things and disobey God; an important doctrine within the Catholic Church.
Salvation
Saving the soul, deliverance from sin and admission to heaven brought about by Jesus.
Grace
A quality of god which God shows to humans by providing love and support which they do not need to earn.
Forgiveness
Showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong.
Atonement
Restoring the relationship between people and God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Mass
Ceremony, also called Eucharist, in which the sacrificial death & resurrection of Jesus is celebrated using bread and wine.
