Christianity Key Terms Flashcards
What is ascension?
The event 40 days after the resurrection, when jesus returned to God in heaven.
What is atonement?
The reconciliation between God and humanity that was sealed by sacrificial death of Jesus.
What is baptism?
The sacrament through which people become members of the church by washing. away sin with holy water.
What is believers baptism?
Initiation into the Church, by immersion in water, of people old enough to understand the ceremony/rite and willing to live a Christian life
What is the bible?
Sacred book for Christians containing both the Old and New Testaments
What are catholics?
The tradition within the Christian Church which is led by the Pope
What is CAFOD?
A Catholic charity that provides emergency and long-term aid to the developing world
What is Christ?
The leader promised by God to the Jews; ‘Anointed One’ in Greek
What is a Christian?
Someone who believes in Jesus Christ and follows the religion based on his teachings
What is Christmas?
The Feast Day commemorating the birth of Jesus
What is Church?
The Holy People of God, also called the Body of Christ, among whom Christ is present and active
What is creation?
The act of making the world, or the world which has been made
What is crucifixion?
Roman method of execution by which criminals were fixed to a cross
What is Easter?
The religious season celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead
What is Eucharist?
Literally ‘thanksgiving’; another name for Holy Communion
What is Evangelism?
Preaching the gospel to convert people to the Christian faith
What is evil?
a force that is seen in many traditions as destructive and against God
What is God the Father?
The first Person of the Trinity, the creator and sustainer of the universe
What are food banks?
Charities collecting donated food to distribute to the poor in Britain
What is grace?
The unconditional and generous love that God shows to people who do not deserve it
What is heaven?
The state after death of being with and enjoying eternity with God
What is hell?
The place of eternal suffering or the state after death of separation from God for those who want no relationship with him
What is holy communion?
Another name for the Eucharist in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated using bread and wine
What is the holy spirit?
The third person of the Holy Trinity who is present and inspires Christians
What is incarnation?
Literally ‘in flesh’, or ‘enfleshed’, the doctrine that God took the human form as Jesus
What is infant baptism?
Initiation of babies and young children into the Church, where promises are taken on their behalf by adults
What is informal prayer?
This takes the form of improvised prayer, consisting of spontaneous prayers spoken from the heart as opposed to the use of set prayers
What is informal worship?
Worship which has no set structure It is usually spontaneous and sometimes charismatic in nature.
What is Iona?
An island of the west coast of Scotland founded by Columba in the 4th century; used by Christians today as a centre for pilgrimage and religious retreat
Who is Jesus?
1st century Jewish teacher and holy man, believed by Christians to be the Son of God
What is judgement?
When God decides whether each person should receive eternal life or eternal punishment
What is being just?
This refers to the nature of God as one who treats each individual human being fairly and equally
What is liturgical worship?
A church service which follows a set structure or ritual
What is religious law?
This refers to the law of God, revealed in the Bible, which Christians are called to obey
What is Lourdes?
Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a series of visions, and now a place of pilgrimage, where it is claimed that miraculous healings have taken place
What is the lord’s prayer?
The prayer taught to the disciples by Jesus; also known as the ‘Our Father’
What is mission?
Literally ‘sent out’; refers to the duty of Christians to spread the gospel
What is non-liturgical worship?
A service which does not follow a set text or ritual
What is the belief that God is ‘all powerful’
Omnipotent
What is the oneness of God?
The belief that God is ‘One’
What is original sin?
that human nature is basically flawed, and so humans have a tendency to go against God’s will
What is Orthodox?
The most popular Christian tradition in some parts of Eastern Europe
What is persecution?
hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs
What is pilgrimage?
A journey by a Christian to a holy site, eg Lourdes, Iona
What is prayer?
Communicating with God through words of praise, thanksgiving or confession, or requests for his help or guidance
What is private worship?
A believer giving God praise and worship on his or her own
What is protestant?
The Churches that ‘protested’ against and broke away from the Catholic Church during the Reformation
What is reconciliation?
The process of restoring harmony after relationships between people has broken down
What is resurrection?
The event celebrated on Easter Day of Jesus rising from the dead
What is a sacrament?
The outward and visible sign of an invisible and spiritual grace
What is a set prayer?
These are prayers written throughout the centuries by Christian holy men and women
What is sin?
Behaviour which is against God’s laws and wishes/against principles of morality
Who is God the Son?
The second Person of the Trinity; Jesus, in whom God became incarnate
Who is the son of god?
A title used for Jesus, the second person in the Trinity; denotes the special relationship between Jesus and God
What are street pastors?
A Christian organization consisting of people who work mainly at night on city streets, caring for those who need help
What is suffering?
When people have to face and live with unpleasant events or conditions
What is the trinity?
The belief that there are three Persons in the One God; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are separate, but are also one being
What is worship?
Offering to God the praise that he is due; may be done in public or in private
What is the word?
A title that can be used to the Bible or to Jesus
