Key Terms - Christianity Flashcards
Agape
Greek for ‘unconditional love’, the basis for the Golden Rule and Jesus’ sacrificial crusifixion
Allegorical
A means of reading the Bible in a non-literal way, or in other words that the Bible is not to be taken as absolutely factual, but rather that Christians should read the Bible for the deeper meaning hidden within its texts and stories
Anglican
A member of the Anglican Church, or the adjective used to describe Anglican practices or beliefs. The Church of England is one part of the Anglican Communion
Atonement
Making amends for sin, usually referring to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross which Christians believe was the ultimate act of atonement, to remove all of humanity’s sin
Baptism
The rite of initiation for Christians, in which water is used to symbolise the washing away of sin and to welcome the person into the Christian church. For some Christians (such as Roman Catholics), this is usually paedobaptism, which is the baptising of a baby or child usually by pouring a small amount of water over their head, at a font, three times in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Other Christians (such as Baptists) prefer adult baptism, or believer’s baptism, which usually involves full immersion of the person into a baptistery or pool
Bible
The holy book for Christianity, made up of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament is found in Judaism and Islam in various formats, whereas the New Testament focuses on the life and works of Jesus, and various letters (or Epistles) written by early Christians about the new Christian faith
Bishop
The most senior order of ordination (above deacons and priests), who are a focal point of unity for their diocese, and are able to perform confirmations and ordinations
Calvinism
The doctrine of Christianity which follows the teachings of Calvin, including predestination and sola scriptura
Celibacy
Refraining from sexual intercourse or other sexual acts, for example to fulfil a vow made as a religious monk or nun
Confession
One of the seven sacraments for Roman Catholics, where a Christian will tell a priest their sins and will recieve advice
Creationism
The belief that God created the world according to the accounts in Genesis
Eucharist
Another word for Holy Communion, the central practice of most Christian worship, involving the eating of bread and the drinking of wine
Fundamentalism
The belief that the Bible is inerrant and contains the exact truth of God
Gospel
An account of the life of Jesus Christ, notably John, Mattwe, Mark and Luke
Immanent
The belief that god intervenes and is active in the world, for example performing miricles
Incarnation
‘God becoming flesh’, for Christians this refers to the birth of Jesus as the incarnation of God, being both fully divine and fully human
Literalism
A way of reading the Bible as the exact words of God, rather than symbolically as a more representative or analogical text
Liturgy
The form in which Christians worship, usually in a Church, and which can follow a set structure and wording
Messiah
Meaning the ‘anointed one’, referring to the idea of the Messiah being a kind
Minister
The title given to leaders of some Protestant denominations who tend to be less liturgical in their worship
Omnibenevolent
All living
Omnipotent
All powerful
Omnipresent
All present
Omniscient
All knowing/seeing
Prayer
A means by which Christians attempt to interact with God, either in silence or aloud, and either alone or in a group
Revelation
Something that God reveals to humans. Special revelation is direct, whereas general revelation is indirect
Salvation
Being saved and therefore being able to enter heaven. Christians believe that Jesus is the source of salvation
Sin
An action that goes against the laws of God, for example by not following the Golden Rule of the 10 Commandments
Soul
The metaphysical aspect of a person, according to Christianity; some Christians believe that the soul lives on after death even though the body dies
Stewardship
The opposite of dominion, the belief that the world was created by God and Christians are the caretakers, who have a duty to look after it
Theodicy
An argument that attempts to defend God against the Problem of Evil and Suffering
Transubstantiation
The belief that during the Liturgy, when Holy Communion is being celebrated, the bread and wine take on the real presence of Jesus
Trinity
The three persons of the one God in Christianity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
