Key Words Flashcards
Altar
Feature of Catholic church where the Eucharist is celebrated.
Apostolic succession
The authority and power of Peter and the apostles passed on to the next generations of popes and bishops.
Anselm
St Anselm of Canterbury, 11th century Christian philosopher and theologian.
Ascension
Going or being taken up; the event forty days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to glory in heaven, understood as the restoration of the cosmic order.
St Augustine
St Augustine of Hippo, 4th century Christian philosopher and theologian.
Baptism
The sacrament of initiation in which a person becomes a child of God and part of the Church.
Beatitudes
Series of blessings taught by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount.
Creation
Creation
Bringing the world into existence; the belief that the world is God’s loving creation.
Creator
Understanding of the nature of God, the belief that he created the universe.
Crucifix
Feature of Catholic churches, an image of the cross with Jesus on it (depicting his crucifixion).
Conscience
The voice of God in the heart of a person, guiding him/her to do what is right.
Denominations
Groups/divisions within the Church, eg Anglican, Orthodox.
Dignity
Being worthy of respect and honour; belief that all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity because they are part of God’s creation in his image.
Discipleship
Following Jesus.
Divine Word
Another name for God the Son. In the Bible, John 1 describes God creating the world through his eternal Word. This links the eternal Word to Jesus in the statement: ‘”The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Duty
Having a responsibility or moral obligation to act in a certain way.
Eschatology
Beliefs about the ‘end times’, including life after death and judgement.
Eternity
Belief in an endless life after death.
Eucharist
Literally ‘thanksgiving’; Mass; one of the seven sacraments in which the death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated, using bread and wine
Eucharistic acclamations
Words of praise that are said or sung during Mass.
Euthanasia
Assisting with the ending of life for a person who is terminally ill or has degenerative illness; often known as assisted suicide.
Evangelism
Preaching the gospel (the good news about God) to convert people to the Christian faith.
Four marks of the Church
The four attributes of the Church identified in the Nicene Creed: one, holy, catholic, apostolic.
Free will
Being able to make our own choices; a gift from God which comes with being responsible/accountable for our actions.
Grace
The unconditional and generous love that God shows to people who do not deserve it.
Heaven
Belief that after death Christians can enter a state of being with God for eternity.
Hell
Belief in a place of eternal suffering, or a state after death of being in separation from God.
Hierarchy
A system of authority within an organization, eg the pope and bishops form part of the Catholic hierarchy.
History
One of the literary forms found in the Bible; parts of the scripture that give account of the story of Israel and the early church.
Image of God/imago dei
The belief that humans share some of the qualities of God; it is stated in Genesis 1:27 “So God created humankind in his image.”