Key Words Flashcards
doctrine of accommodation
proposes that ‘accommodated’ God’s self to humanity by using relevant and understandable terms and concepts. This may be used to explain, for example, why biblical creation narratives are closer to other mythologies of the time than they are to modern scientific understandings.
apocryphal
texts concerning biblical times or figures, but which are not part of the biblical canon. Typically of unknown or disputed authorship and dubious authenticity.
Deuterocanonical
a collection of books not considered to be canonical (they are apocryphal) by Protestant and Hebrew scholars but included in the Old Testament by Catholics.
As they were not a part of the Hebrew Canon (Tanak), Christians have disputed whether they should form a part of the biblical canon.
ascetic ideal
the use of asceticism to ultimately preserve power and life
asceticism
abstinence from worldly pleasures (e.g pleasurable physical experiences or material possessions), normally for the sake of spiritual growth.
atonement
an action, or series of actions, carried out to remove guilt. - used by Christians as a means of understanding the significance of Jesus’ death.
augustine
early Christian theologian and philosopher
baptism
the rite whereby a person is made a member of the church
adult/believers baptism
the voluntary baptism of adults who have declared belief in Jesus
infant baptism
the baptism of an infant authorised by their parents to remove latent original sin
Karl Barth
Highly influential reformed Protestant theologian
birth narratives
accounts in the gospel of Matthew and Luke of the conception and birth of Jesus of Nazareth.
canon (biblical)
the biblical canon is the list of books considered to be authoritative scripture, and which therefore make up the Christian bible. Note that the books included and the order they appear in differs between Christian denominations.
Charismatic Movement
a movement within the Christian Church that emphasises spiritual gifts of the Holy Sprit and worships in a vibrant, charismatic, style.
Christmas
the annual celebration of Jesus’ birth
Christus Victor theory
a view on atonement which states that Jesus’ death defeated the powers of evil which had dominated humankind. Through his death, Jesus rescued or liberated humanity from the slavery of sin.
conscience
a moral sense of right and wrong; inner feeling as to the goodness or otherwise
consubstantiation
the doctrine (particularly in protestant Lutheran beliefs) that the body and blood of Jesus Christ co-exist with - but are not the same as - the bread and wine used in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Christ is spiritually, but not physically, present.
Council of Trent
Roman Catholic council held in Northern Italy between 1545 and 1563 in response to the Protestant Reformation. Famously defined the relationship between Faith and Works in justification and had a lasting impact on Catholic liturgy and practice.
Critical Realism
the idea that there are real objects beyond ourselves but that our understandings of it are tainted by our own worldview.
Easter
the annual festival of Jesus’ death and resurrection. A Christian interpretation of the Jewish festival of Passover.
Ecumenical Movement
the Christian movement that aims to encourage dialogue and informal unification between Christian denominations
Eucharist
One of the titles used to describe the rite of the Christian Church associated with the last supper. Bread and wine is shared amongst participants. Also known as ‘Communion’.
Exclusivism
the belief that there is only one true religion
Fourth Lateran Council
Roman Catholic Council held in 1215 that put forward the idea of Transubstantiation.
God of gaps
A theological viewpoint that gaps in our scientific knowledge are evidence of a divine existence
harmonisation
the attempt to reconcile two or more contradictory biblical accounts
impassibility
the doctrine that God does not experience emotions based on, or caused by, the actions of others (e.g pleasure, pain, passion)
doctrine of the incarnation
the belief within Christian theology that the second person of the trinity - the Holy Son- became human in the man of Jesus of Nazareth through being born of the Holy Spirit through the woman Mary.
inclusivism
the belief that, while only one religion is true, other may be partially true as well
inspiration
specific works of biblical authors were divinely led or guided, with the result that biblical texts may be considered the authentic word of God.
justification by faith alone
the idea that it is only belief in Jesus that makes people worthy before God
justification by works alone
the idea that good acts make people worthy before God.
kenotic model
comes from Greek word “to make empty”.
Aims to solve the difficulties of Jesus being both human and divine.
Idea of Jesus “emptying himself” by setting aside some of his divine qualities or his own will to become submissive to God.
Used to emphasise the importance of service and submission.
kerygma
the initial and essential proclamation of the gospel
liberation theology
a theology of oppression whereby God is said to have a preference for the poor and the Church has a mandate to pursue systems that promote justice and equality.
Martin Luther
Author of the German Protestant Reformation
memorialism
A popular Protestant way of celebrating the Eucharist. The belief that the Eucharist is merely an act of commemorating Jesus.
Moral example theory
theory of atonement suggests that Jesus’ life and death primarily provide a moral example to humanity. It can inspire humankind to lift itself out of sin and seek unity with God.
Christ did not die to satisfy any principle of divine justice, but rather to impress humankind with God’s love and encourage people to repent.
Ordination
the name of the process by which individuals are prepared to act as leaders within the Church. This normally includes the ability and permission to perform particular religious rites.
pluralism
the belief that all religions are equal and valid paths to God
prosperity gospel
the belief that financial means and success is a blessing from God and that faith and/or good acts will result in reward from God.
redaction criticism
a method of biblical scholarship where authors are viewed as creative interpreters of their source material
religious liberty
the freedom of individuals and groups to teach, observe and practice a given religion or belief system
resurrection
the means by which the dead return to life after they have died
reverse missionary movement
evangelists being sent to the West from areas that traditionally received missionary attention from the West.
sacrament
sacred ceremonies believed to be a means by which grace is conferred onto believers.
“an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace”
stewardship
the belief that human beings are responsible for caring for the earth and the beings and resources on it. Within Christianity, this is usually paired with the belief that the earth was created by God.
substantial presence
the whole and entire presence of both the divine and human aspects of Jesus Christ
transubstantiation
A belief that the bread and wine taken at the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Christ.
substitution theory
the idea that Jesus’s death was a substitute for others.
1) Jesus’s death was a sacrifice to free humanity
2) the debt of sin was owed to the divine by the people (human). Only Jesus was both human and divine so only he could act as sacrifice.
transfinalization
the term used by Catholic theologian Karl Rahner (in place of transubstantiation) to express his belief that the purpose of the bread and wine is altered by the words of the consecration.
transignification
the belief that, at the moment of consecration, the bread and wine of the Eucharist take on the real significance of the body and blood of Christ but are not physically present.
A popular Protestant viewpoint.
universalism
Broadly, the belief that all humans will be saved
Western Christianity
The Latin, or Catholic, Church and a number of Protestant denominations.
World Council of Churches
An international organisation of most Christian churches (excluding the Catholic Church) which aims to encourage dialogue and understanding between denominations.
World Missionary Conference
Held in 1910 in Edinburgh as a convergence of major protestant movements and mission groups.
Ulrich Zwingli
Leader of the Protestant reformation in Switzerland
