Terms from Bowker & McCarthy Readings

Question 1

Autonomous groups with an all-African membership and leadership that arose from a number of breakaways from white-controlled mission churches in the mid-nineteenth century in South Africa. The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) is the best-known and is said to have up to a million people attending its Easter services at its headquarters in Morija.

Answer 1

African Independent Churches (AICs)

Question 2

The belief that the existence of a first cause, and thus God, cannot be proven or disputed, since the evidence is insufficient. Therefore we cannot know whether a God or gods exist.

Answer 2

Agnosticism

Question 3

The practical and / or theoretical rejection of faith in the existence of God, or a god.

Answer 3

Atheism

Question 4

Has noun and adjective.

In religion, words or actions that display irreverence toward or contempt for God or that which is held sacred. Blasphemy is regarded as an offense against the community to varying degrees, depending on the extent of the identification of a religion with the society at large or the government.

Answer 4

Blasphemy (noun)

Blasphemous (adj)

Question 5

A system of beliefs laid down by John Calvin (1509-1564) that emphasise predestination. This Protestant reformer believed that humanity is divided into two groups: those elected by God to be saved and those who will not be saved, or that will go to Hell.

Answer 5

Calvinism

Question 6

Has noun and adjective.

Movement for reunion or collaboration between previously separated branches of Christianity. (Note: this differs from interreligious dialogue which focuses on collaboration between different faith groups)

Answer 6

Ecumenism (noun)

Ecumenical (adj)

Question 7

Abstract noun.

A belief held by an adherent that is contrary to the accepted teachings of the religious organisation.

Answer 7

Heresy

Question 8

Person.

A person who has been judged by the church to teach doctrine dangerously contrary to the teachings of the church.

Answer 8

Heretic

Question 9

The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically. Teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them. This normally applies to the instructions of fundamentalists of one specific faith or belief system who want to impose their views on others.

Answer 9

Indoctrination

Question 10

*NB. Has noun and adjective.

The doctrine or belief that there is only one God. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all monotheistic religions.

Answer 10

Monotheism (noun)

Monotheistic (adj)

Question 11

Refers to person and noun.

The belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (as intuition or insight)

Answer 11

Mysticism (noun)

Mystic (person)

Question 12

*NB.

A statement or proposition which seems absurd or contradictory, but when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.

Answer 12

Paradox

Question 13

Has two names.

Modern Christian groups emphasising outbursts of exotic, generally unintelligible, speech as a mark of the Holy Spirit’s presence and of the individual’s holiness or spiritual perfection; characterised by individual experiences of grace, spiritual gifts (as glossolalia and faith healing), expressive worship, and evangelism.

Answer 13

Pentecostal churches

Charismatic churches

Question 14

*NB. Has noun and adjective.

The belief in many gods. Polytheism characterizes virtually all religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which share a common tradition of monotheism, the belief in one God.

Answer 14

Polytheism (noun)

Polytheistic (adj)

Question 15

*NB.

The doctrines, customs and adherents of non-Roman Catholic Christianity who trace their history back to the Protestant Reformation in 1517. It is characterised by the doctrines of the exclusive authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura), justification by faith alone (Sola Fide), salvation by grace alone (Sola Gratia) and of the validity of only two sacraments, namely baptism and Holy Communion.

Answer 15

Protestants

Question 16

A religious conviction, especially Islam or Protestant Christianity, that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture. It is characterised by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views. It strongly rejects secularism.

Answer 16

Religious fundamentalism

Question 17

Extreme positivism; the view that only science and the scientific methods can decide what is true.’

Answer 17

Scientism

Question 18

Has noun and adjective.

profane; worldly; not religious; non-spiritual. The separation of church and state. When society and culture are removed from the domination of religious institutions and symbols.

Answer 18

Secularisation (noun)

Secular (adj)

Question 19

Has noun and adjective.

Transcendental refers to things that lie beyond the practical experience of ordinary people, and cannot be discovered or understood by ordinary reasoning.

Answer 19

Transcendence (noun)

Transcendental (adj)