World View & Religions Vocab

Question 1

Arianism

Answer 1

The belief that Christ is a created being, therefore denying the doctrine of the Trinity.

Question 2

Atonement

Answer 2

The work of God in Christianity by which He restores the broken relationship between Him and sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Question 3

Authoritarians

Answer 3

The concentration of power in a self-appointed leader or group that demands total submission to its authority.

Question 4

Canon

Answer 4

A rule or standard of judgment; an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture

Question 5

Confucianism

Answer 5

A humanistic philosophy/religion that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. It stresses social order, family structure, as well as ancestor and nature worship.

Question 6

Evangelism

Answer 6

The active presentation of the gospel with the intent of bringing others into a saving relationship with Jesus Chris. (Often used by Adventists to simply mean the effort to bring people into the Adventist Church.)

Question 7

Evolution

Answer 7

The hypothesis that all life forms have, through a natural process, gradually developed from simpler forms.

Question 8

Grace

Answer 8

An act of undeserved kindness. Saving grace is unmerited favor, the sinner receiving the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ.

Question 9

Humanism

Answer 9

A philosophy that stresses a human being’s essential goodness and that he is “the measure of all things.” It regards the cosmos as uncreated, self-existing, and self-sustaining.

Question 10

Immaculate Conception

Answer 10

A Roman Catholic doctrine that affirms that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was preserved immaculate (sinless) from the moment of conception in her mother’s womb.

Question 11

Individualism

Answer 11

Allowing individual rights to take precedence over group rights. Individuality becomes individualism when one becomes preoccupied with self-interest.

Question 12

Indulgences

Answer 12

Remission of part of all the punishment that, according to Roman Catholics, is due for sin committed but forgiven.

Question 13

Life Philosophy

Answer 13

One’s personal conviction as to what life is all about and how it should be lived.

Question 14

Liturgy

Answer 14

A ritual or a group of rites prescribed for public worship.

Question 15

Miracle

Answer 15

An intervention by a supernatural power that transcends but does not violate natural law.

Question 16

Mysticism

Answer 16

A state of mind or a reality beyond reason. Mystics focus on direct communication with God that tends toward occult or visionary experiences.

Question 17

New Thought

Answer 17

A philosophy that arose in the nineteenth century whose primary focus was the infinite potential of every individual and the power of positive thought.

Question 18

Paranormal

Answer 18

That which is supernatural; not scientifically explainable.

Question 19

Penance

Answer 19

Disciplinary measures and self-punishment that Roman Catholicism asks of those who are seeking forgiveness and restoration.

Question 20

Shamans

Answer 20

Spiritual mediums, witch doctors, or medicine men who claim to cure diseases and communicate with the spirit world.

Question 21

Shintoism

Answer 21

The state religion of Japan. It consists of one’s devotion to ancestors, nature deities, and the emperor.

Question 22

Theosophy

Answer 22

A belief that arose during the nineteenth century that declared that humankind is always evolving toward divinity through reincarnation. Humankind can save themselves through knowledge gained from many religions and from the spirit world.

Question 23

Transcendentalism

Answer 23

A philosophy that reflects Eastern thought and advocates direct contact between humanity and God. It is a mystical philosophy that emphasizes the spiritual over the material and points a person inward to oneself and to nature as the source of all truth.

Question 24

Transcendental Meditation

Answer 24

An altered state of consciousness that is designed to turn off the mind, enabling one to experience God-consciousness (unity with the divine).

Question 25

Transubstantiation

Answer 25

The Roman Catholic view that the bread and the wine are actually changed (in substance) into the body and blood of Christ by the priest during the Eucharist.

Question 26

Unitarianism

Answer 26

A denomination that teaches that God exists as one person, rather than as a Trinity, and that everyone in the end will be saved.

Question 27

Zoroastrianism

Answer 27

A religion of ancient Persia that teaches that the world is engaged in a conflict between the forces of ‘light” and the spirits of “darkness.”