Religious Studies Vocabulary Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key terms and definitions from religious studies.

Augustine of Hippo

First great theologian of the West and author of 'Confessions' and 'City of God.'

5 Pillars of Islam

The essential acts of worship and framework for a Muslim's life: Shahada, Salat, Sawm, Zakat, and Hajj.

Covenant

A treaty between two parties, often referring to God's agreements with humanity in religious contexts.

Protestant Reformation

A 16th-century movement that sought to reform the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the establishment of Protestant churches.

Baptism

A sacrament that symbolizes the cleansing of sin and entrance into the Church.

Abu Bakr

A close companion of Muhammad, early convert to Islam, and eventually his father-in-law.

Lutheranism

A branch of Christianity that emerged from Martin Luther's criticisms of Catholic doctrines.

Constantine

First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and legalized Christian worship.

Diaspora

Refers to Jewish communities living outside the historical land of Israel.

Orthodoxy

The adherence to traditional beliefs and practices in a religious faith.

Halakhah

Jewish law that guides daily life and religious practice.

Holy Communion

Also known as Eucharist, representing Jesus’ Last Supper with his apostles.

Mitzvah/Mitzvot

Rites of passage in Judaism, including Bar Mitzvah for males and Bat Mitzvah for females, marking their coming of age.

Shari’ah

Islamic law that encompasses the entire religion of Islam.

Reconstructionist

A branch of Judaism that arose in America emphasizing the evolution of Jewish traditions.

Hadith

Literary tradition recording the sayings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic belief system that emphasizes personal experience of God.

Transubstantiation

The belief in the transformation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist.

Trinity

The Christian doctrine that defines God as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Yom Kippur

The Day of Atonement, the most solemn fast day in the Jewish calendar.

Talmud

A multivolume commentary on the laws of the Torah, regarded as an extension of sacred scripture in Judaism.

Ka'bah

The sacred House of God in Mecca, central to Islamic worship.

Hijrah

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Eucharist

The Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, involving the consumption of bread and wine.

Gospels

The four books of the New Testament that recount the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sunnah

The practices and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a model for Muslims.

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, regarded by Shi'a Muslims as the first Imam.