Christianity beliefs key terms

Catholic

a branch of Christianity, based in Rome and led by the Pope

Orthodox

a branch of Christianity mainly, but not entirely, practised in Eastern Europe

Protestant

a branch of Christianity, originally Protestants were called that name because they protested against some of the practises of the Catholic Church; there are many Protestant denominations, but they agree on the central belief that the Bible is the only authority for Christians

denomination

a distinct group within the Christian faith, with its own organisation and traditions

God

the Supreme Being

monotheistic

a religion that believes there is only one God

holy

seperate and set apart for a special purpose by God

omnipotent

almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of God

benevolent

all-loving, all-good; a quality of God

justice

bringing about what is right and far, according to the law, or making up for a wrong that has been committed

Trinity

the belief that there are three persons in the One God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are seperate, but are also one being

Holy Spirit

the third person of the Trinity whom Christians believe is the inspiring presence of God in the world

Son of God

a title used for Jesus, the second person of the Trinity; denotes the special relationship between Jesus and God the Father

creation

the act by which God brought the universe into being

the Word

term used at the beginning of John's gospel to refer to God the Son

incarnation

becoming flesh, taking a human form

resurrection

1. rising from the dead. 2. Jesus rising from the dead on Easter day. an event recorded in all four gospels and the central belief of Christianity

blasphemy

a religious offence which includes claiming to be God

crucifixion

1. Roman method of execution by which criminals were fixed to a cross. 2. the execution and death of Jesus on Good Friday

ascension

the event, 40 days after the resurrection, when Jesus returned to God, the Father, in heaven

heaven

a state of eternal happiness in the presence of God; the place of eternal peace rules over by God

afterlife

what Christians believe follows life on earth

Day of Judgement

a time when the world will end and every soul will be judged by God and rewarded or punished

hell

the place of eternal suffering or the state of being without God

purgatory

the intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven

Satan

name for the Devil - the power and source of evil

sin

1. any action or thought that seperates humans from God. 2. behaviour which is against God's laws and wishes or against principles of morality

original sin

an Augustine Christian doctrine that says that everyone is born with a built in urge to do bad things and to disobey God; an important doctrine within the Catholic Church

salvation

saving the soul, deliverance from sin and admission to heaven brought about by Jesus

grace

a quality of God which God shows to humans by providing love and support which they do not need to earn

forgiveness

showing grace and mercy and pardoning someone for what they have done wrong

atonement

restoring the relationship between people and God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus

mass

ceremony, also called Eucharist, in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus is celebrated using bread and wine