christianism

Messiah

The savior promised by God, identified in Christian theology as Jesus.

Son of God

A title signifying unique divinity and complete oneness with God.

Word (Logos) of God

A title for Jesus designating him as God's living message and creative power.

Incarnate

Literally "made into flesh"; the theological doctrine that God took on human form as Jesus.

Trinity

The core doctrine that one God exists eternally as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Kingdom of Heaven

God's rule and peace, active within people's hearts in the present and destined to be fully realized in the future.

Crucifixion

The execution of Jesus on a cross, interpreted as an atonement sacrifice to pay for human sins.

Paschal Lamb / Lamb of God

Titles for Jesus comparing him to a sacrificial offering whose death delivers humanity from spiritual harm.

Gospel

A term literally meaning "Good News," referring to the proclamation that Jesus saves humanity.

Mosaic Law

The commandments and legal codes given by God to Moses for ancient Israel.

Old Covenant

The sacred agreement between God and ancient Israel grounded in adherence to the Mosaic Law.

New Covenant

The universal agreement established between God and humanity based on divine forgiveness and grace through Jesus.

Resurrection

The physical rising of Jesus from the dead three days after his death.

Second Coming

The eschatological belief in the future return of Jesus to Earth.

Day of Judgment

The ultimate culmination of history when God evaluates every person who has ever lived.

Sacraments

Sacred outward church rituals believed to confer and bring believers closer to divine grace.

Baptism

A ceremonial rite using water to symbolize the cleansing of sin and initiation into the Christian community.

Lord’s Supper / Eucharist / Communion

A sacred observance in which bread and wine or juice are shared to commemorate the Last Supper and Christ's sacrifice.

Bible

The sacred collection of scriptures recognized as authoritative in Christianity.

Old Testament

The first section of the Christian scriptures, chronicling the history, laws, and literature of ancient Israel.

New Testament

The second section of the Christian scriptures, containing the life and teachings of Jesus alongside early Church history.

Pentateuch

The initial five books of the Bible, spanning Genesis through Deuteronomy.

Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical

A collection of ancient biblical writings included in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, but typically excluded from Protestant canons.

Gospels

The four New Testament books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) providing the narrative account of Jesus's life and ministry.

Acts of the Apostles

The biblical narrative recording the early development and geographic expansion of the Christian Church.

Epistles

Letters written by early Christian leaders, notably Paul, to provide guidance, doctrine, and encouragement to young churches.

Revelation / Apocalypse

The final book of the New Testament, characterized by apocalyptic imagery outlining the culmination of history and God's victory.

Biblical Inerrancy

The theological stance that sacred scripture is wholly without error in all that it affirms.

Biblical Exegesis

The critical study and historical-literary analysis of a scriptural passage to extract its original intended meaning.

Literal Sense of Scripture

The foundational interpretive meaning describing what the biblical text plainly states occurred.

Allegorical Sense of Scripture

The interpretive layer uncovering hidden, symbolic meanings that foreshadow or connect to Christ.

Moral Sense of Scripture

The interpretive layer identifying ethical mandates and guidance on right and wrong behavior.

Anagogical Sense of Scripture

The interpretive layer interpreting events and teachings in terms of their eternal, heavenly, and future significance.