ch 1 theo

Arminianism

The outlook of Jacobus Arminius who argued God elects or chooses people on the basis of his foreknowledge of their faith decisions

Byzantine Era

AD 500-1500, geographically pertains to area of Central/Eastern Europe under Byzantine Empire control and to (primarily) Greek-speaking church

Christology

the study of things pertaining to Jesus Christ, the second member of the Trinity
-derived from christos (GK), meaning anointed one (messiah)

Church

Term used for local congregations, the universal church comprised of all believers, or a particular faith community, such as Roman Catholic Church

Creed

A statement of faith
-derived from credo (Lat), meaning "I believe"

Deism

the view that God remains disengaged from the world after creating it
-arose with 17th & 18th century thinks who gave preference to reason over revelation, but it can be more popularly applied to views regarding a detached and disinterested God, such as clockmaker God

Ecumenical

an approach to theology that concerns the unity of the whole church, particularly as different traditions work together
-derived from oikoumene (Gk), meaning the (whole) "inhabited world"

Eschatology

study of the end times or last things
-derived from eschatos (Gk), meaning the end

High Church

a categorization of churches which are typically characterized by

1. More formal worship patterns
   -often use lectionary and a worship manual, and they are often described as "liturgical"
2. More hierarchy in leadership
   -they recognize (denominational) authority outside of the local church in the form of bishops (an episcopal form of government)
   examples: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican/Episcopal, and Lutheran

Liturgy

order of worship used in official church service
-all church traditions have a liturgy because they all follow some regular form of worship
-High church traditions often described as liturgical

Medieval Era (aka Middle Ages)

AD 500-1500

geographically pertains primarily to Eastern Europe and Latin-speaking church under authority of the Pope

Modernism/Enlightenment

A philosophical and cultural movement primarily in Europe and North America, dating specifically to AD 1650-1800, though its influence runs strongly until the advent of Postmodernism in the mid-1900s
-characterized by an eminent trust in reason (particularly expressed by the scientific method) and by a distrust of authority, whether political (monarchs) or religious tradition.

Orthodox vs orthodox

Orthodox= shorthand for Eastern Orthodox church or theology
orthodox= Christian theology within boundary of historical Christian affirmation and belief
*teachings contrary to what is "orthodox" = heterdox

Patristic Era

AD 100-500
-derives from pater (Gk/Lat), meaning father
-describes the time of the fathers and mothers of the church

Pluralism

the environment (or awareness) of multiple contrary and contending religions or worldviews

Pneumatology

the study of the Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity
-derived from pneuma (Gk), meaning Spirit, wind, breath
-related and older term for Holy Spirit is Holy Ghost

Postmodernism

a philosophical and cultural movement which runs from early 1900s-present
-largely a reaction to optimism of modernity related to scientific or objective efforts to explain reality
-rather than a focus on universal truths, this values perspective of individuals and particular communities

Relativism

perspective that all judgements such as true or false, good or bad are without external standard
-judgements are instead rooted in some individual or social convention

Rule of Faith

a short, mostly narrative summary of essential Christian teaching
-particularly associated with the early church and which forms the basis if the Nicene Creed

Secular/Secularism

the idea that faith perspectives are being marginalized from society, either by being removed altogether or by fragmenting the vigor which faith perspectives are held
-strongly influenced by rationalism and pluralism

Theology

the study of things pertaining to God
-more broadly applied to the study of Christian teaching or doctrine
-derived from theos (Gk), meaning God
-"Theology Proper" refers specifically to God the Father in distinction to God the Spirit and God the Son

Trinity

the doctrine that one God eternally exists as three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
-each of three persons fully and equally share one divine nature
-as the primary affirmation of Niceness Creed, this is the most fundamental aspect of Christianity —> distingues Christianity from all other faiths