Sources of wisdom and authority: keywords

Anglican Church

A Christian tradition which consists of the Church of England and other organisations with ties to it

Apostles

From a Greek word meaning someone ‘sent out’

The Apostolic Tradition

The tradition stemming from Jesus’ apostles to preach the gospel to all men

The Apostolic succession

Jesus’ apostles appointing bishops to be their successors

Atonement

After the original sin of Adam, God and the world were reconciled by the sacrificial death of Jesus

Canon

A collection of books regarded as inspired by God, forming a body of authoritative scripture

Denomination

A recognised, independent branch of the Christian church

Deist

Someone who accepts the existence of God on the basis of reason and the world of nature

Disciples

A student or apprentice of a teacher

Divinity

The state of being divine

Ecumenical councils

Councils of church leaders and scholars who met to discuss and decide matters of doctrine and practice

Evangelism

Means ‘good message’, of which the gospel is the old English equivalent

General revelation

Revelation available to all people at all times, knowledge of God that comes through natural means

Gentiles

A word used in the Bible to mean ‘non-Jews’

Gospel

The same as evangelism (good message)

Holy Spirit

The third person of the Holy Trinity

Incarnation

God the Son became flesh as Jesus

Inspiration

The doctrine that God influenced the authors and editors of the Bible

Special revelation

Revelations that occur to specific people at specific times

Sustainer

The idea that God keeps creation in existence