Key Concepts in Christianity and Islam

A collection of flashcards covering key theological concepts and terminology within Christianity and Islam.

Trinity

Literally 'tri-unity' or 3-in-1; Christians believe in one God made up of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Incarnation

The act of becoming flesh; taking on a human form.

Resurrection

Rising from the dead; notably, Jesus did this on Easter Sunday.

Salvation

Being saved from sin and restored to a relationship with God.

Atonement

Repairing and restoring the relationship between people and God; literally means 'At one with'.

Agape love

Universal, unconditional, self-giving love, best shown through Jesus' actions.

Original sin

The built-in tendency to do bad things that everyone is born with, stemming from Adam and Eve's disobedience.

Transcendent

Beyond or outside of space and time; cannot be influenced by either.

Creed

A summary of the key beliefs that Christians hold, such as the Nicene Creed.

Pilgrimage

A religious journey to holy places or an inner journey of self-exploration.

Salah/Salat

Muslim prayer, ritual worship performed five times a day.

Zakah/Zakat

Compulsory charitable giving to assist those in need within the Muslim community.

Sawm

Fasting during the daylight hours of Ramadan.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Jihad

Struggle or striving; can refer to personal spiritual struggles or defense of Islam.

Hadith

The sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as guidance for Muslims.

Ummah

The worldwide community of Muslims, emphasizing unity and communal ties.

Evangelism

The act of spreading the Christian gospel about Jesus through preaching or personal actions.

Mission

A vocation or calling by a religious person or group to spread their faith.

Resurrection (Islamic context)

The belief in the bringing back to life of individuals on the Day of Judgement.

Caliphate

The political and religious leadership in Islam, particularly significant in Sunni and Shia contexts.

Beneficence

The quality of being kind and charitable, particularly in the context of religious teachings.