Religion: Christianity

Jesus

The son of God, The Messiah(Christ), and God Incarnate-Fully divine and fully human

Mary

First-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph, and mother of Jesus Christ.

12 Apostles/Disciples

Were Jesus Christ’ s primary, closest followers, chosen to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and establish the early church

Paul

One of the most influential figures in the history of Christianity. Became primary missionary, church planter and theologian who helped transform christianity from a small Jewish sect into world religion.

Marcion

Marcionism was a 2nd-century Christian movement founded by Marcion of Sinope. He proposed a dualistic theology that separated christianity from judaism

Constantine

Was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, decision fundamentally transformed the faith from a persecuted minority into a factor dominant religion in the Roman Empire

Augustine

Known as “Saint Augustine”, widely considered one of the most influential Church Fathers in Western Christianity.

Martin Luther

Seminal Figure for Protestant Reformation, which split Western Christianity and gave birth to protestantism.

Authorities

Refers to the divine right or power to govern, teach, act, and lead in the name of god

Priest

A religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of religion

Pope

Bishop of Rome and the supreme leader of the world-wide Catholic Church.

Patriarch

A high-ranking bishop who holds authority or historical precedence over a major regional church or group of dioceses

Minister/Pastor

Religious leaders who guide believers, preach the gospel, and perfrom spiritual duties

Saint

A person who is holy and set apart for God

Prophet

A chosen messenger of God who speaks on God’s behalf.

Septuagint

Often abbreviated as LXX)-Is the oldest surviving ancient greek translation of the Hebrew Bible(the Old Testament)

Bible

The sacred central collection of religious texts or Scripture in Christianity, viewed by believer as inspired by God.

Philokalia

A multi-volume collection of Greek Christian monastic and spiritual writings spanning the 4th-15th centuries.

Incarnation

The foundational Christian doctrine that the pre-existent Son of God took on human flesh and nature, becoming fully human while remaining fully divine in the person of Jesus Christ

Trinity

The core Christian belief that one infinite, eternal God exists simultaneously as 3 distinct, coequals Persons: God the Father, God the Son(Jesus Christs), and God the Holy Spirit

Substitutionally Atonement

A christian doctrine stating that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute for humanity, taking the penalty and judgment for human sin upon himself so that people can be forgiven and reconciles with God

Original Sin

The condition of moral corruption, guild, and a fallen nature that all humans inherit as a consequence of the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

Conversion

A profound, life, altering turn from a life of sin, self-rule, or non-Christian beliefs toward God through faith in Jesus Christ

Kingdom of God

Also referred to as “The Kingdom of Heaven”, the central theme of the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament

Salvation

The rescue of human beings from the penalty, power, and ultimate presence of sin, granting reconciliation with God and eternal life

Sanctification

The International cutting, branding, or scarring of the skin- is viewed in Christianity through a combination of biblical commands historical traditions of body modification, and spiritual symbolism

Pacifism

A theological and ethical stance asserting that violence, war and the taking of human life are fundamentally incompatible with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ

Just War

A moral and ethical framework that seeks to reconcile the general Christian prohibition against violence with the tragic reality that force may sometimes be necessary t restrain evil, protect the innocent, and defend neighbors.

Apostolic Authority

The divinely granted power and responsibility given by Jesus Christ to his apostles to lead, teach, establish, and govern early church

Salvation by Faith and Works

The theological view that receiving eternal life or justification before God requires both trust in Jesus Christ and active obedience, good deeds, or moral behavior

Salvation by Faith Alone

Teaches that a sinner is declared righteous and saved by God through faith in Jesus Christ, independent of any human good works, religious rituals, or moral efforts

Martin Luther, Sola Biblia (Bible Alone)

A foundational theological principle of the protestant Reformation, championed by Martin Luther

Heaven

The dwelling place of God, His angels, and eternal home of the righteous dead

Hell

The final place or state of separation from God

Purgatory

Temporary state of final purification after death for souls who die in God’s grace and friendship, but who still carry residual human imperfections or venial sins before entering Heaven

Baptism

Sacred rite or ordinance where a person is washed or immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Eucharist/ Communion

Central Christian worship service and sacrament that commemorate the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples before crucifixion

Roman Catholic/Orthodox

Two major branches that emerged from the split of the ancient Christian Church

7 Sacraments

Baptism

Confession

Communion

Confirmation

Marriage

Holy Orders

Last rites

Confession

The acknowledgment of sin, a failure to live by God’s standards, or a declaration of faith in God

Marriage

Sacred, lifelong covenant between a man and woman designed by God to reflect the relationship between Christ and church

Holy Orders

The sacrament or rite by which a baptized man is ordained to an authorized ministry within a church

Last Rites

Final prayers and sacraments given exclusively to living individuals who are seriously ill, aging, or nearing the end of life

Prophecy

A message from God communicated to humans through a chosen spokesperson or prophet

Healing

The restoration of wholeness, health, and well-being—encompassing the body, mind, and spirit through grace and power of God

Speaking in tongues

Religious practice in Christianity where a person utters fluent, unlearned, and often unintelligible syllables or foreign languages, which practitioners believe are inspired by the Holy Spirit

Crucifixion of Jesus

The execution of Jesus of Nazareth by Roman authorities in Jerusalem

Pauls “Conversion”

Describes the miraculous moment Saul—a zealous Pharisee who violently persecuted early Christians—transformed into a devoted follower and apostle of Jesus Christ

Destruction of the 2nd Temple

A monumental historical and theological turning point

Legalization of Christianity

Historical moment where the Roman Empire stopped persecuting Christians and officially recognized their faith as a lawful religion

Reformation

Known as religious movement(Protestant Reformation)— that sought to renew the Roman Catholic Church and ultimately gave birth to Protestantism

Christian Denomination/Schisms

A distinct religious body within Christianity that shares a common name, organization, and doctrine

Jewish/Christian Schism

Gradual historical and theological process through which Christianity and Judaism split from being a single jewish sect into two distinct, separate religions.

Why aren’t Christian a messianic sect of Judaism?

The two religions diverged over fundamental theological differences, the role of Jewish law (Torah), and the inclusion of Non-Jews(Gentiles)

Why did the Roman Catholic and Orthodox split?

Growing theological, political, cultural and religious frictions between greek-speaking East and the Latin-speaking West(Rome)

Why does Luther break from the authority of the Roman Catholic Church?

He believed the Church had corrupted Christian teachings and strayed from the authority of the Bible

Why does Ananbaptists separate from The Roman Catholic church and from other protestant groups?

They believed those state-backed churches had stopped short of a true, biblcal restoration of Christianity

What are the core commitments of the Anabaptists?

Five foundational pillars

What are the Five Fundamentals?

Believers Baptism

Pacifism and Non-Resistance

Separation of Church and State

Community and Accountability

The authority of the New Testament

How does more modern nonconformity differ from earlier Christian nonconformity?

Modern Christian nonconformity has largely shifted away from strict external codes toward internal, conceptual, or cultural postures

What separates Pentecostal Christianity from Evangelical Fundamentalism?

Spiritual emphasis, view of miracles, and cultural postures

How do these denominations differ in how they see the authority of the Bible, the authority of the institutional church, and what it means to be saved?

-Roman Catholic And Eastern Orthodox- View bible as fully inspired by God but sits alongside Sacred Tradition

-Authority is centralized under the Pope-he holds suprme jurisdiction

-Eastern Orthodox- Self-governing regional bishops-reject the popes universal power

What it means to be saved

-Roman- Salvation is ongoing, lifelong journey of Grace- Begins with baptism and is deepened through sacraments, good works and growing holiness

-protestant-Emphasize salvation by faith alone/and grace alone- salvation is a free gift from god through personal faith in Jesus and is not earned by good work or church rituals