Church History Final Vocab

Apostolic Succession

The transmission of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles to their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands.

Gnosticism

Belief that Jesus was not fully human, and the material world is bad, with a distinction between a good spiritual god and a bad earthly god.

Constantine

The first Christian emperor who legalized Christianity.

Dark Ages

Term used to describe Europe after the Fall of Rome, also known as the Great Schism.

Lay Investiture

The practice where kings appointed bishops, opposed by the Church.

Transubstantiation

The belief in the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Mendicant orders

Religious communities that rely on almsgiving and give up all possessions.

Papal Bull

An official papal letter or pronouncement, with the term "bull" coming from the Latin word for seal.

Renaissance

A period of cultural flourishing marked by a rediscovery of classical philosophy.

Protestant Reformation

A revolt led by Martin Luther that divided Christianity and led to the formation of Protestant churches.

Counter-Reformation

The Church's response to the Protestant Reformers, focusing on reform within the Catholic Church.

Inculturation

The process of adapting non-Christian customs to the Catholic Faith to show the universal nature of the Church.

Kakure Kirishitan

Japanese term for "Hidden Christians" who practiced their faith in secret during persecutions.