christianity

soft monotheism

term: belief in one god who appears in human form

importance: distinct difference of strict monotheism of islam and jew rejected divinity in human form

christ

term: greek term for messiah in hebrew & title christians give to jesus

importance: christians believe jesus is the christ

jesus

term: founder of christianity; believed to be son of god 

importance: central figure whose life and teaching from christian faith 

incarnation

term: christian dotrine that jesus is a god and was born, lived, and died as a human being 

importance:  explains jesus’ divnity and humanity 

4 gospels

term: new testament books that  tell story of jesus life, matthew, mark, luke, john 

importance: primary source for understanding jesus 

paul

term: early christian missionary and author of many new testament letters

importance: shaped early chrisyian theolgoy and spread christianity 

mary 

term: virgin mother of jesus 

importance: more revered christian saint and model of obedience to god 

sin

term: separation of god and act of wrongdoing; said by christians to be wiped away by death of jesus on cross 

importance: explains need for salvation

salvation

term: liberation from sin and reconiliation with god

importance: central purpose of jesus’ mission in christian belief 

old testament

term: portion of christian bible written in hebrew & borrowed for jews (hebrew bible) 

importance:  foundation of christian scripture 

new testament

term: portion of bible written in greek & focused on jesus and jesus movement including 4 gospels 

importance:  core text for christian belief and practice 

atonement

term: reconiliation of humans with god 

importance: made possible by sacrficial death of jesus on cross; bascially crucification meaning 

faith

term: before it was trust but now its belief; protestants affrim salvation come from faith alone and not by works

importance: seen as apth to salvation in most christian traditions

eucharist

term: bread and wine represents blood and body of jesus

importance: ritual remembering jesus’ last supper and is central sacrament in most churches

sacraments

term: sacred rituals thats convey gods grace (Baptism, communion)

importance: main way believers connect with god

reformation

term: 16th century movement that challenge authoriuty of roman catholic church 

importance: gave rise to protestantism 

icons

term: sacred image of christ/saint 

importance: believed by Eastern Orthodox Christians to facilitate contact with the subject of the image 

pope

term: bishop of rome and leader of christian church on earth

importance: holds highest authoirty incatholicism 

our lady of guadalupe

term: popular catholic saint in spanish speaking counries, bascillica most visited in christian pilgrimage site

 importance: a ysmbol of mexican identity and catholic devotion

constantine

term: roman emperor who legalized christianity in 313 ce

importance: helped christianity become a global religion

trinity 

term: christian doctrine that there are 3 persons: father, son, holy spirit, 

importance: core doctrine differentiating christianity from other monotheisms 

holy spirit

term: gods presence active in the world

importance: guides believers and the church

augustine 

term: influential theologian (4-5ce)

importance: shaped teaching on sin, grace, salvation

roman catholicism 

term: largest christian branch led by the pope, strong in latin amerrica

importance: emphasize sacraments, tradition, and church authority

protestantism

term: christian branch  formed after reformation, strong in u.s.

importance: preaches faith over works and biblical authority over church tradition

eastern orthodoxy

term: christian branch popular in east eu, honors patriarch of constinople

importance: known for lituurgy, icons, and ancient traditions

denominations

term: subgroup of protestant organizations that operate under diff names like methodism or lutheranism

importance: reflects diversity within christainity

great schism (1054)

term: split between eastern orthodox and roman catholic church 

importance: created 2 major christian traditiosn 

protestant reformation

term: movement protesting corruptions and practices in catholic church 

importance: sparked creation of protestant denominations 

martin luther

term: german monk who started the reformation (95 theses) 

importance: taught salvation by faith and authority of scripture 

john calvin

term: reformer who emphasized predestination and god’s sovereignty

importance: influenced reformed, presbyterian, and purtain traditions

church of england ( anglican)

term: trace roots to foudning of church of england by henry the 8th after separating from rome

importance: mix of catholic and protestant elements 

sacraments/mysteries (orthodox)

term: rituals for orthdox and catholics such as: eucharism, baptism, confirmation, confession, anointing of sick, marriage, ordination

importance: essential to spiritual life and salvation

methodists

term: protestants who trace roots back to john and charles wesley

importance: emphasize power of holy spirit to change lives, personal holiness, social justice

baptists

term: proteestant group emphaszing adult baptism by immersion & independance of congregations

importance:  major christian denomination in us 

mormons (LDS)

term: christian restorationinist movement founde by joseph smith

importance: uses additional scriptures (book of mormon) 

social gospel

term: liberal protestant movement teacing that faith should address social justice issues

importance: influenced civil rights and poverty reform 

fundamentalists

term: protestants emphasizing literal interpretation of bible and trad. beliefs 

importance:reject biblical criticism and evolutionary theory and interpret the Bible literally; though fervently opposed to modernity, they use modern technologies, including radio, television, and the internet

religious right

term: conservative christian politcal movement in the us

importance: strongly influences american politcs and social issus