UTC Chapter 1 Key Terms, Verses and Players

Ecumenism

the push to foster unity among various Christian traditions that disagree on key doctrinal issues.

Evangelicalism

a mid-twentieth century Protestant movement that sees the essence of Christianity as the gospel; salvation comes by grace through faith in the saving work of Jesus.

Fundamentalism

an early twentieth-century Protestant movement that sought to defend Christianity again the challenges of liberalism, modernism, and Darwinism by requiring strict adherence to a set of fundamental doctrines.

Gnosticism

a second century heretical Christian movement that taught that the material world was created and maintained by a lesser divine being, that matter and the physical body are inherently evil, and that salvation can be obtained only through an esoteric knowledge of divine reality and the self-denial of physical pleasures.

Imago Dei

from the Latin for the "image of God"; the idea that human beings were created in God's likeness

Metaphysics

the branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality.

Moral Majority

a late twentieth-century political and religious movement founded by Jerry Falwell to further Christian ideals through conservative politics-namely, promoting laws that protect religious expression in public education and that restrict abortion on demand.

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

A term coined by sociologist Christian Smith in reference to the shallow beliefs of many young Christians in the 21st century; the belief that God loves everyone and wants them to be happy.

Narcissism

the love of or obsession with oneself; selfishness; self-centeredness.

Shalom

From the Hebrew for "peace, prosperity, and wellness"; implies harmony in creation and with one's neighbors as well as a right relationship with God.

Social Gospel

a late eighteenth century, early nineteenth century post millennial movement popular among liberal Protestants that sought to eradicate social evils like poverty and racism in the belief that this would usher in the second coming of Christ.

Two-Kingdoms Theology

based on an idea expressed by Martin Luther, two-kingdoms theology distinguishes between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of humanity, contending that Christians should not promote their religious views outside the kingdom of God.

Worldview

a pattern of ideas, beliefs, convictions, and habits that help us make sense of God, the world, and our relationship to God and the world

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Matthew 22:37

And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Shane Claiborne

Believed that Christians are citizens of heaven with no allegiance to an earthly kingdom.

Jerry Falwell

Prominent evangelical minister, leader of the Moral Majority

Johanes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press, Gutenberg Bible and movable type. Made possible the mass production of printed books and other texts,; increased literacy.

Dwight L. Moody

America's most famous evangelist the end of 1800's; founder Moody Bible Institute

Walter Rauschenbusch

New York clergyman who authored A Theology For The Social Gospel. preached the social gospel, worked to alleviate poverty, and worked to make peace between employers and labor unions.