Christianity key terms

Worship

Acts of religious praise, honour or devotion

Liturgical worship

Worship which follows a set structure or ritual

Non liturgical worship

Worship which does not follow a set structure or ritual

Informal worship

A type of non-liturgical worship sometimes ‘spontaneous' or ‘charismatic' in nature

Private worship

When a believer praises or honours God on his or her own

Communal worship

When Christians go to worship with other people

Believer’s baptism

Initiation into the church by immersion in water of people old enough to understand the ceremony/rite and willing to live a Christian life

Infant baptism

The ritual through which babies and young children become members of the Church; when an infant is cleansed of original sin

Set prayer

Prayers that have been written down and said more than once by more than one person eg Lord’s prayer

Extempore prayer

Prayer that is made up by an individual using his or her own words

Lord's prayer

Prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples

Prayer

Communicating with God, either silently outer through words or praise, thanksgiving or confession or requests for God's help and guidance

Transubstantiation

Catholic belief that during Eucharist their bread and wine actually becomes the body and blood of Christ

Eucharist/Holy communion

A service of thanksgiving in which the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus are celebrated using bread and wine

Sacrament

A ritual through which the grace (or blessings) of God can be received. An outward sign of an inward grace

Monotheism

Only one God

Denomination

A branch of Christianity e.g Catholic

Transcendent

Existing out of time and space

Immanent

God in the world

Omni-benevolent

All-loving

Omnipotent

All powerful

Omniscient

All knowing

Incarnation

God in human form as Jesus

Miracles

An extraordinary event which can not be explained by human or natural powers

Holy Trinity

One God in three distinct forms: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit

Father

Creator. First part of the trinity

Son

The saviour. Second part of the trinity

Holy spirit

The part of God that is with Christians as their constant guide and comforter. Third part of the trinity

Nicene creed

A statement of belief used in Christian services. References to the Holy Spirit

Creation

The act by which God brought the universe into being

The fall

Used to describe the movement by Humans out of a perfect relationship with God due to Adam and Eve

The word

Term used at the beginning of John's gospel to refer to God the son

Resurrection

Coming back to life

Messiah

Means the anointed one (king or lord)

Disciple

Follower of Jesus

Crucifixion

Roman method of execution. Also refers to the execution and death of Jesus

Blasphemy

A religious offence which includes claiming to be God

Jesus’ greatest commandment

‘love the lord with all your heart… Love your neighbor as yourself’

Parable

Story told by Jesus to illustrate a moral message

Inconsistent triad

As evil exist, God cannot be all powerful and loving

Natural evil

Suffering caused through no fault of humans

Moral evil

Suffering caused by humans

Irenaean/Hicks theodicy

God allows evil and suffering to exist as it is through suffering that we learn and develop spiritually

Augustine theodicy/Free-Will Defense

Due to the fall, evil and suffering have come into the world. God created a perfect world and we cannot corrupt it

The story of Job

Through all of his suffering, Job remains faithful to God and trust it is all part of God's plan

Theodicy

An attempt to show that the existence of evil doesn't rule out the possibility of God's existence

Ascension

The event 40 days after the resurrection when Jesus returned to God in heaven

Apostle’s creed

Essential aspects of the Christian faith- contains belief in the trinity and the events in the last days of Jesus' life

Eschatology

Life after death

Heaven

A state of eternal happiness in the presence of God ; the place of eternal peace ruled over by God

Hell

The place of eternal suffering or the state of being without God

Purgatory

The intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter Heaven

Day of judgment

The day that Jesus will judge humanity and destroy earth and heaven

Sin

Any action or thought that separates humans from God/goes against his wishes

Salvation

Saving the soul, deliverence from sin and admission to heaven brought about by jesus

Satan

Name for the devil -the power and source of evil

Parable of the sheep and goats

Jesus makes it clear that a life worthy of the reward of heaven must involve actively helping people in need

Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

The rich man does nothing while alive to help Lazarus so he is sent to hell. While in hell he asks for relief and he is declined in the same way he did nothing to help Lazarus

Original sin

Everyone is born with a built in urge to do bad things and disobey God due to the Fall.

Jerusalem

Jesus’s resurrection, crucifixion and ascension. Home to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and walk the Via Dolorosa

Lourdes

Where St Bernadette had 18 visions of the Virgin Mary. Bathe in healing waters in the spring to get spiritual/ physical healing. Pray the rosary

Walsingham

A noblwoman had a vision of virgin Mary. Mary told her to build a replica of the House of Annunciation. Attend healing services

Rome

Centre of the Roman Catholic church. Believed to be where St Peter and Paul were martyred. Pray and the visit the Catacombs

Christmas

Commemorating the incarnation of jesus. Celebrated with midnight mass and Christmas morning services, nativity scenes, carols and gifts. Eastern orthodox celebrate it on the 7 January as they follow the Julian calender

Easter

Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead

Advent

Marks the period of waiting before Christmas. Time of preparation, reflection and anticipation

Lent

Period of fasting for 40day to remember when Jesus did the same

Holy week

Week leading up to Easter Sunday

Palm Sunday

Jesus arrived to Jerusalem on a donkey and people welcome him with palm leaves. Palm crosses are given

Maundy Thursday

Last supper. Celebrated with washing of the feet and the Eucharist

Good friday

Jesus’ crucifixion. Stations of the cross

Easter sunday

Jesus’ resurrection. Easter vigils

Church

Universal body of Christ

Trussel trust

Famous food Bank. Around 420 in the uk

Agape

Selfless unconditional love

Ecunemism

Different denominations working together to be united as one

Tearfund

Evangelical alliance relief fund. Travel to places that of great need, respond to disasters and help vulnerable communities. Partner with local churches and encourage self sufficiency

Christian aid

Support disaster responses and long term development. Focus on fair trade, climate change and human rights over 40 countries.

Cafod

Catholic agency for overseas development. Bring hope to people of all faith and in poor communities

Corrymeela

Set up after troubles in northern island .attend to talk and listen to eachother and move away from violence to peace

Atonement

God in Christ reconciles the world to himself

Grace

God's redemptive love to save sinners

Parousia

The return of Christ to establish god's kingdom, defeat evil and judge the living and dead

Millennium

Refers to 1000 year reign of christ

Consubstantiation

Anglican belief that the bread and wine contains jesus spiritual presence but does not literally transfer into his body and blood

Dominion

The idea that God put humans in charge of the world to bring it under control and maintain it

Glossolalia

Speaking in tongues

Rites of passage

Significant points in life that is often followed by a changed way of living eg baptism, marriage, funerals

World council of churches (WCC)

Promote Christian unity, peace and reconciliation. Focuses on interfaith dialogue, social justice, and environmental/humanitarian aid.

Taizé

A monastic community focused on prayer, simplicity and reconciliation. Attracts young people for silent prayer and worship

Iona

Commited to peace, justice and worship. Promote interfaith dialogue and unity

Churches together

Unite all different Christian denominations to work on social justice and community issues

Mission

The spreading of Christianity brought acts of service, charity and sharing the gospel

Evangelism

Actively preaching and spreading the message of Christ, encouraging others to become christians