Institutional Responses to Persecution: Cornelius of Rome and Cyprian of Africa

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to early Christian responses to persecution as discussed in the lecture.

lapsed (lapsi)

Individuals who have fallen away from the faith or have renounced their beliefs, especially under circumstances of persecution, leading to questions about their status within the Church.

apostates

People who have completely abandoned their religious faith, often after formally rejecting Church teachings, viewed as serious offenders in early Christian contexts.

libellus

A document or certificate that a Christian might obtain to prove they had sacrificed to the Roman gods, often used to avoid persecution during times of crisis.

libellatici

Those individuals who, during periods of persecution, obtained a libellus as evidence of having complied with state demands, thereby avoiding punishment for their faith.

sacrificati

Individuals who actively participated in the act of offering sacrifices to pagan gods during persecutions, leading to severe controversy regarding their place in the Church.

laxist

A person who advocates for or practices a lenient interpretation of Church doctrines and morals, often seen as compromising traditional beliefs.

rigorist

Someone who strictly adheres to the rigid applications of Church laws and doctrines, often advocating for severe penalties for those who deviate from established norms.

catholic

Relating to the universal Church, a term often associated with the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing the belief in a singular, unified body of Christ.

apostolic

Pertaining to the apostles and their teachings; emphasizing the continuity of the Church's beliefs and practices from the time of the apostles to the present.

apostolic succession

The doctrine that ensures the continuity of spiritual authority through an unbroken line of bishops leading back to the apostles, crucial for maintaining Church legitimacy.

confessors

Individuals who bravely profess their faith, especially under threat of persecution, who endure suffering but do not die for their beliefs, often revered for their courage.

vicarious death and suffering

The theological belief that one person can suffer or die for the sins of others, highlighting the concept of substitutionary atonement, especially in relation to Christ’s sacrifice.

synod/church council

An assembly of Church leaders or representatives convened to deliberate on matters of doctrine, administration, and practices, crucial for maintaining unity and addressing issues within the Church.

second repentance

The theological concept that sinners, especially those who have committed grave sins like apostasy, may receive a second opportunity for repentance and forgiveness from God.

penance

The actions and practices, such as confession and acts of contrition, that individuals undertake to atone for their sins and seek reconciliation with God.

penitence

The sincere emotional and spiritual state of remorse for past sins that leads to a genuine desire for forgiveness and change in life.

rebaptism

The controversial practice of baptizing an individual again after they have previously received baptism, particularly in contexts where their faith was questioned.

ex opere operato

A Latin phrase meaning 'by the very fact of the action's being performed,' indicating that the efficacy of the sacraments comes from the action itself rather than the minister's faith.