Religion Key Concepts I should know!

Definitions of Terms

• Substantive definitions of religion: Definitions that focus on the essential elements or beliefs of religion.

• Functionalist definitions of religion: Definitions that emphasize the roles, functions, or purposes of religion in society.

• Elite / Institutional Religion: The organized, often hierarchical structures of belief systems, typically led by clergy or official representatives.

• Lived Religion: The practices, beliefs, and rituals of individuals and communities as they actually experience religion in their daily lives (Hedges, 69-70).

• Syncretism: The blending of different religious beliefs and practices into a new, cohesive system, often seen in culturally diverse areas (Hedges, 78).

• Inculturation: The process of integrating religious traditions into a particular culture, allowing for adaptation and mutual influence.

• Jesus of Nazareth: Central figure of Christianity, recognized as the Messiah and Christ by Christians (Bruyneel and Padgett, 4).

• Bible: The sacred texts of Christianity, consisting of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament, including the Gospels (Bruyneel and Padgett, 5-6).

• Church vs. church: The distinction between the universal body of Christian believers (Church) and the various denominations or local congregations (church) (Bruyneel and Padgett, 5).

• Worship: Activities or rituals that express reverence, including liturgy, sermons/homilies, religious songs/hymns, and sacraments (Bruyneel and Padgett, 5-6, 26, 29-30).

• Doctrine vs. Heresy: Doctrine refers to the established beliefs held by a religious group, while heresy signifies beliefs that deviate from those accepted doctrines (Bruyneel and Padgett, 8, 78).

• Christian liturgical calendar: The annual cycle of seasons in the Christian tradition, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter (Bruyneel and Padgett, 12-17).

• Common features of church buildings: Architectural elements typical to church structures (Bruyneel and Padgett, 18-19).

• Icons: Sacred images or representations used in worship in some Christian traditions (Bruyneel and Padgett, 18).

• Cross vs. Crucifix vs. (3-bar) orthodox cross: Symbols of Christianity; the cross being a bare representation, while the crucifix includes Christ's figure, and the orthodox cross has three bars, symbolizing different theological aspects.

• High church vs. Low church: Terms that describe different worship styles and ecclesiastical practices in Christianity, with high church emphasizing formal liturgy and low church being more informal.

• Corporate worship: Community-based worship services, where believers gather collectively to worship (Bruyneel and Padgett, 24).

• Ecclesiastical Polity: The organizational structure of a church, including systems like Episcopal, Presbyterian, or Congregational governance.

• Ecumenical Councils: Assemblies of church leaders convened to discuss and settle issues of doctrine or church governance (Bruyneel and Padgett, 84).

• Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy: Orthodoxy refers to correct beliefs, while orthopraxy emphasizes correct practices in religion (Bruyneel and Padgett, 83).

• Apostles: The primary followers of Jesus Christ, tasked with spreading his teachings (Bruyneel and Padgett, 77).

• Christendom: The worldwide community of Christians; historically refers to the Christian world, especially during the Middle Ages (Bruyneel and Padgett, 91).

• Crusades: A series of religious wars in the medieval period aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control (Bruyneel and Padgett, 88-90).

• Monasticism: A religious way of life characterized by asceticism and communal living, often in monasteries (Bruyneel and Padgett, 85-86).

• Contemplative vs. Active Order: Types of religious orders; contemplative focuses on prayer and meditation, while active emphasizes social action and missionary work.

• Gnosticism: An early religious movement that emphasized esoteric knowledge and often deviated from orthodox Christian beliefs (Bruyneel and Padgett, 78).

• Arianism: A theological doctrine that denied the full divinity of Jesus, which was considered heretical by early Church leaders (Bruyneel and Padgett, 78).

• Nicene Creed: A statement of Christian faith established at the Council of Nicaea, affirming the nature of God and Christ (Bruyneel and Padgett, 72).

• Nestorianism: A Christological belief that emphasized a distinction between the human and divine natures of Christ.

• Hypostatic Union: The theological concept of the union of Christ's two natures, divine and human, in one person.

• Veneration of Icons: The practice of honoring holy images and relics in certain Christian traditions.

• Martyr: A person who suffers or dies for their beliefs, particularly in religious contexts (Bruyneel and Padgett, 75).

• Great Schism: The division between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic Churches occurring in 1054 (Bruyneel and Padgett, 87).

• Evangelism: The act of spreading the Christian gospel, often through preaching and outreach (Bruyneel and Padgett, 86).

• Apostolic succession: The unbroken transmission of spiritual authority from the Apostles through successive popes and bishops (Bruyneel and Padgett, 86).

• Doctrine of Discovery: A legal and theological theory used to justify European imperialism and colonization.

• Gutenberg Bible: The first major book printed using movable type, marking the start of the mass printing of religious texts.

• Protestant Reformation: A religious movement in the 16th century that led to the rise of Protestant denominations; key figures include Martin Luther and John Calvin.

• Protestant Denominations: Various branches of Protestant Christianity, each with its own beliefs and practices.

• Sola scriptura, sola fides, sola gratia: Principles of the Protestant Reformation, meaning scripture alone, faith alone, and grace alone as the means of salvation (Bruyneel and Padgett, 95).

• Great Awakenings: Periods of religious revival in American history, characterized by widespread enthusiasm for religion.

• Council of Trent: A council of the Roman Catholic Church held to address issues of reform and doctrinal disputes (Bruyneel and Padgett, 105).

• First Vatican Council: An ecumenical council that addressed issues such as papal infallibility (Bruyneel and Padgett, 112).

• Second Vatican Council: A significant ecumenical council that brought numerous reforms to the Catholic Church (Bruyneel and Padgett, 112).

• Pentecostal vs. Charismatic movement: Movements within Christianity emphasizing direct experience of the Holy Spirit; Pentecostal focuses on speaking in tongues, whereas Charismatic incorporates these practices into various denominations (Bruyneel and Padgett, 106-7).

• Laity: Non-ordained members of the Church who are involved in its work (Bruyneel and Padgett, 107).

• World Council of Churches: An international organization aimed at promoting Christian unity among different denominations (Bruyneel and Padgett, 109).

• Liberation theologies: Theological perspectives that emphasize social justice and the liberation of oppressed people (Bruyneel and Padgett, 111-2).

• Missions: Efforts to spread religious beliefs, often involving outreach and community service.

• Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots: Various Jewish sects during the Second Temple period, each with distinct beliefs and practices (Bruyneel and Padgett, 37).

• Disciples vs. Apostles: Disciples are followers of Jesus, whereas Apostles are the chosen leaders among them (Bruyneel and Padgett, 39).

• Rabbi: A teacher or scholar of Jewish law and theology.

• Jewish & Muslim view of Jesus: In Judaism, Jesus is often seen as a teacher or rabbi, while in Islam, he is revered as a prophet (but not divine).

• Dead Sea scrolls: Ancient manuscripts discovered near the Dead Sea, which provide insight into Jewish sects and early biblical texts (Bruyneel and Padgett, 37-8).

• Christology: The study of the nature and work of Jesus Christ.

• Infallible vs. Literal: Infallible refers to the belief that religious texts are free from error, while literal interprets texts based on their plain meaning.

• Synoptic Gospels: The first three Gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) which share similar content and structure.

• Modern Biblical criticism: Scholarly approaches to analyzing biblical texts in context, challenging traditional interpretations.

• “Q”: A hypothetical source used to explain common material found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke but not in Mark.

• Incarnation: The theological belief in the embodiment of God as Jesus Christ.

• Christology from above: An approach to Christology that emphasizes Jesus' divine nature.

• Christology from below: An approach focusing on Jesus' humanity and historical context.

• Liberation Christologies: Understandings of Christ focusing on freedom from oppression, particularly in social contexts.

• Inculturation Christologies: Perspectives that relate the message of Christ to specific cultural contexts.

• Interreligious Christologies: Approaches that explore the relationship between Christianity and other faiths in understanding Christ.