1000 (Revelation):

• In the Book of Revelation, the number 1000 often symbolizes a long period of time, specifically the "millennium" during which Christ reigns with his saints (Revelation 20:1-6).

3 Main Branches of Christianity:

• Catholicism: Centralized authority in the Pope, seven sacraments, veneration of saints.

• Eastern Orthodoxy: Led by patriarchs, seven sacraments, emphasizes mystical theology.

• Protestantism: Diverse denominations, focus on Scripture alone (sola scriptura), typically recognizes two sacraments (baptism and communion).

4 Marks of the Church:

• One: Unity in doctrine, worship, and governance.

• Holy: Set apart for God's purposes.

• Catholic: Universal, meant for all people.

• Apostolic: Continuity with the apostles through succession.

5 Patriarchs/Metropolitan Sees:

• The ancient pentarchy: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.

Acts of the Apostles:

• Fifth book of the New Testament, detailing the early Church's history, the spread of the Gospel, and the missionary work of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul.

Ananias and Sapphira:

• Couple in Acts 5 who lied about their donation to the apostles and were struck dead as a consequence.

Anglicanism:

• Branch of Christianity that emerged from the Reformation in England, maintaining a balance between Protestant reforms and Catholic traditions.

Antioch:

• An early center of Christianity where the term "Christian" was first used (Acts 11:26).

Apostles:

• The twelve chief disciples of Jesus sent to preach the Gospel.

Apostolate:

• The mission, focus, or duties of an apostle or a community engaged in evangelization or charitable work.

Arius/Arianism:

• Early Christian heretic who taught that Jesus was created and not co-eternal with God, leading to the Arian controversy addressed at the Council of Nicaea.

Ascension:

• The event of Jesus rising into heaven 40 days after his resurrection (Acts 1:9-11).

Assumption:

• The belief, particularly in Catholicism, that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Avignon Papacy:

• Period from 1309 to 1377 when the Popes resided in Avignon, France, rather than Rome.

Caesar:

• Title used by Roman emperors, often referenced in the New Testament (e.g., "Render unto Caesar..." Matthew 22:21).

Calvinism:

• Protestant theological system founded by John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God.

Catholic:

• Universal; the term refers to the global Christian Church, particularly the Roman Catholic Church.

Charism/Spirituality:

• A gift or grace given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church; distinctive forms of spirituality and practice within different Christian communities.

Charlemagne:

• King of the Franks and Lombards, crowned Emperor in 800 AD, who supported the Church and education.

Church:

• The community of all Christian believers, often referred to as the Body of Christ.

Clergy:

• Ordained leaders within the Church, including bishops, priests, and deacons.

Commissioning of Disciples:

• The sending forth of Jesus' followers to preach and baptize, particularly noted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Constantine:

• Roman Emperor who converted to Christianity and enacted the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting religious tolerance.

Constitutions:

• Authoritative Church documents or decrees, often issued by councils or synods.

Consubstantial/(Homoousios):

• Term from the Nicene Creed meaning "of the same substance," used to affirm the divinity of Christ as being of the same essence as God the Father.

Cornelius:

• A Roman centurion whose conversion is recorded in Acts 10, demonstrating the inclusion of Gentiles in the Church.

Council of Jerusalem:

• Early Christian council (Acts 15) that decided Gentile converts did not have to follow Jewish law.

Council of Nicea:

• First ecumenical council held in 325 AD, which addressed Arianism and produced the Nicene Creed.

Council of Trent:

• Ecumenical council (1545-1563) that addressed issues of the Reformation and clarified Catholic doctrine.

Creed:

• Formal statement of Christian beliefs, such as the Nicene Creed or Apostles' Creed.

Damascus:

• City where Paul was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).

Deacon:

• Ordained minister serving in various capacities within the Church, assisting bishops and priests.

Destruction of the Temple:

• The destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, a significant event in Jewish and Christian history.

Deposit of Faith:

• The body of revealed truth in the Scriptures and Tradition entrusted to the Church.

Diocese:

• A district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church.

Disciple:

• A follower of Jesus, particularly one of the twelve original apostles.

Doctrine:

• Official teachings of the Church.

Dogmatic Constitutions:

• Authoritative documents from ecumenical councils that define doctrine.

Donatism:

• Heresy asserting that the validity of sacraments depends on the moral character of the clergy administering them.

Eastern vs. Western Roman Empire:

• The division of the Roman Empire into eastern (Byzantine) and western sections, influencing the later schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox:

• Branch of Christianity with roots in the Eastern Roman Empire, known for its liturgy and theology.

Ecumenical Council:

• Assembly of Church leaders to discuss and settle matters of doctrine and practice, recognized universally by the Church.

Edict of Milan:

• Proclamation by Constantine in 313 AD granting religious tolerance in the Roman Empire.

Edict of Thessalonica:

• Issued in 380 AD, making Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.

Edict of Toleration:

• Various decrees that granted religious freedom, such as those by Constantine and others.

Encyclical:

• A letter from the Pope to the bishops and faithful, addressing important doctrinal or social issues.

Enlightenment:

• Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition; influenced modern views on religion and society.

Essenes:

• Jewish sect during the Second Temple period, known for their ascetic lifestyle and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Eucharist:

• The sacrament of Holy Communion, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus.

Excommunication:

• Formal exclusion from participation in the sacraments and services of the Church.

Filioque:

• Latin term meaning "and the Son," added to the Nicene Creed in the Western Church, contributing to the East-West Schism.

Gamaliel:

• A Pharisee and respected teacher of the law who advised caution in dealing with the apostles (Acts 5:34-40).

Gaudium Et Spes:

• Pastoral constitution from Vatican II on the Church in the modern world, addressing issues of society, economics, and culture.

Gentile:

• A person who is not Jewish; often referred to in the context of early Christian outreach to non-Jews.

Gospel of Luke:

• One of the four canonical Gospels, emphasizing Jesus' compassion and including parables unique to Luke.

Greed:

• An excessive desire for wealth or possessions, considered one of the seven deadly sins in Christian teaching.

Henry VIII:

• English king who broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England, primarily over issues related to his marriages.

Heresy:

• Belief or opinion contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine.

Indulgence:

• The remission of temporal punishment for sins, historically abused leading to the Reformation.

Infallibility:

• The doctrine that the Pope is free from error when proclaiming a dogma on faith or morals.

Immaculate Conception:

• The doctrine that Mary was conceived without original sin.

Jerusalem:

• Holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; central to biblical history and site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

Jesuits:

• Religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, known for education, missionary work, and intellectual contributions.

John XXIII:

• Pope who convened the Second Vatican Council, initiating significant Church reforms.

Justification by Faith:

• Protestant doctrine asserting that faith alone brings salvation, not works.

Latin v. Greek:

• Refers to the linguistic and cultural division between the Western (Latin) and Eastern (Greek) parts of the Roman Empire, influencing Church liturgy and theology.

Lay people:

• Members of the Church who are not part of the clergy.

Liturgy:

• The set forms of public worship in the Church.

Magisterium:

• The teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, exercised by bishops in communion with the Pope.

Martin Luther:

• German monk whose 95 Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Martyr:

• Someone who is killed for their faith.

Matthias:

• The apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:26).

Monk:

• A member of a religious community living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Monophysite:

• Belief that Christ has a single, divine nature, as opposed to the orthodox view of two natures (divine and human).

Mystery:

• A truth revealed by God that surpasses human understanding.

Nero:

• Roman Emperor known for his persecution of Christians.

Nestorius/Nestorianism:

• Early heretic who taught that Christ was two separate persons, one human and one divine; his views were condemned at the Council of Ephesus.

Nominalism:

• Philosophical view that universals are mere names without corresponding reality, influential in late medieval theology.

Nostra Aetate:

• Declaration from Vatican II on the relation of the Church with non-Christian religions, promoting dialogue and respect.

Nun:

• A woman who takes vows and lives a religious life in a convent or community.

Orthodoxy:

• Adherence to accepted and traditional teachings of the faith.

Orthopraxy:

• Correct conduct or practice in religion, as opposed to correct belief (orthodoxy).

Papal Decree:

• An authoritative order or decision issued by the Pope.

Papal Schism:

• Periods of division within the Catholic Church, most notably the Western Schism (1378-1417) when multiple claimants to the Papacy existed.

Paul:

• Apostle who spread Christianity among Gentiles; author of many New Testament epistles.

Pentecost:

• The event when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel (Acts 2).

Person v. Nature:

• Theological distinction in Christology; person refers to the individual existence (Jesus Christ) while nature refers to the divine and human aspects of Christ.

Peter:

• Apostle, considered the first Pope, central in the early Church.

Persecution:

• Hostile treatment, especially because of religious beliefs, experienced by early Christians and other religious groups.

Pharisees:

• Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the law; often depicted in the Gospels as opponents of Jesus.

Pope John XXIII:

• See John XXIII above.

Pope Leo XIII:

• Pope who issued the encyclical Rerum Novarum on social justice and workers' rights.

Pope Pius IX:

• Longest-reigning elected Pope who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and convened the First Vatican Council.

Praxis:

• Practice or conduct as distinguished from theory or belief; in theology, it refers to the application of faith in action.

Protestant Reformation:

• 16th-century religious movement initiated by Martin Luther challenging Catholic doctrine and practices, leading to the formation of Protestant denominations.

Predestination:

• The doctrine that God has eternally chosen those whom he intends to save.

Rerum Novarum:

• Encyclical by Pope Leo XIII addressing the rights and duties of capital and labor.

Revelation (symbols/numbers):

• The Book of Revelation uses symbolic language and numbers (e.g., 7 for completeness, 666 for imperfection) to convey prophetic visions.

Road to Damascus:

• The event of Paul's conversion to Christianity (Acts 9), symbolizing a transformative experience.

Rome: - Central city in Christian history, the seat of the Papacy, and significant in the spread of Christianity.

Sacrament: - Visible signs of God's grace, instituted by Christ; the Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments.

Sacramentality: - The belief that the material world can be a conduit of God's grace, foundational in sacramental theology.

Sadducees: - Jewish sect that was more aristocratic and conservative, rejecting beliefs in the resurrection and angels, often opposing the Pharisees.

Schism: - A formal division within the Church, such as the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.

Simony: - The sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical offices or sacraments.

Sola Scriptura: - Protestant doctrine that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.

Stephen: - The first Christian martyr, stoned to death for his faith (Acts 7).

Spirituality: - The practice and experience of living out one's faith and relationship with God.

Trinity: - The Christian doctrine of one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Transubstantiation: - The Catholic belief that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ while retaining their accidents.

Universal Call to Holiness: - The teaching that all Christians are called to live a holy life, not just clergy or religious.

Vatican I: - The First Vatican Council (1869-1870) which defined the doctrine of papal infallibility.

Vatican II: - The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which brought significant liturgical and ecumenical reforms to the Catholic Church.

Zealots: - Jewish political movement in the 1st century that sought to overthrow Roman rule, known for their extreme zeal for Jewish law.