A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
- Abraham
- First Old Testament patriarch who wandered from the Sumerian city of Ur (modern Iraq) to the land of the River Jordoan. The LORD God made a covenant with him, promising that his descendnts would become a great people and live in His land. The religion of Judaism was established. Abraham is the father of Isaac and Ishmael. He is the father of both the Hebrew and Arabic people and considered holy in Islam.
- Amillennialism
- The belief that there will be no literal thousand-year reign by Jesus Christ upon earth. This belief expresses the view that the millennium has already begun and is identical with the church age, with the final judgment of sinful mankind by Jesus Christ bringing to end the church age, and establishing a permanent physical reign. (Contrast Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, Pretribulationism)
- Anmchara
- The 'soul friend' of the Celtic religion is an important element, where every monk would have his own mentor to help and advise him. This practice in Irish Christianity was retained from Celtic paganism, where a druid would act as a spiritual adviser to a younger person. (Hill, 166)
- Anoint
- To consecrate and dedicate to the service of LORD God through His divine election.
- Antediluvian
- Denotes the primitive period before the Flood recorded in Genesis 7.
- Anthropology
- Study of the doctrine of man
- Apostasy
- A total desertion of previous belief.
- Apostate
- One who forsakes his previous belief.
- Apostle
- An ambassador of the Gospel that spreads His Word as commissioned by Jesus Christ
- Apostle's Creed
- It begins with "I believe in God the Father Almighty", and is traditionally chanted and widely accepted among Christian churches. The creed dates back to about A.D. 500, which is traditionally ascribed to Jesus Christ's Apostles
- Apostolate
- The dignified office of an apostle. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope heads the Apostolic See, bishops assume mission as apostates in their dioceses, and the laity organize their devotions to the mission of the church.
- Apostolic
- Possessing dignified characteristic of an Apostle commissioned by Jesus Christ as an ambassador to the Gospel.
- Apostolic Age
- The earliest period of Christianity that lasted to the death of the last of the twelve apostles.
- Apostolic Fathers
- The fathers of the early Christian church whose lives overlapped those of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the collection of works that are attributed to them.
- Apostolic See
- The Roman Catholic Church which was traditionally founded by the Apostle, Saint Peter
- Apostolic Succession
- (Rom. Cath. Ch.) (Orth. Ch.) (Anglican Ch.) The unbroken line of succession starting with the Twelve Apostles and perpetuated through Bishops, which is considered essential for order and sacraments to be valid.
- Apostolos
- (Gk. Orth. Ch.) A book with parts of the Acts and parts of the Epistles of the Apostles
- Apotheosis
- The elevation, glorification, or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god or a glorified ideal
- Apotropalsm
- The use of ritualistic ceremony and magic spells to anticipate and prevent evil.
- Aquinas, Thomas
- The foremost Christian theologian of the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas assimilated Aristotelian methods and tools into the discussion of Christian theology. This pilosophical methodology remained the distinctive feature of of scholastic theology until the arrival of humanism and the Reformation. A Dominican friar that was taught at the University of Paris, Aquinas authored Summa contra Gentiles and Summa theologiae..
- Aramaic
- The trade language of a particular region in the time of Jesus Christ
- Arianism
- The name given to the heresy of Arius (see Arius); believers in this heresy were subjected to great perseuctions by fellow Christians, and the heretical belief died with them. The death toll of Arians killed by fellow Christians was far greater than the number of Christian victims of Roman persecution (Perry 182).
- Arius
- A Greek priest in Alexandria and leader of a faction that denied the complete divinity of Jesus Christ. He believed that Jesus Christ was more than man and less than God and that the Father and the Son did not possess the same nature or essence, with no permanent union between Them; the Father alone is eternal and truly God. The resulting controversy concerning these arguments resulted in the assembly of the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), the first ecumenical council with bishops from all parts of the Roman world. The council condemned Arius and ruled that God and Christ were of the same substance, coequal and coeternal; their position was called the "Nicene Creed," which continues to be an official stance of most Christian churches.
- Armenia
- A mountainous area located between the Roman and Persian empires. Christianity came to them at the end of the third century and was made the official religion of the state before Rome.
- Ark of the Covenant
- A gold-plated, ornate wooden chest that housed the two tables ot the Law given to Moses by the LORD God. It was later placed in the Temple, and received the presence of the LORD God between the two cherubims that sat atop it. It is believed to have been captured when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, and its fate is unknown today; however, it is claimed to be hidden in the relic chapel of the church of Saint Mary of Zion, at Axum Ethiopia. (See Ethiopian Jews)
- Axumite Empire
- Northeastern Africa trading nation growing from the proto-Axumite period ca. 4th century BC to achieve prominence by the 1st century AD. Legend speaks of the founder of the Axumite Empire in Ethiopia to be Manelik, rumored son of Queen Sheba and King Solomon. The Axumite possessed the largest navy on earth at one time, and were the only African civilization south of Egypt to develop writing. Their tribal language was Ge'ez, and they also spoke Greek. The Axumites had close links with the ancient Israelites, and were Jews themselves, although their religion was based solely upon the Torah and not the Pharisaic Judaism that was the norm in the Middle East and Europe. The lost Ark of the Covenant is rumored to have been stored by Manelik in the Ethiopian highlands for safekeeping. (Hill, 106)
B
- Baptism
- The Baptism of Jesus Christ is a baptism of redemption through immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of Jesus Christ frees the believer from the control of sin, by bringing death to sin. When the believer arises from the baptismal waters, he is born again, and resurrected into the new life in Christ Jesus. It is an act of obedience of the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead.
- Beatific
- The giving of happiness, bliss or blessings
- Beatification
- (Rom. Cath. Ch.) The official act of the Pope declaring a deceased person has entered Heaven and is enjoying the experience in happiness. His declaration bestows the title of Saint to the person, and makes them subject to religious honor and sometimes public cult.
- Beatific Vision
- (Theol.) A vision of the LORD God in Heaven.
- Beatitude
- Supreme blessedness, promised to specific believers by Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount
- Benefice
- Position or post granted to ecclesiastics with guarantees of a fixed amount of property or income.
- Bernard of Clairvaux
- A 12th century monk who first secluded himself with the Cistercian Movement in 1112. He was of enormous importance and fame for his charismatic writings on the love of God in the 12th century. A larger than life figure, his message always reminded believers of the importance of moral purity and spiritual closeness to God. However, he is revivled by man, even today, for his contradictory participation in the condemnation of Peter Abelard, and his preaching of the Second Crusade. Regardless, by the time Bernard died, there were over 350 Cistercian abbeys throughout Europe as a result of his influence (Hill, 191). (See Cistercian Movement)
- Birthright
- The privilege or right to which a person is entitled by birth. In the ancient patriarchal household, the eldest son took precedence over his brothers (Gen 43:33); after his father died, he received a double share of the inheritance (Deut 21:17) and became head and priest (cf. Exo 22:29; Num 8:14-17; Deut 21:17).
- Bless
- To make or pronounce holy, consecrated, sanctified, protected or glorified.
- Blessed
- Made or pronounced holy, consecrated, sanctified, protected or glorified. 2. Worthy of adoration, worship or reverence: "the Blessed Trinity. 3. (Rom. Cath. Ch.) The body of a deceased person who has received beatification, and thus "blessed in Heaven".
- Blessed Event
- The birth of a child.
- Blessed Sacrament
- The consecrated Host
- Blessing
- Favor of the LORD GOD bestowed upon a person, resulting in supreme happiness. 2. Invoking the favor of the LORD God upon a person.
- Book of Kells
- A copy of the Gospels in a manuscript of intricate design and beautifully illuminated, produced around AD 800 by a monastery on the island of Iona (Scotland). An outstanding work of art in the early Middle Ages, which according to tradition was written by Saint Columba, was still being used to bless Irish armies in the 1690s.
- Born Again
- Being Born Again, or Regeneration, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus at the moment a faithful believer is resurrected out of the Baptismal waters. The Baptism of Jesus Christ brings death to sin, and becomes the grave to which faithful believers in Jesus Christ's own Resurrection, are Born Again as they come up out of the waters. This regenerative process brings a change of heart and a new life able to receive and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Bug-bear
- An false idol causing needless fear, dread and horror to come upon a person
- Bull
- A formal papal document with a bulla attached.
- Bulla
- A seal attached to an official papal document
- Byzantine Empire
- A Christian civilization founded by Constantine the Great in AD 330 with the new city of Constantinople (New Rome). Upon the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, the Byzantine Empire came to an end. The Christian bastion with Emperors presiding over civil and religious life, and the near-perfect union of the church and state, had endured for 1,123 years and 18 days (Hill, 130).
C
- Cairn
- A heap of stones set up as a landmark, monument or memorial.
- Canaan
- Biblical land of Israel located in Southwest Asia, bordering the East coast of the Mediterranean, and extending East to the Jordan River. (See Palestine)
- Carthusian Movement
- A monestery founded by priest and scholar Bruno in 1084 in the Alps called Chartreuse led to the movement that became part of the unofficial conscience of the church. Rather than based upon the Rule of St. Benedict, Bruno's group focused upon duplicating the early desert fathers with smaller communities, solitary contemplation and work. It blended the old ideal of hermitage with the medieval institution of the communal monestery, and became respected for its severe approach to a life of solitude for dedicated monks. (Hill, 189)
- Catholic
- Whole body of Christians
- Catechism
- Theology set within a scheme of questions and answers
- Caesaropapism
- The connection of a political system joined with a spiritual system, making the head of state both king and pope as the head of the church and supreme judge in religious matters. It is often associated with the Byzantine Empire, where emperors presided over church councils and appointed patriarchs.
- Celestial Hierarchy
- A corpus within the Dionysian writings which presents the angelic hierarchy in three triads of seraphim, cherubim and thrones; dominions, powers and authorities; principalities, archangels and angels.
- Chalcedon, Council of
- The fourth ecumenical ("worldwide") council of the church was called to debate the nature of God in 451. Jesus was declared to have had two natures from birth, one divine and one human, and combined in equal portions within the single being of Jesus. This council upheld the statements of faith from the Councils of Nicea and Constantinople and reemphasized the decision of the Council of Ephesus.
- Chancel
- The altar of a church that is usually an enclosed space for use by clergy and other officials
- Chancellor
- The Priest in charge of a Roman Catholic chancery; also, the chief administrative officer in certain American Universities.
- Chancery
- A Department of the Curia Romania of the Roman Catholic Church that is responsible for issuing bulls to establish new benefices, dioceses, etc.
- Chrismation
- Confirmation of Byzantine era babies after their baptism, through the anointing of oil (chrism).
- Cistercian Movement
- A movement in Citeaux that grew out of the Cluny Movement, required monks to live under a strict interpretation of the Rule of St. Benedict, seclude themselves from the temptations of the world, reject donations from wealthy patrons, and work with hands to support themselves. Private property was banned, and ownership was held by the community. Cistercian monks were the wearers of white robes; thus, they were known as the 'white monks' (Hill, 191). (See Bernard of Clairvaux)
- Climacus, John
- (John of the Ladder) was a popular writer of the early seventh century; today his work is read every Lent in Orthodox monasteries, which makes him one of the most read spiritual writers of the church. In his Ladder of Perfection, he described a progression from an active life to a contemplative one as a ladder to be climbed to God, by eradicating vice and adopting virtue, a slow process made easier as one grows closer to Him.
- Cluniac Movement
- The founding of a new monastery at Cluny by William 'the Pious, duke of Aquitaine. The movement grew and popular communities were scattered throughout France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. The movement was established upon the Benedictine Rule (See Rule of St. Benedict), and the Cluny monks were encouraged to develop a personal spirituality, engage in common worship and work in manual labour.
- Codex Sinaiticus
- The oldest complete copy of the New Testament in existence, on display at the British Library in London
- Codex Vaticanus
- Slightly older that the Codex Sinaiticus, but incomplete; it contains most of the Old Testament, but is missing some of the New. It is held by the Vatican in Rome.
- Consecrate
- To set apart and make sacred and dedicated to the service of the LORD God.
- Consecration
- The dedication to the service of the LORD God. 2. (Rom. Cath. Ch.) The act of giving the sacramental nature to the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine. 3. Ordination to a sacred office
- Constantine the Great
- Originator and founder of the Christian Roman Empire. Constantine (C. AD 274-337) was a powerful general who had been proclaimed Caesar by his troops. Just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome in AD 312, he was pondering which gods he should ask for assistance in battle, when he saw the sign of the cross in the sky. Constantine took the celestial advice, made war under the sign of the cross and was victorious. This victory led to his becoming the first Christian Roman emperor, and sole ruler of Rome after his defeat of Licinius in AD 324. Constantinople was founded by him in AD 330 which began the era of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine and his eastern co-ruler, Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan during his reign, which officially ended the persecution of Christians, and allowed for freedom of religion throughout the Empire.
- Council in Trullo (Quinisext Council)
- (Not considered a Ecumenical Council by the Western Churches) Called in 692 to address matters of discipline by amendment to the 5th and 6th councils, and the Biblical canon.
- Council of Chalcedon
- (Fourth Ecumenical Council) of the Christian Church, held in Chalcedon (Modern Kadikoy, Turkey) in 451. It was called by the emperor Marcian to reject Monophysite heresy, and to approve the Nicaea and Constantinople Creeds. The council position eventually split Christendom into three parts; in the middle were those who accepted Chalcedon and became the orthodox majority in Byzantium, the Monophysites, and the Nestorian Church. They adopted the Chalcedonian Creed which described the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ as human and divine. It also reinstated those deposed in 449, and elevated Constantinople and Jerusalem to the status of Patriarchs.
- Council of Constantinople (First)
- (Second Ecumenical Council) Called by Emperor Theodosius I in 381. The council declared the Trinitarian doctrine of the equality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as expressed by the Nicene Creed.
- Council of Constantinople (Second)
- (Fifth Ecumenical Council) Second Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Justinian I in 553. The council endorsed the edict of Justinian's, lending support to Monophysitism, which diminished the earlier Council of Chalcedon. It repudiated the Three Chapters as Nestorian, condemned Origen of Alexandria, and decreed Theopaschite Formula.
- Council of Constantinople (Third)
- (Sixth Ecumenical Council) Third Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus in 680. The council condemned Monotheletism and Monoenergism and endorsed the view of Maximus that Christ had two wills, one human and one divine, acting in perfect accord.
- Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Roman Catholic)
- (Eighth Ecumenical Council) Fourth Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Basil I in 869-870, to excommunicate St. Photius, resulting in increased animosity between the Western and Eastern churches. It deposed Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople and reinstated St. Ignatius. (This council is accepted by the Roman Catholic Church but rejected as a robber council by the Eastern Orthodox Church.)
- Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Eastern Orthodox)
- (Eighth Ecumenical Council) Restored Photius to the See of Constantinople and condemned the double-procession doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit. (This council is accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church but not regarded as Ecumenical by the Roman Catholic Church.)
- Council of Nicea (First)
- (First Ecumenical Council) First church council was called by Emperor Constantine in 325, to decide the nature of Jesus. The council ruled that Jesus was both human and divine, and that he was equivalent to the same substance as God the Father. Arianism was made a heresy by their decision, and the Nicene Creed encapsulated this theological doctrine.
- Council of Nicea (Second)
- (Seventh Ecumenical Council) Restored the veneration of icons which had been condemned at the Council of Hieria, 754, and repudiated iconoclasm. (This council is rejected by some Protestant denominations, which condemned the veneration of icons)
- Council of Ephesus (First)
- (Third Ecumenical Council) Repudiated Nestorianism and Pelagianism, proclaimed the Virgin Mary as the Theotokos ("God-bearer"), and reaffirmed the Nicene Creed in the year 431.
- Council of Ephesus (Second)
- (Not and Ecumenical Council) Declared Eutyches orthodox and attacked his opponents. Originally convened as an Ecumenical council in 449, it is not recognized as such, and is actually denounced as a "Robber Council" by the Chalcedonians (Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants)
- Creation
- The making of all things by the LORD God, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. (See Theistic Evolutionism)
- Curea Romana
- The body of congregations and offices of the Roman Catholic Church that assist the pope in governmental administrative duties
- Cult
- A religious sect that has a false or inadequate basis of salvation, and a false basis of authority.
D
- Dedicate
- To set apart and consecrate to the LORD God for a holy work
- Dedication
- The religious ceremony announcing the intent of the parents to raise a child in accordance with their beliefs, and involving the church community in playing a part in the child's spiritual upbringing. It is often mistaken for infant baptism because water is sprinkled upon the infant in the ceremony.
- Denarius/Denarii
- A Roman coin paid a day's wages of a slave in New Testament Bible Times.
- Devil
- The fallen angel Lucifer (Satan) who is at enmity with the LORD God, and has the power to afflict man with spiritual corruption which brings death, and separates men from God through false witness and spiritual misleading.
- Devil's Advocate
- (Rom. Cath. Ch.) An official appointed to present critical arguments against proposed beatification or canonization.
- Devils Mark
- (Witchcraft) A blemish, scar or mark on the body of a person who has made a compact with a devil.
- Diatessron
- A compilation of the four Gospels into a single narrative by a second-century theologian named Tatian. Used in the Syriac-speaking early Christian churches.
- Diocese
- An ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop
- Dionysius, the Areopagite
- Pseudo author of the Dionysian works that were the corpus containing three treatises. The work was translated into Latin by John (the Scot Eriugena in the ninth century. His writings profoundly influenced medieval theology and spirituality and through time impacted Alber the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and mystic Richard of St. Victor, Bonaventure. The Gothic architecture of Saint-Denis in Paris is also named for the author-become-missionary, attributed to his uplifting illumination (Hill, 103).
- Dionysian works
- First cited amid the Christological disputes of AD 520-40 during a colloquy at Constantinople in AD532. The corpus includes three treatises which are the celestial hierarchy, the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the divine names. The document has caused questioning over its authenticity; yet, the writings were considered apostolic and highly authoritative for many centuries. The author of the late fifth or early sixth century writings is in not known exactly, but he is referred to with a pseudo of Dionysius the Areopagite (Hill, 103).
- Diptych
- Official list of bishops (past and present) who should be prayed for. A double catalogue of the living, and on the other side deceased, names of ecclesiastics and benefactors of the church; a catalogue of saints
- Dispensationalism
- Belief in a historical progression of revelation by the LORD God about His Being, Works and Will through His covenanted Word.
- Divination
- A soothsayers attempt to foretell future events or discover hidden mysteries by occult or supernatural means.
- Divine
- Pertaining to the LORD God that which is religious and sacred and befitting Him.
- Divine Healing
- A healing as a result of divine intervention of the LORD God, in response to prayer, faith or hope.
- Divine Names, The
- The longest work in the corpus within the Dionysian works which presents the names of God to bring union with Him.
- Divine Right of Kings
- The right to rule established directly by the LORD God, and not from the consent of the people.
- Divining Rod
- A forked branch from a hazel tree used to locate underground water. Also called a dowsing rod.
- Divini Redemptoris
- (Latin for Divine Redemption) The opening words and title of the encyclical of Pope Pius XI issued in 1937 on Communism
- Divine
- Possessing the nature of the LORD God, with His righteous character and supreme excellence
- Divinity School
- A Protestant seminary
- Doctrine
- The principles of a belief system that are taught. The study of God that arises from the Bible only.
- Doctrine of Jesus Christ
- The six principles of sin, faith, water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism, resurrection and judgment taught by Jesus Christ to his followers to establish a solid foundation to prepare for deeper growth and learning about the LORD God, and His Will and Ways.
- Dominicans
- One of two mendicant orders (see Franciscans), founded shortly before the Fourth Lateran Council forbade more orders, was one of the last great religious orders of the Middle Ages. Dominicans were disciples of Dominic, and preached to the Albigenses. Their order resembled the Franciscans as they owned nothing and traveled about; however, their focus was on preaching and maintaing the correct belief with an emphasis on intellectual pursuits. The Dominicans wore white with black cloaks and were known as 'black friars' (Hill, 193, 194).
- Double Predestination
- The belief that the LORD God determines some people towards salvation and some towards damnation. (See Prelapsarianism)
E
- Ebionism
- A movement of Jews which believed in Jesus until the fourth century, they regarded Jesus Christ as simply a human being and nothing more. They believed that Jesus replaced the sacrifice in the Temple, with the requirement to obey the law through his teachings. They regarded Paul and the Gentile form of Christianity as a heretical movement. The Jewish Christian movement existed around Jerusalem and perhaps Persia; to Christians, they were considered a minor, heretical sect. (Hill, 64)
- Ecclesiastic
- A person in a religious order
- Edict of Milan
- Issued by Constantine and his eastern co-ruler, Licinius, the Edict of Milan officially ended all persecution and allowed freedom of religion throughout the Roman Empire.
- Essnes
- A Jewish social-religious sect whose members, like the Sadducees, considered themselves to be the true descendants of Sadok, the high priest of Solomon. They rejected the temple priests as corrupt; only priests affiliated with their sect were deemed pure. Founded by a man they refer to as the "Teacher of Righteousness," they established a semi-monastic community near the Dead Sea. In 1947, leather scrolls sealed in hermetically sealed jars, in the Essene community of Qumran were discovered by a shepherd boy. The Wady Qumran Manuscripts, known as the "Dead Sea Scrolls", dated between c. 200 B.C. and A.D. 66-70, contain the oldest extant Hebrew manuscripts as well as documents unique to the Essene sect. The Essenes belief in the immediate coming of God's Kingdom was connected to their confidence in the physical resurrection of the body. They were preoccupied with the end-of-days, the nearness of God and the need for repentance. The Essenes thought they were the first generation of God's people, preparing to meet the prophesized Jewish Messiah in their lifetime.
- Eternity
- The reality that one can begin at any given point and go outward and yet never arrive. (Contrast - Infinity)
- Ethiopian Jews
- The Axumite Jewish empire in Ethiopia was started by Manelik, storied son King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, according to an ancient myth. The Jewish Axumites say that when Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, some of them had gone south instead of east, claiming Ethiopia to be the holy land of God. Pharisaic Judaism did not reach Ethiopia, so the the Jewish religion was based solely on the Torah and never developed a rabbinical law. Legend speaks of the hiding of the Ark of the Covenant, which, which was thought that Solomon had given to Manelik for safekeeping on the shores of Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile (Hill, 106). (See Manelik)
- Eucharist
- The sacrament of the Lord Jesus Christ's last supper commemorated in Christian ceremony.
- Eusebius of Caesarea
- A Christian writer and historian who lived in the first half of the fourth century. He is noted for his book The Life of Constantine which he wrote following personal interviews with the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. He is also known for his final book ofEcclesiastical history which accounts the church from its early days to his own time. His book Panegyric to Constantine sings rapturous praises for Constantine as an earthly image of the divine monarchy that exists halfway between heaven and earth.
- Evangelical
- A focus on the authority of the four Gospels with emphasis on salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, and the spreading of this message throughout the world, according to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
- Evolution
- (See Theistic Evolutionism)
- Exorcise
- Expelling an evil spirit through the invoking of the name and authority of Jesus Christ and his command to leave the possessed body.
- Exorcist
- A strong and faithful Christian who commands evil spirits to leave the body of the possessed. 2) The second rank of four minor orders in the Roman Catholic Church.
F
- Fasting
- An abstinence of eating in discipline to know God better
- Father God
- The LORD God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through the Spirit of Adoption by their faith in Jesus Christ.
- Filioque Clause
- A disputed clause that was added to the Nicene creed that formed a divisive chasm between the Eastern churches and the West during the Middle Ages. In the East believers declared their faith in the Holy Spirit 'who proceeds from the father', while in the West the Holy Spirit is professed, 'who proceeds from the father and the Son' (in Latin: filoque). By the time of the split of the Roman Catholic Church from the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054, it became part of the Western creed and a grievance of the East.
- Franciscans (Friars)
- One of two mendicant orders (see Dominicans), founded shortly before the Fourth Lateran Council forbade more orders, was one of the last great religious orders of the Middle Ages. The Franciscans were founded upon the preaching of Francis of Assisi, who petitioned Innocent III for permission to found the order of friars minore in 1210. The Italian friars soon became a powerful tool for the papacy, as they gave the pope the ability to direct their movements without a bishops approval. They owned nothing, and begged for support as they preached among people they met in their travels. The Friars practice was focused upon their devotion to Christ through the practice of poverty, and they were popular among the poor, outcasts, and sick. The Franciscans wore grey, and were known as the 'grey friars'(Hill, 193, 194).
- Font
- A symbol of a water fountain, it is a receptacle in a church that contains the water used in sprinkled baptism or holds the blessed holy water used in religious ceremony.
G
- Ghassanid
- Monophysite Christians, originally from the southern Arabian peninsula that carved out an important kingdom in the desert east of the River Jordan, in what is now modern-day Syria, Palestine and Jordan. They were significant in Middle Eastern politics, however, their ruling phylarch governed only by permission of the Byzantine emperor (Hill, 102).
- Glorification
- Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
- Gnosticism
- Gnosticism was a secret religion with esoteric knowledge, which was influenced by the mystery religions in the early days of early Christian belief. The Gnostics were a host of different movements with similar ideas; some existed in the midst of 'mainstream' Christianity and others were followers of non-Christian religions. They were the biggest and most controversial movement within Christianity at the time of the early church. Dualism, belief in two principles of good and evil which are intrinsically opposed, was common to all Gnostics. This dualism was expressed in the evil physical world and the good spiritual world. To explain evil, some imagined weaker gods, while others developed elaborate mythology to explain its existence. Ireaeus, a late second-century Christian from Anatolia, wrote a book attacking the religion, which led to the development of the standards of Orthodoxy. (Hill, 65,66)
- Grace
- The unmerited, unearned favor of the LORD God, given to the elect for His purposes, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
- Greek
- The official language of the Roman world in the time of Jesus Christ
H
- Hagia Sophia
- A domed church in Istanbul that is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that was designed under Justinian I by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus and completed in six years (AD 532-37). The marbled piers that support the dome are obscured by brilliant light that shines through windows in the walls above the galleries, giving the illusion that the canopy is floating in the air, and expressing the idea that heaven and earth could meet at a certain well-defined point.
- Hallel
- A chant of praise derived from Psalms 113-118 and used in the celebration of Jewish holidays such as Passover, Shabuoth, Sukkoth, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hodesh. The priests chanted these Praises in the temple while the Passover lamb was being slain, which is sometimes called the "Egyptian Hallel." The praise songs were also sung by the Levite priests in chanted verse by verse, and the worshippers would repeat the verses or sing Hallelujahs in response. “This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24 av) is a Hallel of Christian tradition of celebration and praise, especially during the beginning of Holy Week on Palm Sunday, as the Faithful remember Jesus Christ's Messianic entrance into Jerusalem as our King.
- Hamartiology
- The study of the doctrine of sin
- Hellenist
- Person who was Greek in language and conduct of life, but without Greek ancestery.
- Hebrew
- The religious and sanctified language of God in the time of Jesus Christ
- Herodians
- A Jewish sect and political party who embraced the worldly life and social customs of Roman occupation in Israel, supported the Herodian rulers in their government. Orthodox Jews thought them to be compromisers because they recognized the rights of Rome and cooperated with Roman authorities, a stance shared with the Sadducees.
- Hesychasm
- A state of nothingness that Monks of the 13th and 14th centuries attempted to achieve through breathing techniques and repetitive prayers to achieve a state of self-hypnosis. This practice was intended to clear the mind of the monk in order for him to see God by emptying their mind of thoughts, into which God might move.
- Holocaust
- A great devastation and destruction, especially by fire, regrettably witnessed in our lifetime when European Jews were systematically exterminated in mass within the Nazi concentration camps prior to and during World War II. May we never forget.
- Holy Ghost
- The Holy Spirit is the fully divine Spirit of the LORD GOD, sent to comfort believers when Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination, He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve the LORD God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
- Humanism
- A philosophy or attitude that human beings achievements and interests of natural life are more important than a spiritual life directed by the LORD God. Humanists place mankind at the center of the universe, bestowing supreme value to the human being and their potential to solve all problems of life.
- Hypostatic Union
- The view that the Holy Spirit simultaneously brought into being a human nature and substantially united it to the person of the Son so that the Son actually came to exist as man, with both natures of both God and human combined into one. Cyril of Alexandria (AD 376-444) formulated this description to defend the one nature of Christ, and the it is this idea that represented by the Catholic Church as Mary being the "Mother of God" in their belief. Cyril's opponent in belief was Nestorius, who taught that Christ had two natures. Later on, Eutyches took Cyril's teaching to extremes and not only denied the dual nature of Christ, but argued also that the single nature of Jesus was purely divine. Flavian, patriarch of Constantinople condemned Eutyches, and Leo, bishop of Rome got into the fray with a famous letter known as the Tome. Leo taught that even after the incarnation, Christ retains two natures, but he remains a single person that is identical with the second Person of the Trinity. Thus, Christ had two natures while he remained a single person, a middle way approach that rejected the extremes of both ends. The Creed of Chalcedon, a supposed elucidation of the Creed of Nicaea, agreed with Cyril that Christ was one person, identical with the pre-existent Son, but it also agreed with Leo that after the incarnation he possessed two distinct natures, one human and one divine. The Nicene Creed expesses the belief of most Christians today (Hill, 97-99).
- Hypothesis
- (See Theory) A proposed unverified law.
I
- Icon
- Highly stylized portrait of Christ or the saints, intended to focus the mind of the viewer upon their subject and encourage imitation of their virtues. The beautiful icons of the Byzantine era were created to become literal windows to Heaven, work miracles and to look upon its representation. Icons did not portray the presence of God in people's lives, but rather, they enabled the presence of God to come to believers, as their beauty was contemplated. The veneration of the idols suggested that through them God was worshipped; just as through the man Jesus, God was worshipped.(Hall, 135, 141).
- Iconclasm
- Deliberate destruction of religious icons within a culture by the culture, often as a result of major domestic political or religious changes.
- Idol
- Worship, adoration or devotion given to a material object or image that represents a false deity.
- Idolater
- A worshiper of idols.
- Idols of the Cave
- Fallacies derived from prejudice and personal biased thought.
- Idols of the Market Place
- Fallacies derived from culture customs. (Also called Idols of the Forum)
- Idols of the Theater
- Fallacies resulting from traditional beliefs and techniques.
- Idols of the Tribe
- Fallacies derived from the nature of man and his social organization.
- Impiety
- Lack of respect and reverence for the LORD God and His sacred things.
- Imprecatory (Prayer, Psalm)
- To call down a curse with vivid words of judgment upon an enemy in prayer or song in desire for justice.
- Infinity
- The reality that one can begin at any given point and go inward and yet never arrive. (Contrast - Eternity)
- Insipid
- Boring, pointless, dull, indistinctive, and bland.
- Insipience
- Foolish and without wisdom.
- Irenaeus
- A late second-century Christian from Anatolia who encountered Gnosticism in AD 180, and wrote a scathing book to describe and attack its existence. He hated Gnosticism and the way it denigrated the material world; he believed that the LORD God took an active interest. He disagreed with the way it split Christ, refusing to recognize his humanity, and the way the belief distinguished the differences between the Old and New Testament Gods. Irenaeus insisted that Christianity must be rooted in Old Testament times and its Jewish past, and was not part of a "mystery" or secretively handed-down tradition of faith. His stance led to the setting of standards that would become orthodoxy of the Church. In his book, "Against heresies", Iranaeus identified certain churches as bearing apostolic tradition, and he declared the church of Rome should be the primary authority.(Hill, 65-68)
- Irascible
- Easily provoked to anger.
- Interdict
- Roman Catholic ecclesiastical withdrawal of sacraments of baptism, marriage or burial, and a suspense of church operations from a country; also a censure used against a person. An effective tool used by Pope Innocent III to move European politicians to reform and conform to his will (Hill, 192).
J
- Jack-leg
- Unskilled and untrained to the accepted standards of one's profession
- Jack-Mormon
- A non-Mormon living amicably among active Mormons 2. A Mormon who is not active in the church or is not adhering to the principles of Mormon belief and lifestyle.
- Jacobite
- A member of the Syrian Monotheistic church, which was governed by the patriarch of Antioch in the 6th century A.D.
- Jacob's Ladder
- The ladder which reached from earth to Heaven that was seen by Jacob in a dream (Gen 28:12)
- Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who was expressed by His Word and begotten before the creation of the World. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary and walked this earth in human form with the nature of man from 4 B.C. - c. A.D. 29. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the Will of God, taking upon Himself common human nature but without sin. He honored the LORD God's divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross, He became the redeemer of of men from their sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body through his Resurrection and appeared to His disciples and others. He ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God, with the nature of God within him, where He is the One Mediator which effects the reconciliation between the LORD God and His people. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to usher in a new life to come in the Kingdom of God with a new Heaven and Earth.
- Judaism
- The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, developed among the ancient Hebrews which believed in one transcedent LORD God who was revealed through Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets. Abraham was the father of Judaism, which combines the Jewish religion, culture and people, as worshippers of the One True JEHOVAH God. He was a wandering Aramean, and went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner, with only a few people. His descendants became a great nation, mighty and populous. The Egyptians treated them harshly with afficltion and imposition of hard labor. They cried to the LORD God of their ancesters; the Lord heard their the voices of His chosen people, and saw their affliction, their toll and their oppression. The LORD God brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders. The LORD God brought them into the Promised Land that flowed with milk and honey, which a part later became the nation of Israel. (Holy Bible, Deut 26:5-9)
- Justification
- The LORD God's gracious and full acquittal based upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
- Justinian the Great
- The greatest Byzantine emperor after the fall of Rome, Justinian was a model for all subsequent emperors. Born in AD 482, Justinian was adviser to his emperor uncle Justin, until AD 527, when he assumed the throne. Emperor Justinian recaptured much of the western half of the old Roman Empire, along with North Africa and Italy, and was involved in the creation of may magnificent and public buildings and monuments (Hill, 133).
K
- King James Authorized Bible
- Published in 1611 after the English Bishops' Bible was revised under the orders of King James I, this Bible is widely used and defended as the truest translation of the Word of God into the English language by Fundamental and Conservative Protestant faithful.
L
- Lateran Councils
- Five ecumenical councils of the Roman Catholic church which were held in the Lateran Palace in Rome. First Lateran Council (1123) - (Pope Calixtus II) reiterated the condemnation of simony and forbidding clergymen to marry that were decreed in earlier ecumenical councils. Second Lateran Council (1139) - (Pope Innocent II) ended the schism created byt he election of a rival pope. Third Lateran Council (1179) - (Pope Alexander III) established a two-thirds majority of the College of Cardinals for papal election; also condemned the heresies of the Cathari. Fourth Lateran Council (1215) - (Pope Innocent III) Compelled Catholics to make yearly confession, prepared for a new Crusade, sanctioned the doctrine of transubstantiation, addressed the corruption within the church and enforced clerical celebacy and dignity. Fifth Lateran Council (1512-17) - (Pope Julius II) affirmed the immortality of the soul and brought peace between Christian rulers.
- Latin
- The governmental language of the world in the time of Jesus Christ
- Life
- Energy, power of intellect, affection and will emanating from the LORD God.
- Liturgy
- Originally meaning 'work for the people,' during the Jewish diaspora to took on the meaning of 'work done for God'; specifically, it means praise and worship to God, usually during communal service
- LORD God
- There is one and only one living and true LORD GOD. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite Spirit in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, praise and obedience
M
- Manelik
- The son of the union between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba during her visit recorded in 1 King 10 according to the Ethiopian Jewish legend. The legend of Manelik credits him with establishing the Axumite empire in Ethiopia, which maintained close links with the ancient Israelites. (See Ethiopian Jews)
- Martyria
- Shrines to the martyrs. Often built upon the site of old pagan temples, the church encouraged people to shift their allegiances from the old gods to the martyrs. The architecture was normally rounded in the style of pagan temples; later on, attempts to combine the long basilica and the round baptistery or martyrion would produce the attributes of Byzantine architecture.
- Melkite Church
- Popular Greek-oriented church chiefly of Syria and Egypt, adhering to Chalcedonian orthodoxy in preference to Monophysitism. (See Monophysite Church)
- Messiah
- The Lord Jesus Christ, who was the promised redeemer of Jews and Christians from the line of David
- Messianic
- Inspired by hope and belief in a redeeming Messiah
- Messianism
- Religious belief in the Messiah as redeemer
- Miracle
- A supernatural interruption of nature.
- Monophysite Church
- Popular Coptic church throughout Syria, Egypt, Antolio and the Lavant for those adhering to Monophysitism in preference of the Chalcedonian orthodoxy. (See Melkite Church)
- Monophysitism
- The Christological position that Christ has a single inseparable nature that is at once divine and human rather than having two distinct but unified natures. (See Hypostatic Union)
- Monotheletism
- Teaches that Jesus Christ had two natures but only one will. This is contrary to the orthodox interpretation of Christology, which teaches that Jesus Christ has two wills (human and divine) corresponding to his two natures. Sergius, patriarch of Constantinople in the early seventh century, developed this doctrine by first expressing a concern of Monophysites belief that Christ should have a single "will" or faculty of volition, and thus, one nature. He reasoned that Christ had two natures but only one "will" located in his person. Serigius had intended the doctrine to mean that the human and the divine in Christ cooperated perfectly. This idea proved amenable to Emperor Heraclius, and he imposed the doctrine of Monotheletism ("one will") upon the church in his famous decree called Ekthesis. Although many Byzantine theologians agreed, some interpreted this position as teaching that Christ was a divine person masquerading as a human being, and was not properly human. Pope John IV condemned Monotheletism as Monophysitism in disguise, both heretical teachings. (Hill, 139)
- Montanism (New Prophecy)
- An important Christian movement founded in the second half of the second century by a Phygian named Montanus. Monatus believed he was given a new revelation, which led to his appointment as leader of a church in the supposed final days before the return of Jesus Christ. His main disciples were two prophetesses named Prisca and Maximilla. The movement was called New Prophecy by the followers, and Montanism by the opponents. Ecstatic and wild demonstrations accompanied many of their prophetic expressions, but they did not preach any particular doctrines that were objected to by mainline Christians. Most of their prophecies were concerned with morality; they adhered to a strict and harsh way of life, and believed that post-baptismal sin could not be forgiven. The movement spread beyond Anatolia to Africa, where mystical rites were celebrated in secret, imitating the ecstatic trances of the prophetesses and resembling the pagan mystery religions. It remained in existence as a minor, secretive cult until the sixth century. (Hill 64)
- Monotheism
- Belief in the existance of one God. Judaism and Christianity identify the only true LORD God YAHWEH to be the Creator of all things.
- Mystical Theology, The
- Five-page work in the corpus within the Dionysian writings which presents the God as beyond perception and conception whose Godhead transcends all denials. (Hill, 103)
N
- Narthex
- A passage between the main entrance and the nave of a church that is enclosed
- Nativity
- Represents the birth of Jesus Christ in human form
- Natural Life
- The carnal life of nature that all human beings live
- Nature Worship
- The deitification of the things of nature leading to the worship of a false god
- Nave
- Extends from the main entrance or narthex to the chancel of a church with aisles normally used by only the congregation
- Nestorianism
- Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ exists as two persons, as man and the divine Son of God (Logos), rather than combined as a unified person. This view of Christ was condemned at the Council of Ephesus in 431, which led to the Nestorian schism, separating the Assyrian Church of the East from the Byzantine Church.
- Nicene Creed
- Ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches that was drafted at the Council of Nicaea (See Arius)
O
- Obedience
- Willing compliance, submission, and conformance to the rule of authority.
- Obeisance
- A bow or curtsy before a superior to reflect deep respect.
- Obelisk
- A four-sided pillar of stone that usually tapers to a pyramidal top.
- Obelus
- A mark (- or +) used in ancient manuscripts to point out corrupted or superfluous words or passages.
- Oblate
- A person giving servuce within a monastery, but without taking monastic vows or submitting to full monastic rule.
- Oblation
- The offering to the LORD God of the elements of bread and wine in the Eucharist.
- Origen
- A Egyptian philosopher, theologian, and biblical exegete (c. AD 185-254), Origen was the most influential of all early Christian Greek speaking theologians. He was the architect of most of the substructure of Christian dogma and biblical theology in the late antique period. Origen believed that the highest goals of philosophy were reconcilable with the mysterious plan of divine wisdom (Logos), and in the sacred scriptures, the gift of revelation and human enlightenment would meet. His approach to Bible interpretation was governed by the belief that scripture was a single reality from the mind of the Divine Logos, and thus had several layers of meaning. For Origen, those who stayed only with the literal meaning of Bible text interpretation were left in the vallies of immature spiritual growth, and unable to ascend to the mountaintop and receive the deeper teachings of Jesus Christ. His book "On first principles" was an introductory summary of Christian faith that related Christian worldview and how it embraces cosmology, philosophy and religion. His greatest work, the "Commentary on the Gospel of John", and his most influential writing, the "Commentary on the Song of Songs", was written in Caesarea, after tensions forced his departure from Alexandria in AD 231. In AD 249, he was tortured by the emperor Decius, and died in AD 253, a martyr's death from the injuries of that torture. (Hill, 67)
P
- Palestine (Canaan)
- Biblical land of Israel located in Southwest Asia, bordering the East coast of the Mediterranean, and extending East to the Jordan River. The sacred region to Judaism, Christianity and Islam has been the object of conflict between Jewish and Arab national movements. Originally settled in early prehistoric times by Semitic groups, it was part of the kingdoms of Israel, Judah, and Judaea during biblical times.
- Papal Decree of 1075
- Pope Gregory VII forcibly declared the rights and dignities of the pope through his Papal Decree of 1075 to prevent the papacy from becoming a pawn of powerful warlords. The decree stated that no one could judge the pope, and that he alone could appoint and depose bishops, kings and emperors, with his rule extending over all earthly rulers. These rulers were decreed to kiss his feet when they approach him, and declared all popes automatically saints. (Hill, 186)
- Peace of God Decree
- Movement toward this decree began at the council at Le Puy in 975, followed by the councils at Charoux (c 989), Limoges (994 and 1031), Potiers (c 100), and Bourges (1038). The Peace of God Decree was the response of the medieval Roman Catholic church to the breakdown of public order. The Peace of God Decree forbade, under threat of excommunication, private warfare or violence against churches, clerics, merchants, pilgrims, women, peasants, and cattle. Priests and monks were prohibited from participating in warfare and war could not be conducted in consecrated places such as churches. (See Truce of God)
- Pentateuch
- The first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) which make up the Torah.
- Person (Personality)
- The identifier of life that is composed of intellect, emotion, will, self-awareness and self-determination.
- Pharisees
- A Jewish social-religious sect whose liberal, hypocritical, self righteous members flourished in the first century B.C. Supported by most of the Jewish people at that time, there party was the beginnings for the development of all later forms of Judaism. The popular Pharisee laymen challenged the aristocratic Sadducees sect in allowing varying discussions of the law, applying it to everyday life and giving authority to oral traditions. They believed in personal immortality with the existence of life after death, and emphasized prophetic ideals and the afterlife.
- Philistines
- The Philistines were a tribe allied to the Phoenicians. They were a primitive race which spread over the whole district of Lebanon, the valley of Jordan, Crete and other Mediterranean islands. In the time of Abraham, they inhabited the south-west of Judea and Abimelech of Gerar was their king. They were a powerful tribe and made frequent incursions against the Hebrews, and there was almost always a war going on between them. They were not subdued until the time of King Hezekiah, however, they continued to occupy their territory and show hatred toward Israel. The Philistines are called Fulsata or Pulista on the Egyptian monuments and the land of the Philistines (Philistia) was termed Palastu and Pilista in Assyrian inscriptions. From Philistia, the name of the land of the Philistines came to eventually be known as “Palestine.”
- Phoenicia
- Today's Lebanon, north of Israel
- Pluralism
- The belief that salvation can come from a variety of religious traditions.
- Pogrom
- Organized massacre, destruction and violence against people by a mob that is condoned by authorities.
- Polytheism
- Belief in more than one false god. Paganism.
- Postmillennialism
- The belief that Jesus Christ's second coming will be after the 1,000 years of Christian peace, prosperity and dominance in a "Golden Age" of Christianity on earth. (Contrast Premillennialism, Amillennialism, Pretribulationism)
- Prayer
- Dialogue and communion with the LORD God through a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which leads to the fulfillment of His Will.
- Prelapsarianism
- The belief expressed by Theodore Beza and followers that the LORD God planned the division of the saved and damned of humanity before humanity first sinned
- Presupposition
- A self-evident truth. Attitudes that form an assumption of belief.
- Premillennialism
- The belief that there will be a seven-year period of great tribulation before the 1,000 year if earthly reign of peace by Jesus Christ. This belief maintains that the current age of mankind exists prior to the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon earth, which is after the Battle of Armageddon (where Jesus Christ and His armies from Heaven defeat the kings, beast, and false prophet). (Contrast Postmillennialism, Amillennialism, Pretribulationism)
- Pretribulationism
- The belief that Christians will be raptured before the beginning of the seven years of tribulation brought to the world prior to the Battle of Armageddon and the resulting 1,000 year earthly reign by Jesus Christ. This view was introduced to the modern church by John Nelson Darby from is dispensationalism views. (Contrast Postmillennialism, Amillennialism, Premillennialism)
- Primitivism
- The belief that less technologically dependent cultures and ways of living are inherently better than more technologically dependent ones
- Prolegomena
- "To go before" Comes first in study and gives direction to the formation one's presupposition of belief
- Publican
- Backslidden Jewish businessman
Q
- Quatodecimanism
- The practice of celebrating Easter on the same day as Passover
- Quicken
- Manifestation of life
- Quirinal
- One of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built which denotes the Italian civil authority and government.
- Quirinus
- The ancient Roman god of war identified with deified Romulus, an embodiment of the Roman nation.
- Quirites
- Ancient roman citizens acting in civil capacity
- Quodlibet
- A theological point of debate with subtle or elaborate argument.
- Quran
- Koran
R
- Reaching People
- Making contact with unsaved people and motivating them to listen to the Gospel with honest ears
- Repentance
- Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of the Grace of the LORD God.
- Regeneration
- Regeneration, or New Birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus at the moment a faithful believer is resurrected out of the Baptismal waters. The Baptism of Jesus Christ brings death to sin, and becomes the grave to which faithful believers in Jesus Christ's own Resurrection, are Born Again as they come up out of the waters. This regenerative process brings a change of heart, and a new life able to receive and be guided by the Holy Spirit.
- Revival
- The LORD God outpouring His Presence amongst people
- Rule of St. Benedict
- A book of 6th century precepts written for monks living together in a community under the authority of an abbot. The rule book was written by Benedict (c. AD 480-550) and was linked with the abbey of Monte Cassino (south of Rome); it became the most influential rule for monastic life by the 9th century. (See Cluniac Movement)
S
- Sadducees
- A Jewish social-religious sect whose religiously conservative, aristocratic members believed they were descendants of Sadok, the high priest of Solomon. Their interpretation of Scripture was literal, and they strived to maintain the ancient Hebrew teachings concerning the Torah. They rejected the concepts of the hidden mysteries of the LORD God, as well as the concepts of the resurrection of the dead and of an afterlife. They believed that the LORD God meted out reward and punishment on earth, and upon death, life quit existing.
- Salvation
- Deliverance from the effects and power and of sin and judgment of death. It involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Risen Lord and Saviour.
- Sanctification
- Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
- Sanhedrin
- Highest court of the ancient Jews during the Second Temple Period. They ruled on administrative, judicial, and religious issues concerning the Israelites.
- Secular
- Not substantially influenced by Christianity
- Sign
- Miracle with a message
- Sin
- Failing to live up to or violating the laws of the LORD God through transgression, unrighteousness, omission of known duty, faithlessness, or foolishness in act, thought or state.
- St. John Lateran (Golden Basilica)
- Constantine turned the old Lateran Palace in Rome into this church. The architecture follwed the style of basilicas closely, and was filled with treasure befitting its beauty. Rebuilt many times, it remains the Catholic cathedral of Rome.
- Summum Bonum
- (Latin) The highest or chief good (spoken of in Ecclesiastes)
- Systematic Theology
- Summarizes biblical and historical theology, and seeks to build an organic, consistent and truthful system with our knowledge of God and His relationship with the universe revealed in both Scripture and nature
- Syro-Phoenican
- A Syrian living in Phenicia
T
- Temple
- Originally built in Jerusalem on King Solomon's orders centuries earlier, it was rebuilt and restored by Herod the Great in the 1st century, B.C. The Temple was central to Jewish religion, and was used in sacrifices and other rituals as directed by the Pentateuch. The LORD God himself inhabited the central precinct with the Temple, called the Holy of Holies, and only the high priest could enter once a year. Quote
- Ten Commandments
- The Law of the LORD God, given to Moses by His voice upon Mount Sinai, and written upon stone tablets as part of the covenant between God and His people. (Holy Bible, Exodus 20)
- Theology
- The study of God from all sources including both the Bible and the physical world of God. It is the science of the LORD God's essential being and His relationship to the universe according to His Word.
- Theologian
- Establishes an acceptable system of consistent interrelated facts through forming coherent patterns of truth from fragments revealed in the Word of God and nature.
- Theistic Evolutionism
- Belief that God used evolution as one pattern for His Creation. There is a fixed point in time when the Creation was "very good" and perfect in God's eyes and was finished. Any changes that occur after the fallen condition are a result of devolution that has had to deteriorate progressively from the first perfect creation for adaptation to the fallen world. Every mutation makes a gene-based sequence progressively deteriorate, making the life worse off than the perfect Creation once was, and cannot be restored to perfectness once again without the touch of God. (See The Creation of Light, Heavens and Earth, Seas, Sun, Moon and Stars and The Evolution, Making and Creation of Man)
- Theory
- A hypothesis that has not been proven as fact. The establishment of a theory as fact requires the properties of data, observation and repeatability.
- Time
- A sequence of events placed in relationship with each other.
- Tonsure
- Shaved patch of the head. Catholic monks shaved the crowns of their head to represent the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross. Irish monks retained a pagan haircut, by shaving the fronts of their heads in medieval times.
- Trinity
- God the Father, His only begotten son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. One and equal in nature, two subordinate and submissive in duties, three distinct and separate in person.
- Truce of God Decree
- The first decree came during the Council of Clermont (1095) that proclaimed a weekly truce to be upheld on Sundays and a special truce on church Holy Days. It was instituted in France at the Council of Elne in 1027 and all of Europe (excluding England) by 1179; although the truce was never completely upheld, it appears to have been most powerfully obeyed during the 12th century. (See Peace of God)
U
- Ubiquitarian
- The doctrine espoused by Martin Luther, that the body of Christ is omnipresent and therefore exists in the Eucharistic bread.
- Ubiquitous
- Present everywhere at the same time in an omnipresent state.
- Ultramontanism
- The policy of adherents within the Roman Catholic Church that favor increasing the power and authority of the Pope.
V
- Va'ad
- A Jewish council that maintains control and gives advice over certain community affairs.
- Vade Mecum
- A book that a person carries for frequent and regular reference.
- Valid
- A well-founded, just, sound, effective, binding and sustainable result.
- Valley of the Kings
- A valley on the west bank of the Nile near the site of Thebes which was the necropolis of many of the kings and queens of ancient Egypt (c1350-c1200 B.C.). (Also called the Valley of the Tombs)
- Vatic
- The characteristics of a prophet
- Vatican
- The authority and government of the Roman Catholic Pope. Also the name given to the Pope's chief residence, which includes a library, archives, art museum, apartments and administrative offices.
- Vatican City
- An independent state of 109 acres within the city of Rome, ruled by the Pope. Sitting ont he right bank of the Tiber, it was established in 1929 and includes St. Peter's Church and the Vatican.
- Vatican Council
- The ecumenical council convoked in Rome by Pope Pius IX that declared the dogma of papal infallibility. (1869-70)
- Vaticanism
- A derogatory term used to describe the doctrine of the absolute supremacy of the pope.
- Vaticanus
- The Greek uncial code that contains most of the text of the Bible. The 4th century A.D. manuscript is housed at the Vatican Museum.
- Veneration
- A religious symbolic act bestowing honor to that which brings worship to God
- Virgin Mary
- Blessed among all women, she is the human mother of Jesus Christ, who was conceived divinely by the LORD God within her untouched womb.
- Verily
- Truly. Said twice for emphasis by Jesus Christ when speaking to doubters of His Word.
W
- Word of God
- The inerrant and infallible Word of God is Jesus Christ expressed. The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.
X
- Xerophagy
- A strict Lenten fast observed during the Holy Week by the Eastern Church
- XP
- A Christian monogram made from the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.
Y
- Yahrzeit
- A Jewish tradition and ceremony of lighting memorial lamps or candles while reciting the Kaddish to commemorate the anniversary of the death of a close relative.
- YAHWEH
- The holy name of the LORD God which is also rendered JEHOVAH.
- Yahwism
- The religious system based on the worship of YAHWEH.
- Yahwist
- The writer of the earliest major source of the Hexateuch, in which the LORD God is characteristically referred to as YAHWEH rather than Elohim.
- Yarmulke
- A Jewish skullcap worn during prayer and religious study by conservative and orthodox males.
- Year of Confusion
- The year of 445 days in ancient Rome in 46 B.C. of the Julian calendar which was lengthened to compensate for cumulative errors of the Roman calendar.
- Year's Mind
- A Requiem Mass said one year after a person's death or burial
- Yeshiva
- An orthodox Jewish school for the religious and secular education of elementary and higher instructions in learning.
- Yiddish
- A combined vocabulary of Hebrew and Slavic (German dialects), written in Hebrew letters, and spoken mainly by Jews in countries E. of Germany and by Jewish emigrants from that region.
- Yigdal
- A liturgical prayer sung responsively by the Jewish cantor and congregation at the close of the evening service on the Sabbath.
Z
- Zealots
- A Jewish social-religious sect whose members demanded that the Jews deny the authority of the Roman emperor and to avoid paying taxes to Rome. They were devoted patriots who engaged in active resistance to Rome. They were a conquered people who yearned for a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman rule and establish the LORD God's reign.
- Zoroastrianism
- A monotheistic, pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra) in the 6th century. Believers worship a false god named Ahura Mazda, and follow Zarathusta in the religion of Mazdeism. Their system of worship presupposes a good spirit (Ormuzd) and an opposing evil Spirit (Ahriman). Once a dominant religion of Greater Iran, the number of adherents has dwindled to under 200,000 worldwide, with concentrations in India and Iran. The Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd, Iran, were used to leave their dead at the top of the towers to be consumed by vultures, a practice continued today among the Parsis of India.
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