Agnostic
One who believes that the evidence for and against the existence of God is inconclusive
Anarchy
The complete absence of government and law; the individual as a law unto himself
Apartheid
Racial and tribal segregation
Apologetics
The branch of theology concerned with defending Christianity as a reasonable faith
Atheist
One who believes that there is no God
Bourgeoisie
Those who own property and the means of production; in Marxism, capitalists as a class (the source of society's problems)
Capitalism
The economic system in which all or most o the means of production and distribution (land, factories, railroads, etc.) are privately owned and operated for profit
Coalition government
A government consisting of an alliance of opposing interest groups
Communism
A religious worldview as outlined in ten categories (including theology, philosophy, biology, economics) in Understanding the Times. Its major tenet includes atheism, dialectical materialism, and socialism
Decalogue
The Ten Commandments as given to Moses (cf. Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5)
Deist
One who believes that God exists and that He created the world, but now stands completely aloof from it
Despotism
Government by an absolute ruler, dictator, king,or tyrant (cruel and oppressive)
Dialectical materialism
Thesis and antithesis in conflict bring about synthesis
Divine revelation
God's revealing of Himself and His will through both general revelation and special revelation
Economic determinism
Economics determines the entire course of history; the social, political, and moral processes of life
Empiricism
...
Epistemology
the study or theory of the origin, nature, methods, and limits of knowledge (study of knowledge)
Economic determinism
economics (the modes of production and exchange) determines the entire course of history; the social, political, and moral processes of life.
Ethical relativism
the belief that no absolute moral code exists, and therefore man must adjust his ethical standards in each situation according to his own judgement (see also moral relativism)
Divine Revelation
God's revealing of Himself and His will through both general revelation and special revelation
Empiricism
the belief that all claims of truth should be judged solely by human reason, without any special appeal to the divine revelation.
Dialectical materialism
thesis and antithesis in conflict bring about synthesis
Ethics
system or code of morals of a particular religion, group, or profession
Existentialism
a philosophic cult of nihilism and pessimism: it holds that each man exists as an individual in a purposeless universe, and that he must oppose his hostile environment through the exercise of his free will. Feelings becomes the standard of human truth
Fascism
a totalitarian political system led by a single dictator who allows no opposition, promoting an aggressive nationalism and often racism
General Revelation
God's revelation of Himself and His will to all persons at all times and in all places. This revelation takes place through nature and the human heart and conscience
Glasnost
Russian word for "openness"; in politics refers to the idea of being open to nonsocialist economic systems; a dialectic withdraw or reform
Globalism
an outlook or policy which is worldwide in scope. Sometimes a euphemism for world government
Hedonism
the belief that pleasure is the principle good, and should be the highest aim of the individual and society
ideology
the doctrines, opinions, or way of thinking of an individual or group
imperialism
a national policy forming and maintaining an empire; it involves the struggle for the control of raw materials and world markets, the subjection and control of territories, and the establishment of colonies.
integrity
the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, sincerity
-ism
a non-forming suffix: changes the root word into a system of thought, a way of looking at things, or a worldview
Materialism
the doctrine that matter is the only reality, and that everything in the universe, including thought, will, and feeling, can be explained only in terms of the physical. Basically synonymous with naturalism
Moral absolutism
the belief that right and wrong are unchanging, not determined by the individual or the culture; revealed by God through both General Revelation and Special Revelation
Moral Absolutes
those unchanging ethical truths revealed by God
Moral Law
the part of natural law that defines the consequences for the moral choices made by men and women. Original sin accounts for man's inability to abide strictly by moral law
Moral relativism
The belief that right and wrong are arbitrary and transitory, determined by the individual or culture
Natural law
Laws both physical and moral found in general revelation
Nihilism
A philosophy that denies the existence of any basis for knowledge or truth, and results in an inability to ascribe meaning to any aspect of reality
-ology
A suffix; a branch of learning; science, study of...; from Greek word logos
Pantheism
Cosmic Humanist theology; meaning God is everything and everything is God; hence,the universe is self-existing
Perestroika
A 1930's restructuring of the Russian economy along capitalist lines by Stalin; title of a book written by Gorbachev; used today, refers to the restructuring of the economy
Philosophy
Literally the love of wisdom or knowledge ; a study of the processes governing thought and conduct and ultimate reality
Proletariat
The industrial "property less" working class; in Marxism, the exploited class that is destined to subjugate and destroy the bourgeoisie
Primitivism worldview
Extols the virtues of man without the corrupting influence of civilization and promoted "the noble savage
Rationalism (scientist)
The belief that knowledge is gained primarily through human experience— through the five senses: touching, tasting, hearing, smelling, and seeing
Relativism
See ethical relativism
Despotism
government by an absolute ruler, dictator, king, or tyrant (usually cruel and oppressive)