apocalypticism
The belief that the world will soon come to an end; this belief usually includes the notion of a great battle, final judgement, and reward of the good
apostle
One of Jesus's twelve disciples; also, any early preacher of Christianity
baptism
The Christian rite of initiation, involving immersion in water or sprinkling with water
Bible (Christian)
The scriptures sacred to Christians, consisting of the books of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament
bishop
Overseer" (Greek); a priest and church leader who is in charge of a large geographical area called a diocese
canon
Measure," "rule" (Greek); a list of authoritative books or documents
ecumenism
Dialogue between Christian denominations
Eucharist
Good gift" (Greek); the Lord's Supper
evangelical
Emphasizing the authority of scripture; an adjective used to identify certain Protestant groups
evangelist
Good new person" (Greek); one of the four "authors" of the Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
filioque
And from the Son"; a Latin word added to the creeds in the Western Church to state that the Holy Spirit arises from both Father and Son. The notion, which was not accepted by Orthodox Christianity, contributed to the separation between the Western and Ea
gospel
Good news" (Middle English); an account of the life of Jesus
icon
Image" (Greek); religious painting on wood, as used in the Orthodox Church; also spelled ikon
incarnation
In flesh" (Latin); a belief that God became visible in Jesus
indulgence
Kindness-toward" (Latin); remission of the period spent in purgatory (a state of temporary punishment in the afterlife); an aspect of Catholic belief and practice
Lent
Lengthening day," "spring" (Old English); the preparatory period before Easter, lasting forty days
Messiah
Anointed" (Hebrew); a special messenger sent by God, foretold in the Hebrew scriptures and believed by Christians to be Jesus
original sin
An inclination toward evil, inherited by human beings as a result of Adam's disobedience
orthodox
Straight opinion" (Greek); correct belief
Orthodoxy
The major Eastern branch of Christianity
patriarch
Father source" (Greek); the bishop of one of the major ancient sites of Christianity (Jerusalem, Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, and Moscow)
pope
Father" (Latin and Greek); the bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church; the term is also used for the Coptic patriarch of Alexandria
predestination
The belief that because God is all-powerful and all-knowing, a human beings ultimate reward or punishment is already decreed by God; a notion emphasized in Calvinism
Protestant Principle
The right of each believer to radically rethink and interpret the ideas and values of Christianity, apart from any church authority
redemption
Buy again," "buy back" (Latin); the belief that the death of Jesus has paid the price of justice for all human wrongdoing
righteousness
Being sinless in the sight of God; also called justification
sacrament
Sacred action" (Latin); one of the essential rituals of Christianity
sin
Wrongdoing, seen as disobedience to God
Testament
Contract"; the Old Testament and New Testament constitute the Christian scriptures
Trinity
The three "Persons" in God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit