Christianity Study Guide PDF

Key Terms 1. Advent o Definition: The period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. o Importance: Marks the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. 2. Atonement o Definition: Reconciliation of humanity with God through Jesus’ sac...

Key Terms 1. Advent o Definition: The period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. o Importance: Marks the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. 2. Atonement o Definition: Reconciliation of humanity with God through Jesus’ sacrificial death. o Importance: Central to Christian theology, addressing sin and reconciliation with God. 3. Baptism o Definition: A sacrament of initiation and purification using water. o Importance: Symbolizes washing away of sin and entry into the Christian community. 4. Bible o Definition: Sacred scriptures of Christianity, including the Old and New Testaments. o Importance: Authoritative word of God, guiding faith and practice. 5. Catholicism o Definition: Faith, practice, and system of the Roman Catholic Church. o Importance: One of the largest branches of Christianity with rich traditions. 6. Christmas o Definition: Festival commemorating the birth of Jesus, observed on December 25. o Importance: Major Christian holiday celebrating the incarnation of God in Jesus. 7. Church o Definition: Community of Christians or a building for Christian worship. o Importance: Central institution for worship, community, and spiritual growth. 8. Crusades o Definition: Series of religious wars initiated by the Latin Church. o Importance: Significant impacts on Christian-Muslim relations and European history. 9. Easter o Definition: Festival celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.  o Importance: Most important Christian festival, marking the culmination of Jesus’ Passion. 10. Ecumenism o Definition: Movement promoting unity among Christian denominations. o Importance: Seeks to overcome divisions and foster cooperation among Christians. 11. Edict of Milan o Definition: Proclamation legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire (313 CE). o Importance: Ended persecution of Christians, allowing the faith to spread. 12. Eucharist o Definition: Sacrament commemorating the Last Supper with bread and wine. o Importance: Central act of Christian worship, symbolizing Christ’s body and blood. 13. Evangelism o Definition: Act of preaching or spreading the Christian gospel. o Importance: Fundamental aspect of Christian mission and conversion efforts. 14. Evangelicalism o Definition: Protestant movement emphasizing the Bible, personal conversion, and evangelism. o Importance: Influential in shaping modern Protestantism. 15. Gospel o Definition: “Good news” of Jesus Christ; first four books of the New Testament. o Importance: Core texts of Christian faith, recounting Jesus’ life and teachings. 16. Grace o Definition: Free and unmerited favor of God. o Importance: Central to Christian theology, emphasizing God’s love and mercy. 17. Heaven o Definition: Eternal dwelling place of God and the blessed. o Importance: Ultimate goal of Christian life, representing eternal life with God. 18. Hell o Definition: Place or state of punishment and separation from God.  o Importance: Emphasizes consequences of sin and need for repentance. 19. Holy Week o Definition: Week preceding Easter, commemorating Jesus’ Passion. o Importance: Includes significant events like Palm Sunday and Good Friday. 20. Indulgence o Definition: Remission of temporal punishment for sins. o Importance: Historically significant, especially during the Reformation. 21. Kingdom of God o Definition: Reign or rule of God. o Importance: Central theme in Jesus’ teaching, representing God’s sovereign rule. 22. Lent o Definition: 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance before Easter. o Importance: Time for spiritual preparation and reflection on Jesus’ sacrifice. 23. Liturgy o Definition: Prescribed form of public worship. o Importance: Provides structure and tradition to Christian worship. 24. Lord’s Prayer o Definition: Prayer taught by Jesus, also known as “Our Father.” o Importance: Central prayer in Christian worship, encapsulating key elements of faith. 25. Martyr o Definition: Person killed for their religious beliefs. o Importance: Revered for their witness to faith and ultimate sacrifice. 26. Messiah o Definition: Anointed one, believed by Christians to be Jesus. o Importance: Central to Christian belief, representing fulfillment of God’s promise. 27. Monasticism o Definition: Religious way of life characterized by asceticism and communal living. o Importance: Significant for its contributions to spirituality and education. 28. Nazareth o Definition: Town where Jesus grew up. o Importance: Significant in Jesus’ life, often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth.” 29. New Testament o Definition: Second part of the Christian Bible. o Importance: Fundamental to Christian faith, providing the basis for doctrine and practice. 30. Nicene Creed o Definition: Statement of Christian faith from the First Council of Nicaea. o Importance: Defines key doctrines, particularly the Trinity and Jesus’ divinity. 31. Original Sin o Definition: Doctrine that humans inherit a sinful nature from Adam and Eve. o Importance: Central to understanding human nature and need for salvation. 32. Orthodox Church o Definition: Eastern Christian churches following early church traditions. o Importance: Major branch of Christianity with a rich liturgical tradition. 33. Parable o Definition: Simple story used by Jesus to illustrate a moral lesson. o Importance: Key teaching method of Jesus, making complex truths accessible. 34. Pentecostalism o Definition: Christian movement emphasizing the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. o Importance: Known for vibrant worship and emphasis on personal experience of God. 35. Pope o Definition: Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. o Importance: Central role in Catholicism, providing spiritual leadership. 36. Priest o Definition: Ordained minister who performs religious rites and sacraments. o Importance: Mediator between God and people, leading worship and pastoral care. 37. Protestantism o Definition: Branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation. o Importance: Emphasizes scripture and faith over church authority. 38. Reformation o Definition: 16th-century movement leading to Protestant churches. o Importance: Brought significant theological and cultural changes. 39. Relics o Definition: Physical remains or personal effects of saints. o Importance: Venerated for their spiritual significance. 40. Repentance o Definition: Feeling remorse for sins and committing to change. o Importance: Essential for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. 41. Rule of St. Benedict o Definition: Guidelines for monastic life by St. Benedict. o Importance: Foundation for Western monasticism. 42. Sacraments o Definition: Sacred rites as outward signs of inward grace. o Importance: Central to Christian worship and practice. 43. Salvation o Definition: Deliverance from sin and its consequences. o Importance: Core concept in Christianity, achieved through faith in Jesus. 44. Saint o Definition: Person recognized for holiness and virtue. o Importance: Models of Christian living and intercessors in prayer. 45. Second Vatican Council o Definition: Ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church (1962-1965). o Importance: Modernized church practices and promoted ecumenism. 46. Sin o Definition: Act or state of disobedience against God.  o Importance: Highlights the need for repentance and redemption. 47. Transubstantiation o Definition: Doctrine that Eucharistic elements become the body and blood of Christ. o Importance: Central to Catholic belief and practice. 48. Trinity o Definition: Doctrine of one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. o Importance: Core tenet of Christian faith. Key People and Their Significance 1. Jesus o Definition: Central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament. o Significance: His life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of Christian belief, symbolizing salvation and the promise of eternal life. 2. Paul of Tarsus o Definition: An apostle who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the first century. o Significance: His epistles (letters) form a substantial part of the New Testament, and his missionary journeys helped establish Christian communities across the Roman Empire. 3. Pontius Pilate o Definition: The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered his crucifixion. o Significance: His role in the crucifixion is a pivotal event in Christian narratives of Jesus’ passion and death. 4. Mary o Definition: Mother of Jesus, venerated in Christianity as the Theotokos (God- bearer). o Significance: Central figure in many Christian traditions, especially in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, where she is honored for her role in the incarnation of Jesus. 5. Constantine the Great o Definition: Roman Emperor who ruled from 306 to 337 CE. o Significance: First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity; his Edict of Milan in 313 CE legalized Christianity, leading to its spread throughout the Roman Empire. 6. St. Augustine o Definition: Early Christian theologian and philosopher. o Significance: His writings, including “Confessions” and “The City of God,” have had a profound influence on Christian theology and Western philosophy. 7. Benedict of Nursia o Definition: Founder of the Benedictine monastic order. o Significance: His “Rule of St. Benedict” became the foundation for Western monasticism, emphasizing prayer, work, and communal living. 8. Martin Luther o Definition: German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation. o Significance: His 95 Theses challenged the Catholic Church’s practices, leading to significant religious, political, and cultural changes in Europe. 9. John Calvin o Definition: French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. o Significance: His teachings, known as Calvinism, emphasized predestination and the sovereignty of God, influencing many Protestant denominations. 10. Henry VIII o Definition: King of England from 1509 to 1547. o Significance: His desire for an annulment led to the English Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England, separate from the Roman Catholic Church. 11. Martin Luther King, Jr. o Definition: American Baptist minister and civil rights leader. o Significance: Known for his leadership in the American civil rights movement and his advocacy for nonviolent resistance, inspired by his Christian faith. 12. Pope Francis o Definition: The current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, elected in 2013. o Significance: Known for his focus on humility, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. Key dates and importance 1. c. 30 CE o Event: Approximate date of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. o Importance: Marks the foundational event of Christianity, celebrated as Easter. It signifies Jesus’ victory over death and the promise of eternal life for believers. 2. 70 CE o Event: Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. o Importance: A significant event in Jewish history that also affected early Christian communities. It marked the end of the Jewish temple-based worship and influenced the development of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity. 3. c. 70–100 CE o Event: Period during which the New Testament texts were written. o Importance: This period saw the formation of the Christian canon, providing the foundational scriptures for Christian faith and practice. The New Testament includes the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. 4. 313 CE o Event: Edict of Milan issued by Emperor Constantine the Great. o Importance: Legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire, ending the persecution of Christians and allowing the faith to flourish and spread more freely. 5. 325 CE o Event: First Council of Nicaea. o Importance: Established foundational Christian doctrines, including the Nicene Creed, which defined the nature of the Trinity and affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ. It was a significant step in unifying Christian belief. 6. 1054 CE o Event: The Great Schism. o Importance: The split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, which shaped the religious landscape of Europe and the Near East. It was a major division in Christianity that persists to this day. 7. 1095–1272 CE o Event: The Crusades. o Importance: A series of religious wars initiated by the Latin Church, primarily aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and other holy sites from Muslim control. The Crusades had  significant religious, political, and cultural impacts on both Europe and the Middle East. 8. 1453 CE o Event: Fall of Constantinople. o Importance: Marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and a significant shift in the balance of power in the region. It was a pivotal event for both Christian and Islamic history, leading to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. 9. 1517 CE o Event: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. o Importance: Sparked the Protestant Reformation, leading to major changes in Christian theology and church structure. It challenged the practices of the Catholic Church and led to the formation of various Protestant denominations. 10. 1962–1965 CE o Event: Second Vatican Council. o Importance: Modernized many practices of the Roman Catholic Church, promoting ecumenism and engagement with the modern world. It addressed relations with other religions and updated liturgical practices.