Essential Christian Theology and Church Terminology

Core Christian Beliefs

• Monotheism: The belief in one God.
• Trinity: The belief that God is three in one.
• Faith: Firm belief without logical proof.
• Unity: God's way of being one.
• Creeds: Statements of Christian belief.
• Incarnation: The belief that God took human form in Jesus.
• Virgin Birth: The belief that Jesus was not conceived through sexual intercourse.
• Atonement: Reconciliation between God and humanity.
• Repentance: The act of being sorry for wrongdoing and deciding not to do it again.
• Salvation: The act of deliverance from sin or being saved from evil.
• Compassion: A feeling of pity which makes one want to help the sufferer.

Church Structure and Governance

• Catholic: Universal or worldwide.
• Holy: Of, or relating to, God; sacred.
• Apostolic: The belief that the church can only be understood in the light of the apostles.
• Bishops: Priests specially chosen by the Pope who are responsible for all the churches in a diocese.
• Magisterium: The Pope and the bishops interpreting the Bible and tradition for Roman Catholics today.
• Anglican Churches: Churches that are in communion with the Church of England.
• Nonconformist Churches: Protestant Christians separated from the Church of England.
• Papacy: The office of the Pope.
• Ordination: Making someone a priest, bishop, or deacon by the sacrament of Holy Orders.
• Laity: All the people of the church who are not chosen to be the bishops, priests, or deacons.
• Celibacy: Living without engaging in any sexual activity.
• Orthodox Churches: National churches which are in union with the Patriarch of Constantinople.

Sacraments and Liturgy

• Sacrament: An outward sign through which invisible grace is given to a person by Jesus.
• Chrism: The oil used in baptism, confirmation, and ordination.
• Absolution: Through the act of the priest, God grants pardon and peace.
• Contrition: Feeling sorrow for the sin committed and deciding not to sin again.
• Penance: An action to show your contrition.
• Penitential Rite: The confession and absolution at the beginning of Mass.
• Liturgy of the Word: The Bible readings in the second part of the Mass.
• Liturgy of the Eucharist: The re-enactment of the Last Supper during which the bread and wine are transubstantiated.
• Rite of Communion: Receiving the body and blood of Jesus.
• Transubstantiation: The belief that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus.
• Commemoration: The belief that the Eucharist is simply a remembrance of the Last Supper.

Religious Life and Vocation

• Holy Week: The week before Easter Sunday.
• Active Life: The life lived by religious orders who work in society as well as praying.
• Contemplative Life: The life of prayer and meditation lived by some religious orders.
• The Evangelical Counsels: The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
• Vocation: A call from God to lead the Christian life.