When reading theologically oriented articles, one often comes across words whose meaning is not clear. We hope this simple glossary can shed some light. Many concepts remain undiscussed because we assume they are known.
a
absolution: acquittal or forgiveness
acta: written representation of synod meetings (Protestant ) or councils (Roman Catholic)
allegory: explanation of Bible passages, in which the literal meaning is abandoned and a different, often spiritual, meaning is given to the words. This way of explaining is often far-fetched.
ant ithesis : opposition
apocalypse : the literal meaning is ,revelation,. This term usually means a colorful description of the approaching end of the world.
apocrypha: literal meaning is ,hidden,. Used in combination with ,book,. These are Bible books that are not officially recognized by the church. Unlike the canonical books .
apologists: writers from the early period of the Christian church, who defended the faith in writing against Jews and pagans. (apology=defense)
apostolicum: the twelve articles; apostles’ creed. 1. “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. 2. And in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord; 3. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; 4. Who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried, descended into hell, 5. He rose again from the dead on the third day, 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, 7. Whence He came will to judge the living and the dead. * I believe in the Holy Spirit. 9. I believe one holy, universal Christian Church, the communion of saints; 10. forgiveness of sins; 11. resurrection of the body; 12. and eternal life.asceticism
: the restraint of worldly and sinful actions and desires
b
ban: excommunication, exclusion from the community of the church
bull: a sealed papal letter in which important statements are made regarding the church
c
casuistry: the application of ecclesiastical-moral legislation to individual cases (persons)
catechumens: catechumens (students of faith) who are preparing to make a profession of their personal faith
celibacy: unmarried status of (Roman Catholic) clergy
censorship: church discipline
christology : the church teaching regarding Christus
classis : meeting with a group of delegated church council members from nearby municipalities
council : meeting of the world church; word often used for meetings of the Roman Catholic Church
confession: statement of faith
confessionalism : one-sided emphasis on the confessional documents
confessional: name for a group of believers within the former Dutch Reformed Church. In addition to the Bible, this group wanted to continue to orientate itself on the confessional texts used in the Dutch church (prot.). Traditionally these are the Apostolicum, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Form of Faith, The Heidelberg Catechism, the Netherlands Confession and the Canons of Dordrecht or the 5 articles against the Remonstrants
consecration: blessing of bread and wine at the Mass of bread and wine by the pronouncing the words of institution
cult: veneration or worship
curia: the papal court
D
diaspora: scattering; spreading of a group of people over the entire earth. This concept is used in particular for the dispersion of the Jews across the world.
Diocese: the jurisdiction of a diocese.
Docetism: the doctrine regarding the apparent body of Christ.
Dualism: strict separation between soul and body, the spiritual and the material.
E
encyclical: a letter from the Pope, addressed to the entire world church. An encyclical is named after the opening words
episcopal : episcopal
hermits : hermits
eschatology : the doctrine regarding the final judgment, the last die
Eucharist : literal meaning is ,thanksgiving,. Administration of the Mass
F
philosophy : philosophy
G
grace: mercy. Dr. Abraham Kuijper spoke about the ,common grace,, the common grace, in contrast to the grace granted by God personally
H
Hellenism: mutual influence of Western (Greek) culture and Eastern culture
hierarchy: construction of the ecclesiastical (RC) power pyramid
homoiousios: of equal, similar essence
homoousios : of the same essence; oncebeings
I
icon: representation of (usually) a saint painted on wood, usually on a gold background. Common practice in the Eastern Church
intellectualism: overestimation of the human mind
intercommunion: communion between churches
interdict: ecclesiastical punishment over a country, a region or a community
investiture: transfer of an ecclesiastical office, e.g. bishop, accompanied by symbolic actions . In the Middle Ages we had the so-called investiture struggle
K
kánon (cánon): list of authoritative books
canon: authoritative. For example, we speak of the books of the Bible as canonical books. This is in contrast to the apocryphal books, which the church has not authorized.
Catholic: general, universal
L
lapsi : apostates
liturgy : organization of worship
legate : envoy of the Pope
Logos : Word (of God)
M
magic: sorcery
martyr: someone who is killed for his faith
materialism: a worldview in which everything is explained from matter (matter)
metropolitan: bishop of a provincial capital
mission: mission of the Roman Catholic Church
monophysitism: according to this doctrine Christ alone had
the divine nature monotheism: serving one god; one-goddom
morality: doctrine of morals
moralism: striving to lead a virtuous life
mysticism: direct experience of God’s presence, excluding earthly feelings
O
ecumenism: the world church; the pursuit of church unity
opportunism: lack of principle; allowing one’s actions to be determined by circumstances
orthodoxy: orthodoxy
P
paganism: paganism
pantheism: the world, the all and divinity coincide
patriarch : patriarch; bishop of one of the apostolic sees: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem
polytheism: polytheism; antithesis of monotheism
pontificate: papal government
predestination: doctrine of election; presbyter : elder
primate: the first in the order of bishops
R
religion: religion
rhetoric: the teaching of eloquence
rite: solemn ecclesiastical act
S
sacramentalia: holy acts
schism: ecclesiastical schism seminary
: training institute for clergy
separatism: desire for separation
separating preaching: sermon in which the hearers are addressed about their faith or disbelief
simony: purchasing a spiritual office for (a lot of) money
synergism : cooperation of God and man to obtain salvation
syncretism: mixing of religions
synod: national church meeting
T
theocracy : government of God
theology : theology; the science that deals with the divine
tolerance: toleration
tradition: transmission
transcendence: goes beyond the limits of human understanding and perception; revelation experience
transubstantiation : transformation of the bread and wine at the consecration