RELI161 A-Terms

• Abolition/Abolitionism


  The movement to end slavery based on Christian principles of human dignity and equality
• African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church)


  • Founded in 1816 by Richard Allen
  • Emerged from the radically segregated practices of white Methodist congregations
  • Became a hub for social activism and played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement
• Albigensians


  • Members of a Christian religious movement in medieval Europe, particularly in southern France, known as Catharism
  • Held dualistic beliefs, rejecting materialism and the Catholic Church's authority
  • The Albigensian Crusade, launched by Pope Innocent III in the 13th century, sought to suppress them
• Anabaptists


  • Radical Christian movement during the Protestant Reformation
  • Advocated for adult baptism, rejecting infant baptism, and emphasized communal living and nonviolence
  • Key figures: Conrad Grebel and Menno Simons
  • Faced persecution from both Catholic and Protestant authorities for their beliefs
• Anglicanism


  • Originated from the Church of England
  • Emerged during the English Reformation, blending Catholic and Protestant elements
  • Retained several Catholic elements such as the episcopal structure of governance, the use of liturgy, sacraments (including baptism and Eucharist), and the apostolic succession of bishops
  • Adopted the principles of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and justification by faith, as well as introducing reforms in theology and worship, including the use of vernacular language in services and a focus on preaching
  • Key events include the break with the Roman Catholic Church under Henry VIII and the development of the Book of Common Prayer
  • Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church due to disputes over his marriage and papal authority, establishing the Church of England and laying the groundwork for Anglicanism as a distinct Christian tradition
  • Important figures include Thomas Cranmer and Queen Elizabeth I
• Anti-trinitarians


  • Christians who rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, believing in either unitarianism (the belief in one God) or other non-trinitarian views
  • Notable figures include Michael Servetus, who was executed for his beliefs, and Socinians, who influenced Unitarianism
  • Challenged mainstream Christian orthodoxy during the Reformation and Enlightenment periods
• Apocalypse, apocalyptic


  • Refers to the end times or the final judgment in Christian theology, often associated with the Book of Revelation in the Bible
  • Apocalyptic literature includes prophetic visions of cataclysmic events, divine intervention, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil
  • Important figures include John the Apostle and early Christian prophets
  • Denominations include certain sects of Seventh-day Adventists, who emphasize end-time prophecies and the imminent return of Jesus Christ, as well as some Pentecostal and charismatic groups that interpret current events through an apocalyptic lens and expect a dramatic divine intervention in the near future
• Apocrypha


  • A collection of religious texts, including books and writings, not included in the canonical Bible by most Protestant denominations
  • They are part of the Old Testament in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions
  • Include the Book of Tobit, Judith, and the Wisdom of Solomon
• Apostle


  • Refers to a chosen emissary or messenger of Jesus Christ, typically one of the twelve disciples who were chosen by Jesus during his earthly ministry
  • They played a foundational role in spreading the teachings of Christianity
  • Important Apostles include Peter, Paul, and John
• Apostolic Fathers


  • Early Christian leaders and writers who lived in the first and second centuries AD, directly or indirectly associated with the Apostles
  • Their writings provide valuable insights into early Christian theology, practices, and controversies
  • Notable figures include Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp
• Apostolic Reform Movements


  • Contemporary Christian movements seeking to restore aspects of early Christianity
  • Emphasizing apostolic authority, spiritual gifts, and the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers)
  • Notable figures include C. Peter Wagner and leaders within the New Apostolic Reformation movement
  • Wagner was a theologian, missiologist, and church growth expert, best known for his teachings on apostolic ministry, spiritual warfare, and strategic-level spiritual warfare
  • He founded the Wagner Leadership Institute and wrote extensively on these topics
• Apostolic Succession


  • The belief that bishops inherit spiritual authority and legitimacy in an unbroken line from the original Apostles
  • Ensures the continuity of doctrine and sacramental power within certain Christian traditions, particularly Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism
  • It's key to their hierarchical structure and sacramental theology
• Arians, Arianism


  • Arians were followers of Arius, a Christian priest in the 4th century who taught that Jesus Christ, while divine, was a created being and not of the same substance as God the Father
  • Arianism gained significant traction within the Christian community, attracting followers across various regions of the Roman Empire
  • Arianism was declared heretical at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD
• Jacob Arminius


  • Dutch theologian in the late 16th and early 17th centuries known for his challenge to Calvinist doctrines, particularly predestination
  • Advocated for a more moderate theological position, emphasizing free will and conditional election
  • His teachings led to the development of Arminianism within Protestantism
• Arminian Theology


  • Emphasizes human free will in salvation and rejects the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election
  • It holds that God's grace enables all to respond to the Gospel, and salvation is available to all who choose to believe
  • This theology contrasts with Calvinism's emphasis on predestination
• Augsburg Confession


  • A foundational document of Lutheran theology, presented by Lutheran leaders to Emperor Charles V in 1530
  • It articulates key Lutheran beliefs, including justification by faith alone and the authority of scripture
  • Philipp Melanchthon, a close associate of Martin Luther, played a significant role in drafting the confession
  • Remains a central statement of Lutheran doctrine
• Augustine of Hippo


  • Pivotal figure in Christian theology and philosophy
  • His works, such as "Confessions" and "City of God," profoundly influenced Western Christianity
  • Developed key doctrines like original sin, divine grace, and the nature of the Church
  • Argued that all humans inherit a sinful nature due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and that this inherent sinfulness distorts human will and leads to moral weakness, making salvation possible only through divine grace
  • Taught that grace was freely given by God, unmerited by human actions, and was essential for enabling individuals to have faith and to live virtuously
  • Viewed the Church as the mystical body of Christ, comprising both the earthly community of believers and the heavenly assembly of saints, and emphasized the importance of unity and obedience within the Church as essential for salvation
  • His writings shaped both Catholic and Protestant theology and continue to be highly influential in Christian thought