Christian Definitions from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary... SOURCE: Merriam-Webster Dictionary ADVENTIST Main Entry: Ad·vent·ism Pronunciation: 'ad-"ven-"ti-z&m Function: noun 1 : the doctrine that the second coming of Christ and the end of the world are near at hand 2 : the principles and practices of Seventh-Day Adventists - Ad·vent·ist /&d-'ven-tist, ad-', 'ad-"/ adjective or noun AMISH Main Entry: Amish Pronunciation: 'ä-mish, 'a-, 'A- Function: adjective Etymology: probably from German amisch, from Jacob Amman or Amen fl 1693 Swiss Mennonite bishop : of or relating to a strict sect of Mennonites who were followers of Amman and settled in America chiefly in the 18th century - Amish noun ANABAPTIST Main Entry: Ana·bap·tist Pronunciation: -'bap-tist Function: noun : a Protestant sectarian of a radical movement arising in the 16th century and advocating the baptism and church membership of adult believers only, nonresistance, and the separation of church and state - Anabaptist adjective ANGLICAN Main Entry: An·gli·can Pronunciation: 'a[ng]-gli-k&n Function: adjective Etymology: Medieval Latin anglicanus, from anglicus English, from Latin Angli Angles 1 : of or relating to the established episcopal Church of England and churches of similar faith and order in communion with it 2 : of or relating to England or the English nation - Anglican noun - An·gli·can·ism /-k&-"ni-z&m/ noun ANOINT Main Entry: anoint Pronunciation: &-'noint Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear -- more at OINTMENT 1 : to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance 2 a : to apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration b : to choose by or as if by divine election; also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment ANTINOMIAN Main Entry: an·ti·no·mi·an Pronunciation: "an-ti-'nO-mE-&n Function: noun Etymology: Medieval Latin antinomus, from Latin anti- + Greek nomos law 1 : one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation 2 : one who rejects a socially established morality - antinomian adjective - an·ti·no·mi·an·ism /-mE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun APOCALYPTIC Main Entry: apoc·a·lyp·tic Pronunciation: &-"pä-k&-'lip-tik Variant(s): also apoc·a·lyp·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ Function: adjective 1 : of, relating to, or resembling an apocalypse 2 : forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world : PROPHETIC 3 : foreboding imminent disaster or final doom : TERRIBLE 4 : wildly unrestrained : GRANDIOSE 5 : ultimately decisive : CLIMACTIC - apoc·a·lyp·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb APOLOGETIC Main Entry: 2apologetic Function: adjective Etymology: Greek apologEtikos, from apologeisthai to defend, from apo- + logos speech 1 a : offered in defense or vindication b : offered by way of excuse or apology 2 : regretfully acknowledging fault or failure : CONTRITE APOSTLE'S CREED Main Entry: Apostles' Creed Function: noun : a Christian statement of belief ascribed to the Twelve Apostles and used especially in public worship APOSTOLIC Main Entry: ap·os·tol·ic Pronunciation: "a-p&-'stä-lik Function: adjective 1 a : of or relating to an apostle b : of, relating to, or conforming to the teachings of the New Testament apostles 2 a : of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders b : PAPAL - apos·to·lic·i·ty /&-"päs-t&-'li-s&-tE/ noun ARIANIST Main Entry: 1Ar·i·an Pronunciation: 'ar-E-&n, 'er- Function: adjective : of or relating to Arius or his doctrines especially that the Son is not of the same substance as the Father but was created as an agent for creating the world - Ar·i·an·ism /-&-"ni-z&m/ noun ARMENIAN Main Entry: Ar·me·nian Pronunciation: är-'mE-nE-&n, -ny&n Function: noun 1 : a member of a people dwelling chiefly in Armenia and neighboring areas (as Turkey or Azerbaijan) 2 : the Indo-European language of the Armenians -- see INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGES table 3 : a member of the Armenian church established by Saint Gregory the Illuminator that adheres to the decisions of the first three ecumenical councils - Armenian adjective ARMINIAN Main Entry: Ar·min·i·an Pronunciation: är-'mi-nE-&n Function: adjective : of or relating to Arminius or his doctrines opposing the absolute predestination of strict Calvinism and maintaining the possibility of salvation for all - Arminian noun - Ar·min·i·an·ism /-nE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun ATHANASIAN CREED Main Entry: Athanasian Creed Function: noun : a Christian creed originating in Europe about A.D. 400 and relating especially to the Trinity and Incarnation ATONEMENT Main Entry: atone·ment Pronunciation: &-'tOn-m&nt Function: noun 1 obsolete : RECONCILIATION 2 : the reconciliation of God and man through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ 3 : reparation for an offense or injury : SATISFACTION 4 Christian Science : the exemplifying of man's oneness with God BAPTIST Main Entry: bap·tist Pronunciation: 'bap-tist, esp Southern 'bab- Function: noun 1 : one that baptizes 2 capitalized : a member or adherent of an evangelical Protestant denomination marked by congregational polity and baptism by immersion of believers only - Baptist adjective BIBLICIST Main Entry: bib·li·cism Pronunciation: 'bi-bl&-"si-z&m Function: noun Usage: often capitalized : adherence to the letter of the Bible - bib·li·cist /-l&-sist/ noun, often capitalized CALVINIST Main Entry: Cal·vin·ism Pronunciation: 'kal-v&-"ni-z&m Function: noun Etymology: John Calvin : the theological system of Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind, and the doctrine of predestination - Cal·vin·ist /-v&-nist/ noun or adjective - Cal·vin·is·tic /"kal-v&-'nis-tik/ adjective - Cal·vin·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb CANON LAW Main Entry: canon law Function: noun : the usually codified law governing a church CATECHISM Main Entry: cat·e·chism Pronunciation: 'ka-t&-"ki-z&m Function: noun 1 : oral instruction 2 : a manual for catechizing; specifically : a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers 3 a : a set of formal questions put as a test b : something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement CATHOLIC Main Entry: cath·o·lic Pronunciation: 'kath-lik, 'ka-th&- Function: adjective Etymology: Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French catholique, from Late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos universal, general, from katholou in general, from kata by + holos whole -- more at CATA-, SAFE 1 a often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the church universal b often capitalized : of, relating to, or forming the ancient undivided Christian church or a church claiming historical continuity from it c capitalized : ROMAN CATHOLIC 2 : COMPREHENSIVE, UNIVERSAL; especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests - ca·thol·i·cal·ly /k&-'thä-li-k(&-)lE/ adverb - ca·thol·i·cize /-'thä-l&-"sIz/ verb CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST Main Entry: Christian Science Function: noun : a religion founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866 that was organized under the official name of the Church of Christ, Scientist, that derives its teachings from the Scriptures as understood by its adherents, and that includes a practice of spiritual healing based on the teaching that cause and effect are mental and that sin, sickness, and death will be destroyed by a full understanding of the divine principle of Jesus's teaching and healing - Christian Scientist noun CHRISTOLOGIST Main Entry: Chris·tol·o·gy Pronunciation: kris-'tä-l&-jE, krIs- Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -gies Etymology: Greek Christos + English -logy : theological interpretation of the person and work of Christ - Chris·to·log·i·cal /"kris-t&-'lä-ji-k&l, 'krIs-/ adjective CIRCUMCISION Main Entry: cir·cum·ci·sion Pronunciation: "s&r-k&m-'si-zh&n, 's&r-k&m-" Function: noun 1 a : the act of circumcising; especially : a Jewish rite performed on male infants as a sign of inclusion in the Jewish religious community b : the condition of being circumcised 2 capitalized : January 1 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus CLERICALIST Main Entry: cler·i·cal·ist Pronunciation: -list Function: noun : one that favors maintained or increased ecclesiastical power and influence COMMUNION Main Entry: com·mu·nion Pronunciation: k&-'myü-ny&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin communion-, communio mutual participation, from communis 1 : an act or instance of sharing 2 a capitalized : a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ b : the act of receiving Communion c capitalized : the part of a Communion service in which the sacrament is received 3 : intimate fellowship or rapport : COMMUNICATION 4 : a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline CONFESSIONALIST Main Entry: con·fes·sion Pronunciation: k&n-'fe-sh&n Function: noun 1 : an act of confessing; especially : a disclosure of one's sins in the sacrament of reconciliation 2 : a statement of what is confessed : as a : a written acknowledgment of guilt by a party accused of an offense b : a formal statement of religious beliefs : CREED 3 : an organized religious body having a common creed CONGREGATIONALIST Main Entry: con·gre·ga·tion·al Pronunciation: -shn&l, -sh&-n&l Function: adjective 1 : of or relating to a congregation 2 capitalized : of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the essential importance and the autonomy of the local congregation 3 : of or relating to church government placing final authority in the assembly of the local congregation - con·gre·ga·tion·al·ism /-shn&-"li-z&m, -sh&-n&l-"i-/ noun, often capitalized - con·gre·ga·tion·al·ist /-shn&-list, -sh&-n&l-ist/ noun or adjective, often capitalized COPTIC Main Entry: Copt Pronunciation: 'käpt Function: noun Etymology: Arabic qubt Copts, from Coptic gyptios Egyptian, from Greek Aigyptios 1 : a member of the traditional Monophysite Christian church originating and centering in Egypt 2 : a member of a people descended from the ancient Egyptians CREATIONIST Main Entry: cre·a·tion·ism Pronunciation: -sh&-"ni-z&m Function: noun : a doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by God out of nothing and usually in the way described in Genesis -- compare EVOLUTION 4b - cre·a·tion·ist /-sh&-nist/ noun or adjective CREED Main Entry: creed Pronunciation: 'krEd Function: noun Etymology: Middle English crede, from Old English crEda, from Latin credo (first word of the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds), from credere to believe, trust, entrust; akin to Old Irish cretid he believes, Sanskrit srad-dadhAti 1 : a brief authoritative formula of religious belief 2 : a set of fundamental beliefs; also : a guiding principle - creed·al or cre·dal /'krE-d&l/ adjective DIATESSARON Main Entry: di·a·tes·sa·ron Pronunciation: "dI-&-'te-s&-r&n Function: noun Etymology: Greek (Euangelion) dia tessarOn, literally, Gospel out of four, from dia through, out of + tessarOn, genitive of tessares four -- more at DIA-, FOUR : a harmony of the four Gospels edited and arranged into a single connected narrative DISPENSATIONAL Main Entry: dis·pen·sa·tion Pronunciation: "dis-p&n-'sA-sh&n, -"pen- Function: noun 1 a : a general state or ordering of things; specifically : a system of revealed commands and promises regulating human affairs b : a particular arrangement or provision especially of providence or nature 2 a : an exemption from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath b : a formal authorization 3 a : the act of dispensing b : something dispensed or distributed - dis·pen·sa·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective DOCETIST Main Entry: Do·ce·tism Pronunciation: dO-'sE-"ti-z&m, 'dO-s&- Function: noun : a belief opposed as heresy in early Christianity that Christ only seemed to have a human body and to suffer and die on the cross - Do·ce·tist /-'sE-tist, -s&-/ noun DONATIST Main Entry: Do·na·tism Pronunciation: 'dO-n&-"ti-z&m, 'dä- Function: noun Etymology: Donatus, 4th century bishop of Carthage : the doctrines of a Christian sect arising in No. Africa in 311 and holding that sanctity is essential for the administration of sacraments and church membership - Do·na·tist /-tist/ noun DUALIST Main Entry: du·al·ism Pronunciation: 'dü-&-"li-z&m also 'dyü- Function: noun 1 : a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes 2 : the quality or state of being dual or of having a dual nature 3 a : a doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of two opposing principles one of which is good and the other evil b : a view of human beings as constituted of two irreducible elements (as matter and spirit) - du·al·ist /-list/ noun - du·al·is·tic /"dü-&-'lis-tik, "dyü-/ adjective - du·al·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb ECCLESIASTICAL Main Entry: ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal Pronunciation: -ti-k&l Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin ecclesiasticus, from Late Greek ekklEsiastikos, from Greek, of an assembly of citizens, from ekklEsiastEs 1 : of or relating to a church especially as an established institution 2 : suitable for use in a church - ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb EPISCOPAL Main Entry: epis·co·pal Pronunciation: i-'pis-k&-p&l, -b&l Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin episcopalis, from episcopus bishop -- more at BISHOP 1 : of or relating to a bishop 2 : of, having, or constituting government by bishops 3 capitalized : of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church representing the Anglican communion in the U.S. - epis·co·pal·ly /-p(&-)lE/ adverb ESCHATOLOGIST Main Entry: es·cha·tol·o·gy Pronunciation: "es-k&-'tä-l&-jE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -gies Etymology: Greek eschatos last, farthest 1 : a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind 2 : a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of mankind; specifically : any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment EVANGELICAL Main Entry: evan·gel·i·cal Pronunciation: "E-"van-'je-li-k&l, "e-v&n- Variant(s): also evan·gel·ic /-ik/ Function: adjective 1 : of, relating to, or being in agreement with the Christian gospel especially as it is presented in the four Gospels 2 : PROTESTANT 3 : emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual 4 a capitalized : of or relating to the Evangelical Church in Germany b often capitalized : of, adhering to, or marked by fundamentalism : FUNDAMENTALIST c often capitalized : LOW CHURCH 5 : marked by militant or crusading zeal : EVANGELISTIC - Evan·gel·i·cal·ism /-li-k&-"li-z&m/ noun - evan·gel·i·cal·ly /-li-k(&-)lE/ adverb FUNDAMENTALIST Main Entry: fun·da·men·tal·ism Pronunciation: -t&l-"i-z&m Function: noun 1 a often capitalized : a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b : the beliefs of this movement c : adherence to such beliefs 2 : a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles - fun·da·men·tal·ist /-t&l-ist/ noun - fundamentalist or fun·da·men·tal·is·tic /-"men-t&l-'is-tik/ adjective GNOSTICIST Main Entry: gnos·ti·cism Pronunciation: 'näs-t&-"si-z&m Function: noun Usage: often capitalized : the thought and practice especially of various cults of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis GOSPELLER Main Entry: 1gos·pel Pronunciation: 'gäs-p&l Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gOdspel (translation of Late Latin evangelium), from gOd good + spell tale -- more at SPELL 1 a often capitalized : the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation b capitalized : one of the first four New Testament books telling of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; also : a similar apocryphal book c : an interpretation of the Christian message 2 capitalized : a lection from one of the New Testament Gospels 3 : the message or teachings of a religious teacher 4 : something accepted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle 5 : gospel music HERMANEUTICIST Main Entry: her·me·neu·tics Pronunciation: -tiks Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction : the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible) HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Main Entry: holy day of obligation : a feast on which Roman Catholics are duty-bound to attend mass INCARNATION Main Entry: in·car·na·tion Pronunciation: "in-(")kär-'nA-sh&n Function: noun 1 a (1) : the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form (2) capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ b : a concrete or actual form of a quality or concept; especially : a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree 2 : the act of incarnating : the state of being incarnate 3 : a particular physical form or state : VERSION JANSENIST Main Entry: Jan·sen·ism Pronunciation: 'jan(t)-s&-"ni-z&m Function: noun Etymology: French jansénisme, from Cornelis Jansen 1 : a system of doctrine based on moral determinism, defended by various reformist factions among 17th and 18th century western European Roman Catholic clergy, religious, and scholars, and condemned as heretical by papal authority 2 : a puritanical attitude (as toward sex) - Jan·sen·ist /-nist/ noun - Jan·sen·is·tic /"jan(t)-s&-'nis-tik/ adjective JUSTIFICATION Main Entry: jus·ti·fi·ca·tion Pronunciation: "j&s-t&-f&-'kA-sh&n Function: noun 1 : the act, process, or state of being justified by God 2 a : the act or an instance of justifying : VINDICATION b : something that justifies 3 : the process or result of justifying lines of text LATTER-DAY SAINT Main Entry: Latter-day Saint Function: noun Usage: often capitalized D : a member of any of several religious bodies tracing their origin to Joseph Smith in 1830 and accepting the Book of Mormon as divine revelation : MORMON LUTHERAN Main Entry: 2Lutheran Function: adjective 1 : of or relating to religious doctrines (as justification by faith alone) developed by Martin Luther or his followers 2 : of or relating to the Protestant churches adhering to Lutheran doctrines, liturgy, and polity - Lu·ther·an·ism /-r&-"ni-z&m/ noun MANICHAEAN Main Entry: Man·i·chae·an Variant(s): or Man·i·che·an /"ma-n&-'kE-&n/; or Man·i·chee /'man-&-"kE/ Function: noun Etymology: Late Latin manichaeus, from Late Greek manichaios, from Manichaios Manes died ab 276 A.D. Persian founder of the sect 1 : a believer in a syncretistic religious dualism originating in Persia in the 3d century A.D. and teaching the release of the spirit from matter through asceticism 2 : a believer in religious or philosophical dualism - Manichaean adjective - Man·i·chae·an·ism /"ma-n&-'kE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun - Man·i·chae·ism /'ma-n&-(")kE-"i-z&m/ noun MARCIONISM Main Entry: Mar·cion·ism Pronunciation: 'mär-sh&-"ni-z&m, -sE-&-, -shE-&- Function: noun Etymology: Marcion 2d cent. A.D. Christian Gnostic : the doctrinal system of a sect of the 2d and 3d centuries A.D. accepting some parts of the New Testament but denying Christ's corporality and humanity and condemning the Creator God of the Old Testament - Mar·cion·ite /-"nIt/ noun MARIOLATER Main Entry: Mar·i·ol·a·try Pronunciation: "mer-E-'ä-l&-trE, "mar-E-, "mA-rE- Function: noun : excessive veneration of the Virgin Mary - Mar·i·ol·a·ter /-'ä-l&-t&r/ noun MARONITE Main Entry: Mar·o·nite Pronunciation: 'mar-&-"nIt Function: noun Etymology: Medieval Latin maronita, from Maron-, Maro 5th century A.D. Syrian monk : a member of a Uniate church chiefly in Lebanon having a Syriac liturgy and married clergy MARTYROLOGY Main Entry: mar·tyr·ol·o·gy Pronunciation: -jE Function: noun 1 : a catalog of Roman Catholic martyrs and saints arranged by the dates of their feasts 2 : ecclesiastical history treating the lives and sufferings of martyrs MESSIANIC Main Entry: mes·si·an·ic Pronunciation: "me-sE-'a-nik Function: adjective Etymology: probably from French messianique, from messianisme 1 : of or relating to a messiah 2 : marked by idealism and an aggressive crusading spirit MENNONITE Main Entry: Men·no·nite Pronunciation: 'me-n&-"nIt Function: noun Etymology: German Mennonit, from Menno Simons : a member of any of various Protestant groups derived from the Anabaptist movement in Holland and characterized by congregational autonomy and rejection of military service METHODIST Main Entry: meth·od·ist Pronunciation: -dist Function: noun 1 : a person devoted to or laying great stress on method 2 capitalized : a member of one of the denominations deriving from the Wesleyan revival in the Church of England, having Arminian doctrine and in the U.S. modified episcopal polity, and stressing personal and social morality - methodist adjective, often capitalized - meth·od·is·tic /"me-th&-'dis-tik/ adjective MISSIONARY Main Entry: 1mis·sion·ary Pronunciation: 'mi-sh&-"ner-E Function: adjective 1 : relating to, engaged in, or devoted to missions 2 : characteristic of a missionary MONARCHIAN Main Entry: Mo·nar·chi·an Pronunciation: m&-'när-kE-&n, mä- Function: noun : an adherent of one of two anti-Trinitarian groups of the 2d and 3d centuries A.D. teaching that God is one person as well as one being - Mo·nar·chi·an·ism /-kE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun MONOPHYSITE Main Entry: Mo·noph·y·site Pronunciation: m&-'nä-f&-"sIt Function: noun Etymology: Medieval Latin Monophysita, from Middle Greek MonophysitEs, from Greek mon- + physis nature -- more at PHYSICS : one holding the doctrine that Christ's nature remains altogether divine and not human even though he has taken on an earthly and human body with its cycle of birth, life, and death - Monophysite or Mo·noph·y·sit·ic /-"nä-f&-'si-tik/ adjective - Mo·noph·y·sit·ism /-'nä-f&-"sI-"ti-z&m/ noun MONTANIST Main Entry: Mon·ta·nist Pronunciation: 'män-t&n-ist Function: noun Etymology: Montanus, 2d cent. A.D. Phrygian schismatic : an adherent of a Christian sect arising in the late second century and stressing apocalyptic expectations, the continuing prophetic gifts of the Spirit, and strict ascetic discipline - Mon·ta·nism /-t&n-"i-z&m/ noun MORAVIAN Main Entry: Mo·ra·vi·an Pronunciation: m&-'rA-vE-&n Function: noun 1 a : a native or inhabitant of Moravia b : the group of Czech dialects spoken in Moravia 2 : a member of a Protestant denomination arising from a 15th century religious reform movement in Bohemia and Moravia - Moravian adjective NESTORIAN Main Entry: Nes·to·ri·an Pronunciation: ne-'stOr-E-&n, -'stor- Function: adjective 1 : of or relating to the doctrine ascribed to Nestorius and ecclesiastically condemned in 431 that divine and human persons remained separate in the incarnate Christ 2 : of or relating to a church separating from Byzantine Christianity after 431, centering in Persia, and surviving chiefly in Asia Minor - Nestorian noun - Nes·to·ri·an·ism /-&-"ni-z&m/ noun NICENE CREED Main Entry: Nicene Creed Function: noun : a Christian creed expanded from a creed issued by the first Nicene Council, beginning "I believe in one God," and used in liturgical worship ORTHODOX Main Entry: 1or·tho·dox Pronunciation: 'or-th&-"däks Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English orthodoxe, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French orthodoxe, from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Late Greek orthodoxos, from Greek orth- + doxa opinion -- more at DOXOLOGY 1 a : conforming to established doctrine especially in religion b : CONVENTIONAL 2 capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as a : EASTERN ORTHODOX b : of or relating to Orthodox Judaism - or·tho·dox·ly adverb PATRISTIC Main Entry: pa·tris·tic Pronunciation: p&-'tris-tik Function: adjective : of or relating to the church fathers or their writings - pa·tris·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ adjective PIETIST Main Entry: pi·e·tism Pronunciation: 'pI-&-"ti-z&m Function: noun 1 capitalized : a 17th century religious movement originating in Germany in reaction to formalism and intellectualism and stressing Bible study and personal religious experience 2 a : emphasis on devotional experience and practices b : affectation of devotion - pi·e·tist /'pI-&-tist/ adjective or noun, often capitalized PELAGIAN Main Entry: 1Pe·la·gian Pronunciation: p&-'lA-j(E-)&n Function: noun : one agreeing with Pelagius in denying original sin and consequently in holding that mankind has perfect freedom to do either right or wrong PERFECTIONIST Main Entry: per·fec·tion·ism Pronunciation: -sh&-"ni-z&m Function: noun 1 a : the doctrine that the perfection of moral character constitutes a person's highest good b : the theological doctrine that a state of freedom from sin is attainable on earth 2 : a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable - per·fec·tion·ist /-sh(&-)nist/ noun or adjective - per·fec·tion·is·tic /-"fek-sh&-'nis-tik/ adjective POSTMILLENNIALIST Main Entry: post·mil·len·ni·al·ism Pronunciation: -&-"li-z&m Function: noun : the theological doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur after the millennium - post·mil·len·ni·al·ist /-&-list/ noun PREDESTINATION Main Entry: pre·des·ti·na·tion Pronunciation: (")prE-"des-t&-'nA-sh&n, "prE-des- Function: noun 1 : the act of predestinating : the state of being predestinated 2 : the doctrine that God in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation PREMILLENNIALIST Main Entry: pre·mil·len·ni·al·ism Pronunciation: -nE-&-"li-z&m Function: noun : the view that Christ's return will usher in a future millennium of Messianic rule mentioned in Revelation - pre·mil·len·ni·al·ist /-nE-&-list/ noun PRESBYTERIAN Main Entry: 2Presbyterian Function: adjective 1 often not capitalized : characterized by a graded system of representative ecclesiastical bodies (as presbyteries) exercising legislative and judicial powers 2 : of, relating to, or constituting a Protestant Christian church that is presbyterian in government and traditionally Calvinistic in doctrine - Pres·by·te·ri·an·ism /-E-&-"ni-z&m/ noun PROTESTANT Main Entry: 1prot·es·tant Pronunciation: 'prä-t&s-t&nt, 2 is also pr&-'tes- Function: noun Etymology: Middle French, from Latin protestant-, protestans, present participle of protestari 1 capitalized a : any of a group of German princes and cities presenting a defense of freedom of conscience against an edict of the Diet of Spires in 1529 intended to suppress the Lutheran movement b : a member of any of several church denominations denying the universal authority of the Pope and affirming the Reformation principles of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth; broadly : a Christian not of a Catholic or Eastern church 2 : one who makes or enters a protest - Prot·es·tant·ism /'prä-t&s-t&n-"ti-z&m/ noun PURGATORY Main Entry: pur·ga·to·ry Pronunciation: 'p&r-g&-"tOr-E, -"tor- Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -ries Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French purgatorie, from Medieval Latin purgatorium, from Late Latin, neuter of purgatorius purging, from Latin purgare 1 : an intermediate state after death for expiatory purification; specifically : a place or state of punishment wherein according to Roman Catholic doctrine the souls of those who die in God's grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven 2 : a place or state of temporary suffering or misery PURITAN Main Entry: 1pu·ri·tan Pronunciation: 'pyur-&-t&n Function: noun Etymology: probably from Late Latin puritas purity 1 capitalized : a member of a 16th and 17th century Protestant group in England and New England opposing as unscriptural the ceremonial worship and the prelacy of the Church of England 2 : one who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly purer moral code than that which prevails REFORMATIONAL Main Entry: ref·or·ma·tion Pronunciation: "re-f&r-'mA-sh&n Function: noun 1 : the act of reforming : the state of being reformed 2 capitalized : a 16th century religious movement marked ultimately by rejection or modification of some Roman Catholic doctrine and practice and establishment of the Protestant churches - ref·or·ma·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective RELIGIOSE Main Entry: re·li·gi·ose Pronunciation: ri-'li-jE-"Os Function: adjective Etymology: religion + 1-ose : RELIGIOUS; especially : excessively, obtrusively, or sentimentally religious - re·li·gi·os·i·ty /-"li-jE-'ä-s&-tE/ noun RESURRECTION Main Entry: res·ur·rec·tion Pronunciation: "re-z&-'rek-sh&n Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin resurrection-, resurrectio act of rising from the dead, from resurgere to rise from the dead, from Latin, to rise again, from re- + surgere to rise -- more at SURGE 1 a capitalized : the rising of Christ from the dead b often capitalized : the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment c : the state of one risen from the dead 2 : RESURGENCE, REVIVAL 3 Christian Science : a spiritualization of thought : material belief that yields to spiritual understanding - res·ur·rec·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective SACRAMENTALIST Main Entry: sac·ra·men·tal·ism Pronunciation: -t&l-"i-z&m Function: noun : belief in or use of sacramental rites, acts, or objects; specifically : belief that the sacraments are inherently efficacious and necessary for salvation SCOTIST Main Entry: Duns Sco·tus Pronunciation: 'd&nz-'skO-t&s Function: biographical name John 1266?-1308 Scottish scholastic theologian; founded Scotism, upholding separability and independence of rational soul from body SEMINARY Main Entry: sem·i·nary Pronunciation: 'se-m&-"ner-E Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -nar·ies Etymology: Middle English, seedbed, nursery, from Latin seminarium, from semin-, semen seed 1 : an environment in which something originates and from which it is propagated 2 a : an institution of secondary or higher education b : an institution for the training of candidates for the priesthood, ministry, or rabbinate SOTERIOLOGIST Main Entry: so·te·ri·ol·o·gy Pronunciation: sO-"tir-E-'ä-l&-jE Function: noun Etymology: Greek sOtErion salvation (from sOtEr savior, preserver) + English -logy -- more at CREOSOTE : theology dealing with salvation especially as effected by Jesus Christ - so·te·ri·o·log·i·cal /-E-&-'lä-ji-k&l/ adjective SPIRITUALIST Main Entry: spir·i·tu·al·ism Pronunciation: 'spir-i-ch&-w&-"li-z&m, -i-ch&-"li-, -ich-w&-"li- Function: noun 1 : the view that spirit is a prime element of reality 2 a : a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium b capitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism - spir·i·tu·al·ist /-list/ noun, often capitalized - spir·i·tu·al·is·tic /"spir-i-ch&-w&-'lis-tik, -i-ch&-'lis-, -ich-w&-'lis-/ adjective SWEDENBORGIAN Main Entry: Swe·den·borg Pronunciation: 'swE-d&n-"borg Function: biographical name Emanuel 1688-1772 originally Svedberg Swedish philosopher & religious writer; wrote works on psychical and spiritual interpretation of the Bible; Church of New Jerusalem founded by his followers - Swe·den·bor·gian /"swE-d&n-'bor-j(E)&n, -'bor-gE-&n/ adjective SYNOPTIC Main Entry: syn·op·tic Pronunciation: s&-'näp-tik Variant(s): also syn·op·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ Function: adjective Etymology: Greek synoptikos, from synopsesthai 1 : affording a general view of a whole 2 : manifesting or characterized by comprehensiveness or breadth of view 3 : presenting or taking the same or common view; specifically often capitalized : of or relating to the first three Gospels of the New Testament 4 : relating to or displaying conditions (as of the atmosphere or weather) as they exist simultaneously over a broad area THEODIST Main Entry: the·od·i·cy Pronunciation: thE-'ä-d&-sE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -cies Etymology: modification of French théodicée, from théo- the- (from Latin theo-) + Greek dikE judgment, right -- more at DICTION : defense of God's goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil THEONOMIST Main Entry: the·on·o·mous Pronunciation: thE-'ä-n&-m&s Function: adjective Etymology: the- + -nomous (as in autonomous) : governed by God : subject to God's authority TRINITARIAN Main Entry: Trin·i·ty Pronunciation: 'tri-n&-tE Function: noun Etymology: Middle English trinite, from Old French trinité, from Late Latin trinitat-, trinitas state of being threefold, from Latin trinus threefold 1 : the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead according to Christian dogma 2 not capitalized : a group of three closely related persons or things 3 : the Sunday after Whitsunday observed as a feast in honor of the Trinity UNITARIAN Main Entry: uni·tar·i·an Pronunciation: "yü-n&-'ter-E-&n Function: noun Etymology: New Latin unitarius, from Latin unitas unity 1 a often capitalized : one who believes that the deity exists only in one person b capitalized : a member of a denomination that stresses individual freedom of belief, the free use of reason in religion, a united world community, and liberal social action 2 : an advocate of unity or a unitary system - unitarian adjective, often capitalized - uni·tar·i·an·ism /-E-&-"ni-z&m/ noun, often capitalized UNIVERSALIST Main Entry: uni·ver·sal·ism Pronunciation: "yü-n&-'v&r-s&-"li-z&m Function: noun 1 often capitalized a : a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved b : the principles and practices of a liberal Christian denomination founded in the 18th century orig. to uphold belief in universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism 2 : something that is universal in scope 3 : the state of being universal : UNIVERSALITY - uni·ver·sal·ist /-s(&-)list/ noun or adjective, often capitalized VIRGIN BIRTH Main Entry: virgin birth Function: noun 1 : birth from a virgin 2 often capitalized V&B : the theological doctrine that Jesus was miraculously begotten of God and born of a virgin mother WALDENSIAN Main Entry: Wal·den·ses Pronunciation: wol-'den(t)-(")sEz, wäl- Function: noun plural Etymology: Middle English Waldensis, from Medieval Latin Waldenses, Valdenses, from Peter Waldo (or Valdo) : a Christian sect arising in southern France in the 12th century, adopting Calvinist doctrines in the 16th century, and later living chiefly in Piedmont - Wal·den·sian /-'den(t)-sh&n, -'den(t)-sE-&n/ adjective or noun Q & A Session: Ask The Pastor... Interested in learning more about Christianity in general? Questions concerning the validity of Scripture in today's modern world can be answered right now... whether it's living a moral life in a world of evil; or applying basic Bible study habits for understanding the Old and New Testaments; or even participation in the "ministry of reconciliation" proclaimed by the Apostle to the Gentiles... all can be answered right now! Contact Pastor Stephen Smith with your concerns in those areas today!   FEEDBACK: Worldwide Church of God Fairfield Copyright (c) 2001-2008 All Rights Reserved