Glossary of weird Christian terms

Stevie's Glossary

Below is a glossary of terms often used by churches but rarely anywhere else. If you are struggling with a weird word which you have heard but don't really understand, the chances are so is someone else! Please e-mail me with it and I'll find out what it means and add it to the list!

*Amen*	A Hebrew word meaning 'may it be so'. When someone prays in a group, it is traditional for the rest of the group to say 'amen' to tell God that they agree with whatever was said in the prayer.
*Apocrypha*	The 14 books which did not form part of the Masoretic Old Testament (although they appeared in the Septuagint) and are therefore considered outside of the Canon.
*Apostle*	One of the followers of Jesus specifically selected by Him. This term is usually considered appropriate for the twelve, Paul, James the Lord's brother and Matthias.
*Atonement*	To make amends for upsetting someone. Remember it as "at one -ment".
*Beatitudes*	The statements of blessing with which Jesus started the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5v3-12).
*Canon*	Scripture accepted as the authentic word of God; in other words, the 66 books in the Bible.
*Catholic*	Catholic with an 'ickle 'c' means 'universal'; Catholic with a big 'c' usually refers to the Roman Catholic Church.
*Christ*	The Greek word for Messiah.
*Church*	Often used to mean any building specifically built for people to meet and worship God together. Really, it means any person who has the Holy Spirit living in them.
*Covenant*	An agreement.
*Deism*	The belief in god (from the Latin deus) derived only from reason, as opposed to revelation (c.f. theism). Since such a god does not communicate with us directly, it is often concluded that god is indifferent to humanity.
*Deuterocanonical*	Second in authority to the Canon. Usually this phrase is used in reference to apocryphal works.
Eucharist	The Greek word for the Lord's Supper, which is the consumption of bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ.
Exegesis	A critical explanation or interpretation of a text.
*Gospel*	An old English word, meaning 'good news', translating the Greek euaggelion.
*Hermeneutics*	The principles of interpretation of language; in this context, the theological explanation of the Bible.
*Justification*	The acquisition of a right legal standing before God.
*Litany*	A series of prayers of petition, each with the same set response, typically 'Kyrie eleison' or 'Lord, have mercy'.
*Liturgy*	A set order of service.
*Manna*	A white, seed-like food, eaten by the Israelites during their travels in the wilderness (see Exodus 16v14-21).
*Masoretic text*	The Hebrew Old Testament.
*Messiah*	A Hebrew word, meaning 'anointed one'. The Jews anointed their kings, so the word was used to describe a Jewish king.
*Orthodox*	Conforming to the established teachings of the church.
*Parable*	A short story, using familiar situations, to illustrate a moral point.
*Redemption*	Rescue or recovery.
*Saint*	Often used to refer to an individual who has been exemplary in furthering God's kingdom and canonised by the church. Really it means anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.
*Sanctification*	A continuous work of the Holy Spirit that makes us more like Christ.
*Sanhedrin*	The Jewish Supreme Council and High Court.
*Septuagint*	The Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. It includes some extra books which are known as the Apocrypha.
*Testament*	A statement issued as proof of a fact about something.
*Theism*	The belief in a god (from the Greek theos) who is actively involved in humanity through revelation.
*Tithe*	A tenth of a person's income, given to God. Today it is common practice for Christians to give one-tenth of their income to charities, including the Church.