The Glossary of Christianese is a work in progress. Words in bold are linked to the article I’ve written about that word (or subject.) Everything else is linked to the definition on this page. If you come across a Christianese word and want me to explain it, send me a note and I’ll see how quickly I can include it.
Pronunciations are in the International Phonetic Alphabet. Abbreviations are: a. adjective, e. exclamation, n. noun, p. participle, s. substantive (noun or adjective or title), v. verb.
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · R · S · T · U · V · W · X
A
Accountable ə'kount.ə.bəl a. Responsible: Required to explain or justify your actions and decisions to another person.
Agnostic æɡ'nɑst.tɪk s. Believes one can’t know whether God truly exists or not. (Most agnostics functionally live as atheists, but hold to agnosticism so as to keep their options open, or to not appear so closed-minded.)
Altar 'ɔl.tər s. The communion table.
2. The front of the sanctuary, usually in front of where the preacher speaks.
3. In the bible, a stone table or block used for ritual sacrifice.
Altar call 'ɔl.tər kɔl n. A invitation to come to the front of the sanctuary [i.e. the altar] during the worship service.
Amen ɑ'mɛn, eɪ'mɛn e. Hebrew for “I support it” or “I believe it.”
Amillennialist. 'eɪ.mɪl.lɛn.niəl s. Believes there is, and will be, no Christian millennium.
Angel 'eɪn.ʤəl s. A spirit being that God uses as a messenger or agent or subordinate. Popular culture (and Mormonism) thinks of them as the spirits of dead humans, but evolved or advanced somehow. The scriptures say nothing about their origin, although there are a lot of Christian myths about them.
[Angelic æn'ʤɛl.ɪk]
Antichrist 'æn.(t)i.kraɪst n. A person who’s against Christ Jesus: One who insists Jesus isn’t Messiah, isn’t the Son of God, or isn’t God. One who exists Jesus isn’t historical, and never even existed.
[Antichristian 'æn.(t)i'krɪs.tʃən]
Anthology øn'θɑl.ə.dʒi n. Book collection. (Like the bible.)
Apocalypse ə'pɑk.ə.lɪps n. A vision that’s kind of like a parable: It’s not literally true, but represents a truth that God, for his own reasons, doesn’t want to literally show people. The book of Revelation consists of apocalypses that Jesus showed to John.
[Apocalyptic ə'pɑk.ə'lɪp.tɪk]
Apologetics ə.pɑl.ə'ʤɛd.ɪks n. The study and use of apologies to defend one’s beliefs.
[Apologist ə'pɑl.ə.ʤəst s.]
Apology ə'pɑl.ə.ʤi n. A logical argument used to justify a theory or religious belief.
[Apologetic ə.pɑl.ə'ʤɛd.ɪk]
Apostle ə'pɑs.əl n. A Christian commissioned by Jesus to perform a leadership role.
[Apostolic æ.pə'stɑl.ɪk. Apostleship ə'pɑs.əl.ʃɪp n.]
Apostolic succession æ.pə'stɑl.ɪk sək'sɛ.ʃən n. The idea of a position in church leadership, founded by an apostle, continuously held in an unbroken line of successors since its beginning.
Arian 'ɛr.i.ən s. Believes God is one person, and both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are created beings which are not God. (A guess as to how the Trinity works, but heresy. Compare unitarian.)
Arminian ɑr'mɪn.i.ən, s. Of a branch of Christian theology, based on the teachings of Jacob Arminius and John Wesley. Its emphases are synergism and sanctification. It objects to limited atonement and irresistible grace.
Armor-bearer 'ɑr.mər 'bɛr.ər p. A pastor’s intern.
Atheist 'eɪ.θi.ɪst s. Believes no god exists. The opposite of theist.
Atonement ə'toʊn.mənt n. An act which fixes a broken relationship, such as paying a penalty, replacing a damaged item, or painting over defacement.
2. The atonement refers to Jesus’s payment for humanity’s sins.
[Atone ə'toʊn v.]
B
Baal 'bɑ.ɑl, bɑl, 'beɪ.(ə)l n. Master. The title of various Sumerian, Amorite, Canaanite, or Phonecian gods.
[Baalist 'bɑ.ɑl.ɪst, 'bɑl.ɪst s.]
Baptism 'bæp.tɪz.əm n. A ritual washing. Usually refers to the sacrament of water baptism performed upon new Christians: immersion or sprinkling with water, meant to represent death (dying to sin, dying with Jesus) and new life in Christ.
[Baptist 'bæp.təst s., baptizand bæp.tɪz.ænd n. (one who’s baptized)]
Baptize 'bæp.taɪz v. Ritually wash.
2. Engage in the Christian ritual, or sacrament, of water baptism.
3. Fill with power, namely when the Holy Spirit does the baptizing.
Belief bə'lif n. Opinion.
2. Acceptance that a statement is true, that something exists; a religious conviction.
[Believe bə'liv v., believer bə'liv.ər part.]
Bible 'baɪ.bəl s. The ancient writings of Christianity. Consists of 66 (or 73) books: the Old Testament (or Tanakh, Hebrew bible, or Jewish scriptures) and New Testament; and in some Christian traditions, certain deuterocanonical books (or Apocrypha) that we all agree are iffy, but not bad reading.
[Biblical 'bɪb.lɪ.kəl]
Bible difficulty 'baɪ.bəl 'dɪ.fə.kəl.ti n. A scripture which is hard to translate, interpret, understand, or follow.
2. A scripture which appears to contradict another passage, or appears to violate science, math, and known ancient history.
Bible study 'baɪ.bəl 'stə.di s. One’s individual reading and research of the scriptures.
2. Short for “bible study group”: A group which reads and researches the scriptures together.
Bishop 'bɪ.ʃəp, n. Supervisor of a church. Traditionally, the supervisor (or pastor) over more than one church.
[Episcopal ə'pɪs.kə.pəl]
Blasphemy 'blæs.fə.mi n. Slander: The intentional or accidental spreading of lies. Particularly lies about God.
Born again bɔrn ə'ɡɛn a. Converted to a stronger faith in, and a more personal relationship with, Christ Jesus.
C
Calvinist 'kæl.vən.ɪst s. Of a branch of Christian theology based on the teachings of John Calvin. Its emphases are monergism and God’s sovereignty.
Cardinal 'kɑːrd'ɪn'l s. A Roman Catholic chief bishop.
Catholic 'kæθ.(ə).lɪk s. Universal; for everyone.
2. Uppercase. Roman Catholic.
Cessationist sə'sɛ.ʃən.ɪst s. Believes miracles no longer happen.
Cheap grace tʃip greɪs s. God’s grace taken for granted, as if it didn’t cost him everything.
Church tʃərtʃ s. People who gather together for the purpose of following and worshiping God.
2. The church building.
3. The Kingdom of God: Every Christian, everywhere on earth, throughout all of history.
4. A denomination.
Church-shop 'tʃərtʃ ʃɑp v. Search for a suitable church to attend or join.
Christ kraɪst n. Messiah. The title of Jesus of Nazareth.
[Christlike 'kraɪst.laɪk, Christian 'krɪs.tʃən]
Christ-follower kraɪst 'fɑːl.oʊ.ər p. The self-chosen title, or description, of Christians who consider themselves more devout than other Christians.
Christian 'krɪs.tʃən s. Properly, a follower of Christ Jesus’s teachings. More commonly, a fan of Christ, or a Christianist.
Christianese 'krɪs.tʃən.iz s. Christian terms that aren’t widely known outside Christianity, or certain churches.
Christianist 'krɪs.tʃən.ɪst s. Of a socially approved outward form of Christianity.
2. Supporting or mandating such practices.
Clap offering kløp 'ɔf(.ə)r.ɪŋ n. Applause, meant for God.
Communion kə'mjun.jən n. Ritual of eating bread and drinking wine (or, among many Protestants, juice) to remember Jesus’s death, as Jesus demonstrated. (Mk 14.22-25) Also called holy communion, eucharist, “the sacrament,” “the ordinance,” the “Lord’s table,” or the “Lord’s supper.”
[Communal 'kɑːmjən.l a.]
Complementarian 'kɑmp.lə.mən'tɛr.i.ən s. Believes men and women have different roles in creation, whether at home, in society, or in the church. (Ostensibly in the protection and defense of women, but in practice patriarchy. Compare with egalitarian.)
Concubine 'kɑŋ.kjə.baɪn n. Girlfriend.
Confess kən'fɛs v. Admit one’s sins or failings to another (preferably trustworthy) Christian.
2. Admit what one believes.
[Confession kən'fɛ.ʃən n., confessional kən'fɛʃ.(ə).nl s.]
Context 'kɑn.tɛkst n. The setting of an idea or event: The larger story they’re a part of, the circumstances or history behind them, or the people to whom they’re said. Without them, the idea isn’t fully understood or clear.
[Contextual kən'tɛks.tʃ(əw).əl]
Courtship 'kɔrt.ʃɪp n. Dating. Depending on the church, it varies from simply dating without sexual relations, to a formal chaperoned system of arranged marriage. It largely comes from upper-class Western society etiquette of the past century, not the scriptures.
Covenant 'kəv.ən.ənt s. Committed, intentional relationship. The parties who enter these relationships make them with promises, the duties of one to the other spelled out, and sometimes oaths and contracts.
[Covenantal kəv.ən'ənt.əl]
Covet 'kə.vət v. To yearn to possess something.
[Covetous 'kə.vəd.əs a.]
Cult kəlt n. A religion. Usually one which others find strange, and possibly harmful or evil.
[Cultic 'kəl.tɪk, cultist 'kəl.tɪst]
Cycle 'saɪ.kəl s. Series of events which regularly repeat in the same order. In the bible, the Cycle refers to the repeating history of prosperity, apostasy, oppression, and revival.
D
Deacon 'di.kən n. A minister. Might be the leader of a particular ministry, but not the leader of a church: Deacons are nearly always subordinate to the pastor or priest.
[Diaconal di'ø.kə.nl, deaconal 'di.kən.əl (less proper)]
Deist 'di.ɪst, 'deɪ.ɪst s. Or theism. Believes in God, but not Christianity nor any organized religion. (What Unitarians often called themselves in the 1700s.)
Demon 'di.mən n. Or daemon. A minor god or helper spirit which does favors in exchange for worship. Christians tend to teach that demons are angels gone wrong.
[Demonic di'mɑ.nɪk]
Denomination di.nɑ.mə'neɪ.ʃən n. An organized sect of Christianity. Usually an official organization that supervises, sets doctrines, provides resources, and sometimes polices their member churches and pastors.
[Denominational di.nɑ.mə'neɪ.ʃən.əl]
Denominationalist di.nɑ.mə'neɪ.ʃən.əl.ɪst s. Strongly attached to one’s denomination. (Often to the point denominationalists won’t ineract with Christians outside their denomination.)
Depravity di'prø.və.di n. Corrupted.
2. Total depravity: The complete moral corruption of humanity.
[Depraved di'preɪvd]
Devotions di'voʊ.ʃənz n. Prayers or religious observances.
[Devotional di'voʊ.ʃə.nl, di'voʊʃ.nəl]
Discernment dɪ'sərn.mənt n. Ability to judge between true and false.
2. Supernatural discernment: A word of knowledge in which one knows whether something is or isn’t of God.
Disciple də'saɪ.pəl v. To train someone to be a student and follower of Jesus.
2. n. A student and follower of Jesus.
[Discipleship də'saɪ.pəl.ʃɪp s., discipler də'saɪ.plər, də'saɪ.pəl.ər n., discipular də'sɪp.jə.lər a.]
Dispensation dɪs.pən'seɪ.ʃən n. A period of history, during which God had, and applied, a different plan of salvation from the current one. Many Christians believe before Jesus, people were saved by good works and the Law; after Jesus, people are saved by grace. This is contrary to what Paul taught in Romans 3.21-26.
[Dispensational dɪs.pən'seɪ.ʃə.nl, dɪs.pən'seɪʃ.nəl a.]
Dispensationalist dɪs.pən'seɪ.ʃə.nl.ɪst, dɪs.pən'seɪʃ.nəl.ɪst s. Believes God created multiple dispensations throughout history: The current one, wherein humans are saved by God’s grace through Jesus; and one or more previous, wherein humans were saved through legalistic methods.
2. Capitalized. John Nelson Darby’s particular teaching of seven dispensations.
Doctrine 'dɑk.trən n. Official teaching of a church or denomination. (Usually implies the teaching isn’t debatable. Some pastors call all their teachings “doctrines.”)
[Doctrinal 'dɑk.trən.əl]
Dogma 'dɔg.mə n. Doctrine.
[Dogmatic dɔg'mø.dɪk]
Double predestination 'də.bəl 'pri.dɛs.tə'neɪ.ʃən n. Belief that God predestines some people to be destroyed.
[Double predestinarian 'də.bəl 'pri.dɛs.tə'nɛr.i.ən]
Dynamis power 'di.nø.mɪs 'paʊ.(ə)r, 'du.nə.mɪs 'paʊ.(ə)r s. The extra-mighty sort of power God possesses.
E
Ecumenist ɛk.jə'mən.ɪst, ɛ'kjʊ.mən.ɪst s. Believes all Christians and our churches need to be one, overcome our differences, and work together, just as Jesus prayed. (For this reason some early Christian councils were called ecumenical councils, and some Orthodox patriarchs are called ecumenical patriarchs.)
[Ecumenical ɛk.jə'mɛn.ək.əl]
Egalitarian i.gøl.ə'tɛ.ri.ən s. Believes men and women have equal roles in creation, including the church and church leadership. (Compare with complementarian.)
Eisegete 'eɪs.ə.dʒit v. Make a verse in the bible say what you want by manipulating its meaning. “Reading into” the scriptures what you believe already, instead of learning from the scriptures. The opposite of exegete.
2. n. One who eisegetes.
[Eisegesis eɪs.ə.'dʒi.sis n., eisegetical eɪs.ə'dʒɛd.ək.əl a.]
Elder 'ɛl.dər s. A mature Christian.
2. One of the mature Christians consulted as part of a church’s leadership; a presbyter.
Elect i'lɛkt v. Select for a position. In Christian theology, God elects every person who will be saved from sin and death: Our salvation isn’t random, or unplanned, but deliberate on God’s part.
2. s. A person, or people, selected by God for salvation.
[Election i'lɛk.ʃən n.]
End ɛnd n. Capitalized (by me, anyway) it means the end of this age; when Jesus returns in his Second Coming and sets up the Kingdom.
End Times ɛnd taɪmz n.p. Stuff expected to happen before or around the time of the End.
Evangel i'vøn.dʒəl n. Gospel. Good news. In Christianity, the good news of the Kingdom (which God wants us to be a part of) and Christ Jesus (who got us into the Kingdom, and will rule it himself).
[Evangelic i.vøn'dʒɛl.ɪk]
Evangelical i.vøn'dʒɛl.ək.əl s. Of a tradition within Protestantism which emphasizes individual conversion to Christianity (i.e. being born again), the bible’s authority, Jesus’s atonement, and an active Christian lifestyle.
Evangelize i'vøn.dʒəl.aɪz v. To share the evangel, or gospel, with others. (Not to proselytize, though evangelization can quickly become proselytism if overzealous pressure is added.)
[Evangelism i'vøn.dʒəl.ɪz.əm s., evangelist i'vøn.dʒəl.ɪst n.]
Exegete ɛk.sə'dʒit v. Interpret, specifically scripture, properly: Study the literary context (purpose of the book, main topic or issue of that chapter or story), historical context (culture of the author and readers, then-current events, what they’d have known or believed), and grammatical context (what the original-language words mean, whether they’re quotes of other parts of the bible) to produce the best interpretation of the author’s intent. The opposite of eisegesis.
2. n. One who exegetes.
[Exegesis ɛk.sə'dʒi.sɪs n., exegetical ɛk.sə'dʒɛd.ək.əl a.]
Expound ɛk'spaʊnd v. Go into great detail.
[Exposition ɛk.spə'zɪ.ʃən n., expositor ɛk'spɑ.zə.dər n., expository ɛk'spɑ.zə.tɔr.i a.]
F
Faith feɪθ s. Trust: Complete confidence in someone or something. For Christians, trust in God.
2. Religion: The system of beliefs about God which a person holds to or practices.
Faith statement feɪθ 'steɪt.mənt n. The official theological positions of a religious organization.
Fast føst v. Go without food for God.
2. n. A period of going without food for God.
Fear fɪ(.ə)r n. Anxiousness or apprehension caused by something dangerous or destructive. The fear of God has to do with the fact that God wishes to destroy sin, and either our unwillingness to see it destroyed, or our worry that we might be destroyed along with it.
2. v. Have fear.
[Fearful 'fɪ(.ə)r.fəl]
Fivefold ministry 'faɪv.foʊld 'mɪ.nə.stri n. The belief that five gifts listed in Ephesians 4.11—namely an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—are in fact offices which ought to be filled in contemporary churches, and made part of church leadership.
Flesh flɛʃ n. The part of the mind where instinctive, self-centered, sin-based impulses come from.
[Fleshly 'flɛʃ.li]
Fruit frut n.p. The actions that provide evidence for what a person believes or follows. Christians should display the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Good works and positive attitudes which change them and others for the better. Fruit, not proper beliefs and theology, is what Jesus looks for as proof that someone is his follower.
[Fruitful 'frut.fəl]
Fulfill fʊl'fɪl v. Fill up: Make a fuller, more complete understanding of an existing idea.
2. Achieve a goal or promise; carry out a task; complete a work.
[Fulfillment fʊl'fɪl.mənt n.]
Fundamentalist fən.də'mɛn(t).l.ɪst s. Committed to orthodox Protestantism. Some Fundamentalist groups are stricter than others, and as a result “fundamentalist” is often misused as a synonym for “conservative.”
G
General revelation 'dʒɛn(.ə).rəl rɛ.və'leɪ.ʃən n. Revelation of God given to everybody in general. It’s not specific, not intentional—and therefore, I argue, not reliable.
Genre 'ʒɑn.rə s. Category, or particular type, of literature, music, movie, or other form of art.
Gentile 'dʒɛn.ta.ɪl s. Someone who isn’t a Jew. Hebrew goy, plural goyim. (Frequently in the bible it’s used to mean pagan.)
Ghost goʊst s. A human’s spirit. Usually the spirit of a dead person, which has left its body.
Gnostic 'nɑs.tik s. Of any secret-knowledge religion. Often one of the mystery religions of the Roman Empire, which taught one could be saved through that religion’s secrets and rituals. (Considered heretic by Christians, who believe God has no such secret knowledge. Gnostics borrow ideas from many religions, including Christianity.)
God gɑd n. A mighty being, often worshiped.
2. Capitalized. The One True God of monotheists.
Gospel 'gɑ.spəl s. Good news. Specifically, the good news of the Kingdom of God, or the revelation, teaching, and redemptive work of Christ Jesus.
2. A record of a great person’s life, teachings, and works. Specifically, that of Jesus. (More specifically, one of the four books about Jesus, found in the New Testament.)
3. Something meant to share good news, such as a book, tract, or song.
Grace greɪs n. God’s generous, forgiving attitude towards his people.
2. A prayer of thanksgiving, usually before a meal.
[Gracious 'greɪ.ʃəs]
H
Heathen 'hi.ðən s. Derogatory term for pagan.
Heart hɑrt s. The immaterial center of a person’s life-force. Used in the scriptures for one’s personality, will, intellect, memory, and feelings.
Heaven 'hɛv.ən n. The sky, perceived as a vault containing the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
2. The dwelling place of God and his angels—and, debatably, the dead.
3. Short for the Kingdom of heaven, i.e. God’s Kingdom.
[Heavenly 'hɛv.ən.li]
Hedge of Protection hɛdʒ hej əv prə'tɛk.ʃən n. A metaphor representing God’s defense against evil. Sometimes called a “hedge of thorns.”
Heresy 'hɛr.ə.si n. Belief or opinion which goes against orthodox Christian teachings.
[Heretic 'hɛr.ə.tɪk, heretical hɛ'rɛd.ək.əl]
High Christology haɪ krɪs'tɑl.ə.dʒi n. Advanced theology about who Christ Jesus is and what he came to earth to do. Compare low Christology.
Historical theology hɪ'stɔr.ə.kəl θi'ɑl.ə.dʒi n. The study of what different Christians believed at different points in history.
Holy 'hoʊ.li s. Dedicated to God or his service, and not just for ordinary common use. Morally and spiritually excellent (or at least striving to be).
Holy Spirit 'hoʊ.li 'spɪr.ɪt n. God. One of the three persons who are God in the Trinity (sometimes called the “third person of the Trinity”): The person who acts in human history and in humanity, and who indwells and empowers Christians.
Homily 'hɑm.ə.li n. Sermon.
[Homilist 'hɑm.ə.ləst n., homiletic hɑm.ə'lɛd.ɪk a., homiletics hɑm.ə'lɛd.ɪks n. (sermon-writing).]
Hyperbole haɪ'pər.bə.li n. A deliberate, obvious exaggeration.
[Hyperbolic haɪ.pər'bɑl.ək]
Hypocrisy hə'pɑk.rə.si n. Pretending to be what you’re not. Pretense.
[Hypocrite 'hɪp.ə.krɪt n., hypocritical hɪp.ə'krɪd.ə.kəl a.]
I
Ignatian meditation ɪg'neɪ.ʃən mɛ.də'teɪ.ʃən n. A form of meditation where we imagine ourselves physically at the places in the scriptures, and immerse ourselves into the salvation story.
Imprecatory prayer 'ɪm.prə.kə.tɔ.ri preɪ(ə)r n. A sort of prayer which curses and condemns.
Incarnation ɪn.kɑr'neɪ.ʃən n. When God became the human Jesus of Nazareth.
[Incarnate 'ɪn.kɑrn.eɪt v., ɪn'kɑr.nət a., incarnational ɪn.kɑr'neɪ.ʃən.əl a.]
Indwell ɪn'dwɛl v. Be permanently present in someone’s mind and soul. Spiritually possess.
[Indwelt ɪn'dwɛlt s.]
Intercession 'ɪn.(t)ər.sɛs.ʃən n. The act of saying a prayer on behalf of another person.
[Intercessor 'ɪn.(t)ər.sɛs.sər n., intercessory 'ɪn.(t)ər.sɛs.sə.ri a.]
Intercessory prayer 'ɪn.(t)ər.sɛs.sə.ri preɪ(ə)r n. Intercession.
Irresistible grace ɪr.rə'zɪst.ə.bəl greɪs n. When God deems to save people, we will be saved. We’ve no say in the matter, and wouldn’t want one anyway. (A Calvinist belief; other Christians believe in prevenient grace.)
J
Jehovah dʒə'hoʊ.və n. English for Yahweh, the name God revealed he is to be known by. Out of respect, we tend to instead refer to him as the LORD.
Joy dʒɔɪ n. Extreme happiness.
[Joyful 'dʒɔɪ.fəl]
Just dʒəst a. Based on, or behaving according to, what is morally right and fair.
[Justice 'dʒəs.təs n.]
K
Kairos moment ki'roʊs 'moʊ.mənt, 'kaɪ.rɑs 'moʊ.mənt s. A brief period of time, in which something significant is expected to happen.
Kingdom 'kɪŋ.dəm s. The system of government, or rule over the universe, run by God and his love, which Jesus came to initiate. In the End, Jesus will rule it personally and physically, and perfect it. For now, it only exists among participating Christians in the rather imperfect form of the church. Also called the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven.
L
Lament lə'mɛnt v. Mourn; express grief, disappointment, regret, sorrow, worry, or indignation.
2. s. An expression, like a song or poem or prayer, of lamentation.
Legalist 'li.gəl.əst s. Advocates an excessive, graceless observance of God’s commands. Usually based on the belief commands, not God, save; or fruit must be mandated.
Limited atonement 'lɪm.ə.dəd ə'toʊn.mənt n. Belief Jesus didn’t die for the sins of the entire world, but only the sins of the elect.
Liturgical lə'tər.dʒə.kəl a. Follows an order of service. Usually describes a church which follows a strict liturgy: A precise, ceremonial, formal schedule. The Christian year is likewise scheduled precisely.
Liturgy lɪd.ər.dʒi n. The order of events at a worship service.
Low Christology loʊ krɪs'tɑl.ə.dʒi n. Irreligious, non-supernatural beliefs about who Christ Jesus is and what he came to earth to do. Compare high Christology.
M
Mainline 'meɪn.laɪn s. The historic Protestant churches in the United States. Often they’re depicted as the Christian Left.
Mainliner 'meɪn.laɪn.ər]
Mammon 'møm.ən n. Money.
2. A personification of money or riches; a false god of money.
Manichaean møn.ə'ki.ən s. Of the Gnostic teachings of Mani of Iran: Belief that humans are beings of light trapped in bodies of matter.
Meditate 'mɛd.ə.teɪt v. Think deeply or carefully about something.
[Meditation mɛd.ə'teɪ.ʃən]
Memory verse 'mɛm(.ə).ri vərs n. A verse from the scriptures a Christian has or ought to memorize.
Messiah məs'saɪ.ə n. Christ. From the Hebrew meshiakh, “anointed,” a title of their kings, who were usually anointed with oil to indicate God made them leaders and gave them the Holy Spirit.
[Messianic mɛs.si'øn.ɪk]
Messianic Jew mɛs.si'øn.ɪk dʒu n. A Jewish follower of Messiah Jesus. Used to emphasize their own Jewishness, as well as the Jewishness of Jesus.
Messianic prophecy mɛs.si'øn.ɪk 'prɑ.fə.si n. A statement in the Old Testament that Christians interpret as deliberately predicting the coming (either first or second) of Christ Jesus. Some Christians count more than 800 of them.
Millennialist mɪ'lɛn.i.əl.ɪst n. Believes in a millennial period. Also called millenarianism mɪ.lɛn'ər.i.ən.ɪz.əm or chiliasm 'kɪ.li.æz.əm.
[Millennial mɪ'lɛn.i.əl]
Millennium mɪ'lɛn.i.əm n. One thousand years.
2. In End Times theology, after Jesus returns to earth, a significant period of time during which he’ll personally rule the world. It takes place before the final judgment.
[Millennial mɪ'lɛn.i.əl, millenarian mɪ.lɛn'ər.i.ən]
Miracle 'mɪr.ɪ.kəl n. Anything God does, or anything God’s power makes possible.
[Miraculous mə'røk.jə.ləs]
Mission 'mɪs.ʃən n. A religious assignment, usually at someplace other than home.
[Missions 'mɪs.ʃənz s., missional 'mɪs.ʃən.əl a., missionary 'mɪs.ʃən.ɛr.i s.]
Modalist 'mod.l.ɪst s. Believes God is one person, but works in three different ways, and these modes appear to be multiple persons. (A guess as to how the Trinity works, but heresy.)
Monergist 'mɑn.ər.dʒɪst s. Believes one person does the entire work of something. In Christianity, believes salvation and regeneration are the same event, and the Holy Spirit does the entire work: We don’t save ourselves, and we don’t contribute to our regeneration and sanctification. Compare with synergist.
Monotheist 'mɑn.ə.θi.ɪst s. Believes there’s only one god. (Christians are monotheists, who believe in Yahweh, the LORD, the one true God of Israel. We’re accused of being polytheists because we believe the LORD is a Trinity.)
My spirit maɪ 'spɪr.ɪt n. poss. Me. Usually said to make one, or one’s opinion or issues, sound spiritual.
Mystery 'mɪs.t(ə.)ri n. An idea which we don’t entirely understand, but we take God’s word for it that it’s true. When “mystery” is used in the scriptures, it usually refers to something we should understand, since God’s explained it to us.
[Mysterious mə'stɪ.ri.əs]
N
Nondenominational 'nɑn.di.nɑm.ə'neɪ.ʃ(ə)n(.ə)l s. Not affiliated with a denomination. (Sometimes affiliated with other churches or Christians, but not a formal denomination.)
2. Antidenominational: Believes grouping churches into denominations violates Christian unity, and every church ought to be independent and unaffiliated.
Nontheist 'nɑn.θi.ɪst s. Believes in neither God, nor that “the universe” has a spirit. (See atheist.)
O
Omniscience ɑm'nɪ.ʃəns n. Ability to know everything.
[Omniscient ɑm'nɪ.ʃənt]
Orthodox 'ɔr.θə.dɑks s. Correct. Sticking to what is proven true, historically accepted, and largely considered normal. The opposite of heretic.
2. Uppercase, a member of an Orthodox Church.
[Orthdoxy 'ɔr.θə.dɑks.i n.]
Orthodox Church 'ɔr.θə.dɑks tʃərtʃ s. The second-largest, and oldest, sect of Christianity on the planet. Orthodox Christians are distinctive for their devotion to the most ancient Christian traditions, which they consider just as valid as the bible; their connections to their respective Eastern European and Middle Eastern homelands; and their veneration of ikons and sacred art.
P
Pagan 'peɪ.gən s. Holds religious beliefs other than those of an organized religion. (Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews are not pagans; their religions are organized. Atheists, and many agnostics, hold to no religion.)
2. Non-Christian.
3. Capitalized. A neo-Pagan: A practitioner of a nature religion, or of a revived polytheistic religion previously eliminated after the coming of Christianity.
Pantheist 'pøn.θi.ɪst s. Believes the universe is God, or a manifestation of God: God and the universe are interchangeable.
Pastor 'pøs.tər n. Chief minister, or one of the chief ministers, of a church.
[Pastoral 'pøs.tər.əl]
Patriarch 'peɪ.tri.ɑrk n. Male head of a family.
2. One of the earliest followers of God, like Abraham, Jacob, or Moses. (Some Christians cut off the patriarchs at Jacob.)
3. An Orthodox chief bishop.
[Patriarchal peɪ.tri'ɑrk.əl]
Patriarchy 'peɪ.tri.ɑrk.i n. System where males lead every organization, particularly the family and church. (Practitioners claim this is based on biblical prohibitions against women in leadership. In all cases it’s entirely based on male supremacy.)
Pelagian pə'leɪ.dʒi.ən s. Of the teachings of Pelagius of Britain: Belief that humans are born good, untainted by original sin, not totally depraved, and fully capable of good deeds without any help from God. (Pelagianism reflects popular culture, and has been embraced by many Christians; arguably it’s the largest branch of Christian theology. But it’s heresy.)
Penance 'pɛn.əns n. Confession of one’s sins to God (often with the aid of a fellow Christian) so as to gain God’s forgiveness and encouragement to do better.
Perseverance of the saints pər.sə'vɪr.əns əv ðə seɪnts n. Idea that since we’re saved and made saints entirely by God’s grace, not through our own good works, our bad works can’t undo our salvation: Once we’re saved, it’s a done deal.
Pharisee 'fɛr.ə.si s. A first-century denomination of the Hebrew religion which emphasized widespread teaching of the Law. (Evolved into present-day Judaism.)
2. A hypocrite. (Thanks to Jesus’s regular condemnation of hypocritical Pharisees.)
[Pharisaic fɛr.ə'seɪ.ɪk]
Polytheist pɑl.i.θi.ɪst s. Believes there’s more than one God. (Christians are monotheist, but accused of being polytheists because we believe the One God is a Trinity.)
Pope poʊp n. The Roman Catholic chief bishop.
[Papal 'peɪ.pəl]
Pray preɪ v. Talk with God.
[Pray-er 'preɪ.ər part.]
Prayer preɪ(ə)r s. Conversation with God. Usually a request for help or an expression of thanks.
Prayer warrior preɪ(ə)r 'wɔr.ri.ər n. A popular term for someone who practices intercessory prayer. Proper “prayer warriors” need to act as well as pray, though.
Predestination pri.dɛs.tə'neɪ.ʃən n. By knowing history before it happens, God arranges all of history for Christians to have his support, and a clear path, to salvation.
Presbyter 'prɛz.bə.dər n. One of the mature Christians consulted as part of a church’s leadership; an elder.
2. In Catholic or Episcopalian churches, a minister who serves under the bishop: A priest.
[Presbyteral 'prɛz.bɪt.rəl, prɛz'bɪd.ər.əl]
Presbyterian prɛz.bə'tɪ.(ə)ri.ən s. Believes churches should be run by voting elders—not a single supervisor, nor popular vote.
2. The practices of a Presbyterian Church, one of the denominations descended from the Calvinist Church of Scotland.
Prevenient grace pri'vin.iənt greɪs n. God’s grace was made available to all in Christ’s death, and all we need do is repent and accept it.
Priest prist n. Person authorized to perform a religion’s rituals. (In Christianity, one who can perform our sacraments.)
[Priestly 'prist.li]
Proof text pruf tɛkst n. A verse from the scriptures used (or misused) as evidence, or a reference, to the idea one wishes to teach.
2. v. To use (or misuse) the scriptures as evidence or a reference.
Prophecy 'prɑf.ə.si s. An indirect message from God. It comes, not straight from him to us, but from him to another person (either a prophet, or one of the prophets who wrote the bible) to us.
[Prophetic proʊ'fɛd.ɪk, prophesy prɑf.ə'saɪ v.]
Prophet 'prɑf.ət n. God’s mouthpiece: A person who relays a direct message from God to other people. (Some Christians claim anyone who relays any message from God—like a scripture or sermon—is a prophet, but properly, prophets hear firsthand from God.)
[Prophetic proʊ'fɛd.ɪk]
Proselytize 'prɑs(.ə).lə.taɪz v. (Try to) convert a person from one religion or belief to another. Regularly confused with evangelize.
[Proselytism 'prɑs(.ə).lət.ɪz.əm n.]
Protestant 'prɑd.əs.tənt s. A Christian whose tradition stems from the Protestant Reformation, a 16th-century movement which objected to certain Roman Catholic teachings and divided from that church. Generally they believe the bible is the final authority about religion (tradition, though informally equal, officially called inferior); Christians are saved by grace, which is achieved through faith not sacraments; and to varying degrees the independence of each believer.
2. Popularly, any Christian who’s neither Roman Catholic nor Orthodox.
Proverbs 31 Woman 'prɑ.vərbz 'θər.di wən 'wʊm.ən n. A productive and devout woman, like the ideal wife found in Proverbs 31.
Psalm sɑ(l)m s. Sacred song, namely one of the 150 in the book of Psalms.
[Psalmic 'sɑ(l)m.ɪk]
Pseudepigrapha sud.ə'pɪg.rə.fə n.pl. Books which were supposedly written by famous Old Testament saints, like Enoch and Ezra and Moses, but weren’t really.
[Pseudepigraphal sud.ə'pɪg.rə.fəl]
R
Rapture 'røp.tʃər v. Resurrect, then join Christ Jesus in the air, at the time of his second coming.
2. s. The event during Christ’s second coming when we’re raptured.
Redeem ri'dim v. To purchase freedom. As Jesus does, freeing us from sin.
[Redemption ri'dɛm(p).ʃən s., redeemer ri'dim.ər n.]
Religion ri'lɪdʒ.ən n. Belief, recognition, and (sometimes) worship, of a God or multiple gods. Includes the details of this belief, or a particular system of faith and worship.
2. A pursuit or interest of supreme importance.
[Religious ri'lɪdʒ.əs]
Repent ri'pɛnt v. To turn around. (Non-Christians define it as feeling sorry, but that’s not what Christians mean by it.)
[Repentant ri'pɛnt.nt s., repentance ri'pɛn(t).əns n.]
Reprobate 'rɛp.rə.beɪt s. A sinner predestined for punishment. See double predestination.
Restorationist rɛs.tə'reɪ.ʃən.ɪst n. Wants to “restore” Christianity to the beliefs and practices of the earliest Christians.
Resurrection rɛz.ə'rɛk.ʃən n. New life: When people (just like Jesus) come back from the dead at the End, not in the same bodies they died in, but new improved bodies that will live forever.
2. The resurrection of Jesus.
Revelation rɛv.ə'leɪ.ʃən n. Anything God has revealed to we humans.
2. The biblical book Revelation, which consists of apocalypses Jesus revealed to John.
[Revelatory rə.vɛ.lə'tɔ.ri]
Revival ri'vaɪ.vəl s. Reawakened religious excitement.
2. A meeting meant to reawaken religious excitement.
[Revivalist ri'vaɪ.vəl.ɪst s.]
Roman Catholic 'roʊ.mən 'køθ(.ə).lɪk s. The largest, and second-oldest, sect of Christianity on the planet. Roman Catholics are distinctive for the size of their church; their formal and ancient traditions, which they consider as valid as the bible; their celibate-male leadership, headed by the pope; their distinctive communion-centered liturgy; their belief grace is given by participating in sacraments; and veneration of saints, Jesus’s mother in particular.
Rote prayer roʊt preɪ(ə)r n. A prayer which has been memorized.
S
Sacrament søk.rə.mənt n. A Christian ritual, meant to represent an act of God’s grace, and a more profound spiritual truth.
[Sacramental søk.rə'mənt.əl]
Sacred 'seɪ.krɪd s. Holy.
Sadducee 'sød.dʒə.si s. Member of an ancient Hebrew denomination. Sadducees stripped the supernatural from their beliefs; no miracles, no angels, no resurrection, no Messiah.
[Sadduceean sød.dʒə'si.ən]
Saint seɪnt n. A holy person.
2. Uppercase, used as a title: An officially recognized saint, such as St. Mary or St. Moses (though Roman Catholics use the title only of Christians, and not Old Testament saints).
[Saintly seɪnt.li]
Salvation søl'veɪ.ʃən s. State of being saved from sin and death.
2. The process that Christ Jesus worked out whereby we have salvation.
Samaritan sə'mɛr.ə.tn s. A part-Hebrew ethnic group, ostracized by first-century Judeans for their different religious beliefs.
Sanctify 'søŋ(k).tə.faɪ v. Release from, and be rid of, sin. Purify, make holy, consecrate.
[Sanctification søŋ(k).tə.fə'keɪ.ʃən n.]
Savior 'seɪv.jər n. Saver. Specifically, Christ Jesus.
Scribe skraɪb n. One who writes. Scribes, in bible times, were bible scholars: They made copies, by hand, of the Law and any other sacred books; and were expected to know where everything was in it, and give expert opinion on it.
Scriptures 'skrɪp.tʃərz n. pl. Sacred writings. The Christian scriptures are found in the bible.
[Scriptural 'skrɪp.(t)ʃər.əl]
Second Coming 'sɛk.ənd 'kəm.ɪŋ n. When Jesus returns to earth at the End to personally invade it, take it over, and rule over the Kingdom as King. (Called “Second” because being born is considered his First Coming; any of his other visitations aren’t counted.)
Secular 'sɛk.jə.lər a. Not having to do with religion.
Seeker-sensitive 'si.kər 'sɛn.sə.dɪv a. Caring about the feelings of people who seek God, or who we share Jesus with; adapting our message in consideration of those feelings. (Often used in a negative sense to describe those who might compromise our message—or at least not emphasize the things we consider important.)
Selah sɛ'lɑ, 'si.lə A term, of unknown meaning, which has to do with psalms.
Simony 'saɪ.mə.ni n. Selling (or buying) that which only God can give, and gives freely—like grace, forgiveness, anointing, supernatural gifts, knowledge, or positions in the church.
[Simoniac saɪ.mə'naɪ.ək]
Sin sɪn s. A violation of God’s known will.
2. v. An act which achieves sin.
Sinner’s prayer 'sɪn.ərz preɪ(ə)r n. A prayer one uses to repent of sin and ask Jesus to be one’s Lord. Most Christians consider it the point in time at which they first became Christian.
Skeptic 'skɛp.tɪks. A person inclined to reject any accepted opinion.
Sorcery 'sɔr.s(ə)r.i n. Gaining of wealth and power through spiritual manipulation. (Doesn’t have to be magic.)
[Sorcerous 'sɔr.s(ə)r.əs]
Soul soʊl n. A life-force. You.
Soulish 'soʊl.ɪʃ a. Has to do with the soul. For many Christians, it means fleshly.
Sovereign 'sɑv(.ə)r.ən s. An absolute ruler.
Sovereignty 'sɑv(.ə)r.ən.ti s. (Usually God’s sovereignty.) Absolute power and authority.
Spirit 'spɪ.rɪt s. The non-physical part of a human, in which we find the heart, emotions, or character. The part which survives physical death; the ghost. Regularly confused with the soul.
2. A non-physical being.
3. capitalized] God the Holy Spirit.
4. The mood or emotion of a person or place. Usually positive.
[Spiritual 'spɪ.rɪtʃ.(əw.)əl]
Spirit of… 'spɪ.rɪt əv n. gen. The attitude of. The ability of. The emotion of.
Spirit of Jezebel 'spɪ.rɪt əv 'dʒɛz.ə.bəl n. The attitude which goes along with usurping or overthrowing authority. (Often inappropriately used to condemn women who want to minister.)
Spiritual 'spɪ.rɪtʃ.(əw.)əl a. Has to do with spirits or religion.
2. n. A worship song.
Supernatural
su.pər'nøtʃ.(ə.)rəl s. An event caused by (or credited to) some force beyond the laws of nature, beyond scientific understanding.
Sword drill sɔ(ə)rd drɪl n. A race to see who can look up a bible verse or passage fastest.
Synergist 'sɪn.ər.dʒəst s. Believes in achievement through relationship. In Christianity, believes salvation is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, but we humans still consent to it; that regeneration and sanctification are a partnership between the Spirit and ourselves. Compare with monergist.
T
Testimony 'tɛs.tə.moʊ.ni n. A story about something God did in your life, which you personally saw and heard.
2. The story of when you first became a Christian.
[Testimonial 'tɛs.tə.moʊ.ni.əl
Textual variant 'tɛks.tʃ(əw.)əl 'vɛr.i.ənt n. A difference between copies or editions of a document. Biblical textual variants happen when the copier of a bible deliberately, or accidentally, alters the text—either adding words, replacing words, or changing the word-order.
Theist 'θi.ɪst s. Believes in a god. The opposite of atheist.
Theodicy θi'ɑd.ə.si n. Defense of God and his acts to people who question whether he’s good, almighty, or otherwise what Christians or culture claim. (A branch of apologetics; of course those who defend God don’t necessarily understand him any better.)
Theologian θi.ə'loʊ.dʒən n. Someone who studies God. (Trained theologians have learned how to study him in a certain discipline. Untrained theologians study him pretty much every way they can invent—including some rather iffy ways.)
Theology θi'ɑl.ə.dʒi n. The study of God. Good theology is a proper, disciplined study; bad theology (which inevitably leads to wrong results) is undisciplined.
[Theological θi.ə'lɑdʒ.ə.kəl]
Theophany θi'ɑf.ə.ni n. A God-appearance or God-sighting. Whenever God makes himself physically seen and heard, in a vision or personal appearance. (Like the incarnation of Jesus.)
[Theophanic θi.ɑ'føn.ik]
Tithe taɪð v. Set aside a tenth of something.
2. In Christian tradition, give a tenth of our incomes to our churches for their financial support.
3. s. A tenth of something.
Total depravity 'toʊ.dl di'prøv.ə.di n. The idea that human nature is so thoroughly (i.e. totally) self-centered and sinful (i.e. depraved), it’s impossible to be saved from sin without God’s help. Considered a consequence of the original sin of humans.
[Totally depraved 'toʊ.dl.i di'preɪvd]
Tribulation trɪb.jə'leɪ.ʃən n. Thing which causes great suffering.
[Tribulational trɪb.jə'leɪ.ʃən.əl]
Trilemma traɪ'lɛm.ə n. A difficult choice between three [unfavorable] options. In Christian apologetics, it almost always refers to C.S. Lewis’s three options as to who Christ Jesus is (as later articulated by Josh McDowell): “Liar, lunatic, or Lord.”
Trinity 'trɪn.ə.di n. One God, yet three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
[Trinitarian trɪn.ə'tɛr.i.ən]
U
Unconditional election ən.kən'dɪʃ.(ə)n(.ə)l i'lɛk.ʃən n. The idea that God elects people to be saved from sin and death, solely because he loves us. Not because we deserve it, nor earned it, nor won it, nor are owed it, nor because God is in any way obligated to do so. It’s entirely based on God’s grace.
Unitarian ju.nə'tɛr.i.ən s. Believes God is not a Trinity; that God is One, but not Three. (A guess as to how the Trinity works, but heresy.)
2. s. A heretic sect of Christianity which believes in one God, but Christ Jesus is not God. (They consider themselves Christians because they venerate, and sometimes follow, Jesus; but they tend to be universalist and don’t think we need to be saved.)
Universalist ju.nə'vər.səl.əst s. Believes God will eventually save everyone, without exception.
V
Vain veɪn a. Useless.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to name-dropping God in order to make things look holy. It is not necessarily about using his name as a swear word.
Venerate 'vɛn.ə.reɪt v. To be a giant fan of, or have great respect for, someone like a saint, or something like the bible. (From time to time it’s confused with worship—sometimes by the people watching fans of a saint, and sometimes by the person whose devotion to the bible crossed the line into worship.)
Vicar 'vɪk.ər n. Pastor. A title meaning “agent of [Jesus].”
W
Will of precept wɪl əv 'pri.sɛpt n. God’s will, which he spelled out in the scriptures. Compare will of purpose.
Will of purpose wɪl əv 'pər.pəs n. God’s secret things—the things he wills which he keeps to himself. Compare will of precept.
Word of knowledge wərd əv 'nɑ.ləʤ n. Information one has, the source of which can only be God.
Word study wərd 'stə.di s. Learning the bible’s definition of a word.
Works righteousness wərks 'raɪt.ʃəs.nəs s. Attempt to earn or merit a right standing (with God or others) through good behavior.
Worldview 'wərld.vju s. A particular philosophy of life, or concept of the world. Metaphysics.
Worship 'wər.ʃəp v. Perform acts of obedience and love, so as to show affection and allegiance (to God or an idol).
2. s. An act of obedience and love to show affection and allegiance.
X
X kraɪst, krɪs prefix. The Greek letter hi or chi, an abbreviation for Christ. As seen in Xian, Xianity, Xmas, and so forth.
