Calvinism

A branch of Protestant Christianity based on the teachings of John Calvin in the 16th century. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, predestination, and the total depravity of humanity, asserting that God has eternally chosen those who will be saved and those who will be damned. Calvinism also upholds Scripture as the supreme authority, the necessity of faith for salvation, and a disciplined, morally rigorous life. Its theological system is often summarized by the acronym TULIP: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. Calvinism influenced Reformed churches and has had a significant impact on Protestant Theology, church governance, and culture, particularly in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and parts of North America. In contrast to Lutheranism, Calvinism denies the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist, regards predestination as central, and emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty over salvation, limiting atonement to the elect.

Canon

1. An exclusive list of the books included in the Bible and written during the formative period of the Jewish or Christian faiths, whose supporters believe these books are inspired by God and that they express the authoritative history of the relationship between God and human kind.

2. A Church decree or law.

Catholicism

The faith, practice, and system of the Roman Catholic Church, emphasizing the authority of the Pope, the sacraments, apostolic succession, and adherence to Church tradition alongside Scripture; it represents the largest branch of Christianity and traces its origins to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Followers of the Roman Catholic Church who adhere to its doctrines, participate in its sacramental life, and recognize the authority of the Pope as the spiritual leader and successor of Saint Peter, are called Catholics.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, whom its adherents, called Christians, regard as the Son of God and the Messiah (Christos). Emerging in the 1st century AD within the Roman province of Judea, it centers on beliefs in God’s love, salvation, and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity is grounded in the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, with the New Testament detailing Jesus’ ministry and the early Christian community. Core doctrines include the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the incarnation, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of salvation for believers. The religion spread rapidly through the Roman Empire and beyond, developing diverse traditions, denominations, and theological interpretations while profoundly influencing Western civilization, culture, ethics, and law.

Church of England

The established Christian church in England, originating in the 16th century during the English Reformation when King Henry VIII declared himself Supreme Head of the Church, separating it from papal authority; it combines elements of Reformed Theology and traditional Catholic practice, and forms the mother church of the Anglican Communion. The practices, beliefs, and liturgy of the Church of England are collectively called Anglicanism.

concordance

An alphabetical index of the words in the scriptures of Old and New Testaments, showing every contextual occurrence of the word and their locations.

concordat

Latin. An agreement, especially between the Church and a State.

Council of Trent

The 19th ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church, held in the city of Trent (now Trento, Italy) between 1545 and 1563, convened in response to the Protestant Reformation. It aimed to clarify Catholic doctrine, reform church discipline, and address abuses that had prompted calls for change. The Council reaffirmed core Catholic teachings such as the authority of both Scripture and Tradition, the seven sacraments, the doctrine of transubstantiation, and the necessity of faith and good works for salvation. It also instituted reforms in clerical education, church administration, and moral conduct. The Council of Trent became the defining expression of Counter-Reformation Theology and discipline, shaping Roman Catholic doctrine and practice for centuries to come.

Constantine the Great

Emperor Constantine (c. 272–337 AD) was the Roman emperor who played a decisive role in the spread and institutional establishment of Christianity within the Roman Empire. In 312 AD, before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine reportedly experienced a vision of a Christian symbol—the Chi-Rho (☧), from the Greek letters Chi (Χ) and Rho (ρ) and formed by superimposing the first two letters of the Greek word Christos (Χριστός), meaning “Christ”—and the words “In this sign, conquer”. According to tradition, Emperor Constantine adopted the Chi-Rho (☧) as his military standard—known as the Labarum—after his vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. After his victory, he credited the Christian God for his success and began to favour Christianity and the Labarum became a powerful emblem of the Christian Roman Empire, blending religious and imperial authority. In 313 AD, together with Licinius, he issued the Edict of Milan, which granted freedom of religion throughout the empire and ended the persecution of Christians. Constantine actively supported the Church by funding the construction of major basilicas, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and Old St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He also granted privileges to Christian clergy and involved himself in theological matters to promote unity within the Church. In 325 AD, Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church, which sought to resolve the Arian controversy and produced the original Nicene Creed, defining orthodox Christian belief in the divinity of Christ. Constantine’s mother was Saint Helena (c. 246–330 AD), and she was a devout Christian. She is famous in Christian tradition for her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where she is credited with discovering the True Cross. Helena likely had a significant influence on Constantine’s interest in Christianity, and historical accounts suggest she encouraged him, giving him early exposure to Christian ideas. Though he was baptized only shortly before his death in 337 AD, Constantine’s reign marked a turning point in Christian history, transforming the faith from a persecuted minority religion into a favoured and eventually dominant institution within the Roman Empire. While Helena played a role in nurturing his Christian leanings, Constantine’s adoption of the faith was both personal and strategic.

cornerstone

A stone in the projecting angle of a wall, in Greek known as akrogoniaios lithos (ακρογωνιαίος λίθος) and in Latin as primarii lapidis. It is sometimes referred to as a foundation-stone and as such, it has become colloquial speech for an indispensable part or a basis on which the rest of a structure is built. A cornerstone however, literally is a “stone at a corner”. In the New Testament  Jesus Christ is often referred to as the “head of the corner”, i.e. “The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner”. Christ is thus seen as the Chief Cornerstone of the Church. This statement has a twofold meaning. It not only refers to the fact that He lies at the foundation of His Church, but even more so to the fact that He is situated at a corner. When one comes to a corner one needs to change direction, likewise when one comes to Christ, one cannot continue in the direction one was going. Christ is a turning point. A meeting with the living God cannot happen without conversion or remain without consequences, and exactly this has made Him “a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling” for many.

Counter-Reformation

The period of Catholic revival and reform that began in the mid-16th century as a response to the Protestant Reformation, aimed at clarifying Catholic doctrine, reforming clerical practices, and revitalizing spiritual life. Centered on the Council of Trent (1545–1563), it reaffirmed traditional teachings on faith, the sacraments, and papal authority while addressing abuses such as corruption and lax discipline within the clergy. The movement was also advanced by new religious orders, notably the Jesuits (Society of Jesus), and through renewed emphasis on education, missionary work, and art. The Counter-Reformation strengthened the Roman Catholic Church and reshaped the religious landscape of Europe.

Covenant Theology

Term for a framework within Reformed Protestant Theology that interprets the Bible and God’s relationship with humanity through the lens of covenants, or solemn agreements, between God and his people. It emphasizes two or three overarching covenants: the Covenant of Works, in which God promised life for perfect obedience before the Fall; the Covenant of Grace, in which salvation is offered through faith in Christ; and, in some formulations, the Covenant of Redemption, an eternal agreement within the Trinity to save the elect. Covenant Theology underscores God’s sovereignty, the continuity of His redemptive plan throughout Scripture, and the unity of the Old and New Testaments in revealing salvation history.

Cush (כּוּשׁ)

1. Hebrew. Name of the land which was surrounded by the river Gihon, one of the four rivers mentioned in Genesis 2, together with the Pishon, the Tigris and the Euphrates, that split up from the one river that flowed out of the Garden Eden.

2. Hebrew. Name of the eldest son of Ham, brother of Canaan and the father of Nimrod, and Raamah, mentioned in the “Table of Nations” in Genesis and I Chronicles.