Category Archives: Definitions
Theological Disagreement at the Council of Chalcedon
One creed which divides Christians was adopted at the Council of Chalcedon in 451AD and held that Christ’s two natures were inseperable in one person and one substance, but because some felt this theologically flawed (that Christ’s nature was a unity, a single nature) this gave rise to riots … Continue reading
Islam in a Nutshell
From the word Aslama, or to surrender / submit (to God), Islam is an Abrahamic religion built on the Qu’ran, written down by Muhammad in the 7th century. It has five pillars or duties, and also a set of legal … Continue reading
Judaism in a Nutshell
An Abrahamic, monotheistic religion and one of the first, if not the first, of the truly monotheistic religions. The word, from the Hebrew יהודה Yehuda, relates to the following of the beliefs and practices in the instructions of the Tanakh or Hebrew … Continue reading
Roman Catholicism
See also Christian — one form of Christianity, self-described as the “Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church” and based on the Greek term καθολικός (katholikos) which means universal. Hierarchical management overseen by the Pope in Vatican City, in Rome Italy.
Old Catholic
see also Christianity, Catholicism. Split from Catholicism in 1870.
Eastern Orthodox
See also Christianity, an Abrahamic religion. Split from Catholicism in 1054, this group has perhaps 300 million members. The added term ‘Eastern’ helps Westerners understand to whom they are referring, but they themselves omit it, adding names (e.g., Russian Orthodox) which representing their … Continue reading
Orthodoxy Clashes in a Nutshell
The root meaning of the word in Greek is “Correctly Believing.” If one holds that we do not yet have all the answers, and that not everything we believe now to be right is indeed right, one will not hold … Continue reading
Protestantism in a Nutshell
see also Christianity. Arose out of, and named after, a protest against excesses which had grown up inside the established church. This secession occurred in 1529 and was spearheaded by Martin Luther. Most Anglicans reject the term Protestant, although it … Continue reading
Taoic Beliefs in a Nutshell
East Asian religions including Chinese folk religion, Taoism, Shinto and others.
Buddhism in a Nutshell
Buddhists follow the teachings of Guatama Buddha, that suffering is universal and that all beings would wish to avoid it and be happy. A ‘middle way’ avoids the extremes of hedonism and asceticism and cultivate the means for happiness within … Continue reading