Glossary of Religions

Christian religions of Europe and/or the American colonies:

Roman Catholic Church

In 17th and 18th century France, there were three Catholic orders. The most widespread were the Jesuits who were dominant in the French universities, including the Sorbonne in Paris until their suppression by Pope Clement 13th in 1767. Their main opponents were than Jansenists, with whom they quarreled over matters of salvation and damnation, who were sometimes labeled Calvinists by the Jesuits. The third group was the Oratorians, who combined Catholicism with the new philosophy of Cartesian mechanism. The notable Cartesian philosopher, Nicholas Malebranche (1638 - 1715) was an Oratorian.         


Eastern Orthodox (Catholic) Church

Lutheranism           -   Based on the theology of Martin Luther,  Lutherans, (unlike Calvinists),
                                    retain many of the liturgical practices and sacramental teachings of the
                                    pre-Reformation Church, with a particular emphasis on the Eucharist, 
                                    or Lord's Supper. Lutheran theology differs from Reformed 
                                    theology (see Calvinism, below) in Christology, the purpose
                                    of God's Law, the divine grace, the concept of perseverance of the saints, 
                                    and predestination. 


Calvinist                -   Based on the theology of Jean Calvin.  "Calvinist" was used
                                   pejoratively by Lutherans.  The terms preferred by followers of 
                                   Calvin's theology is "Reformed" and "Reformist."  
    
      Continental Reform Churches:  Dutch Reformed, the Swiss Reformed, the Hungarian Reformed
                                  the French Reformed (Huguenots), and the Waldensian Church in Italy


Anglican     (Church of England)     (Episcopalian)  

Puritan                    -  Reformers attempting to "purify" the Church of England of its remaining
                                   Catholic traditions.  Puritans founded Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628.

Congregationalist   -  Founded during the Puritan reformation the two foundational tenets of
                                   Congregationalism are sola scriptura and the priesthood of believers.  Most
                                   Congregationalist churches in the U.S. derive from the New England Puritans.

Presbyterian           -  Originally Calvinist/Reformed, Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes 
                                  the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity
                                  of grace through faith in Christ.  Presbyterian churches derive their name 
                                  from the presbyterian form of  church government which is
                                  governed by representative assemblies of elders. 

Methodist              -  Focuses on sanctification and the effect of faith on the character of a Christian.
                                  Distinguishing doctrines include an assurance of salvation,
                                  imparted righteousness, the possibility of perfection in love, 
                                  the works of piety, and the primacy of Scripture.  

                                  Most Methodists (but not Calvinist Methodists) teach that Jesus Christ,
                                  the Son of God, died for all of humanity and that salvation is available for all;
                                  in theology, this view is known as Arminianism.

Quaker                  -   Early Quakers believed each person could know Christ through Bible
                                  study and a personal "inner light." 

Baptist                  -   Professing baptism (non infant baptizing, also soul competency (liberty),
                                  salvation through faith alone, Scripture alone as the rule of faith and
                                  practice, and the autonomy of the local congregation.

Anabaptist            -  also deny infant Baptism, but historically distinct from Baptists.  

                                 Offshoots:    Mennonite,   Amish,   Hutterite

Socinianism         -   Rejects the Trinity, Christ's divinity and existence before his
                                 birth through Mary, original sin and atonement, and more.  

                                 The Godhead is the central issue of Socinianism.  They held that God is
                                 absolutely simple and singular, and concluded that distinction of persons                                                       is destructive to that simplicity.  They differed from the Unitarians,
                                 especially the Church Of God, in that they taught adoration or worship
                                 of Christ.  They held that Christ was The Logos but denied his
                                 pre-existence.  As the word of God, he was the interpreter, he was miraculously                                             begotten, he was the perfect man.  He was the appointed mediator,
                                 but he was not God, only a deified man. In this sense he was to be adored.


Arianism              -   A Christological concept which asserts the belief that Jesus Christ 
                                 is the Son of God who was begotten by God the Father at a point in 
                                 time, is distinct from the Father and is therefore subordinate to the Father.


Unitarianism   -       A sort of umbrella name for many Christian sects that share a
                                central, strict monotheistic belief that Jesus was a great moral
                                teacher and a savior, but not God-incarnate (it denies the the Trinity).
                                It usually holds that the Bible is not infallible and denies an eternal Hell.  

Deism                  -   Deism of the 17th and 18th centuries basically held that a Creator 
                                 created a benevolent world with physical and moral "laws of 
                                 nature" that were "self-evident" to human reason.  This Creator
                                 watches, but does not intervene in human affairs, but most 
                                 Deists believed that a final judgement would be had at the end of time.
                                 Some European Deists were Voltaire & Rousseau, Americans include 
                                 Thomas Jefferson (although Jefferson once referred to himself as a 
                                 Unitarian) and Thomas Paine (who some think was an atheist).  

List of English Dissenter Groups