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C

Caesaropapism

The connection of a political system joined with a spiritual system, making the head of state both king and pope as the head of the church and supreme judge in religious matters. It is often associated with the Byzantine Empire, where emperors presided over church councils and appointed patriarchs.
Entry link: Caesaropapism

Cairn

A heap of stones set up as a landmark, monument or memorial.
Entry link: Cairn

Canaan

Biblical land of Israel located in Southwest Asia, bordering the East coast of the Mediterranean, and extending East to the Jordan River. (See Palestine)
Entry link: Canaan

Canons

When ecumenical councils deal with matters  that regard organizaitonal, disciplinary, or procedural matters, they are called "canons."

When ecumenical councils deal with matters of faith, the resulting edicts are known as "symbols" or "dogmas." 1

1Ferguson, Everett. Church History Volume One: From Christ to Pre-Reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005, 211.

Entry link: Canons

Carthusian Movement

A monastery founded by priest and scholar Bruno in 1084 in the Alps called Chartreuse led to the movement that became part of the unofficial conscience of the church. Rather than based upon the Rule of St. Benedict, Bruno's group focused upon duplicating the early desert fathers with smaller communities, solitary contemplation and work. It blended the old ideal of hermitage with the medieval institution of the communal monastery, and became respected for its severe approach to a life of solitude for dedicated monks. (Hill, 189)

Bibliography

Hill, Jonathan. Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity. Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2006.
Entry link: Carthusian Movement

Catechism

Theology set within a scheme of questions and answers.
Entry link: Catechism

Catholic

The whole body of Christians
Entry link: Catholic

Celestial Hierarchy

A corpus within the Dionysian writings which presents the angelic hierarchy in three triads of seraphim, cherubim and thrones; dominions, powers and authorities; principalities, archangels and angels.
Entry link: Celestial Hierarchy

Chancel

The altar of a church that is usually an enclosed space for use by clergy and other officials
Entry link: Chancel

Chancellor

The Priest in charge of a Roman Catholic chancery; also, the chief administrative officer in certain American Universities.
Entry link: Chancellor

Chancery

A Department of the Curia Romania of the Roman Catholic Church that is responsible for issuing bulls to establish new benefices, dioceses, etc.
Entry link: Chancery

Chrismation

Confirmation of Byzantine era babies after their baptism, through the anointing of oil (chrism).
Entry link: Chrismation

Cistercian Movement

A movement in Citeaux that grew out of the Cluny Movement, required monks to live under a strict interpretation of the Rule of St. Benedict, seclude themselves from the temptations of the world, reject donations from wealthy patrons, and work with hands to support themselves. Private property was banned, and ownership was held by the community. Cistercian monks were the wearers of white robes; thus, they were known as the 'white monks' (Hill, 191). (See Bernard of Clairvaux)

Bibliography

Hill, Jonathan. Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity. Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2006.
Entry link: Cistercian Movement

Civilized

Society form after it evolves into the highest civilization according to Herbert Spencer.
Entry link: Civilized

Clay Inscriptions

Writings upon clay found in archaeological digs are usually associated with diplomatic communications and royal archives. They were also used for general purposes (inventories, economic record-keeping) because they were inexpensive and durable writing material.
Entry link: Clay Inscriptions

Climacus, John

(John of the Ladder) was a popular writer of the early seventh century; today his work is read every Lent in Orthodox monasteries, which makes him one of the most read spiritual writers of the church. In his Ladder of Perfection, he described a progression from an active life to a contemplative one as a ladder to be climbed to God, by eradicating vice and adopting virtue, a slow process made easier as one grows closer to Him.
Entry link: Climacus, John

Cluniac Movement

The founding of a new monastery at Cluny by William 'the Pious, duke of Aquitaine. The movement grew and popular communities were scattered throughout France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. The movement was established upon the Benedictine Rule (See Rule of St. Benedict), and the Cluny monks were encouraged to develop a personal spirituality, engage in common worship and work in manual labor.
Entry link: Cluniac Movement

Codex

A book made with pages stitched together. Codices can be written on both sides of the page. Early Christians often used these as the Jews continued the use of scrolls; probably because after they moved from easily rolled parchment made of animal skins to the more difficult-to-roll papyrus.

Entry link: Codex

Codex Sinaiticus

The oldest complete copy of the New Testament in existence, on display at the British Library in London.
Entry link: Codex Sinaiticus

Codex Vaticanus

Slightly older that the Codex Sinaiticus, but incomplete; it contains most of the Old Testament, but is missing some of the New. It is held by the Vatican in Rome.
Entry link: Codex Vaticanus

Cognate Languages

Languages having affinities with the Biblical languages.
Entry link: Cognate Languages

Commitment

A decision to embrace an obligation or effort whose principles or beliefs are based upon emotions, mind, and will (See Ethics)
Entry link: Commitment

Comte, Auguste

(19 January 1798 – 5 September 1857) The founder of Sociology, Comte was a French philosopher whose doctrine focused upon "Positivism." Positivism was the idea of applying scientific method to the social world to change social principals and reform to make society a better place to live.
Entry link: Comte, Auguste

Conceptual Truth

Reveals who God is and what God does (See Inscriptured Revelation)

Entry link: Conceptual Truth

Conclusion

A claim that is made which is supported by either true or false facts.
Entry link: Conclusion

Conflict Theory

Society is viewed as composed of groups competing for scarce resources. The capitalists have the means to produce wealth (Bourgeoisie) were in conflict with the exploited mass workers (Proletariat). Their conflict was the theory that Karl Marx developed to identify key cause for social change.
Entry link: Conflict Theory

Consecrate

To set apart and make sacred and dedicated to the service of the LORD God.
Entry link: Consecrate

Consecration

The dedication to the service of the LORD God. 2. (Rom. Cath. Ch.) The act of giving the sacramental nature to the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine. 3. Ordination to a sacred office
Entry link: Consecration

Constantine the Great

Originator and founder of the Christian Roman Empire. Constantine (C. AD 274-337) was a powerful general who had been proclaimed Caesar by his troops. Just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome in AD 312, he was pondering which gods he should ask for assistance in battle, when he saw the sign of the cross in the sky. Constantine took the celestial advice, made war under the sign of the cross and was victorious. This victory led to his becoming the first Christian Roman emperor, and sole ruler of Rome after his defeat of Licinius in AD 324. Constantinople was founded by him in AD 330 which began the era of the Byzantine Empire. Constantine and his eastern co-ruler, Licinius, issued the Edict of Milan during his reign, which officially ended the persecution of Christians, and allowed for freedom of religion throughout the Empire.
Entry link: Constantine the Great

Conviction

Strong beliefs that create solid choices of thought and action that one would be willing, if necessary, to die for (See Ethics)
Entry link: Conviction

Council

An assembly of leaders, gathered for purposes of establishing new policies and doctrines to organize government of people, ideas, doctrines or belief.
Entry link: Council

Council in Trullo (Quinisext Council)

(Not considered a Ecumenical Council by the Western Churches) Called in 692 to address matters of discipline by amendment to the 5th and 6th councils, and the Biblical canon.

Entry link: Council in Trullo (Quinisext Council)

Council of Chalcedon

(The Fourth Ecumenical Council) of the church was called to debate the nature of God in 451. Jesus was declared to have had two natures from birth, one divine and one human, and combined in equal portions within the single being of Jesus. This council upheld the statements of faith from the Councils of Nicea and Constantinople and reemphasized the decision of the Council of Ephesus. It was held in Chalcedon (Modern Kadikoy, Turkey) when called by the emperor Marcian to reject Monophysite heresy, and to approve the Nicaea and Constantinople Creeds. The council position eventually split Christendom into three parts; in the middle were those who accepted Chalcedon and became the orthodox majority in Byzantium, the Monophysites, and the Nestorian Church. They adopted the Chalcedonian Creed which described the hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ as human and divine. It also reinstated those deposed in 449, and elevated Constantinople and Jerusalem to the status of Patriarchs.

Entry link: Council of Chalcedon

Council of Constantinople (First)

(Second Ecumenical Council) Called by Emperor Theodosius I in 381. The council declared the Trinitarian doctrine of the equality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as expressed by the Nicene Creed.
Entry link: Council of Constantinople (First)

Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Eastern Orthodox)

(Eighth Ecumenical Council) Restored Photius to the See of Constantinople and condemned the double-procession doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit in 879-880. (This council is accepted by the Eastern Orthodox Church but not regarded as Ecumenical by the Roman Catholic Church.)

Entry link: Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Eastern Orthodox)

Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Roman Catholic)

(Eighth Ecumenical Council) Fourth Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Basil I in 869-870, to excommunicate St. Photius, resulting in increased animosity between the Western and Eastern churches. It deposed Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople and reinstated St. Ignatius. (This council is accepted by the Roman Catholic Church but rejected as a robber council by the Eastern Orthodox Church.)
Entry link: Council of Constantinople (Fourth, Roman Catholic)

Council of Constantinople (Second)

(Fifth Ecumenical Council) Second Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Justinian I in 553. The council endorsed the edict of Justinian's, lending support to Monophysitism, which diminished the earlier Council of Chalcedon. It repudiated the Three Chapters as Nestorian, condemned Origen of Alexandria, and decreed Theopaschite Formula.
Entry link: Council of Constantinople (Second)

Council of Constantinople (Third)

(Sixth Ecumenical Council) Third Council of Constantinople was called by Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus in 680. The council condemned Monotheletism and Monoenergism and endorsed the view of Maximus that Christ had two wills, one human and one divine, acting in perfect accord.
Entry link: Council of Constantinople (Third)

Council of Ephesus (First)

(Third Ecumenical Council) Repudiated Nestorianism and Pelagianism, proclaimed the Virgin Mary as the Theotokos ("God-bearer"), and reaffirmed the Nicene Creed in the year 431.
Entry link: Council of Ephesus (First)

Council of Ephesus (Second)

(Not and Ecumenical Council) Declared Eutyches orthodox and attacked his opponents. Originally convened as an Ecumenical council in 449, it is not recognized as such, and is actually denounced as a "Robber Council" by the Chalcedonians (Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants)
Entry link: Council of Ephesus (Second)

Council of Lateran (Fourth)

The Fourth Council of the Lateran (1215) (Ecumenical Council) handled issues related to transubstantiation, papal primacy, and conduct of clergy. Established norm expectations that Jews and Muslims should wear a special dress to enable them to be distinguished from Christians.


Entry link: Council of Lateran (Fourth)

Council of Nicea (First)

(First Ecumenical Council) First church council was called by Emperor Constantine in 325, to decide the nature of Jesus. The council ruled that Jesus was both human and divine, and that he was equivalent to the same substance as God the Father. Arianism was made a heresy by their decision, and the Nicene Creed encapsulated this theological doctrine.

Entry link: Council of Nicea (First)

Council of Nicea (Second)

(Seventh Ecumenical Council) Restored the veneration of icons which had been condemned at the Council of Hieria, 754, and repudiated iconoclasm. (This council is rejected by some Protestant denominations, which condemned the veneration of icons)
Entry link: Council of Nicea (Second)

Council of the Lateran (Fifth)

The Fifth Council of the Lateran (1512-1517) (Ecumenical Council) attempted to reform the Church.  Declared the immortality of the soul as dogma.


Entry link: Council of the Lateran (Fifth)

Council of the Lateran (First)

The First Council of the Lateran (1123) (Ecumenical Council) confirmed the concordat of Worms.

Entry link: Council of the Lateran (First)

Council of the Lateran (Second)

The Second Council of the Lateran (1139) (Ecumenical Council) regulated clerical dress, prohibited clerical marriages and declared them to be invalid, punished attacks on clerics by excommunication.

Entry link: Council of the Lateran (Second)

Council of the Lateran (Third)

The Third Council of the Lateran (1179) (Ecumenical Council) limited papal candidates to cardinals alone, condemned simony, forbade the promotion of anyone to the episcopate before the age of thirty.


Entry link: Council of the Lateran (Third)

Creation

The making of all things by the LORD God, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirits. (See Theistic Evolution)
Entry link: Creation

Cult

A social or religious group with unique beliefs, a deviation of social standards, fighting against conformance, and under the control of individual(s) who use their power to dictate belief and activities of others. A religious cult sect has a false or inadequate basis for salvation, and a false expression of authority.
Entry link: Cult

Culture

Original meaning to "cultivate the ground," has expanded to include the worldview of a particular group's behavior that is learned and transmitted by symbols consisting of rites, artifacts, language, etc. Culture formation includes the creation, cultivation, and consumption of spiritual or secular works by human beings in an intimate ordering, forming, interpreting, and reshaping of the world they live in together as they share the artifacts of their association.

Entry link: Culture

Culture Circles

3 - Trusted small group of people that you trust and can share  values, needs, talents, goals, and dreams.

12 - Larger small group that have skills, talents, and possessions that will readily help the small group's goals

120 - Waiting to join and be compelled to give time, energy, and resources

Culture Circles exist in all areas of life.  Small or big changes depend upon the 3, 12, 120 rule, whether recognized as such or not. Though the numbers do not need to be exact, the frequency of these predictable numbers guarantee potential change in some realm of the culture of 3's circle of life.

Entry link: Culture Circles

Cuneiform

Earliest known writing that is engraved on interconnected clay wedges
Entry link: Cuneiform

Curea Romana

The body of congregations and offices of the Roman Catholic Church that assist the Pope in governmental administrative duties
Entry link: Curea Romana


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