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World Religions
Table of Contents
Unit 11 Overview: Christianity: Branches and Core Beliefs
11.1 Major Christian Denominations
11.2 Christian Theology and Beliefs
11.3 Christian Worship and Sacraments
11.4 Christian Holidays and Traditions

Christian worship and sacraments are central to the faith, connecting believers to God and each other. Baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist mark key moments in a Christian's spiritual journey, while penance and anointing offer healing and forgiveness.

Worship practices vary among Christian traditions but often include liturgical services, personal prayer, and devotional rituals. Sacred spaces and objects, like churches and holy water, play important roles in fostering a sense of reverence and community.

Sacraments

Initiation Rites

  • Baptism marks the beginning of Christian life, involving immersion in or sprinkling with water to symbolize purification and rebirth (infant baptism in some denominations)
  • Confirmation, often performed by a bishop, affirms and strengthens the grace received at baptism through the laying on of hands and anointing with oil (chrismation in Eastern churches)
  • Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper, involves consuming consecrated bread and wine believed to be the body and blood of Christ, commemorating his sacrifice (transubstantiation in Catholicism, consubstantiation in Lutheranism)

Healing and Forgiveness

  • Penance, also called Reconciliation or Confession, involves confessing sins to a priest, receiving absolution, and performing acts of penance to repair the harm caused by sin (required at least once a year for Catholics)
  • Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, involves anointing with oil and prayers for healing, forgiveness, and spiritual strengthening in times of illness or near death (can be received multiple times)

Vocation and Service

  • Holy Orders, the sacrament of ordination, confers the grace and spiritual power to perform sacred duties as a bishop, priest, or deacon in the Church (celibacy required for Catholic clergy)
  • Matrimony, the sacrament of marriage, unites a man and woman in a lifelong covenant of love and service, reflecting Christ's love for the Church (considered indissoluble in Catholicism)

Worship Practices

Liturgical Worship

  • Liturgy refers to the official public worship of the Church, following a set order of prayers, readings, and rituals (Mass in Catholicism, Divine Liturgy in Eastern Orthodoxy)
  • Worship services are typically held on Sundays and holy days, centered around the Eucharist and including hymns, sermons, and offerings (can also involve processions, incense, and vestments)
  • Liturgical calendar organizes the year around key events in Christ's life and the saints, with seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter (colors and traditions vary by season)

Personal and Communal Prayer

  • Prayer is communication with God, including adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS), and can be verbal or meditative (Jesus' example: the Lord's Prayer)
  • Types of prayer include intercession for others, petition for oneself, and contemplation or silent reflection (Lectio Divina: praying with Scripture)
  • Devotional practices such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and novenas involve set prayers and meditations, often focused on Mary or the saints (can be individual or communal)

Sacred Spaces and Objects

  • Churches are sacred buildings designed for worship, often featuring an altar, tabernacle, baptismal font, and religious art (cruciform or circular layout, oriented eastward)
  • Sacramentals are blessed objects used in worship and devotion, such as holy water, candles, ashes, palms, and medals (believed to prepare one to receive grace)
  • Liturgical books contain the prayers, readings, and instructions for worship services, including the Missal, Lectionary, and Breviary (Book of Hours for Liturgy of the Hours)

Key Terms to Review (26)

John Calvin: John Calvin was a French theologian and reformer in the Protestant Reformation, known for his influential ideas on predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the importance of scripture. His teachings laid the foundation for Calvinism, which has significantly shaped various major Christian denominations and their practices, particularly in worship and sacraments.
Martin Luther: Martin Luther was a German theologian and key figure in the Protestant Reformation who challenged the practices of the Roman Catholic Church in the early 16th century. He is best known for his 95 Theses, which criticized the sale of indulgences and called for a return to biblical teachings. His ideas led to the formation of various Protestant denominations and influenced Christian worship and sacramental practices, promoting beliefs like justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers.
Eucharist: The Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, is a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, where bread and wine are consecrated and consumed as the body and blood of Christ. This ritual serves as a central act of Christian worship and embodies key beliefs about the presence of Christ in the sacrament and the community of believers.
Baptism: Baptism is a Christian sacrament that signifies spiritual purification and rebirth, often involving the application of water. It serves as an initiation rite into the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This practice has deep theological implications and plays a crucial role in the establishment of community identity within early Christianity, shaping beliefs and worship practices.
Consubstantiation: Consubstantiation is a theological doctrine that posits that, during the Eucharist, the substances of both bread and wine coexist with the body and blood of Christ. This belief suggests that while the bread and wine retain their physical properties, they also become spiritually united with Christ's essence, differing from the idea of transubstantiation where the substances are believed to transform completely. This view plays a crucial role in understanding Christian practices around communion and the interpretation of Jesus' words during the Last Supper.
Sacramentals: Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church that prepare individuals to receive grace and dispose them to cooperate with it. They include various objects, prayers, and rituals that enhance spiritual life and encourage a deeper connection with God. While sacramentals are not sacraments themselves, they serve to complement the sacraments by helping believers grow in faith and devotion.
Churches: Churches are buildings or spaces specifically designated for Christian worship, where congregations gather to participate in various religious practices, including prayer, singing, and the sacraments. Beyond their physical structure, churches often serve as community centers and play a crucial role in the spiritual and social lives of their members, fostering a sense of belonging and support among believers.
Liturgical books: Liturgical books are texts used in the public worship of the Christian community, providing the structure and content for rituals, prayers, and sacraments. These books serve as essential guides for clergy and laypeople during various forms of worship, helping to ensure that religious ceremonies are conducted in accordance with tradition and doctrine. They include specific elements such as scripture readings, prayers, hymns, and instructions for celebrations.
Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross is a Christian tradition that commemorates the events of Good Friday, specifically the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. It consists of 14 stations, or stops, that depict key moments in Jesus' journey from His condemnation to His burial, often presented in a series of images or crosses displayed in churches. This practice is significant in worship settings as it allows believers to meditate on Christ's sacrifice and reflects on themes of suffering, redemption, and compassion.
Rosary: The rosary is a form of prayer used in Christianity, particularly within the Catholic Church, that involves the repetition of prayers and the meditation on specific events in the lives of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. This devotional practice is often accompanied by a string of beads, which helps worshippers keep track of their prayers. The rosary serves as both a means of personal reflection and a communal ritual, fostering deeper spiritual connections through its structured approach to prayer.
Novenas: Novenas are a form of prayer in the Christian tradition, typically consisting of nine consecutive days of devotion, often directed toward a specific intention or request. This practice is rooted in the belief that persistent prayer can lead to spiritual transformation and divine intervention. Novenas can involve various prayers, including the Rosary, and are often associated with specific saints or feasts, highlighting their role in both personal and communal worship.
Lent: Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance observed by many Christians leading up to Easter. It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert and is marked by reflection, self-discipline, and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ's resurrection. This period is often characterized by giving up certain luxuries or practices as a form of sacrifice and devotion.
Liturgical calendar: The liturgical calendar is a system used by many Christian denominations to organize the annual cycle of religious events and observances, marking significant feasts and seasons in the life of Christ and the church. It serves as a framework for worship, guiding congregations through periods of preparation, celebration, and reflection, which enhance the spiritual life of the community.
Christmas: Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25th, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is marked by various worship practices, rituals, and cultural traditions that reflect the significance of Jesus' arrival in the world. The holiday fosters community and faith through both sacred and secular observances, making it a time for reflection, celebration, and connection among believers.
Advent: Advent is a liturgical season in Christianity that marks the beginning of the church year and is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It typically lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, focusing on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The season encourages believers to reflect on their faith and prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ.
Easter: Easter is a significant Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is considered the cornerstone of the Christian faith. This celebration occurs on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, following the spring equinox, and is preceded by a period of fasting and penance known as Lent. Easter symbolizes hope, renewal, and victory over sin and death, playing a central role in Christian worship practices and traditions.
Divine Liturgy: The Divine Liturgy is the central act of worship in many Christian traditions, particularly within the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. It is a formal, communal celebration of the Eucharist, where believers gather to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion, which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. The Divine Liturgy is characterized by its rich rituals, prayers, hymns, and the use of liturgical language, often incorporating elements of tradition and theological significance.
Mass: Mass is a central act of Christian worship, primarily in the Catholic Church, where believers gather to celebrate the Eucharist, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It encompasses various liturgical elements, including readings from Scripture, prayers, hymns, and the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Mass serves not only as a religious obligation but also as a communal gathering that strengthens the faith and unity of the congregation.
Penance: Penance is a practice within Christianity that involves a form of repentance for sins, typically expressed through confession and acts of contrition. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness, which is central to the sacramental life of the church. This practice often includes both internal reflection and external actions, helping believers to restore their relationship with God and the community.
Anointing of the Sick: Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament in Christianity, particularly within the Catholic tradition, intended to provide spiritual and physical healing to individuals who are seriously ill or facing significant health challenges. This sacrament emphasizes the community's role in offering support, forgiveness of sins, and comfort through the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, reflecting God's compassion and mercy.
Holy Orders: Holy Orders is a sacrament in Christianity that involves the ordination of individuals to serve as clergy within the Church. This sacrament is viewed as a divine calling, providing the authority and grace to perform sacred duties, such as administering the sacraments, preaching, and leading worship. The concept of Holy Orders highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and the commitment of individuals to guide others in their faith journey.
Liturgical worship: Liturgical worship refers to a structured and formalized way of conducting religious services, often involving specific rituals, prayers, and readings that are followed in a consistent order. This type of worship is central to many Christian denominations, emphasizing the importance of tradition and community participation in religious practice.
Matrimony: Matrimony is the state of being married, recognized as a sacred and lifelong union between two individuals, often blessed by a religious authority. This commitment is significant in many religious traditions, where it is viewed as both a personal and spiritual covenant, reflecting the relationship between the divine and humanity. In various cultures, matrimony is celebrated with rituals and ceremonies that symbolize the importance of this bond.
Confirmation: Confirmation is a sacrament in Christianity that signifies a believer's maturity in faith and their commitment to the church. This rite of passage often involves the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, symbolizing the receipt of the Holy Spirit and strengthening of one's faith. It serves as a key moment for many Christians, affirming their baptismal vows and deepening their relationship with God.
Liturgy: Liturgy refers to a structured form of public worship, often involving rituals and ceremonies, that provides a communal experience of faith. It is crucial in shaping religious identity and practice, acting as a means of connecting believers to their traditions and to the divine. This structured worship can reflect the beliefs and values of a religion, serving not only as a guide for individual spirituality but also as a way to foster community among followers.
Transubstantiation: Transubstantiation is the doctrine in Christian theology that teaches that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used in the sacrament become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ, while retaining their outward appearances. This belief is central to many Christian denominations, particularly within Roman Catholicism, where it emphasizes the mystery of faith and the significance of communion as a sacrament.