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[edit] December 2005
Christmas (literally, the Mass of Christ) is a holiday in the Christian calendar, usually observed on December 25, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. It originally was a Pagan holiday of sun worship, which the Christians adapted. According to the Christian gospels, Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem, where she and her husband Joseph had traveled to register in the Roman census. Christ's birth, or nativity, was said by his followers to fulfill the prophecies of Judaism that a messiah would come, from the house of David, to redeem the world from sin. Most of the familiar traditional practices and symbols of Christmas, such as the Christmas tree, the Christmas ham, the Yule Log, holly, mistletoe, and the giving of presents, were adapted or appropriated by Christian missionaries from the earlier pagan midwinter feast of Yule. Read more...
[edit] January 2006
A cathedral is a Christian church building, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Anglican, Roman Catholic and some Lutheran churches, which serves as the central church of a diocese, and thus as a bishop's seat. The term is derived from the Greek noun καθέδρα (cathedra) which translates as seat and refers to the presence of the bishop's (or archbishop's) chair or throne.
As cathedrals can be particularly impressive edifices, the term is sometimes also used loosely as a designation for any large important church. Although a cathedral may be amongst the grandest of churches in the diocese (and country), especially in medieval and Renaissance times, this has never been a requirement and a cathedral church may be modest in structure, especially in modern times, where functionality rather than grandeur is the foremost consideration. Certainly the early Celtic and Saxon cathedrals tended to be of diminutive size, and where they continued in use would have undergone expansion through the development of the bishopric.
Some pre-Reformation cathedrals in Scotland now within the Church of Scotland still retain the term cathedral, despite the Church's Presbyterian polity which does not have bishops.
The term is not officially used in Eastern Orthodoxy, the church of a bishop being known as "the great church", though 'cathedral' is commonly used in English translations. Read more...
[edit] February 2006
The Sermon on the Mount was, according to the Gospel of Matthew, a particular oration given by Jesus of Nazareth around AD 30 on a mountainside to his disciples and a large Galileean crowd (Matt 5:1; 7:28). It is thought by some contemporary Christians to have taken place on a mountain on the north end of the Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum. The recounting of the Sermon on the Mount comes from the Gospel of Matthew 5–7.
The Sermon on the Mount may be compared to the similar but more succinct Sermon on the Plain as recounted by the Gospel of Luke (6:17–49). Opinion is divided as to whether they are the same sermon, similar sermons exploring the same themes, or even that neither sermon really took place but were simply conflations of Jesus' primary teachings as put together by Matthew and Luke.
Arguably the best-known segment is the Beatitudes, found at the sermon's beginning. It also contains the Lord's Prayer and the injunctions to "resist not evil" and "turn the other cheek", as well as Jesus' version of the Golden Rule. Other lines often quoted are the references to "salt of the Earth," "light of the world," and "judge not, lest ye be judged." Many Christians believe that the Sermon on the Mount is a form of commentary (midrash) on the Ten Commandments. To many, the Sermon on the Mount summarises the central tenets of Christian discipleship. Read more...
[edit] March 2006
The Eucharist, also known as Communion or The Lord's Supper, is the rite that Christians perform in fulfillment of Jesus' instruction, recorded in the New Testament, to "do in memory of him" what he did at his Last Supper. Jesus gave his disciples bread, saying "This is my body," and wine, saying "This is my blood." Christians generally recognize a special presence of Christ in this rite, though they differ about exactly how, where, and when Christ is present. The word "Eucharist" is also applied to the bread and wine consecrated in the course of the rite.
The word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek noun εὐχαριστία (thanksgiving). This noun or the corresponding verb εὐχαριστῶ (to give thanks) is found in 55 verses of the New Testament. Four of these verses (Matthew 26:27, Mark 14:23, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24) recount that Jesus "gave thanks" before presenting to his followers the bread and the wine that he declared to be his body and his blood.
Most Christians classify the Eucharist as a sacrament, but many Protestant traditions avoid the term sacrament, preferring ordinance. In these traditions, the ceremony is seen not as a specific channel of divine grace but as an expression of faith and obedience of the Christian community. Read more...
[edit] April 2006
Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year. With its date of observance dependent on the fluctuating lunar calendar, it may be celebrated during March, April or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 27-33 (see Good Friday). It is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of reflection for Christians which commonly involves fasting, penitence and/or abstention from some form of pleasure.
Although considered significant by all denominations, Easter is explicitly the most important festival of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Every other religious festival on their calendars, including Christmas, is at best secondary in importance to the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. This is not to say that Christmas and other elements of the Christian liturgical calendar are ignored; rather, these events are all seen as necessary but preliminary to the full climax of the Resurrection, in which all that has come before reaches fulfilment and fruition. (continued...)
[edit] May 2006
Jehovah's Witnesses are members of an international religious organization who believe themselves to be the restoration of first-century Christianity. Founded in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell, official membership now stands at over 6 million. They are known for their extensive preaching and publishing activities, with The Watchtower and Awake! religious magazines being their most widely known publications. Headquartered in New York, they are hierarchically directed by a Governing Body.
Since their foundation, they have been concerned with the second advent of Jesus. Initially holding many similar views to other 19th century Adventist groups, such as the Millerites, they have since developed their own unique eschatology. Throughout their history, their beliefs, doctrines and practices have met controversy and opposition from governments, communities, and religious groups. Many Christian denominations consider the interpretation and doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses to be heresy. This is because they differ in their interpretation of several matters of faith. For example, the consider the doctrine of the Trinity to be a later pagan addition. Their unique stand on refusing blood transfusions has also garnered publicity and controversy. They reject the veneration of Mary, the saints and the cross. (continued...)
[edit] June 2006
A papal conclave is the method by which the Roman Catholic Church fills the office of Bishop of Rome, whose incumbent is known as the Pope, the head of the Church. The electors, when locked together in a room for this purpose, form a conclave, (from the Latin cum clave "with a key") which they are not permitted to leave until a new Pope is elected. Conclaves have been employed since the Second Council of Lyons decreed in 1274 that the electors should meet in seclusion. They are now held in the Sistine Chapel in the Palace of the Vatican.
Since the year 1061, the College of Cardinals has served as the sole body charged with the election of the Pope, the source of the term Prince of the church for cardinals. In earlier times, members of the clergy and the people of Rome were entitled to participate, in much the same way as the laity helped determine the choice of bishops throughout the Catholic Church during this early period. Popes may make rules relating to election procedures; they may determine the composition of the electoral body, replacing the entire College of Cardinals if they were to so choose. (continued...)
[edit] July 2006
The Way of the Master is a Christian evangelism training ministry, created in 2002 and headed by Kirk Cameron, of Growing Pains and Left Behind: The Movie fame, and evangelist Ray Comfort. There are also several other key figures within the organization. Major programs include a TV show which began in 2003, radio broadcast, numerous books, an online school, the printing of dozens of gospel tracts, small group training courses, and a web site of the same name. It is a Limited liability company with strong links to its sister organization Living Waters Publications. Using these various media outlets, Comfort and Cameron teach that it is the responsibility of every Christian to verbally share the gospel with those who are not Christians. They take the view that it is necessary to use the Ten Commandments to show someone their sin, which will lead to a person realizing their need for Jesus as Savior. They also decry what they perceive as a vast number of false converts to Christianity in 21st century Christendom, those who, while professing to know Christ or even attend church, do not have a lifestyle befitting such a claim. Todd Friel, the daily host of their radio show, frequently berates trends such as seeker-sensitivity and aspects of the emergent church, especially theology espoused by Brian McLaren. (continued...)
[edit] August 2006
Operation Auca was an attempt by five Evangelical Christian missionaries from the United States to make contact with the Huaorani people of the rainforest of Ecuador. The Huaorani, also known as the Aucas (the Quechua word for "savage"), were an isolated tribe known for their violence, both against their own people and outsiders who entered their territory. With the intention of being the first Protestants to evangelize the Huaorani, the missionaries began making regular flights over Huaorani settlements in September 1955, dropping gifts. After several months of exchanging gifts, on January 2, 1956, the missionaries established a camp at "Palm Beach", a sandbar along the Curaray River, a few miles from Huaorani settlements. Their efforts culminated on January 8, 1956, when all five—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. The news of their deaths was broadcast around the world, galvanising the missionary effort in the United States and sparking an outpouring of funding for evangelization efforts around the world. Their work is still frequently remembered in evangelical publications, and in 2006, was the subject of the film production End of the Spear. Several years after the deaths of the men, the widow of Jim Elliot, Elisabeth, and the sister of Nate Saint, Rachel, returned to Ecuador as missionaries to live among the Huaorani, eventually leading to the conversion of many, including some of the killers of the men. (continued...)
[edit] September 2006
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the "LDS Church" or the "Mormon Church", is the largest and most well-known denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, a form of Restorationist Christianity founded by Joseph Smith Jr. during the 19th century. Its followers believe that Jesus Christ, as head of the church, is actively leading them through ongoing revelation. In addition to the King James Version of the Bible, they accept additional writings such as the Book of Mormon as inspired scripture, and do not consider the Biblical canon to be closed. The Church is headquartered in the American town of Salt Lake City, and its current president is Gordon B. Hinckley. The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,560,869 as of December 31, 2005. The Church claims to be the exclusive restoration of the church founded by Jesus Christ and the sole source of priesthood authority necessary for the sacraments of salvation, such as baptism. This has led to extensive criticism from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians, some of whom label it a "cult", "sect," or "heretical", or dispute that it is truly "Christian". The practice of polygamy has arguably sparked the most controversy. Although The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially ended the practice with the 1890 Manifesto and, since 1904, has excommunicated members known to practice polygamy and prohibited polygamists from joining the Church, some people still practice it today and consider themselves Mormons. (Read more...)
[edit] October 2006
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the "LDS Church" or the "Mormon Church", is the largest and most well-known denomination within the Latter Day Saint movement, a form of Restorationist Christianity founded by Joseph Smith Jr. during the 19th century. Its followers believe that Jesus Christ, as head of the church, is actively leading them through ongoing revelation. In addition to the King James Version of the Bible, they accept additional writings such as the Book of Mormon as inspired scripture, and do not consider the Biblical canon to be closed. The Church is headquartered in the American town of Salt Lake City, and its current president is Gordon B. Hinckley. The Church reports a worldwide membership of 12,560,869 as of December 31, 2005. The Church claims to be the exclusive restoration of the church founded by Jesus Christ and the sole source of priesthood authority necessary for the sacraments of salvation, such as baptism. This has led to extensive criticism from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians, nearly all of whom label it a "cult", "sect," or "heretical", or dispute that it is truly "Christian". The practice of polygamy has arguably sparked the most controversy. Although The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially ended the practice with the 1890 Manifesto and, since 1904, has excommunicated members known to practice polygamy and prohibited polygamists from joining the Church, some people still practice it today and consider themselves Mormons.
[edit] November 2006
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic, unaccompanied sacred song of the Roman Catholic Church. Gregorian chant developed mainly in the Frankish lands of western and central Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries, with later additions and redactions. Although popular legend credits Pope Gregory the Great with inventing Gregorian chant, scholars believe that it arose from a later Carolingian synthesis of Roman and Gallican chant.
Gregorian chant was traditionally sung by choirs of men and boys in churches, or by women and men of religious orders in their chapels. It is the music of the Roman Rite, performed in the Mass and the monastic Office. Gregorian chant supplanted or marginalized the other indigenous plainchant traditions of the Christian West to become the official music of the Roman Catholic liturgy. Although Gregorian chant is no longer obligatory, the Roman Catholic Church still officially considers it the music most suitable for worship. During the 20th century, Gregorian chant underwent a musicological and popular resurgence. (Read more...)
[edit] December 2006
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, describes itself as the restoration of the original church established by Jesus Christ. It claims to be a Christian church, but separate from the Catholic or Protestant traditions. [1]However, a closer inspection of their belief system shows them to be similar at best to the christian religions.
The church teaches that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. and called him to be a prophet and to restore the original church as established by Jesus Christ through a restoration of elements that had been missing from Christianity since the early days of Christianity due to apostasy. This restoration included the return of priesthood authority, new sacred texts, and the calling of twelve apostles. The Church was organized under the leadership of Joseph Smith in Fayette, New York, on April 6, 1830, following his translation of the Book of Mormon from which adherents—also called Latter-day Saints—get their nickname Mormons.
Joseph Smith led the church until his violent death in 1844. After a period of confusion where the church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and various claims of succession were made, Brigham Young led a group of Mormon pioneers away from the former church headquarters in Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley of Utah in July 1847. Brigham Young was sustained as President of the church at General Conference in December 1847.
Now an international organization, the church has its world headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah where Gordon B. Hinckley serves as its fifteenth President. The church sends tens of thousands of missionaries throughout the world,[2] and in 2005 reported a worldwide membership of over 12.5 million.[3]
[edit] January 2007
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as the LDS Church or the Mormon Church, describes itself as the restoration of the original church established by Jesus Christ. It is a Christian church, but separate from the Catholic or Protestant traditions.[1]
The church teaches that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. and called him to be a prophet and to restore the original church as established by Jesus Christ through a restoration of elements that had been missing from Christianity since the early days of Christianity due to apostasy. This restoration included the return of priesthood authority, new sacred texts, and the calling of twelve apostles. The Church was organized under the leadership of Joseph Smith in Fayette, New York, on April 6, 1830, following his translation of the Book of Mormon from which adherents—also called Latter-day Saints—get their nickname Mormons.
Joseph Smith led the church until his violent death in 1844. After a period of confusion where the church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and various claims of succession were made, Brigham Young led a group of Mormon pioneers away from the former church headquarters in Nauvoo, Illinois, and eventually to the Salt Lake Valley of Utah in July 1847. Brigham Young was sustained as President of the church at General Conference in December 1847.
Now an international organization, the church has its world headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah where Gordon B. Hinckley serves as its fifteenth President. The church sends tens of thousands of missionaries throughout the world,[2] and in 2005 reported a worldwide membership of over 12.5 million.[4]
