What are Mendicant Orders? Mendicant Orders are religious orders within Christianity, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church, whose members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and rely primarily on alms for their sustenance. Unlike monastic orders...

What is Marcionism? Marcionism is a theological system that originated in the 2nd century AD, founded by Marcion of Sinope. It is considered one of the earliest major heresies in Christian history. Marcionism presents a dualistic view of the world, teaching that the...

What are the Luminous Mysteries? The Luminous Mysteries are a set of five events in the life of Jesus Christ that are meditated upon during the recitation of the Rosary, a traditional Catholic form of prayer. These mysteries were introduced by Pope John Paul II in...

What is the Liturgical Year? The Liturgical Year is the annual cycle of seasons and feasts observed by various Christian traditions, particularly within liturgical churches such as Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Protestant denominations. The...

What is Lectio Sacra? Lectio Sacra is a Latin term meaning "Sacred Reading," and it traditionally refers to the reading and study of Holy Scripture within a spiritual or religious context. Unlike purely academic or intellectual approaches to Scripture, Lectio Sacra...

What is Latria? Latria is a term used in Christian theology to describe the type of worship and adoration that is due to God alone. It is derived from the Greek word latreia, meaning "service" or "worship." In contrast to other forms of honor or veneration given to...

What is Koine? Koine refers to a common dialect of the Greek language that emerged after the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE and became the lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Near East during the Hellenistic and Roman periods....

What is Kenoticism? Kenoticism is a theological concept derived from the Greek word kenosis, which means "emptying." The term comes from Philippians 2:7, where it is said that Jesus "emptied himself" by taking on human form. Kenoticism refers to the idea that, in the...

What is the Johannine Comma? The Johannine Comma refers to a short clause found in 1 John 5:7-8 of the Latin Vulgate and some later Greek manuscripts. It reads: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three...

What is Juridical? Juridical refers to concepts, processes, or systems related to law, legal authority, and the administration of justice. In a Christian theological context, the term often pertains to the understanding of divine justice, particularly in relation to...

What is the Investiture Controversy? The Investiture Controversy was a significant conflict between the Church and the secular rulers of Europe during the 11th and 12th centuries, primarily concerning the appointment (investiture) of bishops and abbots. At its core,...

Infralapsarianism is a theological position within the broader context of Reformed theology that concerns the logical order of God’s decrees in relation to the fall of humanity and the plan of salvation. The term "infralapsarianism" comes from the Latin words infra...