Charismatic movement: Once known as “neo Pentecostalism,” this is a
widespread movement among mainline Protestant and Catholic churches in
the West arising from and inÀ uenced by, but no longer directly connected
to, Pentecostalism. It emphasizes divine healing and speaking in tongues as
gifts of the Holy Spirit (from the Greek word charisma, the New Testament
word for “gifts”), as well as lively (“Spirit ¿ lled”) worship services.
charity: From the Latin term caritas (used to translate the New Testament
term agape), it is the form of love which consists of obedience to the
commandment to love God and neighbor. (Note: In Christian theology,
giving money to the poor is not called charity but “alms,” which of course
can be one form of love of neighbor, but is not the only one.)
chrism: (See con¿ rmation.)
chrismation: (See con¿ rmation.)
Christology: Branch of Christian theology concerned with the person and
work of Christ, including especially the doctrine of the Incarnation (the
person of Christ) and the atonement (the work of Christ).
church fathers: The orthodox Christian theologians up to about A.D. 500,
including Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine in the West and Athanasius,
Gregory Naziansen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Cyril of Alexandria in the East.
clarity: From the Latin word for “brightness,” a quality of glori¿ ed human
bodies after the resurrection, which means they shine with a beautiful light
derived from the blessedness of their souls. (See agility, impassibility, and
subtlety. For the clarity of scripture, see perspicuity.)
close communion: In Baptist theology, this means the practice, advocated
most insistently by Landmarkism, of allowing only members of the local
congregation (not visitors, even from other Baptist churches) to participate
in the Lord’s Supper.