Glossary
encyclical: From the Greek word for “circular” (because an encyclical was
originally a letter circulated among the bishops by the pope), it is a type
of papal document used in modern times as a venue for major teachings,
though not usually declared infallible.energies: From a Greek word for “activities” or “workings” (or “operations,”
from operationes, the usual Latin translation of this word), a technical term
in Eastern Orthodox theology that refers to the uncreated activities and glory
of God, distinct from his essence.Enlightenment: A broad term for 18th century European intellectual
developments, including deism and other movements critical of orthodox
Christianity, that are characteristically modern, emphasizing reason against
tradition and authority.enthusiasm: Originally a pejorative term suggesting religious fanaticism and
self-deception, applied by opponents to Quakers and others who believed
they received direct inner revelation from God or his Spirit.epiclesis: Greek for “invocation,” a calling upon the name of God;
speci¿ cally it is the part of the eucharistic liturgy in which the priest
prays for God to send his Holy Spirit to make Christ’s body present in
the sacrament.Epicureans: (See hedonism.)episcopacy: (See episcopate, polity.)episcopate: From the Greek term epi-scopos, literally “overseer” or
“supervisor,” but translated “bishop” (a corrupted English form of the
word episcopos), this term refers to the network of bishops which governed
the worldwide church from the 2nd century onward. This arose from the
“monarchical episcopate” which prevailed within a century after the New
Testament, a structure of local church governance in which there was only
one bishop per town, under whom the presbyters (priest or elders) of the
church served.