The Alpha course has been criticised for a Charismatic emphasis. Some churches have chosen to teach a modified version which avoids the subject of the Holy Spirit. Some churches have found that the expectations of Alpha graduates caused friction with more established members of the congregation. More conservative critics (especially from a Reformed and Evangelical perspective) have complained that the course does not adequately define sin and therefore does not adequately explain the reason for Jesus' death and resurrection. The Christianity Explo ...

See also:

Alpha course, Alpha course - Structure, Alpha course - History, Alpha course - Praise, Alpha course - Critics, Alpha course - Related and alternative courses

Read more here: » Alpha course: Encyclopedia II - Alpha course - Critics

Jews are often called a "People of the Book," and Judaism has an age-old intellectual tradition focusing on text-based Torah study. The following is a basic, structured list of the central works of Jewish practice and thought. For more detail, see Rabbinic literature. The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and Jewish bible study, which include: Mesorah Targum Jewish Biblical exegesis (also see Midrash below) Works of the Talmudic Era (classic rabbinic literature) The Mishnah and its co ...

See also:

Judaism, Judaism - Introduction, Judaism - Monotheism, Judaism - Practical worship and the laws, Judaism - Traditional view of the development of Judaism, Judaism - Critical historical view of the development of Judaism, Judaism - Religious doctrine and Principles of Faith, Judaism - The traditional Jewish bookshelf, Judaism - Jewish Law and interpretation, Judaism - What makes a person Jewish?, Judaism - Jewish philosophy, Judaism - Jewish denominations, Judaism - Jewish denominations in Israel, Judaism - Karaism, Judaism - Jewish prayer and practice, Judaism - Prayers, Judaism - Jewish holidays, Judaism - Torah readings, Judaism - Synagogues and Jewish buildings, Judaism - Dietary laws: Kashrut, Judaism - Family purity, Judaism - Life-cycle events, Judaism - Community leadership, Judaism - Classical priesthood, Judaism - Prayer leaders, Judaism - Specialized religious roles, Judaism - Jewish religious history, Judaism - Ancient Jewish religious history, Judaism - Historical Jewish groupings to 1700, Judaism - Persecutions, Judaism - Hasidism, Judaism - The Enlightenment and Reform Judaism, Judaism - The Holocaust, Judaism - The present situation, Judaism - Judaism and other religions, Judaism - Christianity and Judaism, Judaism - Islam and Judaism, Judaism - Jews and Judaism, Judaism - Jewish law and religion, Judaism - Comparative

Read more here: » Judaism: Encyclopedia II - Judaism - The traditional Jewish bookshelf

Catholicism - Beliefs. Catholic Churches share certain essential distinctive beliefs and practices (though some Anglicans and Lutherans differ in regard to emphasis and particular pieties): Direct and continuous organizational descent from the original church founded by Jesus (see e.g. Mt 16:18). Possession of the "threefold ordained ministry" of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. All ministers are ordained by, and subject to, Bishops, who pass down sacramental authority by the "laying-o ...

See also:

Catholicism, Catholicism - Catholic Church, Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church, Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism - Other Catholic groups, Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices, Catholicism - Beliefs, Catholicism - Sacraments, Catholicism - Footnotes, Catholicism - Sources, Catholicism - Additional reading

Read more here: » Catholicism: Encyclopedia II - Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices

Islamic comparative religion - Islamic denomination studies. Some Muslim scholars engages in the studies of comparative religion of the denominations of Islam. Islamic comparative religion - Islamic Christianity studies. Some Muslim scholars study in the field comparative religion with Christianity. See Christo-Islamic. Islam in the Bible Islamic comparative religion - Islamic Judaism studies. Some Muslim scholars study in the field comparative rel ...

See also:

Islamic comparative religion, Islamic comparative religion - Subarticles, Islamic comparative religion - Islamic denomination studies, Islamic comparative religion - Islamic Christianity studies, Islamic comparative religion - Islamic Judaism studies

Read more here: » Islamic comparative religion: Encyclopedia II - Islamic comparative religion - Subarticles

A letter that, in about 107, Saint Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch wrote to Christians in Smyrna, is the earliest surviving witness to the use of the term "catholic Church" (Smyrnaeans, 8).[1] By it Saint Ignatius designated the Christian Church in its universal aspect, excluding heretics, such as those who disavow "the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again" (Smyrnaeans, 7).[2] He called such people "beasts in the shape of men, whom you must not only not receive, but, if it be po ...

See also:

Catholicism, Catholicism - Catholic Church, Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church, Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism - Other Catholic groups, Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices, Catholicism - Beliefs, Catholicism - Sacraments, Catholicism - Footnotes, Catholicism - Sources, Catholicism - Additional reading

Read more here: » Catholicism: Encyclopedia II - Catholicism - Catholic Church

"The Catholic Church", when used not of an abstract invisible entity, but of a visible concrete body of Christians, usually refers to what is also called "the Roman Catholic Church". This Church hardly ever uses the name "Roman Catholic Church" for itself, except in its relations with other Christian groups. Even in those relations, "Catholic Church" may also appear, as in some documents drawn up in common with the Lutheran World Federation and the Assyrian Church of the East. On the other hand, the Church has in fact applied the adje ...

See also:

Catholicism, Catholicism - Catholic Church, Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church, Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism - Other Catholic groups, Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices, Catholicism - Beliefs, Catholicism - Sacraments, Catholicism - Footnotes, Catholicism - Sources, Catholicism - Additional reading

Read more here: » Catholicism: Encyclopedia II - Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church

The early Catholic Church came to be organized under the three patriarchs of Rome, Alexandria and Antioch, to which later were added the patriarchs of Constantinople and Jerusalem. The Bishop of Rome was at that time recognized as first among them, as is stated, for instance, in canon 3 of the First Council of Constantinople (381) - many interpret "first" as meaning here first among equals - and doctrinal or procedural disputes were oftentimes referred to Rome, as when, on appeal by St Athanasius against the decision of the Council of Tyre ( ...

See also:

Catholicism, Catholicism - Catholic Church, Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church, Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism - Other Catholic groups, Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices, Catholicism - Beliefs, Catholicism - Sacraments, Catholicism - Footnotes, Catholicism - Sources, Catholicism - Additional reading

Read more here: » Catholicism: Encyclopedia II - Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church

British Methodism does not have bishops. It has however always been characterised by a strong central organization, the Connexion, which holds an annual Conference (note that the Church retains the 18th century spelling "connexion" for many purposes). The connexion is divided into Districts in the charge of a Chair (who may be male or female). Methodist districts often correspond approximately, in geographical terms, to the dioceses of the Church of England. The districts are divided into circuits governed by the quarterly Circuit Meeting an ...

See also:

Methodism, Methodism - The Wesleyan revival, Methodism - Separation from the Church of England, Methodism - Theology and liturgy, Methodism - Methodism in Britain, Methodism - Methodism in the United States, Methodism - Other countries

Read more here: » Methodism: Encyclopedia II - Methodism - Methodism in Britain

Gabriel - Gabriel in the canonical New Testament. In the New Testament, Gabriel is the angel who reveals to Zacharias that John the Baptist will be born to Elizabeth and who visits Mary to reveal that she will give birth to Jesus. According to later legend, he is the unidentified angel in the Book of Revelation (formerly known as the Apocalypse of John) who blows the horn announcing the Judgement Day. To Catholics, he is St Gabriel the Archangel, the patron saint of communications workers. With Mi ...

See also:

Gabriel, Gabriel - Gabriel in Judaism, Gabriel - Gabriel in Jewish history and the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel - Gabriel in the Talmud, Gabriel - Gabriel in Christianity, Gabriel - Gabriel in the canonical New Testament, Gabriel - Gabriel in other Christian denominations, Gabriel - Gabriel in Islam, Gabriel - Gabriel in Angelology and the Occult, Gabriel - Gabriel in Music, Gabriel - Gabriel in Fiction, Gabriel - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gabriel: Encyclopedia II - Gabriel - Gabriel in Christianity

In Western Christianity the principal groups that regard themselves as "Catholic" without full communion with the Pope are the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and some elements of Anglicanism ("High Church Anglicans" or "Anglo-Catholics"). Smaller groups include the Old Catholics, the Aglipayans (Philippine Independent Church), and the Polish National Catholic Church of America. Their spiritual beliefs and practices are similar to those of Roman Catholics of the Latin Rite, from which they emerged, but ...

See also:

Catholicism, Catholicism - Catholic Church, Catholicism - Brief organizational history of the Church, Catholicism - The Roman Catholic Church, Catholicism - Other Catholic groups, Catholicism - Distinctive beliefs and practices, Catholicism - Beliefs, Catholicism - Sacraments, Catholicism - Footnotes, Catholicism - Sources, Catholicism - Additional reading

Read more here: » Catholicism: Encyclopedia II - Catholicism - Other Catholic groups

Christianity Today reported in an article titled World Growth at 19 Million a Year that according to historian Vinson Synan, dean of the Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, about 25 percent of the world's Christians are Pentecostal or charismatic. The largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States are the Assemblies of God, the Church of God in Christ, Church of God (Cleveland) and the United Pentecostal Church. According to a Spring 1998 article in Christian History, there are ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents

The Methodist revival originated in England. It was started by John Wesley and his younger brother Charles as a movement within the Church of England in the 18th century, focused on Bible study, and a methodical approach to scriptures and Christian living. The term "Methodist" was a pejorative college nickname that was bestowed upon a small society of students at Oxford, who met together between 1729 and 1735 for the purpose of mutual improvement. They were accustomed to communicate every week, to fast regularly and to abstain from most forms of amusement and luxury. They also frequently visite ...

See also:

Methodism, Methodism - The Wesleyan revival, Methodism - Separation from the Church of England, Methodism - Theology and liturgy, Methodism - Methodism in Britain, Methodism - Methodism in the United States, Methodism - Other countries

Read more here: » Methodism: Encyclopedia II - Methodism - The Wesleyan revival

The first American Methodist bishops were Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury, whose boyhood home, Bishop Asbury Cottage, in Sandwell, England, is now a museum. Upon the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, Coke (already ordained in the Church of England) ordained Asbury a deacon, elder, and bishop each on three successive days. Circuit riders, many of whom were laymen, traveled by horseback to preach the gospel and establish churches until there was scarcely any crossroad co ...

See also:

Methodism, Methodism - The Wesleyan revival, Methodism - Separation from the Church of England, Methodism - Theology and liturgy, Methodism - Methodism in Britain, Methodism - Methodism in the United States, Methodism - Other countries

Read more here: » Methodism: Encyclopedia II - Methodism - Methodism in the United States

Background Christianity Protestantism Pietism Anglicanism Arminianism Doctrinal distinctives Articles of Religion Prevenient Grace Governmental Atonement Imparted righteousness Christian perfection People Charles Wesley George Whitefield Thomas Coke Francis Asbury Richard Allen Albert C. Outler Bishops · Theologians Largest groups World Methodist Council United Methodist Chur ...

See also:

Methodism, Methodism - The Wesleyan revival, Methodism - Separation from the Church of England, Methodism - Theology and liturgy, Methodism - Methodism in Britain, Methodism - Methodism in the United States, Methodism - Other countries

Read more here: » Methodism: Encyclopedia II - Methodism - Theology and liturgy

The Pentecostal movement was also prominent in the Holiness movement who were the first to begin making numerous references to the term "pentecostal" such as in 1867 when the Movement established The National Camp Meeting Association for the Promotion of Christian Holiness with a notice that said: [We are summoning,] irrespective of denominational tie...those who feel themselves comparatively isolated in their profession of holiness…that all would realize together a Pentec ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - History

Theologically, most Pentecostal denominations are aligned with Evangelicalism in that they emphasize the reliability of the Bible and the need for conversion to faith in Jesus. Most Pentecostals also adhere to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy. Pentecostals differ from Fundamentalists by placing more emphasis on personal spiritual experience. Pentecostals have a transrational worldview. Although Pentecostals are concerned with orthodoxy (correct belief), they are also concerned with orthopathy (right affections) and orthopraxy (right reflection or action). Reason is esteemed as a valid conduit of truth, but Pentecostals ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - Theology

Theologically, most Pentecostal denominations are aligned with Evangelicalism in that they emphasize the reliability of the Bible and the need for the transformation of an individual's life with faith in Jesus. Most Pentecostals also adhere to the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy. Pentecostals differ from Fundamentalists by placing more emphasis on personal spiritual experience. Pentecostals have a transrational worldview. Although Pentecostals are concerned with orthodoxy (correct belief), they are also concerned with orthopathy (right ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - Theology

Pentecostalism - Precursors. John Alexander Dowie (1848-1907) Edward Irving Pentecostalism - Early history. Smith Wigglesworth David du Plessis Jonathan Paul (1853-1931) One of fathers of German Pentecostalism Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929) Father of Modern Pentecostalism William J. Seymour (1870-1922) Azusa Street Mission Founder William Sowders (1879-1952) Restorer of New Testament Order of Worship ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - Leaders

Pentecostalism - Precursors. John Alexander Dowie (1848-1907) Edward Irving Pentecostalism - Early history. Smith Wigglesworth David du Plessis Jonathan Paul (1853-1931) One of fathers of German Pentecostalism Charles Fox Parham (1873-1929) Father of Modern Pentecostalism William J. Seymour (1870-1922) Azusa Street Mission Founder Willis C. Hoover (1858-1936) Father of Pentecostalism in Chile Will ...

See also:

Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism - Beliefs, Pentecostalism - Theology, Pentecostalism - History, Pentecostalism - Pentecostal denominations and adherents, Pentecostalism - Statistics, Pentecostalism - Pentecostalism outside the English speaking world, Pentecostalism - Leaders, Pentecostalism - Precursors, Pentecostalism - Early history, Pentecostalism - Theologians, Pentecostalism - Radio preachers and televangelists, Pentecostalism - Authors, Pentecostalism - Pastors and evangelists, Pentecostalism - Politicians, Pentecostalism - Other notables raised in the faith, Pentecostalism - Studies

Read more here: » Pentecostalism: Encyclopedia II - Pentecostalism - Leaders

Jehovah's Witnesses claim reliance on the Bible for their theology and that it forms the basis for their beliefs. Many beliefs and practices are similar to mainstream Christian denominations, yet there are significant differences as well. Jehovah's Witnesses - Distinctive to Jehovah's Witnesses. Prominent use of the biblical name of God as translated into native languages, for example: Jehovah in English, Geova in Italian, Yawe in Ateso, Yekoba in Dinka, Iehova in Gaelic etc. ^{See also:}

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - History, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - Distinctive to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by many Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most conservative Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by some other Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by mainstream Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Worship, Jehovah's Witnesses - Morality, Jehovah's Witnesses - Construction and Humanitarian Efforts, Jehovah's Witnesses - Disfellowshipping excommunication, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines

British Methodism does not have bishops. It has however always been characterised by a strong central organization, the Connexion, which holds an annual Conference (note that the Church retains the 18th century spelling "connexion" for many purposes). The connexion is divided into Districts in the charge of a Chair (who may be male or female). Methodist districts often correspond approximately, in geographical terms, to the dioceses of the Church of England. The districts are divided into circuits governed by the quarterly Circuit Meeting an ...

See also:

Methodism, Methodism - The Wesleyan revival, Methodism - Separation from the Church of England, Methodism - Theology and liturgy, Methodism - Methodism in Britain, Methodism - Methodism in the United States, Methodism - Other countries, Methodism - Notes

Read more here: » Methodism: Encyclopedia II - Methodism - Methodism in Britain

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. In addition, governments of various political persuasions have considered the religion to be a subversive organization, and sometimes even a threat to national security. Political and religious animosity against them has at times led to mob action and government oppression. ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - History, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - Distinctive to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by many Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by most conservative Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by some other Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses - Shared by mainstream Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses - Blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Worship, Jehovah's Witnesses - Morality, Jehovah's Witnesses - Construction and Humanitarian Efforts, Jehovah's Witnesses - Disfellowshipping excommunication, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses