Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

Of the same substance or nature. The Son is consubstantial with the Father: both are fully the one God.

Christian music using relatively modern musical styles to express faith, including modern hymns and worship songs.

Something that exists but could have failed to exist and depends on something else for its existence.

Methods or precautions used to prevent pregnancy.

Sorrow for sins committed, together with a resolve not to sin again.

Adopting a religious faith or changing from one faith to another.

An experience that leads someone to adopt or radically change their religious beliefs and commitment.

A vision experienced as seeing a figure, such as an angel appearing in human form, while awake.

An argument that reasons from the existence, change or dependence of things in the universe to a first cause or necessary being, identified by Christians as God.

An account of the universe’s origin, nature, organisation and destiny.

An assembly of Catholic Church leaders whose fourth session, on 8 April 1546, formally confirmed the books accepted within the Catholic biblical canon.

Support that helps people discuss difficulties and explore ways of dealing with them, such as problems in marriage or parenting.

A binding promise or agreement; Christians understand marriage as a covenant made by the couple before God.

Caring for cows and protecting them from harm, expressing respect for their life-giving role and, for some Hindus, concern for all vulnerable creatures.

The bringing into existence of the universe and living things; Christians understand this as an act of God.

The one who brings everything into existence. Catholics believe that God alone is the Creator and that everything created depends on him.

A statement summarising religious beliefs.

A Christian symbol recalling Jesus’ crucifixion and expressing belief in his saving death; an empty cross can also emphasise his resurrection.

A cross bearing a representation of Jesus’ body, emphasising his suffering and sacrifice.

A Roman method of execution in which a person was fixed to a cross and left to die.

Cross-shaped; used of a church plan that recalls Jesus’ crucifixion.

The highest and fullest point of something. Catholics believe that God’s revelation reaches its culmination in Jesus Christ.

A leader who acts as guardian of the Imams’ teaching for Musta’li Ismaili communities during the Imam’s occultation.

Giving to others, including gifts of money or food, hospitality and kindness.

Seeing and being in the presence of a deity through a sacred image, or being in the presence of a holy person.

Inviting people to submit to Allah and follow Islam through explaining the faith and demonstrating it in practice.

The day when Allah judges every person’s faith and deeds, determining reward or punishment in the afterlife.