“Windows To Spirituality”
Islamic View Of Miracles This article covers the Islamic View of Miracles. A number of terms are used in Islam to refer to events not explicable by natural or scientific laws, explained as supernatural interventions in the life of human beings. In the Quran, the term āyah (آية; plural: آيات āyāt, literally “sign”) refers to signs...
Are Muslims Guilty of Imperialism? This article covers the answer to the question: “Are Muslims Guilty of Imperialism?” This charge continues to be levelled against the Muslim world. I would like to counter it by asking the following questions: Given the existing circumstances of 1,400 years ago, how would anyone...
Aqidah Aqidah (عقيدة, ʿaqīdah, عقائد , ʿaqāʾid, also rendered ʿaqīda, aqeeda etc.) is an Islamic and term of Arabic origin that literally means “creed“. Many schools of Islamic theology expressing different views on aqidah exist. Any religious belief system, or creed, can be considered an example of aqidah. However, this term has taken a significant technical usage...
Mormonism and Violence This article covers the relationship between Mormonism and violence. Mormons have both used and been subjected to significant violence throughout much of the religion’s history. In the early history of the United States, violence was used as a form of control. Many people of different faiths used...
Ex-Mormon Ex-Mormon or post-Mormon refers to a disaffiliate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) or any of its schismatic breakoffs, collectively called “Mormonism“. Ex-Mormons—sometimes referred to as exmo or postmo—may neither believe in nor affiliate with the LDS Church. In contrast, Jack Mormons may believe but do not affiliate; and cultural Mormons may or may not affiliate but...
List Of Denominations In The Latter Day Saint Movement This article covers the list of denominations in the Latter Day Saint Movement. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. The list of denominations in the Latter Day...
President Of The Church The Latter Day Saint Movement In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. It was the office held by Joseph Smith, founder of the movement, and the office assumed by many of Smith’s claimed successors, such...
Second Coming In Mormonism The LDS Church teaches that there is Second Coming in Mormonism. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) believe that there will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth sometime in the future. The LDS Church and its leaders do not...
Anglican Communion The Anglican Communion is the fourth largest Christian denomination. Founded in 1867 in London, England, the communion currently has 85 million members within the Church of England and other national and regional churches in full communion. The traditional origins of Anglican doctrines are summarised in the Thirty-nine Articles (1571)....
Anglican Sacraments In keeping with its prevailing self-identity as a via media or “middle path” of Western Christianity, Anglican sacramental theology expresses elements in keeping with its status as a church in the catholic tradition and a church of the Reformation. With respect to sacramental theology the Catholic tradition is perhaps most strongly asserted in the importance of...
Lutheran Sacraments The Lutheran sacraments are “sacred acts of divine institution”. Lutherans believe that, whenever they are properly administered by the use of the physical component commanded by God along with the divine words of institution, God is, in a way specific to each sacrament, present with the Word and physical component. They teach...
Eucharistic Miracle Eucharistic miracle is any miracle involving the Eucharist. In the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, Anglican and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the fact that Christ is really made manifest in the Eucharist is deemed a Eucharistic miracle; however, this is to be distinguished from other manifestations of God. The Catholic Church distinguishes between divine revelation, such as the Eucharist, and private revelation, such as Eucharistic...
Role Of Christianity In Civilization The role of Christianity in civilization has been intricately intertwined with the history and formation of Western society. Throughout its long history, the Church has been a major source of social services like schooling and medical care; inspiration for art, culture, and philosophy; and influential player in...
Council Of Jerusalem The Council of Jerusalem or Apostolic Council was held in Jerusalem around AD 50. It is unique among the ancient pre-ecumenical councils in that it is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later ecumenical councils and a key part of Christian ethics. The council decided that Gentile converts to...
Essence–energies Distinction The essence–energies distinction was formulated by Gregory Palamas of Thessaloniki (1296–1359), as part of his defense of the Athonite monastic practice of hesychasmos, the mystical exercise of “stillness” to facilitate ceaseless inner prayer and noetic contemplation of God, against the charge of heresy brought by the humanist scholar and theologian Barlaam of Calabria. In Palamite theology, there is a distinction between the essence (ousia) and the energies (energeia) of God....
The Catholic Church And The Eastern Orthodox Church This article covers theological differences between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church have been in a state of official schism from one another since the East-West Schism of 1054. This schism was caused by historical and linguistic...
Christianity In The ante-Nicene Period Christianity in the ante-Nicene period was the time in Christian history up to the First Council of Nicaea. This article covers the period following the Apostolic Age of the first century, c.100 AD, to Nicaea in 325 AD. The second and third centuries saw a sharp divorce of Christianity from its early...
Religious Images In Christian Theology Religious images in Christian theology (Idolatry in Christianity) have a role within the liturgical and devotional life of adherents of certain Christian denominations. The use of religious images has often been a contentious issue in Christian history. Concern over idolatry is the driving force behind the various...
Questions Concerning The Basmala Here are some questions concerning The Basmala. What is The Meaning of Bismillah (in The Name of God)? Bismillah (The Basmala), In the Name of God, is the beginning of all good things. So we too shall start with it. This blessed phrase is a sign...
Islamic World Contributions To Medieval Europe This article covers Islamic World Contributions To Medieval Europe. During the high medieval period, the Islamic world was at its cultural peak, supplying information and ideas to Europe, via Al-Andalus, Sicily, and the Crusader kingdoms in the Levant. These included Latin translations of the Greek Classics and of Arabic texts...
