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evil

(Encyclopedia)evil, antithesis of good. The philosophical problem of evil is most simply stated in the question, why does evil exist in the world? Death, disease, and sin are often included in the problem. Traditio...

baptism

(Encyclopedia)baptism [Gr., =dipping], in most Christian churches a sacrament. It is a rite of purification by water, a ceremony invoking the grace of God to regenerate the person, free him or her from sin, and mak...

Titus , in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Titus, in the Bible, early Christian, a missionary and friend of St. Paul. According to later tradition he was a bishop in Crete.

Rufus

(Encyclopedia)Rufus, in the New Testament. 1 Son of Simon of Cyrene. 2 Christian in Rome. Perhaps the same as 1. ...

Zionites

(Encyclopedia)Zionites: see Christian Catholic Church. ...

Moro, Aldo

(Encyclopedia)Moro, Aldo älˈdō môˈrō [key], 1916–78, Italian political leader. A lawyer, he entered national politics in 1946, when he was elected to the constituent assembly as a member of the Christian De...

liberation theology

(Encyclopedia)liberation theology, belief that the Christian Gospel demands “a preferential option for the poor,” and that the church should be involved in the struggle for economic and political justice in the...

Calixtus, Georgius

(Encyclopedia)Calixtus, Georgius kəlĭkˈstəs [key], 1586–1656, German Protestant theologian, whose original name was Georg Callisen. He extended the influence of Melanchthon, and sought a basis, such as the A...

Vida, Marco Girolamo

(Encyclopedia)Vida, Marco Girolamo märˈkō jērôˈlämō vēˈdä [key], c.1490–1566, Italian poet, b. Cremona. After joining the humanist court of Pope Leo X, he was given a priory at Frascati and was commiss...

virtue

(Encyclopedia)virtue [Lat.,=manliness], in philosophy, quality of good in human conduct. The cardinal virtues, as presented by Plato, were wisdom (or prudence), courage, temperance, and justice. They are to be inte...