Theological Lexicon - "A" Trivia Quiz

Answer: abstinence

Abstinence refers to the deliberate restraint from certain foods, activities, or pleasures, often for the purpose of spiritual discipline. It is not simply about denial, but about redirecting one's attention away from physical desires toward a higher spiritual goal. Abstinence is closely tied to asceticism, a broader tradition of self-denial and rigorous discipline intended to cultivate inner strength and spiritual clarity.

While asceticism may include practices like fasting, celibacy, or living with minimal possessions, abstinence usually focuses on particular acts of restraint within daily life.

Answer: animism

Within animism, all parts of nature are alive with spiritual essence or power. This worldview sees humans as deeply connected to and dependent on the spirits within the natural world. While animism is most strongly associated with many indigenous religions in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, aspects of it also appear in larger world religions.

For example, Hinduism includes reverence for rivers and sacred animals and Shinto in Japan emphasizes "kami" (spirits) present in natural features.

Answer: ashram

Ashrams are places of prayer, meditation, and communal living within Indian religious tradition, meant to help people focus on spiritual growth rather than material concerns. One of the most famous examples is the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, India, where Mahatma Gandhi lived for many years. From this ashram, Gandhi led important campaigns for India's independence, including the Salt March of 1930.

Answer: apostasy

Historically, apostasy was not only seen as a spiritual offense but also treated as a legal crime in some societies. For example, in medieval Christian Europe, apostasy could be punished by excommunication or even execution, as it was linked to heresy and threats against religious unity.

In several Islamic empires, leaving Islam was also considered a grave offense and sometimes resulted in legal penalties or death. A person who rejects their faith might be called an "apostate."

Answer: ankh

An ancient Egyptian sign shaped like a cross with a loop at the top, the ankh is often called the "key of life." It represented eternal life, divine power, and the connection between earthly and spiritual existence. The symbol appeared widely in Egyptian art, carried by gods and pharaohs as a sign of protection and vitality. Later, Coptic Christians in Egypt adopted the ankh's form into their own religious designs, reshaping it into what is now known as the Coptic cross.

Answer: apocrypha

In theology, the term "apocrypha" refers to a collection of ancient religious writings that are related to the Bible but are not considered part of the official canon by all traditions. These books often include wisdom literature, historical accounts, and devotional stories that were valued for teaching and inspiration, but whose authority was highly debated.

Different Christian traditions treat the apocrypha differently: the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches include many of these texts in their Bibles, while most Protestant traditions do not. For example, the Luther Bible of the 16th century placed the apocrypha in a separate section between the Old and New Testaments, labeling them as useful for reading but not equal to Scripture.

Answer: aqidah

In Islamic theology, aqidah refers to the core set of beliefs or creed that defines a Muslim's faith. The word itself means "that which is tied or bound firmly," reflecting the idea that these beliefs are unshakable foundations of religion. Aqidah typically includes faith in the oneness of God, belief in angels, prophets, revealed scriptures, the Day of Judgment, and divine destiny.

While different schools of Islamic thought may explain certain points in varying ways, all consider aqidah to be the essential framework that guides how Muslims understand God and the universe.

Answer: ark

The term "ark" refers to a sacred container or vessel, most famously the Ark of the Covenant in the Hebrew Bible. This ark was a gold-covered chest that held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments and symbolized God's presence among the Israelites.

The word "ark" also appears in the story of Noah's ark, the large boat built to preserve Noah's family and the animals during the flood. Although both are called "ark" in English, they come from different Hebrew words and meanings.

Answer: anathema

In the Old Testament, a related Hebrew word described people, objects, or entire cities that were set apart for God's judgment, usually by being completely destroyed because of sin or idolatry. Later, in Christian history, church councils used the term "anathema" to condemn false teachings or heresies, marking them as completely cut off from the community of faith.

Answer: alms

Many faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, view almsgiving as a way to show compassion and humility in caring for the needy. The word itself comes from the Old English "ælmesse," meaning "pity" or "mercy."