GLOSSARY OF CHRISTIAN TERMINAOLOGY

Agnosticism.  The claim that we cannot know whether or not God exists.  Agnostics are sometimes described as “strong” agnostics or “weak” agnostics.  Strong agnostics hold that we cannot ever know whether God exists because it is impossible to know.  Weak agnostics hold only that they do not personally know whether God exists or not, but that it may be possible to know.  In practice, agnostics are often atheistic (holding there is no God).

 

Amanuensis.  A person who transcribed a letter for someone.  In ancient times the author of a letter would often dictate the letter to someone else who would physically write the letter.  Many of Paul’s letters were probably transcribed by an amanuensis.

 

Anthropocentric.  Focused on man.  Often used to describe the belief that man is the center of all things.

 

Anthropomorphic.  Giving human form or descriptions to non-human beings or things.  For example, to refer to God as our “Father” is to imagine God as a male human.  This is a way to help us understand God, who is a spiritual being.

 

Antichrist.  Term found in 1 John 2:18 to describe those who deny the divinity of Jesus.  Often used by Christians to describe the incarnation of evil in the last days.

 

Apocalyptic.  From the Greek apocalypsis, which means “revelation” or “unveiling.”  It can be used to describe a certain kind of writing, where secret things are revealed; a literary device that records visions of a different world; or it can describe the belief that God will come in the last days to judge the world.  The Book of Revelation in the New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing.

 

Apologetics.  A defense of a doctrine or belief.  Christian apologetics is a defense of the Christian faith.  Apologetics comes from the Greek word apologia, which means “a reasoned statement or verbal defense.”  1 Peter 3:14 tells us to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you...yet do it with gentleness and respect...”

Asceticism.  Practicing austerity or self-denial.  Ascetics often fast or punish themselves as ways to become closer to God.  In modern times, ascetics often deny themselves material goods.

 

Autographs.  Original texts.  We no longer have any autographs of the writings of the Bible.

 

Blasphemy.  An insult to God or an outrageous claim regarding God.  Jesus was accused of blasphemy because he said he was the Son of God.  This is probably the reason he was crucified.

 

Canon.  A rule or standard.  The 27 books of the New Testament are referred to as “canonical.”  They have been accepted as authentic and authoritative by the church.

 

Christology.  The study of the person or teachings of Jesus Christ.

 

Christophany.  A visible or auditory manifestation of Christ.  Physically experiencing Christ.  This happened to Paul on the road to Damascus.

 

Dark Night of the Soul.  The title of a book by John of the Cross.  It describes a time in the life of a believer when he or she feels the absence of God.  A time of deep spiritual struggle when one realizes the depth of his or her own sinful nature.  This eventually leads to a stronger relationship with God.

 

Deism.  The belief in a supreme being, but not necessarily the Christian God.  A rejection of the Trinity, miracles, the incarnation, and other supernatural acts of God in history.  Deism was popular in the Enlightenment as an attempt to explain God in a purely rational way, rejecting the belief that God supernaturally intervenes in the affairs of men.

 

Demons.  Evil supernatural beings who serve Satan, or the devil.

 

Depravity, Total.  The view that because of original sin and the fall of man, men are incapable of earning their own salvation.  The total depravity of man does not mean men are incapable of performing good deeds and acts, but means that men’s actions are incapable of earning them eternal salvation.  Salvation is not earned, but is a gift from God through the work of Jesus Christ.

 

Devil.   See “Satan.”

 

Immanence of God.  One of the attributes of God.  Meaning that God is present within us, that He dwells among us, that He is close and knowable.  Compare with “Transcendence of God”.

 

Dichotomy.  Meaning two distinct parts.  Plato used this term to describe the separation of the body and the soul.  He believed the body perished but the soul was eternal.  Christian orthodoxy is that the body and the soul are united and that both may live eternally.  A dichotomy is also a literary term meaning there is only one correct answer—a “yes” or a “no,” an “either” or an “or.”  This is sometimes contrasted with the view that sometimes things may be “yes” and “both” rather than one or the other.  For example, was Jesus a human or was He God? 

 

Dogma.  Official doctrine or viewpoint of a particular philosophy or institution.  Oftentimes “dogma” or “dogmatics” is used in a pejorative sense to express an intolerant or “closed-minded” approach.  However, “dogma” can be used in the same way one would commonly use the words “philosophy,” “worldview,” or “theology.”

 

Ecclesiology. The study of the church and its history, order, and doctrines.

 

Ecumenical or Ecumenism.  The concept of bringing together all of the Christian denominations as one unified body.

 

Empirical or Empiricism.  The philosophical belief that all ideas are derived from experience.  This is often related to the scientific method and materialism, and rejects any spiritual or metaphysical truths, although Christians hold that there are both empirical and spiritual reasons to believe.

 

Enlightenment, The.  A period in history also known as the Age of Reason that reached its climax in the 18th century.  Voltaire and Rousseau were leading thinkers of The Enlightenment who also were very critical of religion and particularly the Catholic Church.  Many of our modern presuppositions are based on Enlightenment thought, such as the scientific method, the belief in the infallibility of reason, and a generally empirical or materialistic view of the world that rejects the supernatural.

 

Epistemology.  A branch of philosophy that studies the theory of knowledge.  It asks, “How do we know what we know?”  Philosopher Alvin Plantinga has held that belief in God is epistemologically basic—there is no need to justify belief in God because it is a seminal or basic belief upon which all other beliefs are based.  Many other philosophers have rejected this view and hold that belief in God must be justified by other evidence and reason.

 

Eschatology.  The study of the “end times” or final events in time.

 

Evangelical.  Christians that transcend denominational lines and religious doctrines and instead believes and promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They often believe that the Bible is inerrant and infallible, that man is saved through the grace of God alone, and that a personal relationship with Jesus is an essential component of being a Christian.

 

Evangelism.  The proclamation of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.  The active spreading of the Gospel.  From the Greek word euangelion, which means “good news,” and from the verb euangelizomai, which means to announce or proclaim the good news.

 

Fall, The.  The result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience that brought about the spiritual, physical, and social deprivation of the entire human race through this original sin.  Man wanting to be his own judge, to be like God, led to the separation of man from God.  The atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross restores man back to his original relationship with God

 

Fundamentalism or Fundamentalist.  A belief in the literal interpretation of the Bible and a zeal to fight against the enemies who undermined Christianity, whether those forces are human or Satanic.  While sharing some beliefs with Evangelicals, such as the inerrancy of the Bible, they differ from Evangelicals in having a generally more literal and conservative interpretation of the Bible.

 

Genre.  A specific style of a literary work.  Poetry, history, and biography are examples of different genres.

 

Gentile.  A non-Jewish person.  Paul considered himself the Apostle to the Gentiles.

 

Glorification.  The belief that at the Second Coming of Christ (the parousia) believers will be given a “resurrection” body.  This will be an immortal body suitable for an immortal soul. 

 

Gnosticism.  A second century religious movement that believed secret knowledge was required for salvation.  Gnostics held many heretical views regarding Jesus, including the belief that Jesus was not a human, but purely a spirit.  The writings of the Gnostics (sometimes called the “Gnostic gospels”) were rejected by the church because they were not written by people who lived during the time of Christ and because their views were contrary to the writings of contemporaries of Christ.

 

Gospel.  From the English god-spell or God-story.  This Old English translation is from the Greek word, euangelion, which means “good news”.  We often also refer to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (the first three sometimes called the “Synoptic Gospels” because of their similarity) but one could also speak of the Gospel according to Paul, which would be the theology set forth in Paul’s letters or epistles.

 

Grace.  A central belief of the Christian faith is that mankind is saved through the unearned grace of God.  Grace is God’s gift to mankind that reunites a fallen and sinful man with a perfect and sinless God.  “Common grace” is the benefit from God to all mankind that sustains creation and gives man a conscience.  “Special grace” is the grace by which God redeems, sanctifies, and glories his people.  “Common grace” is given to all humankind, whereas “special grace” is given only to those who have faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

 

Great Commission.  The biblical command of Jesus to proclaim the gospel to all the nations.  See Matthew 9:37-38; 28:19; and Acts 1:8.

 

Hedonism.  The philosophy moral goodness is that which leads to happiness and pleasure.  There are various types of hedonism ranging from the pursuit of the most crass and fleeting desires to the pursuit of the happiness found in the love of God.  Secular humanists employ a form of hedonism called “utilitarianism” where what is right is determined by what gives the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people.  John Piper has written extensively on what he calls Christian Hedonism, which is the happiness found in the pursuit of God.

 

Idolatry.  The worship of anything other than God.  Historically the worship of an image or material object that represented a deity. In modern times such things as money, honor, respect, tolerance, or even mankind have become objects of worship and adoration placed above God.  Secular Humanists, for example, hold that man and his betterment is the greatest good, thereby idolizing man.

 

Imago Dei.  Latin for the “image of God”.  Man was made in the image of God.  This does not mean that God “looks like” man, but that man reflects the image of God in certain ways.  Man’s worth, for example, stems from the fact that he is created in the image of God.

 

Incarnation.  The doctrine that Jesus is a divine, eternal being who became a man.

 

Inerrancy or Infallibility of the Bible.  The view that when all the facts become known, the Bible, as originally written and properly interpreted, is completely true and correct on every matter it asserts as truth.  Some versions of inerrancy limit it to covering only matters concerning salvation.  The basis for this belief is that the Bible is entirely authoritative because it is the inspired word of God.

 

Inspired.  The Bible is the inspired word of God.  This means that God directed the writing of the Bible.  There are a variety of views as to the level of control God had over this process, ranging from the belief that God literally dictated the words in the Bible by moving the hand of the writers to the belief that the writers were emotionally moved by the spirit of God, but the words were entirely their own.

 

Judaizers.  First century Jews who believed that salvation for the Gentiles required that the Gentiles comply with Jewish laws and customs.  They opposed Paul in Galatia and other places because Paul taught that salvation is by faith alone, not by following laws or rituals.

 

Justification.  To pronounce righteous or guilt free.  Christians believe that sinners are justified before God by the atoning death of Jesus Christ.  No person earns their justification, it is a gift given through Christ by the grace of God.

 

Kingdom of God, Heaven, or Christ.  God’s reign on earth and in heaven.  The time, already but not yet, when God rules and all submit to His will.  While some progressive Christians believe the Kingdom of God is simply a metaphor for a time of peace and love on earth and in the hearts of men, the words of Jesus make it clear that the Kingdom of God is also a supernatural, transcendent place and condition that is eschatological and soteriological.  The Kingdom of God merely a metaphor for a better world or a warm feeling in our hearts is a view common among Secular Christians but it is not supported by the words of Christ.

 

Materialism.  The view that only physical things that can be empirically studied are real or knowable.  Materialism emphasizes physical, natural objects, existing in time and space that are measurable and quantifiable.  It deemphasizes spiritual, metaphysical things that are not easily measurable or quantifiable.

 

Messiah.  Meaning “the anointed one,” it refers to the future king of Israel who will rule over Israel in the final days.  In the Old Testament the Son of Man figure in Daniel and the suffering servant figure in Isaiah are thought to refer to the Messiah.  In the New Testament, Jesus is regarded as the Messiah, although He represents and entirely different kind of king who rules over an entirely different kingdom than first-century Jews expected.  “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “messiah.”

 

Metaphysics.  A branch of philosophy that studies the ultimate nature of reality, looking beyond the mere material or physical world.  Much of Christian doctrine is metaphysical, such as the concept of God, salvation, and eternal life.

 

Monotheism.  The belief that there is only one God, as opposed to polytheism, which holds that there are many gods and atheism, which holds that there is no God.

 

Naturalism.  The view that the only things that exist are things in the natural universe, namely matter and energy.  It is opposed to “supernaturalism” which holds that there are things that exist outside of the physical universe.  Naturalism has much in common with “materialism.”

 

Nihilism.  The rejection of any authority, standards, or morality.  The philosophy that there is no purpose or meaning in life.  This philosophy is often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche.

 

Noetic Effect of Sin.  Christians hold that man, being made in the image of God, is capable of reason and rational thought.  However, due to the Fall and sin entering the world, sometimes what seems reasonable to a person is in reality unreasonable and illogical.  This is referred to as the “noetic effect of sin.”  This is why man cannot rely purely on reason to determine the truth of reality, but should also rely on the Scriptures and revelation.

 

Numinous, The.  The human experience of the holy.  The indescribable moment when one experiences, however fleetingly or veiled, the incomprehensible and holy.  The awesome and overwhelming experience of being in the presence of God.

 

Orthodoxy.  Correct thinking or doctrine.  The right beliefs.

 

Orthopraxy.  Correct practice or behavior.  The right actions.

 

Parable.  A story using familiar facts from daily life to describe or convey a supernatural or spiritual truth.  The stories of the Good Samaritan and of the Prodigal Son are examples of parables.  Almost all of the parables told by Jesus were about the Kingdom of God.

 

Parousia.  A Greek word meaning “coming” or “presence”.  Used by Paul to refer to the Second Coming of Christ.

 

Pericope.  A story in the Gospels.  A parable is an example of a pericope.

 

Pharisees.  Jewish rabbis and laymen who adhered to a strict following of the law and rituals established in the Old Testament.  Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for following the letter of the law, but missing the spirit of the law.

 

Polytheism.  The belief that there are many gods.  Compare with “monotheism,” the belief that there is only one God, and “atheism,” the belief that there is no God.

 

Postmodernism.  A rejection of metanarratives or universal truth.  Often related to moral relativism and nihilism, postmodernism is a reaction to and rejection of much of modern thought emanating from the Enlightenment.  To grossly oversimplify, if pre-Enlightenment thought held that God is the way to the truth and Enlightenment thought held that man’s reason is the way to the truth, postmodernism holds that there is no truth but there may be many ways to many truths.  Postmodern thought is skeptical of reason and logic and open to the supernatural and the spiritual and holds diversity, tolerance, and pluralism among its highest virtues.  Often postmodernists view truth as synonymous with opinion.

 

Predestination.  The belief that God has a predetermined plan for the world and the salvation of mankind.

 

Principalities and Powers.  Paul uses these terms in some of his epistles to describe supernatural cosmic forces.  These generally refer to spirit powers higher than man but lower than God, such as demons or fallen angels.  It is with these, not with man, that our real struggle lies, according to Paul.

 

Problem of Evil, The.  The alleged dilemma that if God is all powerful and all loving, yet evil exists.  The theory is that if God is all loving and all powerful, then evil would not exist.  Therefore, either God is not all loving or He is not all powerful, or evil does not really exist.  Many theologians and philosophers have attempted to answer this dilemma.  Alvin Plantinga, for example, has offered the “free will defense,” which holds that God is all powerful and all loving but he has given man free will.  Because man has free will, man may engage in evil acts that God will not stop.  Others, such as Bruce Little, suggest that evil is the result of the Fall.  See “The Fall” and “Theodicy.”

 

Pseudepigrapha or Pseudonymous letter.  Writings under a false name.  For example, the Gnostic “Gospel of Thomas” was not written by the Apostle Thomas.  Pseudepigraphic writings were not considered canonical by the church.  Not to be confused with an “anonymous” writing, where no name is given.  Hebrews is an example of an anonymous letter.

 

Rationalism.  The philosophy that reality is actually rational in nature, not physical, spiritual, or emotional.  Rationalists hold that reality may be discerned by deductive logic rather than empirical measurement or supernatural revelation.  Christian apologists believe that God may be found empirically, rationally, emotionally, and supernaturally.

 

Reason.  The ability of the human mind to formulate ideas, thoughts, judgments, and conclusions.  Christians believe God created humans with the ability to reason but that our reason is limited and adversely affected by sin.  When reason leads one to irrational, unreasonable, or illogical positions concerning God, this is sometimes referred to as the “noetic effect of sin.”

 

 

Redemption.  The state or condition of man being freed from sin and death.  Christianity holds that men are redeemed (given eternal life) by Jesus’ atoning death on the cross.  Redemption is very similar to “salvation,” but more specific, as it describes the means by which salvation is achieved, namely Jesus’ payment for our sins on the cross.

 

Relativism.  The belief that there are no absolute or universal truths.  Relativists hold that different people have different “truths.” Something may be true for you but not for me.  Moral relativism is a branch of relativism that holds there are no moral truths, no absolute right and wrong, but only opinions. Christians oppose this thinking, believing that there is absolute moral truth and that Jesus Christ is the Truth.

 

Resurrection.  The belief that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave.  This belief is central not only to Christian theology, but also as evidence that Christianity is true.  Paul wrote that if Jesus did not rise from the dead then we are still lost in our sins and Christians are the most pitiful of all people, believing in a false hope (See I Corinthians 15:3-19).  The resurrection also explains why the early followers of Jesus gave up everything, including their lives, to preach the message of Christ.

 

Revelation.  God reveals or certain things to men through His creation, His word, the Holy Spirit.  “General revelation” is common to all men and is the revealed work of God as seen in His creation (See Pslam 19:1-13; Acts 14:15-17; 17:22-31; and Romans 1:18-21).  “Special revelation” is God revealing His plan of salvation and redemption to man.  Augustine argued that revelation precedes understanding:  “Believe and you will understand,” is the appropriate order of knowledge, not “Understand and you will believe.”

 

Righteousness.  Found to be justified or vindicated.  Jesus taught that man is not justified by his own actions and moral accomplishments, but by acknowledging their sin and trusting in God for forgiveness.  One of the great misunderstandings of the faith is that Jesus gave us a moral code and if we follow that code we will be declared righteous or justified.  In reality, Jesus preached the exact opposite, telling us to die to ourselves and our own false righteousness and to submit to God’s grace for salvation.

 

Sadducees.  Jewish rabbis and laymen who accepted only the Torah as authoritative.  They did not believe in the supernatural, such as the resurrection of the body after death.   They often engaged in theological debates with the Pharisees.

 

Salvation.  The state or condition of man being freed from sin and death.  Christianity holds that men are given salvation (eternal life) by Jesus’ atoning death on the cross.  Also called “redemption.”

 

Sanctification.  Being set apart for God.  The process of humans becoming closer and closer to God through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  Christian doctrine holds that salvation is achieved for men by Jesus and is a free gift that no one earns, whereas sanctification is an on-going process where men become closer to God through the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

Satan.  The devil.  Satan, although defeated by Christ on the cross, is presently engaged in all manner of evil activity in the world, both in material and natural ways and in spiritual and supernatural ways. While many people deny the existence of Satan, the Scriptures are clear that Jesus acknowledged his existence.  This means either Jesus was lying or mistaken (which would mean Jesus was not the divine Son of God) or that Satan exists.  If Christians believe in Christ, they must acknowledge the existence of Satan, no matter how contrary that is to our modern sensibilities.  Some hold that the denial of Satan is precisely what Satan wants and is an example of the “Noetic Effect of Sin.”

 

Scribes.  Professional writers who copied and transcribed the Old Testament law.

 

Secular Christianity.  The belief that Jesus taught men a moral code that will lead them to a better life.  It neglects the transcendence and supernatural and emphasizes this world and the material.  The idea that all faiths are essentially the same and all are attempts to show men how to live better lives in this world.  A reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus rejected this view and preached almost exclusively about the transcendent and supernatural Kingdom of God.  Secular Christians are philosophically “Secular Humanists” who, while not formally rejecting God, adhere to a faith that is centered on man, not God.

 

Secular Humanism.  A philosophy that rejects God and the supernatural and holds that man’s highest moral calling is to his fellow man, not to God.  Since the Enlightenment there has been an almost overwhelming movement in the West toward Secular Humanism.  This is evidenced in the embrace of materialism, scientific naturalism, and anthropocentrism and the rejection of the spiritual, the supernatural, and anything that appears to interfere with the desires and goals of man.  Many who consider themselves to be Christians hold worldviews that, if examined, would reveal they are in fact Secular Humanists who believe Jesus was a Secular Humanist.  See “Secular Christianity.”

 

Septuagint.  The translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek during 285-246 B.C, allegedly by 70 experts in the law.  The name “Septuagint” means 70, and sometimes it is referred to simply as LXX.

 

Social Gospel.  A liberal Protestant movement originating in the early 1900’s that sought to apply the Gospel to social issues and to use Christianity as a means to improve the socio-economic condition man.  This is often seen in churches that emphasize the ethical teachings of Jesus and de-emphasize His eschatological and supernatural teachings.  See “Secular Christianity.”

 

Sophistry.  The practice of clever speaking and argumentation that places style and delivery above content.  A “sophisticated” argument is one that may be clever and well-argued, but not necessarily true.

 

Sovereignty of God.  The belief that God is the supreme ruler of the universe and in control of all things.  That nothing would have come into existence nor would remain in existence without God as the creator and sustainer of all.

 

Sin.  An act of wrongdoing or alienation from God.  While “Secular Christians” sometimes view sin as anything that hurts man, the Christian view of sin is something that violates the law of God.  It may be helpful to think of “sins” as violations of God’s law, but of “sin” as the separation of man from God.  We should not be preoccupied with the former, because the latter is the cause of the former.

 

Soteriology.  The study of salvation of the soul.

 

Synagogue.  Places where Jews worship, educate their children, and enjoy fellowship.  Similar to Christian churches. 

 

Synoptic.  Meaning, “seeing together.”  The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because they are so similar.  John’s Gospel is written in a different style than the Synoptic Gospels.

 

Theism.  The belief in God.  Not all theists are Christians, because theism is only the belief in God, not necessarily in the Christian God.  See also “Atheism” and “Deism.”

 

Theocracy.  The rule of God.  Ancient Israel was a theocracy, as is modern Iran.  It is a political system wherein the leaders believe the ultimate control of the government is by God, and in a broader sense, the ultimate control of every aspect of life is by God.  However, because God does not often directly intervene into the governance of the affairs of men, the political leaders act as the interpreters of the will of God.

 

Theodicy.  The study of God and justice.  An attempt to justify the way of God to man.  For example, theodicies attempt to resolve the “Problem of Evil.”

 

Theology.   The study of God.  Subsets of theology include Angelology (the study of angels), Bibliology (the study of the Bible), Christology (the study of Christ), Demonology (the study of demons), Ecclesiology (the study of the church), Eschatology (the study of end times), (Hamartiology (the study of sin), Pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit), Satanology (the study of the devil), and Soteriology (the study of salvation).

 

Theophany.  A visible or auditory manifestation of God.  Physically experiencing or seeing God.

 

Tolerance.  Being respectful to beliefs other than one’s own.  In postmodern times some have wrongly interpreted this to mean that all beliefs are the same or equally valid.  Tolerance does not hold this view, but rather that all beliefs, while not equally valid, will not be oppressed.

 

Transcendence of God.  One of the attributes of God.  The belief that God is not a part of the world, but above and beyond the world.  That God exists outside and apart from the world as the autonomous and independent creator of all existence, including the creator of time, space, and matter.  Compare with “Immanence of God.”

 

Universalism.  The belief that all men will ultimately be saved.