Big Words

Theology Glossary:

This is my own glossary where I add words that I come across and want to remember during the course of my theological studies.

A Fortiori – “from the stronger” –     Loosely, “even more so” or “with even stronger reason”. Often used to lead from a less certain proposition to a more evident corollary.

Abrogation – to end an agreement or contract formally and publicly

ad nauseum Ad nauseam is a Latin term used to describe something that has been continuing “[to the point of] nausea.”[1] For example “This topic has been discussed ad nauseam”; it has been discussed extensively and everyone is tired of it

ad-hominem – appealing to people’s emotions and prejudices instead of their ability to think

ad-hominem – appealing to people’s emotions and prejudices instead of their ability to think

Admonish – to rebuke somebody mildly but earnestly – to advise somebody to do or, more often, not to do something

Adoptionist – Also known as Dynamic Monarchianism. Belief that Christ was a man who, because of His piety, was adopted by God when the Logos of God indwelled Him at His baptism. He was then given the title of Lord.

Albigensianism – AKA Catharism was a name given to a religious sect with dualistic and gnostic elements that appeared in the Languedoc region of France in the 11th century and flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. Catharism had its roots in the Paulician movement in Armenia and the Bogomiles with whom the Paulicians eventually merged. They also became influenced by dualist and perhaps Manichaean beliefs. Like many medieval movements, there were various schools of thought and practice amongst the Cathari; some were dualistic, others gnostic, some closer to orthodoxy while abstaining from an acceptance of Catholic doctrines. The dualist theology was the most prominent, however, and held that the physical world was evil and created by Satan, who was taken to be identical with the God of the Old Testament; and that men underwent a series of reincarnations before reaching the pure realm of spirit, the presence of the God of Love described in the New Testament and his messenger Jesus.

Allegory – a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning – a symbolic representation of something.

amyraldian – (wiki – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyraldism) – Amyraldism (or sometimes Amyraldianism, the School of Saumur, hypothetical universalism or Post Redemptionism),also known as “hypothetical universalism” or “four-point Calvinism”, primarily refers to a modified form of Calvinist theology. It rejects one of the Five points of Calvinism, the doctrine of limited atonement, in favour of an unlimited atonement similar to that of Hugo Grotius. Simply stated, Amyraldism holds that God has provided Christ’s atonement for all alike, but seeing that none would believe on their own, he then elected those whom he will bring to faith in Christ, thereby preserving the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. Named after its formulator Moses Amyraut, this doctrine is still viewed as a variety of Calvinism in that it maintains the particularity of sovereign grace in the application of the atonement. However, detractors like B. B. Warfield have termed it “an inconsistent and therefore unstable form of Calvinism.”

anachronism – noun – a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, esp. a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned : everything was as it would have appeared in centuries past apart from one anachronism, a bright yellow construction crane.• an act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a period to which it does not belong.

Anachronism – something from a different period of time, e.g. a modern idea or invention wrongly placed in a historical setting in fiction or drama – a person, thing, idea, or custom that seems to belong to a different time in history

Anachronistically – belonging to a time other than the one being represented, especially in fiction or drama – out-of-date or inappropriate at the time in question

Analogy – a comparison between two things that are similar in some respects, often used to help explain something or make it easier to understand

Anathema – to be burned or destroyed for God’s glory

Anathematized – to formally curse, denounce, or excommunicate somebody or something

Animism – noun – 1 the attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena. 2 the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe.

anthropomorphisms – Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.

anthropopathism – Attribution of human feelings to things not human, such as inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.

Antinomianism – a belief that Christians are not bound by established laws, especially moral laws, but should rely on faith and divine grace for salvation

Antithetical – expressing or constituting the complete or exact opposite – relating to or consisting of a proposition that is the opposite of another already proposed

Antithetical – opposing, adversity.

Aphoristic – When a piece of writing consists of “brief comments directed to a particular matter” and then moves on to other topics. – a succinct statement expressing an opinion or a general truth – • Jerome Kern’s famous aphorism “Irving Berlin has no place in American music –  he is American music”

Apocalyptic – Hidden literature – A word to describe the content of a piece of literature having to do with the ultimate questions…the most basic and foundational issues – often in a highly symbolic, visionary way

Apodictic – demonstrably or indisputably true

Apodictic Law – law that is generally applicable (e.g. thou shalt not kill)

Apollinarianism –  The belief that Christ was God who took on a human body without a human mind.  The divine mind took the place of what would have been the human mind. The word became flesh only in the sense that God took on a human body.  At some have termed it, Christ was “God in a Bod”. Proponent Apollinarius of Laodicea (ca.310-390), friend of Athanasius and teacher of Jerome.  – condemned at Council of Constantinople 381 and Chalcedon 451.

Apollymi – to destroy kill, to be lost, to die or to perish

Apophatic – theology of unrevealed mystery of God – e.g. Easter Orthodox

Apophatic theology – Negative theology – also known as the Via Negativa (Latin for “Negative Way”) and Apophatic theology – is a theology that attempts to describe God by negation, to speak of God only in terms of what may not be said about God. In brief, the attempt is to gain and express knowledge of God by describing what God is not (apophasis), rather than by describing what God is. The apophatic tradition is often, though not always, allied with the approach of mysticism, which focuses on a spontaneous or cultivated individual experience of the divine reality beyond the realm of ordinary perception, an experience often unmediated by the structures of traditional organized religion or learned thought and behavior.

Apostasy – [uh-pos-tuh-see] – Gr. apo (away, apart) stasis (standing) – When a person commits a formal desertion, denouncement, or rejection from one’s religion, namely Christianity. A person who commits apostasy is called an apostate. The Bible is replete with warnings against and examples of, apostasy. [cf. Heb 6:4-6, Forsaking the Lord, Jer. 2:17]. Jesus himself spoke of a day called The Great Apostasy [Matt. 24:9-12] at which point will consummate with the end; a.k.a, The Day of The Lord [2 Thess. 2:2-3].

Arianism – Arius (250-336) Christ was “a third thing” and “there was [a time] when he was not”

Asceticism – (as•cet•i•cism) – austerity and self-denial, especially as a principled way of life

Atonement [uh-tone’-mint] (Middle English atonen, “to be reconciled,” from Middle English at one, “in agreement”)In Christian Theology, this refers to the doctrine of the reconciliation between God and man through the accomplished death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Elwell Evangelical Dictionary, atonement “is the expiation of sin and the propitiation of God by the incarnation, life, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ; the obedience and death of Christ on behalf of sinners as the ground of redemption; in the narrow sense, the sacrificial work of Christ for sinners.”

Austerity – severity of discipline, regime, expression, or design – a saving, economy, or act of self-denial,

Bifid – Structure with 2 themes

Cannon – Lit. “rule” or “measuring rod”. Refers to the accepted books of the Old and New Testaments. Inspired text that is needed for its time.

Captiously – tending to find fault and make trivial and excessive criticisms – intended to confuse or entrap an opponent in an argument

Casuistic Law – Law that describes how to handle a specific situation (e.g. if he knocks out the tooth of a servant, he must let the servant go free)

Cataphatic – theology of objectively revealed things

Catechism – christianity instruction in the principles of Christianity using set questions and answers – christianity the series of questions and answers that are used to test people’s religious knowledge in advance of Christian baptism or confirmation

Christology – [kris-taw’-luh-jee] – The discipline within Christian theology that deals with the nature of Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on how the human and divine co-exist in one person. Christology also seeks to explain the saving work of Christ, though is generally less concerned with the details of Jesus’ life. In systematic theology it logically precedes soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). However, in church history soteriology preceded Christology, because the belief in Jesus’ saving role led to the subsequent claims about who he was.

Circumlocution – the use of more words than necessary to express something, especially to avoid saying it directly – something said using more words than necessary, especially to avoid expressing it directly

Coalescing – to merge or cause things to merge into a single body or group

Codex – a collection of ancient manuscript texts, especially of the Biblical Scriptures, in book form

Common Grace – Gods extension of favor to all people through providential care, regardless of whether or not they acknowledge and love God.

Complementarian – roles of men and women in the church are distinct but equally valuable.

Conciliar – of, relating to, or issued by a council — con•cil•i•ar•ly adv – e.g. greek orthodoxy as opposed to the monarchical RCC pope.

Conditional Unity – This position affirms both the essential unity of the material and immaterial part of man and the existence of an intermediate state. A person does not have a body and a soul, but is a body and a soul, neither of which alone make up the whole person.

Conflated – transitive and intransitive verb to join or merge two or more things into a unified whole

Consubstantiation – a theological doctrine that, like the competing theory of transubstantiation, attempts to describe the nature of the Christian Eucharist in concrete metaphysical terms. It holds that during the sacrament the fundamental “substance” of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present.

Corollaries – something that is a natural consequence of or accompaniment to something else – logic a proposition that follows, with little or no further reasoning, from the proof of another – logic something that is very obviously or easily deduced from something already proven

covenantal nomism  – Covenantal Nomism is the belief that first century Palestinian Jews did not believe in works righteousness. Essentially, it is the belief that one is brought into the Abrahamic covenant through birth and one stays in the covenant through works. It suggests that the Jewish view of relationship with God is that keeping the law is based only on a prior understanding of relationship with God. – The ‘pattern’ or ‘structure’ of covenantal nomism is this: (1) God has chosen Israel and (2) given the law. The law implies both (3) God’s promise to maintain the election and (4) the requirement to obey. (5) God rewards obedience and punishes transgression. (6) The law provides for means of atonement, and atonement results in (7) maintenance or re-establishment of the covenantal relationship. (8) All those who are maintained in the covenant by obedience, atonement and God’s mercy belong to the group which will be saved. An important interpretation of the first and last points is that election and ultimately salvation are considered to be by God’s mercy rather than human achievement.[3]

Creatio Ex Nihilo – Lat. “creation out of nothing” – Describes the shared theistic worldview which believes all of creation was created by God out of non-existent matter. This belief is extremely important and foundational to the Christian belief in a transcendent God. God’s nature transcends time, space, and matter. Therefore, all that exists outside of God is dependent upon Him for its existence. This belief is contrasted with the worldviews of Mormons and other polytheists who believe that matter is eternal and God created the present universe from this pre-existing matter (creatio ex materia). It is also to be contrasted with the worldview of  pantheists and panentheists who believe that creation came from God’s essence (creatio ex deo). “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)

Credo ut intelligum (Latin, “I believe to understand”)This phrase was popularized by St. Anselm and describes the Christian’s endeavor to understand what he or she already believes. It is a good concise definition of what Christian theology truly is. This phase was originally based on Augustine of Hippo’s maxim crede ut intelligas, “believe so that you may understand.” Also related to this is Anselm’s fides quaerens intellectum “Faith seeking understanding.” All these phrases are used to aid in our understanding of faith’s relationship to reason.

Decretals – a papal decree or edict that relates to an aspect of Roman Catholic law or doctrine

demagogue – [Etymology: Greek dēmagōgos, from dēmos people (perhaps akin to Greek daiesthai to divide) + agōgos leading, from agein to lead — more at tide, agent - Date:1648]1 : a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power 2 : a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times.

Demiourgos - (etymologically, demiourgos means “one who works for the demos, that is for the people”), which is immortal by nature but works from a model and has to deal with anagkè, necessity. (platonic)  – ie a necessary god?

Deo gloria(God’s glory alone).

Despot - politics a tyrant or ruler with absolute powers – somebody who acts in a tyrannical way towards people – history a minor emperor or prince of the later Roman, Byzantine, or Ottoman empires

Determinism - the doctrine or belief that everything, including every human act, is caused by something and that there is no real free will. – A classic definition of causal determinism is Laplace’s:-”An intellect which at any given moment knew all the forces that animate Nature and the mutual positions of the beings that comprise it, if this intellect were vast enough to submit its data to analysis, could condense into a single formula the movement of the greatest bodies of the universe and that of the lightest atom: for such an intellect nothing could be uncertain; and the future just like the past would be present before our eyes”.

determinism – the doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. Some philosophers have taken determinism to imply that individual human beings have no free will and cannot be held morally responsible.

Dialectical method – theology through debate

Dichotomy - a separation into two divisions that differ widely from or contradict each other – (dualism as opposed to Physicalism (naturalism or monism)) – body + (soul & spirit)

Didache - [did’-uh-kay] (Greek, “teaching”) also, The Teaching of the Lord Through the Twelve Apostles. Possibly the first Christian catechism, the Didache is an early Christian document dated in the late first century or early second century which informed the early Christian community concerning moral instruction and liturgical practice.

Didache [did’-uh-kay] (Greek, “teaching”)also, The Teaching of the Lord Through the Twelve ApostlesPossibly the first Christian catechism, the Didache is an early Christian document dated in the late first century or early second century which informed the early Christian community concerning moral instruction and liturgical practice.

Diglot – a bilingual book or edition.

Dispensational - Christianity in Christian belief, a divine ordering or management of affairs and events in the world – religion the time during which a religious doctrine or practice is believed to be in force – the distribution or giving out of something – exemption or release from a rule or obligation, especially a religious one – an official document authorizing dispensation, especially religious dispensation

Doceticism - a heresy which argues that Christ only appeared to be human and was really only divine.

Dogma - a belief or set of beliefs that a religion holds to be true

Dogma [dawg’-muh] (Greek dogma, “decree or ordinance”)An established, settled, and often authoritative opinion concerning a matter. With respect to Christian belief, dogma expresses a statement of belief which carries with it the authority of a particular religious institution or tradition.

Dogmatics - the study of religious dogmas, especially Christian dogmas

Dominion Theology - Dominion Theology is a grouping of theological systems with the common belief that society should be governed exclusively by the law of God as codified in the Bible, to the exclusion of secular law. The two main streams of Dominion Theology are Christian Reconstructionism and Kingdom Now theology. Though these two differ greatly in their general theological orientation (the first is strongly Reformed and Neo-Calvinistic, the second is Charismatic), they share a postmillennial vision in which the kingdom of God will be established on Earth through political and (in some cases) even military means, preparing the way for or enabling the return of Christ.

Donatism - – The primary disagreement between Donatists and the rest of the early Christian church was over the treatment of those who renounced their faith during the persecution of Roman emperor Diocletian (303–305), a disagreement that had implications both for the Church’s understanding of the Sacrament of Penance and of the other sacraments in general. The rest of the Church was far more forgiving of these people than the Donatists were. The Donatists refused to accept the sacraments and spiritual authority of the priests and bishops who had fallen away from the faith during the persecution. Many church leaders had gone so far as to turn Christians over to Roman authorities and had handed over sacred religious texts to authorities to be publicly burned. These people were called traditors (“people who had handed over”). These traditors had returned to positions of authority under Constantine I, and the Donatists proclaimed that any sacraments celebrated by these priests and bishops were invalid.

Doxology - in Christian religious services, a hymn, prayer, or formula of worship in praise of God

Dualism - a state in which something has two distinct parts or aspects, which are often opposites – philosophy a philosophical theory based on the idea of opposing concepts, especially the theory that human beings are made up of two independent constituents, the body and the mind or soul – religion the religious doctrine that two opposed and antagonistic forces of good and evil determine the course of events – religion the religious idea that people are inherently dual in nature, both spiritual and physical

Dynamic Equivalence - The theory of translation that seeks to represent the original text by translating in a thought-for-thought paradigm, rather than a word-for-word paradigm. Dynamic Equivalence translations would include, among others, the NIV, NLT, NJB, and GNB.

Ecclesiology – The section of Christian theology dealing with the study of the church.

Éclat – Brilliant Success – the show came off with éclat.

Eclectic text - Describes a method or theory of text criticism that seeks to reconstruct the original text of the Scripture by using manuscript evidence from all available sources. Most modern translations rely on eclectic texts (UBS4, NA27). This is to be contrasted with some methods of text criticism that rely only on one manuscript tradition (e.g., the KJV and New KJV rely only on the Byzantine manuscript text-type).

Ecumenical – Movement to join those from differing denominations or religions (mine)

Ecumenicism – (Lat. ecumenicus, “universal”; Gk. oikoumene “entire world”) The term ecumenicism can mean many things depending on the context. In general, it refers to those who seek to promote cooperation and unity among the various traditions and denominations in Christianity by setting aside many doctrinal distinctions in order promote a common good. This type of ecumenicism is not readily accepted among conservative Christians who believe that it amounts to compromise for the sake of unity. There are also more modest ecumenical movements within Christianity that seek limited unity and cooperation while still recognizing the divisions. The World Council of Church, started in 1937, represents one of the most well-known and distinguished modern ecumenical movements and is represented by 349 churches and denominations with over 560 million members.

Egalitarianism - maintaining, relating to, or based on a belief that all people are, in principle, equal and should enjoy equal social, political, and economic rights and opportunities.  Eg no difference in the role of men and women in the church.

Eisegesis - (from the Greek εἰσηγεῖσθαι; ‘to lead in’) is the process of interpretation of an existing text in such a way as to introduce one’s own ideas. This is best understood when contrasted with exegesis. While exegesis draws out the meaning from the text, eisegesis occurs when a reader reads his/her interpretation into the text. As a result, exegesis tends to be objective when employed effectively while eisegesis is regarded as highly subjective. An individual who practices eisegesis is known as an eisegete, as someone who practices exegesis is known as an exegete. The term eisegete is often used in a mildly derogatory fashion.

Eisegesis - [ahy’-suh-jee‘-sis] (Greek eis-, “into” + Greek hegeisthai, “to guide”) The interpretive fallacy of reading into (eis-) the text of Scripture a preconceived theology in order to make it fit with what those presumptions require. Eisegesis is to be contrasted with exegesis which involves the arrival of meaning from or out of (ex-) the biblical text, without the presumption of meaning dictating the results.

Emancipation - the act or process of setting somebody free or of freeing somebody from restrictions – the condition or fact of being set free or freed from some restriction

Empiricism [em-peer’-uh-sihz’-um] (Greek emperirismos, “experience”)The theory of epistemology (the study of knowledge) that limits the bounds of knowledge to that which can can be demonstrated through experience. Being practical rather than abstract, the empiricist gives little weight to pure reason or abstract thinking. If it can be tested by the five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing) it qualifies for empirical knowledge. For the hard empiricist, all other theories of “knowledge” are not worthy of the designation.

Enigmatic - difficult to interpret, understand, or explain

Ephemeral -– I am not sure about this heresy as ephemeral means fleeting or lasting for just one day.  I can’t find any reference to a heresy.

Epigraphic - literature a quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, or section of a book, usually related to its theme – sculpture architecture an inscription on something, for example, a statue or building

Epistemology -  “The branch of philosophy that is concerned with the theory of knowledge. It is an inquiry into the nature and source of knowledge, the bounds of knowledge, and the justification of claims to knowledge.”

Epistemology [ih-pihs’-tuh-maw‘-luh-jee] (Greek episteme, “knowledge”)The philosophical study of the theory of knowledge, the bounds of knowledge, the source of knowledge, the method of acquisition of knowledge, and the justification of knowledge. From the Christian point of view, knowledge has its being in God. Being such, our ability to discover truth is dependent on what he has revealed to us, both through creation and special revelation (e.g., Scripture). The Christian worldview, therefore, has both an allowance and a mandate (Rom. 1, Ps. 19) to derive our knowledge through experience (empirical), logical inquiry (rational), and special revelation.

Eschatology -the body of religious doctrines concerning the human soul in its relation to death, judgment, heaven, and hell

Eschaton – ? eschaton |ˈeskəˌtän| – noun ( the eschaton) Theology – the final event in the divine plan; the end of the world. ORIGIN 1930s: from Greek eskhaton, neuter of eskhatos ‘last.’

Eschewed eschew |esˈ ch oō| verb [ trans. ] deliberately avoid using; abstain from : he appealed to the crowd to eschew violence. DERIVATIVES eschewal |əsˈtʃʊəl| |ɛsˈtʃʊəl| noun ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French eschiver, ultimately of Germanic origin and related to German scheuen ‘shun,’ also to shy 1

Etymology -  the history of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its development since its earliest recorded occurrence in the language where it is found, by tracing its transmission from one language to another, by analyzing it into its component parts, by identifying its cognates in other languages, or by tracing it and its cognates to a common ancestral form in an ancestral language.

Ex Cathedra Ex Cathedra (Latin: from the chair), the Chair of Peter. When a Pope speaks from the chair (cathedra) of authority as the visible head of all Christians, his teaching is infallibly Christ’s true teaching.

Ex Nihilo Latin – “out of nothing”

Existentialism Existentialism is a philosophical movement which posits that individuals create the meaning and essence of their lives, as opposed to it being created for them by deities or authorities or defined for them by philosophical or theological doctrines.

Expiation - [ek’-spee-ay‘-shun] – (Latin ex- as an intensive prefix + Latin piare, “to atone”) – Meaning “to atone, or make reparations for.” In Christian theology the term refers to the penal substitution of Christ on behalf of his people. Specifically it emphasizes the removal of guilt through the payment for the penalty of sin. This notion is coupled with the concept of propitiation, which refers to the appeasement or averting of God’s wrath and justice. Both concepts are seen together as two sides of the same coin.

extramundane adjective rare outside or beyond the physical world.

Factious - liable to cause, taking part in, or typical of conflict within a group

Fatalism - the philosophical doctrine according to which all events are fated to happen, so that human beings cannot change their destinies – an attitude of resignation and passivity that results from the belief that people are powerless against fate

Filial - relating or appropriate to a child’s relationship with, or feelings toward, his or her parents

Form criticism - Form criticism is a method of biblical criticism that classifies units of scripture by literary pattern (such as parables or legends) and that attempts to trace each type to its period of oral transmission.[1] Form criticism seeks to determine a unit’s original form and the historical context of the literary

Formal Equivalence - The theory of translation that seeks to represent the original text by translating in a word-for-word paradigm, rather than a thought-for-thought paradigm. Formal Equivalence translations would include, among others, the KJV, NASB, ESV, and RSV.

Gnosticism - Dualists who believed that Christ was the greatest in a series of emanations from God. Also relating to knowledge, especially knowledge of spiritual truths. A generic term for a variety of religious movements of the first centuries of the Christian era. Although the theology, ritual practice, and ethics of these groups differed considerably, all purported to offer salvation from the oppressive bonds of material existence through gnosis, or ‘knowledge.’ Such knowledge was diverse, although it regularly dealt with the intimate relationship of the self to the transcendent source of all being, and this knowledge was often conveyed by a revealer figure.   (from Harpers bible dictionary)

Gnosticism - relating to knowledge, especially knowledge of spiritual truths. A generic term for a variety of religious movements of the first centuries of the Christian era. Although the theology, ritual practice, and ethics of these groups differed considerably, all purported to offer salvation from the oppressive bonds of material existence through gnosis, or ‘knowledge.’ Such knowledge was diverse, although it regularly dealt with the intimate relationship of the self to the transcendent source of all being, and this knowledge was often conveyed by a revealer figure.   (from Harpers bible dictionary)

Hapax Legomenon - Gk. “once said” – This is a word that only occurs once in a particular body of literature. With regards to the Scriptures, exegetes will often find a word that only appears one time. In the New Testament alone, there are 1,932 words that occur only once (USB). When this happens, it is often difficult to determine the exact meaning of the word because there are no other usages with which one can compare it.

Hapex legomenon (hapax?) – A hapax legomenon (pl. hapax legomena, though sometimes called hapaxes for short) is a word which occurs only once in the written record of a language, in the works of an author, or in a single text. If a word is used twice it is a dis legomenon, thrice, a tris legomenon. Beyond tetrakis legomenon (four times), a word is not rare enough to note.

Harmartiology – The study of sin

Heilsgeschichte – history of salvation (JCK Hoffman 1841) – redemptive history – Holy history

Herald - somebody who brings or announces important news – somebody or something that is a forerunner of something or gives an indication of something that is going to happen – to welcome or announce somebody or something with enthusiasm.

Hermeneutics - the science and methodology of interpreting texts, especially the books of the Bible – the branch of theology that is concerned with explaining or interpreting religious concepts, theories, and principles

Heterodox - at variance with established or accepted beliefs or theories, especially in the field of religion

Heterodoxy – Opposite to Orthodoxy – the condition of being at variance with established or accepted beliefs or theories, especially in the field of religion – an opinion, belief, or theory that is at variance with those that are established or accepted

hic et nunc \ˈhēk-et-ˈnu̇ŋk\ [L] : here and now

Historicity - the state or fact of being historically authentic

Homogeneous - having the same kind of constituent elements, or being similar in nature – having a uniform composition or structure

Homoousios - Gk. “of the same substance” “consubstantial” – This is the Trinitarian term that expresses a belief that Christ is of the same substance or nature as the Father. This word was central to the forth-century debate between Athanasius and the Arians. Arius believed that Christ was of “similar substance” to the Father (homoiousios), but not of the “same substance” (homoousios). The two positions were separated by one letter in Greek, an iota. Thus the common phrase “it doesn’t make one iota of difference.” The Council of Nicea (325) believed that Christ shared in the exact same essence as the Father and therefore adopted the term homoousios to describe the relationship between the members of the Godhead. This concept was further developed by the Cappadocian fathers and further applied to all three members of the Trinity at the Council of Constantinople (381).

Huguenots The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France (or French Calvinists) from the 16th to the 18th century.

Hypostatic Union – The theological description of the union of the two natures of Christ

Idiom – Idiomatic - a fixed, distinctive, and often colorful expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the combined meanings of its individual words, for example, “to have somebody in stitches” – the way of using a particular language that comes naturally to its native speakers and involves both knowledge of its grammar and familiarity with its usage

Imago Dei (Lat. “image of God”). Refers to the fact that humanity carries a unique resemblance to God.

Imago Dei – (Lat. “image of God”). Refers to the fact that humanity carries a unique resemblance to God.

Immutable - not changing or not able to be change

Imperative - absolutely necessary or unavoidable – something that must be done

Incarnation – The biblical understanding that Christ took on a human nature

Indicative - showing, suggesting, or pointing out that something exists or is true –

indubitability absolute certainty

Ineffable - unable to be expressed in words

Infralapsarianism - [in’-fruh-lap-sair‘-ee-uh-niz’-um] – (Latin infra, “after” + Latin lapsus, “fall” = “After the fall”) – Also, “sublapsarianism.” – A system of belief among certain Calvinists believing in a theoretical plan of God that occurred before creation concerning his decree to save mankind. In the “infra” scheme, God first decreed creation, second he decreed to allow the fall, third he decreed to elect some to salvation while passing over others, and fourth he decreed the atonement as a means of salvation for the elect. In this order one can surmise that the damnation of the reprobate came as a result of the self-determined fall of mankind, not God’s active reprobation (double predestination).

Inhere - to be a natural and integral part of something

intramural - occurring within or involving members of a single school, college, or institution, instead of members of or teams from various institutions

ipse dixit - Something that is asserted but unproved.

ipse dixit – Something that is asserted but unproved.

Ipsissima verba the precise words

Ipsissima vox 

Ipso facto - as the result of a particular fact

Irenic - promoting or intended to promote peace

Isogesis – reading into scripture – Basically Isogesis is taking what is written in scripture and superimposing a context upon it that is not explicitly mentioned in the text.  Whether the context is right or wrong it is still a very precarious hermeneutic method.

Israelology – The study of Israel

Kata Pheuma – According to the Spirit

Kata Sarka – According to the flesh

Kenosis - [kuh-noe’-sis] (Greek, “emptying”)Describes the “emptying” of Christ at the incarnation. The Greek word kenoo (”to empty”) is found in Phil 2:6-11 where Christ humility is described through the incarnation. Debate exists concerning the meaning of the Kenosis. Did Christ lose divine attributes and thus “empty” himself, or did he give up rights for the independent use of his divine attributes, without actually giving them up? Most theologians would opt for the latter, believing that if Christ “lost” divine attributes he would no longer be divine; indeed, he would never have been divine in the first place considering the essential divine attribute of immutability (the inability to change in essence).

kenosis - \kə-ˈnō-səs, kē-\ n [LGk kenōsis, fr. Gk, action of emptying, fr. kenoun to purge, empty, fr. kenos empty] 1873 : the relinquishment of divine attributes by Jesus Christ in becoming human

Kenosis [kuh-noe’-sis] (Greek, “emptying”) Describes the “emptying” of Christ at the incarnation. The Greek word kenoo (”to empty”) is found in Phil 2:6-11 where Christ humility is described through the incarnation. Debate exists concerning the meaning of the Kenosis. Did Christ lose divine attributes and thus “empty” himself, or did he give up rights for the independent use of his divine attributes, without actually giving them up? Most theologians would opt for the latter, believing that if Christ “lost” divine attributes he would no longer be divine; indeed, he would never have been divine in the first place considering the essential divine attribute of immutability (the inability to change in essence).

Kerygma -  (κήρυγμα, kérugma) is the Greek word used in the New Testament for preaching (see Luke 4:18-19, Romans 10:14, Matthew 3:1). It is related to the Greek verb κηρύσσω (kērússō), to cry or proclaim as a herald.

Kerygmatic – Divine – the proclamation of Jesus Christ’s teachings, especially as taught in the Gospels

Lemma - linguistics a term that is defined in a glossary

Lexical - relating to the individual words that make up the vocabulary of a language

Lexicon - a reference book with an alphabetized listing of words and their meanings, especially one dealing with an ancient language – the entire stock of words belonging to a branch of knowledge or known by somebody

Libertarian Free Will (LFW) - Libertarianism is a philosophical position in metaphysics with respect to free will and determinism. It entails the belief that human beings possess free will, that free will is incompatible with determinism, and that determinism is false.

Libertarian Free-Will - Lat. liberum arbitrium – The belief that the human will is free from any necessitating constraint (necessitas coactio). This is often referred to as “the power of contrary choice.” In this, whatever decisions are made, its alternative decisions are viable options. The alternative to libertarianism is fatalism, divine determinism, or self-determinism. The reformers believed that the faculty of the will is free (vonutas), but this will is in bondage to its nature, as all wills are. The reformers rejected both libertarianism and fatalism, seeking a mediating position that allows the will to be free, but does not allow its liberty to act out of concert with its nature.

Lustrations - to make somebody or something spiritually pure by means of a special religious ceremony.

magnum opus - a great work of art or literature, especially the finest work produced by one individual

Manachaeism Decended from the preacher Mani who lived in 3rd century in Persia. Preached a strict dualism, acknowledging two realms, the Light and the Darkness. Darkness, taught Mani is that of the world. Light is the Other world.

Manichaean Manichaean |ˌmanəˈkēən| (also Manichean)adjective chiefly historical

Marcionism - a member of a 2nd-century movement, condemned as a Christian heresy, that rejected the Old Testament and the belief that God was incarnated in Jesus Christ as a human being. 2 Gods, one that is pure spirit and one that made the evil physical world of the OT.  No OT just a few of Pauls epistles and an altered Luke’s gospel.

Merism – describing totality via polar opposites (knowledge of good and evil = all knowledge)

Meritorious – Works religion – the idea that a person achieves salvation by his good actions, or by his adherence to a set of laws.

metanarrative In critical theory, and particularly postmodernism, a metanarrative (sometimes master- or grand narrative) is an abstract idea that is supposed to be a comprehensive explanation of historical experience or knowledge. According to John Stephens it “is a global or totalizing cultural narrative schema which orders and explains knowledge and experience”.[1] The prefix meta means “beyond” and is here used to mean “about”, and a narrative is a story. Therefore, a metanarrative is a story about a story, encompassing and explaining other ‘little stories’ within totalizing schemes.

Metanoia – A fundamental change in ones beliefs

Metaphor – the application of a word or phrase to somebody or something that is not meant literally but to make a comparison, for example, saying that somebody is a snake – one thing used or considered to represent another.

Metaphysics - the branch of philosophy concerned with the study of the nature of being and beings, existence, time and space, and causality – the ultimate underlying principles or theories that form the basis of a particular field of knowledge – abstract discussion or thinking.

Metaphysics [meh’-tuh-fiz-iks] (Greek meta, “after” + Greek phusika, “physics”)The branch of philosophy that is concerned with the study of ultimate reality, often referring to those things that transcend the physical (mind, essence, time, meaning, God, etc.). The term “physical” was originally pre-fixed by “meta” with regards to the works of Aristotle, specifically those chapters that came “after” those on the physical (”meta-physical”). Most commonly today, metaphysics refers to those matters of knowledge that are by nature non-empirical.

Midrash - (Hebrew: plural midrashim) is a Hebrew word referring to a method of exegesis of a Biblical text. The term “midrash” can also refer to a compilation of Midrashic teachings, in the form of legal, exegetical or homiletical commentaries on the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). – A form of interpretation that characterized the normal hermeneutical method of the rabbis and Pharisees in general. It sought to contemporize the text of Scripture so as to make it relevant for everyday application. Typically, this application came by extensive out-of-context applications of incidental teachings.

Milieu - the surroundings or environment that somebody lives in and is influenced by

Mnemonics - the practice of improving or helping the memory, or the systems used to achieve this

Modalism – (or Modal Monarchianism) considers God to be one person appearing and working in the different “modes” of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The chief proponent of Modalism was Sabellius, hence the view is also called Sabellianism. It has also been labeled Patripassianism by its opponents because it purports that the Person of God the Heavenly Father suffered on the cross.

Molinism - the doctrine in Christianity that a person has a choice in accepting divine grace

Molinist - the doctrine in Christianity formulated by Luis Molina, that a person has a choice in accepting divine grace.

Moltmannianism Jürgen Moltmann is a German theologian and Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He is most noted as a proponent of his “theology of hope” and for his incorporation of insights from liberation theology and ecology into mainstream trinitarian theology.The “theology of hope” proposed by Moltmann can best be described as a belief that God’s promise to act in the future is more important than the fact that he has acted in the past. What is implied by this focus on the future, however, is not withdrawal from the world in the hope that a better world will somehow evolve, but active participation in the world in order to aid in the coming of that better world.

Monarchianism or Monarchism is a set of beliefs that emphasize God as being one person and the only ruler of his kingdom. The term “Monarchians” or “Monarchists” was given to Christians who defended the “monarchy” of God in a reaction against the Logos theology of Justin Martyr and the apologists, who had spoken of Jesus as a “second god”.

Monergism – “In theology, [monergism is] the doctrine that the Holy Spirit is the only efficient agent in regeneration [the new birth] – that the human will possesses no inclination to holiness until regenerated [born again], and therefore cannot cooperate in regeneration.” Etymology -
The word “monergism” consists of two main parts. The Greek prefix “mono” signifies “one”, “single”, or “alone” while the suffix “ergon” means “to work”. Taken together it means “the work of one”. (http://cpr-foundation.org/resources/essays/177).

monism - view that there is only one kind of ultimate substance – the view that reality is one unitary organic whole with no independent parts (eg body, soul and spirit)

Monophysitism –  Christs human nature was integrated with His divine nature, forming a new nature. Christ was from two natures before the union, but only one after the union (Aka Eutychianism) Eutyches 378-454 – condemned at the council of Chalcedon 451.

Monophysitism –  Christs human nature was integrated with His divine nature, forming a new nature. Christ was from two natures before the union, but only one after the union (Aka Eutychianism) Eutyches 378-454 – condemned at the council of Chalcedon 451.

Montanism - a Christian religious movement beginning in the 2nd century in Asia Minor that was based on the teachings of the charismatic prophet Montanus and was condemned by the Church as heresy. Its adherents believed in the imminence of the Second Coming, practiced an ascetic lifestyle, and revered prophets and prophecy.  Stressed the HS and miracles etc. (Tertullian was a Montanist) 2 prophetesses. Stress on discipline and holiness. Montanus claimed he was the coming Holy Spirit.

Morphology - linguistics the structure of words in a language, including patterns of inflections and derivation

Motif - literature an important and sometimes recurring theme or idea in a work of literature.

Nag Hammadi - Name given to the library of 52 ancient books found in 1945 just outside of Nag Hammadi, Egypt. These books date from the mid-fourth century and contain primarily gnostic “Christian” teachings including the Gospel of Thomas. While studies of this library are still considered to be in the infant stages by most scholars, it remains the most important source we have for early gnosticism.

Neophiles - a liking for new things, change for the sake of change, or novelty

Nestorianism –  Christ was fully man and fully God and these two natures were united in purpose, not person.  They had difficulty understanding how someone with two natures could be a single individual. Nestorius was main proponent (d 451) although most would see his condemnation as inaccurate.  Condemned at the council of Chalcedon 451.

Nestorianism the doctrine that there were two separate persons, one human and one divine, in the incarnate Christ. It is named after Nestorius, patriarch of Constantinople (428–31), and was maintained by some ancient churches of the Middle East. A small Nestorian Church still exists in Iraq.

Nihilism - a political movement in late 19th-century Russia that sought to bring about a socially just new society by destroying the existing one through acts of terrorism and assassination – the general rejection of established social conventions and beliefs, especially of morality and religion – a belief that life is pointless and human values are worthless – the belief that there is no objective basis for truth – the belief that all established authority is corrupt and must be destroyed in order to rebuild a just society.

Noetic Effects of Sin [noe-eht’-ik] (Greek noesis, “understanding” from Greek nous, “mind”)The concept in Christian theology that argues for the negative effect of sin on the minds of all people. This effect changes man’s thinking and ability to understand. It is not that the mind is incapacitated, but that sin has a deteriorating effect on our ability to think and believe. This effect is primarily seen with regard to our understanding and perception of spiritual things. All Christian traditions believe that sin has debilitated the mind, but some will differ with respect to the degree or what the remedy is.

Nomastic – legalistic?

Nominalism - the philosophical doctrine that there are no realities other than concrete individual objects

Noumenal (phenomenal) - something beyond the tangible world that can only be known or identified by the intellect, not by the senses – in Kantian philosophy, something that exists independently of intellectual or sensory perception of it, for example, the soul in some beliefs

Nulla tenaci invia est via -  which is Latin for “For the tenacious, no road is impassable”.

of or relating to Manichaeism.• of or characterized by dualistic contrast or conflict between opposites.

Occam’s razor – also Ockham’s razor, is the principle that “entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily.” It is apocryphally attributed to 14th-century English logician and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham. The principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible, eliminating those that make no difference in the observable predictions of the explanatory hypothesis or theory. The principle is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae (“law of parsimony”, “law of economy”, or “law of succinctness”): entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, roughly translated as “entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity.” An alternative version Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate translates “plurality should not be posited without necessity.”

When multiple competing hypotheses are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the hypothesis that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest entities. It is in this sense that Occam’s razor is usually understood.

To straightforwardly summarize the principle as it is most commonly understood, “The simplest explanation for a phenomenon is most likely the correct explanation.”

Omnipotent - All-powerful – possessing complete, unlimited, or universal power and authority

Omnipresent - continuously and simultaneously present throughout the whole of creation

Omniscience - knowledge of all things, whether real or apparent knowledge

Ontic - relating to real existence (ontology)

Ontology [awn-tawl’-uh-jee](Greek ontos, “being”)Ontology is a fundamental branch of philosophical metaphysics describing the study of essence or being. It is concerned with beings or the type of beings that exist. With reference to theological ontology it describes the study of the essence of God in relation to his essential nature. The ontology of God is that of unity or oneness (Deut. 6:4). With respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, God is one in ontos and three in persons.

Ordo Salutis – latin for order of salvation

Orthopraxy - [or‘-thuh-prak’-see] (Greek orthos, “right, true” + praxy, “action”) The corollary of orthodoxy, its emphasis is on the performance of correct doctrine as it pertains to the Bible. That is, it corresponds to the action or response to right thinking or teaching. Much is considered with respect to what actions are considered the correct ones. Historical definitions on Christian orthopraxy maintain church attendance, sacraments such as prayer and the Lord’s supper, even fasting. In the end, the fundamental explanation of orthopraxy is acting in a manner worthy of the call of God as it pertains to being conformed to the image of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:1, Rom. 8:29).

OVT – (Neotheism?) Open view theism

Paean - a written, spoken, or musical expression of enthusiastic praise or rapturous joy

Pantheism – religion that identifies the forces, objects, and workings of nature as divine

Pantocrator - Pantocrator or Pantokrator (from the Greek Παντοκράτωρ) is one of many titles ascribed to the Divine. When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek as the Septuagint, Pantokrator was used to translate the Hebrew title El Shaddai. Early Christians ascribed this title to Jesus of Nazareth. – The most common translation of Pantocrator is “Almighty” or “All-powerful.” In this understanding, Pantokrator is a compound word formed from the Greek words for “all” and the noun “strength” (κρατος). This is often understood in terms of potential power; i.e., able to do anything, or omnipotent.

Paraclete - in Christianity, the Holy Spirit

Paradigm - a typical example of something – an example that serves as a pattern or model for something, especially one that forms the basis of a methodology or theory

Parousia – second coming – in Christian belief, the anticipated and prophesied return of Jesus Christ to judge humanity at the end of the world.

Patristic – An adjective used to refer to the first centuries in the history of the church, following the writing of the NT.  For many writers, this period thus designated seems to be 100-451 ad (in other words, the period between the completion of the last of the NT writings and the Council of Chalcedon)

Pejorative - expressing criticism or disapproval

Pelagianism - the belief of the heretical Christian monk Pelagius that people can earn salvation through their own efforts, without relying on the grace of God, and the rejection of the concept of original sin. From Britain.  Shot down by Augustine.

Perdition - Christianity in some religions, the state of everlasting punishment in Hell that sinners endure after death – Christianity Hell itself as a location

Pericope - an extract from a book, especially a passage from the Bible selected for reading during a Roman Catholic Mass  – ie a section under a subheading in modern bibles (mine)

pernicious adjective – having a harmful effect, esp. in a gradual or subtle way : the pernicious influences of the mass media.

Perspectivism - perspectivism |pərˈspektiˌvizəm| noun1 Philosophy the theory that knowledge of a subject is inevitably partial and limited by the individual perspective from which it is viewed. See also relativism .2 the practice of regarding and analyzing a situation or work of art from different points of view. DERIVATIVES perspectivist noun

pied a terre – A temporary or second place of lodging.

Pneumatology – The study of the Holy Spirit

Pneumatology [noom’-uh-taw‘-luh-jee] (Greek pneuma, “spirit” or “wind” + Greek -logia, “speaking”)The study of spiritual being or phenomena of any description. In Christian systematic theology it refers to the study of God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. Subtopics include teachings on new birth, spiritual gifts (charismata), Spirit-baptism, sanctification, and the inspiration of prophets.

Polemic - a passionate, strongly worded, and often controversial argument against or, less often, in favor of something or somebody –

Postulate – Hypothesize

Postulated - something that is assumed or believed to be true and that is used as the basis of an argument or theory

Pragmatic - more concerned with practical results than with theories and principles – philosophy relating to or characteristic of philosophical pragmatism

Praxis - the practical side and application of something such as a professional skill, as opposed to its theory – established custom or habitual practice

Predicate - logic something that is affirmed or denied about something else – grammar a word or combination of words, including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the verb that make up one of the two main parts of a sentence

Preterism (sp?) – prophesy fulfilled at 70AD

Prevaricator - to avoid giving a direct and honest answer or opinion, or a clear and truthful account of a situation, especially by quibbling or being deliberately ambiguous or misleading

prevenient grace Prevenient grace is divine grace which precedes human decision. It exists prior to and without reference to anything humans may have done. As humans are corrupted by the effects of sin, prevenient grace allows persons to engage their God-given free will to choose the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ or to reject that salvific offer.

Prima Scriptura – Belief that the Body of Christ has two separate sources of authority for faith and practice: 1) the Scriptures and 2) Tradition. Scripture is the primary source for authority, but by itself it is insufficient for all matters of faith and practice. Tradition also contains essential elements needed for the productive Christian life. (Some Roman Catholics, some Eastern Orthodox, some Protestants. )

Prolegomena - a preliminary discussion or introductory essay, especially to a book or treatise

Promulgate - to proclaim or declare something officially, especially to publicize formally that a law or decree is in effect

Propitiate - to appease or conciliate somebody or something

Proselytize - to try to convert somebody to a religious faith or political doctrine

Protagonist - an important or influential supporter or advocate of something such as a political or social issue

Protocanonical : Lit. “first canon.” In contrast to the deuterocanonical books, refers to the books of the Old Testament that have always been accepted by all as Scripture.

Protoevangelium - Used to describe the “first installment” of the Gospel in redemptive history as referenced in Gen. 3:15, where the serpent is rebuked by God with the promise of an offspring from Eve that would “crush” the head of the serpent. Through progressive revelation, most Christians have believed that this is a reference to Christ’s destroying the works of the devil and the dominance of sin through the atonement.

Providence - the wisdom, care, and guidance believed to be provided by God – God perceived as a caring force guiding humankind (common grace = providential care)

Pseudepigrapha : Refers to rejected books that are falsely attributed to an author (e.g., The Apocalypse of Peter).

Q document or Q - (from the German Quelle, “source”) is a postulated lost textual source for the Gospel of Matthew and Gospel of Luke. The two-source theory is the most widely accepted solution to the Synoptic Problem. According to the two-source theory, Matthew and Luke both used the Gospel of Mark independently of one another. This necessitates the existence of a hypothetical source in order to explain the double tradition material where there is agreement between Matthew and Luke that is not in Mark. This hypothetical source is named Q for convenience.

Qumran – prophetic eschatological Jewish movement who withdrew to the desert (around time of Jesus). John the Baptist may have been a member of it (mine)

Raison d etre – rationale

Rationalism [rash‘-uh-nuh-liz’-um] (Latin rationalis, “reason”)The theory of epistemology (the study of knowledge) which limits the study of knowledge to that which is intuitively known without regard to experience (contra empiricism). Rene Descartes is often referred to as the father of rationalism, believing that all knowledge must be justified by innate intellectual deduction.

Recapitulation – (recap) to go over the main points of something such as an argument or a proposal again – a summing-up of the main points of something previously put forward

Redaction criticism - Redaction Criticism, also called Redaktionsgeschichte, Kompositionsgeschichte, or Redaktionstheologie, is a critical method for the study of Bible texts. Redaction criticism regards the author of the text as editor (redactor) of his source material. Unlike its parent discipline, Form Criticism, redaction criticism does not look at the various parts of a narrative to discover the original genre; instead, it focuses on how the redactor has shaped and molded the narrative to express his theological goals.

Regeneration - The act whereby God awakens or regenerates the dead spirit of a person, restoring the ability to respond to and have a relationship with Him.

Regula Fidei – “Rule of Faith” – (1)Belief that tradition is an infallible “summary” of Scripture passed on through apostolic succession. Ultimately, there is only one source of revelation, but two sources of authority. In other words, Tradition is Scripture.  (2) This is a Greek phrase used often in the early Church to refer to the summation of the Christian faith. The regula fidei was seen as the faith which was held “always, everywhere, and by all.” It was seen as being inherited and passed on, not through an avenue of inspired or infallible information distinct from that of Scripture, but as representative of the essential doctrinal and moral elements of the faith contained in Scripture. (Eastern Orthodoxy, early Church, some evangelicals)

Relativism – the philosophy that says that truth is personally defined, that all truths are equally valid, and that all faiths lead equally to God

remonstrate - to reason or argue forcefully with somebody about something

Reticence – reticent- unwilling to communicate very much, talk freely, or reveal all the facts about something – unwilling to do something

Sacrament - in Christianity, a rite that is considered to have been established by Jesus Christ to bring grace to those participating in or receiving it – something considered to be sacred or have a special significance

Sartorial - clothes relating to tailoring or clothing in general

Schleitheim Confession The Schleitheim Confession was a declaration of Swiss Anabaptist belief, endorsed unanimously by a meeting of Swiss Anabaptists in 1527 in Schleitheim (Switzerland). The meeting was chaired by Michael Sattler. (7 articles)

Scholasticism -  a philosophical movement dominant in western Christian civilization from the 9th until the 17th century and combining religious dogma with the mystical and intuitional tradition of patristic philosophy esp. of St. Augustine and later with Aristotelianism -close adherence to the traditional teachings or methods of a school or sect -pedantic adherence to scholarly methods – Alister McGrath: “Scholasticism is…the medieval movement, flourishing in the period 1200-1500, which placed emphasis upon the rational justification of religious belief, and the systematic presentation of those beliefs.”

Semantics - linguistics the study of how meaning in language is created by the use and interrelationships of words, phrases, and sentences. – logic the study of ways of interpreting and analyzing theories of logic

Semiology - relating to signs or symbols, especially in speech or writing?

Senses divinitatis – sense of the divine

Sensus Divinitatis [sen’-suhs dih-vih’-nih-taw‘-tihs] (Latin, “sense of the divine”) The belief that the presence of God is sensed by all humanity as there exists within each person a innate perception of God. This issues forth into an argument for the existence of God based upon the common human experience that causes them to search for a transcendent reality that not only explains the origin of all things but also fills this emotional longing for the divine. John Calvin called this the “sense of the divine,” while others have referred to it by other names such as “the God-shaped void” or the “divine perception.”

Sentience the ability to feel or perceive subjectively.

Septuagint - a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible made in the 3rd and 2nd centuries bc to meet the needs of Greek-speaking Jews outside Palestine. The Septuagint contains some books not in the Hebrew canon.

Sepulchre - burial chamber

Simul Justus Et Peccator [sim’-uhl yoos’-tuhs et peck’-aw-tore] (Latin simul, “simultaneous” + Latin justus, “righteous” + Latin et, “and” + Latin peccator, “sinner”)At the same time righteous and a sinner. The phrase was coined by 16th century German Reformer, Martin Luther. In his Lectures on Romans, Luther put it this way, “The saints in being righteous are at the same time sinners; they are righteous because they believe in Christ whose righteousness covers them and is imputed to them, but they are sinners because they do not fulfill the Law and are not without sinful desires. They are like sick people in the care of a physician: they are really sick, but healthy only in hope and in so far as they begin to get better, or, rather: are being healed.”

Sinaiticism – Is the system and cultural art form predicated upon the laws which promulgated from Mount Sinai and relates to the ethics, teachings and principles that governed the biblical Yisraelites.

Sine qua non or conditio sine qua non -  (plural sine quibus non) was originally a Latin legal term for “(a condition) without which it could not be” or “but for…”. It refers to an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient.

Socinianism – Socinians held views rooted in rationality only and rejected orthodox teachings on the Trinity and on the divinity of Jesus, as summarised in the Racovian Catechism. They also believed that God’s omniscience was limited to what was a necessary truth in the future (what would definitely happen), and did not apply to what was a contingent truth (what might happen). They believed that, if God knew every possible future, human free will was impossible; and as such rejected the “hard” view of omniscience. They are to be differentiated from Arians, who believed in a preexistent Christ. The Socinians held that the Son of God did not exist until he was born a man.

Sola Ecclesia – Dual-source theory – Belief that Tradition, represented by the magisterial authority of the Roman Catholic Church, is infallible and equal to Scripture as a basis for doctrine; it is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice since it must define and interpret Scripture. (Roman Catholics)

sola gratia (grace alone) and for sola

Sola Scriptura – Belief that Scripture is the final and only infallible authority for the Christian in all matters of faith and practice. (Evangelicals, Reformers.)

Sola Scriptura – latin for only scripture.

Solipsism - (Latin: solus, alone + ipse, self) is the philosophical idea that “My mind is the only thing that I know exists.” Solipsism is an epistemological or metaphysical position that knowledge of anything outside the mind is unjustified. The external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist. In the history of philosophy, solipsism has served as a skeptical hypothesis.

Solo Scriptura – Belief that Scripture is the sole basis and authority in the life of the Christian. Tradition is useless and misleading, and creeds and confessions are the result of man-made traditions. (Fundamentalism, Restoration Churches)

Sophistry - a method of argumentation that seems clever but is actually flawed or dishonest

Source Criticism - as the term is used in biblical criticism, and its synonym literary criticism, refers to the attempt to establish the sources used by the author and/or redactor of the final text.

Sublapsarianism aka infralapsarianism – Mild Calvinism – single predestination – God predestines the elect to eternal life, and passively destines the non-elect by “passing over” them, choosing not to elect them, leaving them in their sins, destined to eternal punishment.

Supplication - a humble appeal to somebody who has the power to grant a request – the addressing of humble requests and prayers to somebody with the power to grant them

Supralapsarianism Double predestination – hyper-calvinsim – [soo’-pruh-lap-sair‘-ee-uh-niz’-um] – (Latin supra, “before” + Latin lapsus, “fall” = “before the fall”) Also, “antelapsarianism.” A system of belief among certain Calvinists believing in a theoretical plan of God that occurred before creation concerning his decree to save mankind. In the “supra” scheme, God first decreed who the elect and reprobate (non-elect) were, second he created both the elect and reprobate, third he decreed the fall as a means of damnation for the non-elect, and fourth he decreed the atonement as a means of salvation for the elect. In this order one can surmise that the damnation of the reprobate primarily came as a result of God’s reprobating (non-electing), and only secondarily through the fall. This is to be distinguished from other, more moderate forms of Calvinism such as infralapsarianism or sublapsarianism. Supralapsarianism is held by most proponents of double predestination.

Sycretism - the combination of different systems of philosophical or religious belief or practice

Syllogism - a formal deductive argument made up of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. All birds have feathers, penguins are birds, therefore penguins have feathers.” – reasoning from the general to the specific – an example of deductive reasoning – a subtle piece of reasoning, or one that seems true but is actually false or deceptive

Syncretism – Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contrary beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term may refer to attempts to merge and analogise several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, and thus assert an underlying unity allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.

Synoptic - constituting a general view of the whole of a subject – bible used to describe the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke that tell the story of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry from a similar point of view and are similar in structure

Systematic theology – final meaning of biblical teaching and contemporary relevance

Tabula rasa- (Latin: scraped tablet or clean slate) refers to the epistemological thesis that individual human beings are born with no innate or built-in mental content, in a word, “blank”, and that their entire resource of knowledge is built up gradually from their experiences and sensory perceptions of the outside world.

Talmud the Talmud (Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד)is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history.

Tenuous - not based on anything significant or substantial, and so liable to break down easily when challenged

Tergiversation – (tergiversant) to make deliberately unclear, ambiguous, or contradictory statements

Tetragrammaton [teh’-truh-gram‘-uh-tawn’] (Greek tetra-, “four” + Greek gramma, “letter”)Refers to the four Hebrew letters that make up the personal name of God (Yod-Hay-Vav-Hay, equivalent to English Y-H-W-H) as revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15. It is found nearly 7,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is often rendered, “I AM WHO I AM“ or ” I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE,“ and comes from the Hebrew verb which means “to be.” It is from these four letters that the name of God has been transliterated “Jehovah” or “Yahweh.” Through the years the Jewish people, to whom the name of God was first revealed, developed the tradition of not pronouncing the tetragrammaton out of their awe and respect for God, and in order to honor the commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Often pronounced in its place are “Adonai” or “HaShem.” When the tetragrammaton is translated in our English Bibles, it usually appears as “LORD.”

Textual criticism - Science of reconstructing the original text of the Scriptures based upon the available manuscript evidence.

Textus Receptus - [teks’-tus ree-sep’-tus] (Latin, “received text”) The name given to the edition of the Greek New Testament first published by Erasmus in the early sixteenth-century. The Textus Receptus, at the time of Erasmus, represented a small collection of Byzantine texts and, despite its name, is considered by most scholars today, conservative and liberal, to be representative of an inferior Greek text. This is the text that the translators of the 1611 King James Bible used. Most modern translations use an eclectic text such as the UBS4 or NA27.

Theanthropos – Theological name of Christ affirming that he is the “God-man”

Theism [thee’-iz-um] (Greek theos, “God”) Worldview that believes that an eternal God freely created all of existence (time, space, matter, celestial realms and bodies) out of nothing (ex nihilo) and that he continues to act within the creation in varying degrees. This is to be contrasted with atheism (the belief that there is no God), pantheism (the belief that all is God), polytheism (the belief in many gods), and deism (the belief that God does not interact with creation).

Theology - the study of religion, especially the Christian faith and God’s relation to the world

Theonomist - The term “Theonomy” has been used to describe various views which see the God revealed in the Bible as the sole source of human ethics – Since the mid 1970′s theonomy has been most often used in Protestant circles to specifically label the ethical perspective of Christian Reconstructionism, a perspective that claims to be a faithful revival of the historic Protestant view of the Old Testament law as espoused by many European Reformers and Puritans. Some in the modern Reformed churches are critical of this understanding, while other Calvinists affirm Theonomy. (antithesis to autonomy)

Theopneustos – god breathed – inspired

Thlipsis – squeeze – eg to squeeze grapes to get juice day to day trials (Thlipsis Megas – the great tribulation)

Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas, O.P. (also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino; c. 1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Catholic priest in the Dominican Order, a philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition,[1] known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Universalis and Doctor Communis. He was the foremost classical proponent of natural theology, and the father of the Thomistic school of philosophy and theology. Aquinas is held in the Catholic Church to be the model teacher for those studying for the priesthood (Code of Canon Law, Can. 252, §3). The works for which he is best-known are the Summa Theologica and the Summa Contra Gentiles. One of the 33 Doctors of the Church, he is considered by many Catholics to be the Catholic Church’s greatest theologian and philosopher. Consequently, many institutions of learning have been named after him.

Traducian Theory – (of the creation of the soul) Comes from the Latin tradux, meaning “inheritance, transmission.” This theory teaches that the soul is created in and with the body by the parents. While God is the ultimate creator of all things, he uses people intermediately or as secondary causes. Adherents: Tertullian, Luther, and Jonathan Edwards

Traducianist - the belief that a child inherits a soul as well as its bodily characteristics from its parents.

Transcendent - philosophy in Kant’s philosophical system, exceeding the limits of experience and therefore unknowable except hypothetically – philosophy above or outside all known categories – religion existing outside the material universe and so not limited by it.

Tribulum – beat wheat to separate chaff – also to beat carpet (tribulation) (thlipsis)

Trichotomy (dualism as opposed to Physicalism (naturalism or monism)) – body, soul and spirit

Variants – The different readings among the manuscripts are called variants. 300,000 copyist errors in the NT alone.  Worked out via textual criticism.

via negativa  – Negative theology – also known as the Via Negativa (Latin for “Negative Way”)