Essential Theological Concepts that undergird Christian Morality

(concept) God =

love

(concept) God is ...

love

trinity

orthodox Christian theological position on the "nature of God"; Expressed as Father, Son, Holy Spirit/God, Jesus, Holy Spirit/Creator, Redeemer, Will; Not a biblical term; Concept evolved between the end of the 1st c CE and 2nd c CE; Formally establish by 3rd c CE by Tertullian; codified for teaching via Nicene Creed (325 CE; 4th C CE)

Incarnation

"to become flesh" (latin); God's indwelling in Mary (the Mother of God) thus constituting in the mystery of God becoming human (Jesus Christ); Jesus Christ being fully human and fully divine; purpose of incarnation = so humanity can be redeemed, meaning brought back into alignment with original grace.

sin

Both: 1-the condition of being alienated from God (original sin); 2-specific acts that violate the will of God

Original Grace/Holiness

State of blessedness and perfection associated with "Adam and Eve" before the disobeyed; rooted in Genesis 2:4b ff creation story

Decalogue

Ten Commandments; Two main versions in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (Ex. 20; Deut. 5)

Original Sin

The fallen state of human nature into which all generations of people are born; established in the 4th-5th c CE by Augustine of Hippo;

hereditary sin, generational sin

sin passed down to future generations; Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:9

theology

study of God, god