theology

Yahweh

Hebrew name of God used in the Bible, regarded by Jews, too sacred to be spoken

Functional View (imageo Dei)

People reflect image of God by what they do, not who they are

Omnipresent

Present everywhere at the same time

Jesus Seminar

a long-term study of the historical reliability of Scripture

Elohim

name for God frequently used in Hebrew Bible

Estates and Offices of Jesus

ascent and descent that characterize works of Jesus being humbled and exalted; works of Jesus in regard to how he prophetically revealed God's will (mediator, king, priest)

Karl Barth

asserted that God initiates and fulfills divine self disclosure without human effort

Traducianism

asserts that the soul is transmitted from parents to their children, soul and body propagated by parents rather than solely created by God

Ebionism

belief concerning the person of Christ that Jesus was not divine in essence but merely a human being on whom the Holy Spirit descended at his baptism

Theism

belief in one God/creator of the universe sustaining a personal relation with his creatures

Deism

belief that God created the world and left it and everyone in it to live according to natural laws and potentialities

Ex nihilo

belief that God has brought all being out of/from nothing

Satisfaction motif

belief that Jesus brought about salvation by offering himself in death as a substitute for the person being saved, the unrighteousness of a person is exchanged for the righteousness of Jesus

Victor motif

belief that Jesus' death brought about salvation by means of its dramatic victory over sin, death and demonic bondage

Moral influence motif

belief that Jesus' death brought salvation by setting an example of obedience to his heavenly father

Inspiration of Scripture

belief that Scripture is "God-breathed" or "inspired" by God (2 Tim 3:16) that God specifically communicates with us through the words that have been preserved in the Bible

Martin Luther

challenged authority of the Roman Catholic Church, pope and magisterium in favor of the primacy of scriptural authority

Thomas Aquinas (imageo Dei)

combined theological principles of faith with principles of reason

Aquinas (righteousness)

considered righteousness a gift given to people after their creation, can be lost or distorted by sin

Redaction criticism

critical method for the study of biblical texts, regards the author of the text as editor of the source materials

Deconstructionism

denies that language has transcendental meaning

Francis Schüssler Fiorenza

describes theology more of expression of hope than of science

Ecumenism

desire and promotion of unity and cooperation among Christians

Schleiermacher on the Holy Spirit

dismissed belief in the Trinity, thinking such view were incompatible with reason and experience, instead considered references to the Holy Spirit to be general references to the spiritual presence and work of God

Dualism

division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasting aspects, state of being divided

Plenary inspiration

doctrine in Christian theology that the authors/editors of the Bible were led or influenced by God with the result that their writing may be designated in some sense the word of God

Manichaeism

dualistic religious system with Christian, Gnostic and pagan elements founded in Persia in the 3rd century by Manes, system based on a supposed primeval conflict between light and darkness, spread widely in Roman Empire and Asia

Incarnation

embodiment in flesh, specifically the belief that Jesus, while remaining fully divine, became at the same time fully human

George Fox

emphasized present and active work of the Holy Spirit through "inner light" says existed in everyone and was God in everyone

Schleiermacher

emphasizes the moral example and influence of Jesus, resist teaching about original sin because believed it distracted people from their God-given potential to grow into conformity with the likeness of Jesus

Augustine of Hippo

most widely known and respected theologian in church history, impacted development of Western philosophy, historiography and literature. Argued we have knowledge of sense experience, which is adequate for living in a world that is temporal and changing

Praxis

the practical and social application of Christian theology or theory

Original sin

the primal sin of Adam which has consequences for the entire human race

Textual Cricitism

the process of attempting to ascertain the original wording of a text

Special Revelation

the revelation of God and His will that is uniquely given by God, especially through Scripture

Search for the Historical Jesus

the rise of historical and critical interpretations of the Bible

Baptism of the Spirit

the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurered at Pentecost; some hold that it continues to occur in believers subsequent to conversion as evidenced gifts of the Spirit

Mariology

the study of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her importance for Christian beliefs, values and practices

Anthropology

the study of people

Demythologization

the task of interpreting the Bible according to the existential relevance of its religious/mythical significance rather than historically

Human soul (Hebrew perspective)

the unifying description of people who are living bodies

Docetism

the view concerning the person of Christ that Jesus was exclusively divine and merely appeared to be human

Progressive Revelation

the view that God gradually reveals aspects of God's divine nature as we;; as God's covenant relationship with people, especially in Scripture, with later revelation being built on earlier revelation

Annihilationism

ultimate end of those who reject God, extinction of being

Theistic evolution

view of divine creation that holds evolutionary process is the means by which God's creative purposes are fulfilled

Progressive Creationism

view of divine creation which holds that within the course of evolutionary development, God periodically steps in and creates entirely new life forms

Trichotomy

view of human nature distinguishes between a body, soul and spirit, to help enrich our understanding and actions in relationship to ourselves, others and God

Dichotomy

view of human nature that distinguishes primarily between a body and soul. Self-understanding, personal growth and holy living

Moral Governance

view that Jesus' death for sin was a statement regarding the seriousness of sin rather than a penal sacrifice, that God provides salvation by executive clemency rather than by demanding legal satisfaction

Infallibility

view that Scripture neither misleads nor is misled, especially in fulfilling the purposes for which God intended it be written

Young earth creationism

view that earth was created no more than thousand of years ago based on a biblical chronology and a literal, 24 hour interpretations of the days of Gen 1

Inerrancy

view that the Bible is unerringly truthful, that it has no error including its statements about history, geography and science

Intelligent Design

view that the world, especially biological, too complex to be explained without an intelligent designer, that evolution of living organisms by random mutations aloe is mathematically implausible

Relational view (imageo Dei)

view that's what's most important about people is God created them to be in relationship with one another

Council of Chalcedon

where the doctrine of incarnation received formal definition, creed described Jesus as being truly God and truly man

Søren Kierkegaard

wrestled with concept of God's transcendence, did not think it was possible to comprehend the essence of God

Augustine (on Trinity)

wrote Latin book to discuss the Trinity in context of the logos, placed by him in his retractions among the works written

Albert Schweitzer

wrote the Quest of the Historical Jesus, argued that the historical kernels interpreters found in the Bible revealed more about their modern biases than about conclusive historical investigation

Human soul

the life principle of people

Monism

View that all reality is ultimately one, all things come from God

Paraclete

Greek for advocate (H.S) idea to being called to the side of people, intimate and ever present

Sitz im Leben

"setting in life," analyzing the situation in which the Words of Scripture were spoken, remembered, written and arranged by the author of a book of the Bible

Charismatic Movement

A Pentecostal renewal movement influencing a wide variety of churches and denominations in the mid-20th century that emphasized the expression of the whole complement of spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues

Cappadocians

(Fathers), three Cappadocian's, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus

Arius

(priest) influential heresy denying the divinity of Christ, saying he was created by the Father, therefore neither coeternal or consubstantial

Postmodernism

A contemporary worldview that debunks traditional accounts of reality, considers truth to be culturally relative, emphasizes need to compare a host of perspectives

Human soul (Greek perspective)

A disembodied spiritual entity serving to animate and direct the body, immortal with ability to transmigrate or reincarnate

Liberation theology

20th century theological movement emphasizing the need to confront social, political, and economic injustices to bring about physical and spiritual liberation

Montanism

2nd century theology of Montanus, an apocalyptic teacher who emphasized ecstatic utterances, visions and trances

Pentecost (biblical event)

3,000 people converted and devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship

Athenasius

A Christian theologian, church father, chief defender of Trinitarianism against Aranism, noted Egyptian leader of the 4th century

Netorianism

A Christological doctrine that emphasizes the distinction between human and divine natures of the divine person, Jesus. Advanced by Nestorius

Adonai

A Hebrew name for God

Pietism

A renewal movement within 17th century German Luteranism that emphasized the importance of religious experience in salvation and the need to live devout lives

Gifts of the Spirit

A special quality and ability given supernaturally by the Holy Spirit that enables the believer to minister to others and build up the church, including prophecy, miracles, speaking in tongues, teaching, evangelism and serving

Modernism

A worldview that emerged during the Enlightenment in the West; emphasizes individualism, confidence in reason, objective truth and claims of universal truth based upon past authorities, including the church and Scripture

Avery Dulles

Catholic cardinal and theologian developed models of revelation, to help Christians grasp various ways of Gods revelation

Deposit of Faith

Catholic notion of the sum of revelation and tradition embodying the earliest statements of Christian beliefs, values, and practices; passed from apostles to bishops to creeds

Omnipotent

All powerful

Omniscient

All-knowing

Thomas Oden

American United Methodist theologian and religious author, father of the paleo-orthodox movement, most influential theologian in 20/21st century

Immanuel Kant

An 18th Century German philosopher whose work initiated changes in the fields of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics and teleology

Telos

An ultimate object/aim

Source criticism

Analysis and study of the sources used by biblical authors

Gustavo Gutiérrez

Catholic priest, thought Christianity should be more proactive in dealing with the social, political, and economic struggles of the poor

Cappadocians (on Jesus' reconciliation/atonement)

Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa and Gregory of Nazianzus; theme of Jesus as victor

Modalism

Belief that God is a single person who appears in various personages or modes but never ceases to be one

Christocentric

Christ-centered theology that focuses on Jesus Christ as the preeminent revelation of God

Grammatical Criticism

Christian hermeneutic method that strives to discover the biblical authors original intended meaning in the text, distinguishes between the one original meaning of the text and its significance

Immutability

Constant, unchanging

Dennis Bennet

Episcopal priest, spoke in tongues yet remained within their respective denominations

Nicene Creed

First ecumenical summary of Christian beliefs, initially drafted at the Council of Nicaea

Dialectical Presence

Form of reasoning in which conclusions become apparent from the tension between divergent viewpoints; can occur through dialogue, synthesis or paradoxically by the grace of God

Pneuma

Greek for Spirit

John Calvin

French theologian and reformer in Switcherland, leader in the Protestant Reformation, agreed with preeminent authority of the Bible and argued for it's sole authority in matters of Christian beliefs, values and practices

Peter Abelard

French theologian during Middle Ages, rejected the pessimistic views of human nature held by Catholics, thought people possess the potential and responsibility for their own salvation and no original sin destroyed the image of God in people

Jurgen Moltmann (on Trinity)

German reformed theologian who is a professor of Systematic theology, known for developing a form of social trinitarianism

Wolfhart Pannenberg

German theologian, made number of significant contributions to modern theology, concept of history as form of revelation centered on Resurrection

Friedrich Schleiermacher

German theologian, philosopher and biblical scholar known for his attempt to reconcile the criticisms of the Enlightenment with traditional Protestant Christianity

Governance motif

God executes clemency to overcome sin and misery the people experience

Immanence

God's presence and nearness in relation to humans

Transcendence

God's surpassing otherness exceeding the ability of finite humans to comprehend and articulate

Sanctification

God's work of bringing believers into greater conformity with the likeness of God, progressively enabling and empowering them to act in ways that reflect God's love, holiness, righteousness and justice

Kenosis

Jesus emptying himself of his divine rights and privileges so that he might live genuinely as a human being

Filoque

Latin for "and the Son" or "and from the Son"

Imageo Dei

Latin for image of God

A priori

Latin term related to reasoning, analytic

Neo

Orthodoxy-20th century theological position that rejected liberal Protestantism and advocated a dialectical approach to the Bible in which Scripture is thought to reveal not propositional truth so much as it enables us to encounter God in a personal and intimate way

Quakers

Renewal movement of 16th century England that emphasized the importance of the inner light of the Holy Spirit, known as Quakers due to the quaking/shaking phenomena experienced by adherents

A posteriori

Resoning based on facts rather than assumptions, synthetic

David Hume

Scottish philosopher, historian, economist and essayist know especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism, conceived of philosophy as the inductive, experimental science of human nature

Canon

Standard by which ancient writings were identified as sacred writings; the accepted body of scriptural writings (Greek=rule/measuring rod)

Tetragrammaton

The Hebrew name of God in 4 letters

Theology

The systematic study of God and God's relationship with the world

Emanationism

Understanding of the relationship between the One God and the many- the world.

Paul Tillich

Univted States theologian (born in Germany), against Hitler, theology and christianity answer "ultimate questions"

Cur Deus Homo

Why God became human

Athenasius

a Christian theologian, church father, chief defender of trinitarianism against Arianism, noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century

Atonement/reconciliation

a sacrifice that brings about reconciliation between God and people, Jesus' death on the cross

Asceticism

a way to tame the body, but denied goodness of our physical lives

Egalitarian

affirm equality of men and women, both in image of God and and share equal rights, privileges and responsibilities

Form criticism

analysis of the Bible by tracing the history of its content of parables, psalms and other literary forms

Calvin on reconciliation (in contrast to Ansel)

appeases God's wrath (instead of honor) emphasizing divine justice required a substitute for the penalty God exacted upon sinful humanity

Irenaeus (on Jesus' reconciliation/atonement)

argue that Jesus is victorious over that which holds people in bondage

Rudolph Bultman

argued that debates over historical minutiae were endless and misleading, believed the Christian faith should be clearly distinguished from historical issues; read stories, and symbols of Bible essentially rather than historically

Ontological argument

argument for God's existence based purely on rational idea of perfection rather than empirical evidence

Teleological Argument

argument for God's existence based upon the evidence of order and design found in the empirical world

Philip Jacob Spener

experienced God very personally and inwardly; he preached, taught and organized small devotional groups in order to promote heartfelt religion

Ruach

feminine noun normally translated as breath, wind or spirit

Council of Nicea

first ecumenical council of the Christian church, called by the emperor Constantine

John Wesley

founded Methodism with an emphasize on evangelism, social concern and holy living, and spiritual accountability

René Descartes

founder of the Enlightenment, method of reasoning called Cartesianism "I think, therefore I am" doubted traditional/religious knowledge

Charismata

gifts of grace given by the Holy Spirit

Old Earth Creationism

harmonization of biblical account of creation with scientific account of evolution that views earth as billions of years old

Sovereignty

having supreme power/authority, status, dominion, position, royalty

Origin of humanity (perspectives)

humanity came into existence with creation of Adam and Eve, or progressive/evolutionary fashion

Individualism (roots)

in Enlightenment and Reformation, great emphasis on individuals relationship with God apart from the community of the church, personhood from individual independent from outside influence and authority

Human attributes

in the likeness/image of God (physical, rational, spiritual, moral and social)

John Wesley

influenced by Pietism in the emergence of Methodist revivals in England, experience along with church tradition and reason=proper interpretation of the Bible

Apolphatic

language that refers to God negatively or by denial (how God differs from humans)

Desiderius Erasmus

promoted scholarship which emphasized the study of Greek and Roman classics including the Bible

Jesus as Prophet, Priest, King

made provisions by which people live abundant lives based on truth not lies; intermediaries, fulfilled prophesies, tore the veil

Via Negativa

negative way of speaking about God that emphasizes God is dissimilar to human beings

Indefectibility

not subject to failure or decay, lasting, free of fault, flawless

Ransom

obtain the release of a prisoner by making a payment demanded

Origen

of Alexandria/Adamantius, an early Christian scholar, ascetic and theologian, most influential figures in early Christian theology, apologetics and asceticism

Homoousios

of same substance

William J. Seymour

oversaw the "Azusa Street Revival" which inspired Pentecostal beliefs and practices around the world

Patriarchalism

part of the created order, priority of men over women in their various relationships

Structural View (imageo Dei)

particular human attributes=likeness to God,psychological, rational and spiritual

Kerygma

preaching or teaching of Scripture which God may be revealed to us (for salvation)

Hermeneutical circle

process of interpreting one's own cultural context and religious biases as one interprets the Bible and vice versa, awareness of the degree to which both the interpreter and material interpreted influence the interpretive process

Nicene Creed (concerning the Holy Spirit)

provides insight to person and works of the Holy Spirit: 1.Christians believed in the HS 2. The H.S is personal 3. H.S represents presence and power of God in our lives 4. H.S proceeded from Father and Son reflected not created 5. H.S is to be worshipped and glorified 6. H.S spoke by the prophets

Anselm of Canterbury

question that intrigued Anselm is why did God become human? Wrote Cur Deus Homo

Anselm of Canterbury

relied primarily upon Scripture and other written authorities as basis of belief, cultivated knowledge available through rational thought

James Cone

representative of those who argue that God calls for an end to racial discrimination

General Revelation

revelation/knowledge of God and His will that is available to all people at all times and places, especially through God's creation

Deuterocanonical

sacred books or literary works forming a second canon

Pelagius (righteousness)

said people do not possess original righteousness, only possess freedom

Apostles' Creed (concerning the Holy Spirit)

says virtually nothing about the Holy Spirit except for the fact that there is a Holy Spirit

Salvation history

seeks to understand the personal redemptive activity of God within human history to affect his eternal saving intentions

Mystery

something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain

Immortality of the soul

soul is immune to death

Julian of Norwich

spoke of Christ as Mother, talked about God in terms of Father, Mother, spouse, brother and Savior

Anselm of Canterbury on reconciliation

spoke of Jesus as having satisfied the honor of God which had been offended by the sins of people, divine satisfaction through His sacrifice

Adoptionism

subordinationist view of Jesus, considering Him inferior to God because Jesus was a human adopted by God the Father

Gregory of Nazianzus

talked about the gender of God and God was beyond gender differentiation

Demythologization

task of interpreting the Bible according to the existential relevance of its religious or mythical significance rather than historically

Magisterium

teahcing authority of church leaders, especially Roman Catholic popes, cardinals and bishops

Parousia

the Christian teaching regarding the return or final coming of Jesus in the end times

Sola Scriptura

the Reformation tenet that the Bible is the sole authority for establishing Christian beliefs, values, and practices

Unitarianism

the antitritarian belief that God is one in essence as well as in personality

Ascension

the ascent of Christ into Heaven on the 40th day after the Resurrection

Panentheism

the belief/doctrine that God is greater than the universe and extends beyond time and space

Resurrection

the bodily raising of people from the dead, specifically Jesus rising from the dead

Apologetics

the defense or justification of belief in God and Christianity from Greek

Tritheism

the doctrine that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three distinct Gods

Hermeneutics

theological study of methods of biblical interpretation

Christology

theological study of the person and work of Jesus Christ

Geschichte

theologically interpreted history

Thomas Aquinas

thought human knowledge was derived from evidence found in the world, observations complementary to Christian faith

Augustine (righteousness)

thought people were created with righteousness as part of original human nature

Irenaeus (righteousness)

thought people were created with the potential for good and evil, so were morally neutral