Thursday, 28 March 2024, 3:57 PM
Site: Birmingham Theological Seminary
Course: Kingdom, Covenants and Canon of the Old Testament (Kingdom, Covenants and Canon of the OT)
Glossary: Glossary for Lessons 1-4

Canon

In theology, it means authoritative standard.

Synchronic

Occurring at the same point in time

Diachronic

Occurring across a period of time

Mechanical

Term used to describe a false view of the inspiration of the Bible. It would mean, as some people believe incorrectly, that the Holy Spirit used the authors of Scripture simply as passive conduits of information.

Organic

Term used to describe the kind of inspiration used to compose the Bible. It means that the Holy Spirit employed the personalities, experiences, and intentions of the human authors to communicate His truth.

Accommodate

Term used to explain how an infinite God speaks to us in finite terms. He must adapt His communication so that we can understand it.

Romantic

Term used to describe an erroneous view of biblical inspiration. It would mean, as some people believe incorrectly, simply that the Holy Spirit motivated the biblical writers to say lofty religious things.

Segmented

Term used to describe one of the tendencies that people exhibit when comparing the OT to the NT and making epochal adjustments. This tendency stresses the differences between the OT era and our own day. If the NT does not mention it, we do not need to apply it.

Flattened

Term used to describe one of the tendencies that people exhibit when comparing the OT to the NT and making epochal adjustments. This tendency focuses on the continuity between the OT and the NT. If the NT does not mention a change, we should follow the OT as closely as possible.

Developmental

Term used to describe one of the tendencies that people exhibit when comparing the OT to the NT and making epochal adjustments. This tendency looks at both the continuity and the changes between the OT and the NT. The whole OT is relevant, but must be applied in the light of the NT.

Eden

Name of garden meaning "pleasant"

Shem

Son of Noah chosen to continue the family line

Jacob

Isaac’s son who continued the line of descent and became the familial head of the twelve tribes of Israel

Aaron

Brother of Moses. His family was selected to serve in the specialized office of priest.

Zuzerain

The more powerful party of a covenant, the one to whom it was necessary to submit

Vassal

The weaker party of a covenant, the one who had to submit to the suzerein

Covenant

In the Bible, this is an agreement between God and His people, in which God makes certain promises and establishes certain requirements.

Adam

The one with whom God made a universal "covenant of foundations"

Noah

The one with whom God made a universal "covenant of stability"

Abraham

The one with whom God made a national "covenant of promise"

Moses

The one with whom God made a national "covenant of law"

David

The one with whom God made a national "covenant of kingship"