Thursday, 28 March 2024, 3:56 PM
Site: Birmingham Theological Seminary
Course: Making Biblical Decisions (Making Biblical Decisions)
Glossary: Glossary for Lessons 1-8
A

Abrogate

To repeal or do away with a law or agreement.

Absolute

 

When used in reference to God's authority, it means He has complete and total freedom over all creation.

Adiaphora

Term used by some theologians to refer to things that are morally indifferent.

Amoral

Not subject to ethical evaluation

Angels

Good spirits that minister to man on behalf of God.

Aquinas

Medieval theologian who believed that general revelation and existential revelation were sufficient to communicate many moral principles, and that the Scriptures supplemented those teachings.

Arianism

Doctrine taught in the fourth century AD that denied the Trinity.

Athanasius

Theologian of the fourth century AD who affirmed the Trinity and refuted Arianism.
B

Bereans

People who are praised in the Book of Acts for examining the Scriptures to see if the words of Paul were true.
C

Ceremonial Law

Aspect of the law that gives instructions for worship and the sacrificial system.

Civil Law

Aspect of the law that gives principles for governing society.

Civil Use

Use of the law to restrain sin in society.

Commonality

When speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the similar traits that bind certain people groups together.

Community

When speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the way people interact with each other.

Creation Ordinance

A command revealed through God's first acts of creation when He made the heavens and the earth.

Cultural Mandate

God's command that humans expand his kingdom to the ends of the earth through the development of human culture.
D

Darkness

Figured used by John in Scripture to indicate sin.

Demons

Fallen evil spirits that tempt man.
E

Ethics

Dr. Frame defines it for Christians as theology viewed as a means of determining which human persons, acts and attitudes receive God's blessing and which do not.

Euthanasia

The practice of deliberately intervening to terminate someone's life in order to relieve their suffering.

Exclusive

When used in reference to God's authority, it means that only God possesses this kind of authority.

Exhaustive

When used in reference to God's authority, it means that His authority extends over every detail of creation.

Existential Perspective

Ethical perspective that considers the person, the motives, and the inner leading of the Holy Spirit.

Existential Revelation

Revelation through persons
G

General Revelation

Revelation through creation and history

Great Commission

Christ's appointment of the eleven faithful apostles as his authoritative representatives, and his charge to them to spread the kingdom of God throughout the whole world.
H

Hyperbole

The use of exaggeration to make a point.
I

Image

Term used in theology to express the fact that man is made to be similar to God, but not equal. Man is God's representative on earth.

Immutable

Unchanging. The term is used in theology to explain that God does not change in His attributes.
L

Light

Figure used by John in Scripture to indicate righteousness.
M

Machiavelli

Sixteenth century author who wrote The Prince. Known for arguing that "the end justifies the means."

Metaphor

A figure of speech in which a word or phrase represents something else.

Moral Law

Aspect of the law that gives general ethical principles, often identified with the Ten Commandments.
N

Natural

The realm of created existence in which we live.

Nature

When referring to man, it is his fundamental character.

Nicea

City where Church council was held in 325 AD, in which they affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity and refuted Arianism.

Normative Perspective

Ethical perspective that considers the standards as given in God's Word.

Normative Use

Use of the law to show Christians how to live a more ethical life.
O

Open Theism

Modern school of theology that teaches that God's sovereignty is limited. They believe that humans must have ultimate control over their lives; otherwise, God has no right to hold us responsible.

P

Pedagogical Use

Use of the law to expose sin and drive an unbeliever to Christ.

Perspicuity

In theology, this is another term for clarity, used in reference to the Scriptures.

Preternatural

The realm of existence that is beyond or beside nature. It includes invisible spirits such as angels and demons.
R

Reciprocal

Term used to describe a relationship in which two things affect each other mutually.
S

Sarcasm

The use of language contrary to its literal meaning in order to criticize or taunt.

Simplicity

Term used by theologians to explain that God's attributes are interconnected and united. God is not a composite of parts, like a piece of jewelry composed of many gems.

Sirmium

City where Church council was held in 357 AD, in which they affirmed Arianism

Situational Perspective

Ethical perspective that considers the problem itself, the goals, and the consequences.

Solidarity

When speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the way God deals with people as a united body.

Sovereignty

Term used in theology to explain that God has complete authority over all creation and that He is in complete control of everything.

Special Revelation

Revelation that transcends the normal workings of creation

Supernatural

Realm of existence of God and His works. This realm is above nature.

Surrogate

Representative or substitute. Used in theology to express the concept that man is the image of God.
T

Teleological

Related to the purpose of something. Another name give by Dr. Frame to the "situational" perspective.

Theology

Dr. Frame defines it as the application of the Word of God to all of life.
W

Will

When speaking of man, this is his personal faculty for deciding, choosing, desiring, hoping and intending.