Saturday, 18 May 2024, 6:21 PM
Site: Birmingham Theological Seminary
Course: The Apostles' Creed (The Apostles' Creed)
Glossary: Glossary for Lessons 1-4

Sola Scriptura

Latin phrase meaning "Scripture alone," one of the basic principles of the Reformation

Catholic

Term which originally meant "universal," and was used in the Apostles' Creed to describe the Church as including all believers from all places and  throughout all of history. The term later came to be used in reference to the Roman Church as an organization, but this was not the original meaning as it was used in the creed.

Gnosticism

Early heresy from the first centuries after Christ. Among other things, they believed that material things were evil, including the human body, which was a prison of the human soul. They consequently believed that God would never take on the form of human flesh, and therefore denied that Jesus was both God and man.

Nicene Creed

Creed written by a council held in the city of the same name, in 325 A.D. This creed was basically an expansion of the Apostles' Creed.

Singularity

When used in theology in reference to God, it means that He is the only true God.

Monotheism

Belief in one true God

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods

Atheism

Belief that there is no God

Henotheism

Belief in the existence of many gods, but offering special dedication on one primary god

Undifferentiated monad

Term used to describe the belief that god is absolutely one, with no distinction between persons