Sunday, 19 May 2024, 3:06 PM
Site: Birmingham Theological Seminary
Course: Making Biblical Decisions (Making Biblical Decisions)
Glossary: Glossary for Lessons 1-9
Richard Ramsay
Abrogate To repeal or do away with a law or agreement. |
AbsoluteWhen 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. |
Bereans People who are praised in the Book of Acts for examining the Scriptures to see if the words of Paul were true. |
Ceremonial LawAspect 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. |
Common Grace God's kindness to those who will never be saved |
CommonalityWhen speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the similar traits that bind certain people groups together.
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CommunityWhen speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the way people interact with each other. |
Creation OrdinanceA 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. |
Darkness Figured used by John in Scripture to indicate sin. |
Demons Fallen evil spirits that tempt man. |
EthicsDr. 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. |
EuthanasiaThe practice of deliberately intervening to terminate someone's life in order to relieve their suffering. |
ExclusiveWhen used in reference to God's authority, it means that only God possesses this kind of authority. |
ExhaustiveWhen 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 |
General Revelation Revelation through creation and history |
Great CommissionChrist'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. |
HeartIn its biblical use, it is the sum of all our inward dispositions. |
HopeFaith directed toward the future aspects of our salvation in Christ |
Hyperbole The use of exaggeration to make a point. |
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. |
Light Figure used by John in Scripture to indicate righteousness. |
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. |
Motive There are two senses of the term: 1) a purpose or goal for an action, or 2) an inward cause of an action. As a cause, it is an inward disposition that moves us to action. |
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. |
Open TheismModern 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. |
Pedagogical UseUse 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. |
Reciprocal Term used to describe a relationship in which two things affect each other mutually. |
Repentance Rejection of sin and turning away from it |
SarcasmThe use of language contrary to its literal meaning in order to criticize or taunt. |
Saving Faith Assent to the truth of the gospel, and trust in Christ to save us from our sin |
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 PerspectiveEthical perspective that considers the problem itself, the goals, and the consequences. |
SolidarityWhen speaking of the unity of humanity, this refers to the way God deals with people as a united body. |
SovereigntyTerm 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 |
SupernaturalRealm 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. |
Teleological Related to the purpose of something. Another name give by Dr. Frame to the "situational" perspective. |
TheologyDr. Frame defines it as the application of the Word of God to all of life. |
VirtuePraiseworthy moral character |
WillWhen speaking of man, this is his personal faculty for deciding, choosing, desiring, hoping and intending. |