Theological Terms and Definitions
43 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'justification' primarily refer to in a theological context?

  • The act of atonement
  • God declaring a penitent sinner righteous (correct)
  • The process of sanctification
  • The divine act of creation

What is the primary meaning of the Hebrew word 'qadash'?

  • Divine forgiveness
  • Holiness
  • Separated from common use (correct)
  • Sacrifice

What aspect does the Greek word 'hilasterion' primarily relate to?

  • Atonement/propitiation (correct)
  • A Christian virtue
  • The concept of sacrifice
  • The law of Moses

Which theory suggests that Jesus’ death serves as a substitute to repay humanity's debt to God?

<p>The Satisfaction Theory (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Moral Influence Theory view the impact of Jesus' death?

<p>As demonstrating God's love for humanity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of good doctrine on religious experience?

<p>It can have a positive effect on religious experience. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'atonement' signify in relation to sin?

<p>Forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does theology seek to accomplish?

<p>To create a logical organization of doctrines. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is traditionally seen as the source of the Ransom Theory?

<p>The early Church fathers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a presupposition in the context of theological study?

<p>A basic assumption that guides one’s analysis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'incarnation' mean in relation to Jesus?

<p>His embodiment as God in human form (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the doctrine of revelation?

<p>It focuses on God's self-revelation to humanity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Old Testament, faith is described primarily as:

<p>An expression of certainty and assurance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'theopneustos' refer to in the context of inspiration?

<p>God-breathed inspiration. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to dualism, what are the two ultimate principles?

<p>Light and darkness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of anthropology in theology primarily focus on?

<p>The doctrine of humanity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'hamartia' in relation to sin?

<p>Missing the mark (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of Original Sin imply about the human race?

<p>Every individual has become tainted with sin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What consequence did the Fall have on Adam's perception of his relationship with God?

<p>Fear of God due to their actions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a description of sin?

<p>Total submission to divine will (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'total depravity' suggest about humanity's condition?

<p>All aspects of humanity are corrupted by sin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does sin result in alienation from God?

<p>It establishes separation from a Holy God (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms is related to the concept of salvation in the Old Testament?

<p>Yasa (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'justification' fundamentally represent?

<p>A legal declaration of righteousness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these actions is NOT part of the experience of salvation?

<p>Pride in accomplishments (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the conscious act of disobeying God's law?

<p>Adikia (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of spiritism according to the content?

<p>The dead are truly dead and uncommunicable (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of sin reflects the tendency to treat others unjustly?

<p>Injustice (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term is equivalent to the Hebrew 'ruach' in the New Testament?

<p>Pneuma (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does monotheism state about the nature of God?

<p>There is only one God who rules over everything. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following attributes describes God's omniscience?

<p>God knows everything and is not ignorant of anything. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of polytheism?

<p>Worship of many gods. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hermeneutics' refer to?

<p>The task of interpreting the Bible. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does providence describe in relation to God?

<p>God's ongoing involvement and guidance in the world. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The belief in the Trinity describes God as appearing in which forms?

<p>Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Apocrypha' refer to?

<p>Books not considered part of the biblical canon by Protestants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Latin term 'Imago Dei' refers to what concept?

<p>The image of God in humanity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does dualism assert about human existence?

<p>The body and soul exist independently and are essentially different. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of God does 'transcendence' emphasize?

<p>God's existence beyond and above creation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the Hebrew words for sin, meaning 'rebellion'?

<p>Pesa (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the biblical account of creation, what does 'ex nihilo' mean?

<p>Creation out of nothing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the idea that humans are complex unities?

<p>Wholism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about deism is true?

<p>Deism views God as having created the world but not intervening afterward. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are doctrines?

Doctrines express the experiences of believers over time and shape one's spiritual experience by influencing their relationship with God.

What is a presupposition?

A presupposition is a fundamental assumption used when studying a topic. It's a starting point for your understanding.

What is theology?

Theology means "God's word" and involves examining and organizing religious beliefs in a clear, logical, and methodical way.

What is the doctrine of revelation?

This doctrine explores how God makes Himself known to humanity. It focuses on the sources, means, contents, and purpose of God's self-revelation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is inspiration (in theology)?

Inspiration refers to God's active involvement in the process of writing Scripture. It means "God-breathed", suggesting a divine influence on the authors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is monism?

Monism believes that all reality is one and divine. Everything real is a part of God, and salvation comes through self-realization.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What is dualism?

Dualism asserts that there are two ultimate principles in constant conflict, often symbolized by light and darkness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Monotheism

The belief in one God, where a single divine being rules over everything.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Polytheism

The belief in more than one God.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Deism

God created the world but doesn't intervene after that.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pantheism

God is the power sustaining all reality, not a separate being.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Theism

Belief that God has both transcendent (beyond the world) and immanent (within the world) qualities.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Providence

God's constant involvement, sustaining, guiding, and maintaining the world.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Doctrine of Trinity

God is one being existing as Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Pneumatology

The study of the Holy Spirit.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Canon

A body of sacred writings considered authoritative for a religious community.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Old Testament

Part of the Bible originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic, divided into Law, Prophets, and Writings.

Signup and view all the flashcards

New Testament

Part of the Bible originally written in Greek, containing 27 books mostly written by Apostles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Apocrypha

Books not considered part of the biblical Canon by Protestants.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hermeneutics

The task of interpreting the Bible.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Omnipotence

God is all-powerful, surpassing human understanding.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Omnipresence

God is not limited by space, present everywhere at all times.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Justification

The divine act by which God declares a repentant sinner righteous, making them right in God's eyes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sanctification

The process of being set apart for God's purpose, becoming holy and consecrated.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Jesus' Incarnation

The event when Jesus, who is God, took on a human body and lived on Earth.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Atonement

The act of reconciling with God by making amends for sin through sacrifice.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ransom Theory of Atonement

Jesus' death was a payment to rescue humans from the devil's power.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Satisfaction Theory of Atonement

Jesus' death paid the debt humanity owed to God, satisfying His justice.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moral Influence Theory of Atonement

Jesus' death reveals God's love and inspires humans to love God in return.

Signup and view all the flashcards

What are the three main theories of atonement?

The Ransom Theory, Satisfaction Theory, and Moral Influence Theory.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Adikia

A Greek word meaning 'wrongdoing,' 'unrighteousness,' or 'injustice.' It highlights sin as a deliberate human act.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hamartia

A Greek word meaning 'missing the mark.' It refers to sin as failing to reach God's standards.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Original Sin

The concept that all humans inherit sinfulness from Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Post-Fall Adam

The state of humanity after Adam and Eve's disobedience, marked by loss of innocence, fear of God, a marred image of God, and an animosity towards God and each other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Loss of Innocence

A consequence of the Fall, where humanity lost the state of being unaware of their nakedness and the shame associated with it.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fear of God

A consequence of the Fall, where humanity experienced fear and a broken relationship with God due to their disobedience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Loss of Imago Dei

The Fall resulted in a distorted image of God within humanity, affecting their relationship with God and each other.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Animosity

A consequence of the Fall, where humanity began to blame each other and God for their wrongdoing.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unbelief and Pride

Sin arises from doubting God and acting as if we are better than Him.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Disobedience

Sin is breaking God's laws and failing to obey His will.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rebellion

Sin is a deliberate act of defiance against God's authority and sovereignty.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ingratitude

Sin is a failure to appreciate and respond to God's grace and love.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Injustice

Sin manifests socially as mistreatment and unfairness towards others.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Theological Terms and Definitions

  • Doctrines: Express believers' experiences across ages and shape spiritual experience; beliefs about God affect relationships with God. Good doctrine positively impacts religious experience, while inadequate doctrine has a negative effect.

  • Presupposition: A fundamental assumption used in studying a topic.

  • Theology: Derived from Greek words "theos" (God) and "logos" (word), meaning "God's word." Also, the study of religious beliefs, methodically and logically.

  • Theological Topics: Include Revelation, God (Theology), Humanity (Anthropology), Salvation (Soteriology), the Church (Ecclesiology), Sin (Hamartology), and the Last Things (Eschatology).

  • Faith: In the Old Testament, faith means certainty and assurance, expressing conviction based on the reliability of beliefs, in the New Testament it has a relationship established by trust and trustworthiness.

  • Reason: Defined as a basis for belief, action, or event; justification or explanation of belief; mental abilities for conclusions, judgment, and inferences.

  • Revelation: God's self-revelation to humanity, where God initiates the process. It is an exploration of sources, means, content, and purpose of God's revelation.

  • Inspiration: From the Greek "theopneustos," meaning "God-breathed." (2 Tim 3:16)

  • Monism: Belief all reality is one, divine; salvation through self-realization.

  • Dualism: Two ultimate principles (light/darkness) in conflict; evil as powerful as good; no solution to suffering.

  • Monotheism: Belief in one God; early Israelites were Monotheists. A single divine being rules everything/everyone.

  • Polytheism: Belief in multiple gods.

  • Deism: God created the world but has no further involvement.

  • Pantheism: God is the power sustaining all reality but not separate from it; God reduced to a world function.

  • Theism: (Christianity's view) God is transcendent (above creation) and immanent (present in creation).

  • Providence: God's ongoing involvement, sustaining, guiding, and maintaining the world.

  • Trinity: Unifies God's revelation and identity; God appears as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Pneumatology: Study of the Holy Spirit.

  • Canon: (From Sumerian "reed") A body of sacred writings with highest authority for a religious community.

  • Old Testament: Written in Hebrew (some Aramaic) by ~30 people over ~1000 years; divided into Law, Prophets, and Writings; 39 books.

  • New Testament: Written in Koine Greek by ~8 people over 50-60 years; mainly Apostles and their associates; 27 books.

  • Apocrypha: Greek for "hidden" or "doubtful," books not considered part of the Protestant Bible Canon; ~15 documents from the last two centuries before Christ.

  • Septuagint & Vulgate: Greek and Latin translations of the Bible containing the Apocrypha

  • Hermeneutics: The art of interpreting the Bible.

Attributes of God

  • Non-Communicable Attributes: God's unique perfections:

  • Omnipotence: All-powerful, surpassing human imagination and logic.

  • Omnipresence: Present everywhere at all times.

  • Omniscience: All-knowing.

  • Immutability: Unchangeable.

  • Transcendence: Above creation.

  • Immanence: Present in creation.

  • Communicable Attributes: God's shared attributes: allow humans to become "godly."

Creation and Humanity

  • Creation: God's creation occurred via His Word (fiat), from nothing (ex nihilo). Some creation utilized existing matter.

  • Imago Dei: Latin for "image of God."

  • Humanity: Corporeal (physical), social, and sexual beings.

Sin

  • Sin's Origin: A mystery—we know who sinned, but how sin began remains unknown.
  • Descriptions of Sin: (OT and NT Hebrew/Greek words)
  • Missing the mark (hata, hamartia).
  • Rebellion (pesa).
  • Iniquity, guilt (awon).
  • Wrongdoing, unrighteousness (adikia).
  • Original Sin: All humans are sinners, tainted by Adam's sin (influences human nature, not biological inheritance).
  • Post-Fall Adam (and Humanity):
  • Loss of innocence, fear of God, marred Imago Dei, animosity, and susceptibility to death (innocent infirmities and sinful tendencies).
  • Characteristics of Sin: Unbelief, pride, disobedience, rebellion, ingratitude, injustice

Consequences of Sin

  • Condemnation: Sin alienates people from God, leading to death.
  • Corruption: Sin leads to decay and death.
  • Alienation: Sin separates humans from God.
  • Total Depravity: Human beings are incapable of saving themselves.
  • Slavery: Sin enslaves people.

Human Nature

  • Human Composition: Unity of body and breath of life (not body and soul).

  • Living Soul (OT/NT): Nephesh chayyah in OT and psychē in NT, encompassing all living creatures; not exclusively human.

  • Spirit (OT/NT): Ruach (OT) and Pneuma (NT) referring to vitality, emotions, courage, and aspects of personality; not separate from the body.

Spiritism

  • Spiritism: Belief in communicating with the dead; not possible if the dead are truly dead

Salvation

  • God as Savior: Humans are lost and incapable of saving themselves

  • Salvation Experience: Includes repentance, confession, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

  • Salvation Types: (Hebrew and Greek words) Yasa emphasizes deliverance, sodzo and soteria in NT emphasize deliverance from sin, death, and Satan.

Atonement

  • Atonement: Kippur/kapar (Hebrew) and hilasterion, hilaskomai/hilasmos (Greek) related to forgiveness, reconciliation, and sacrifice.
  • Atonemet Theories:
  • Ransom Theory: Christ's death as a ransom from the devil.
  • Satisfaction Theory: Christ's death satisfied God's honor and debt.
  • Moral Influence Theory: Christ's death portrays God's love, influencing human love.

Justification and Sanctification

  • Justification: (Greek dikaioma, dikaiosis) God declares a repentant sinner righteous; legal term.
  • Sanctification: (Hebrew qadash, Greek hagiasmos) Separation from common use, creating holiness/consecration

Jesus

  • Jesus' Incarnation: God in human flesh.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore key terms and definitions in theology, including doctrines, faith, and the study of religious beliefs. This quiz covers fundamental concepts that shape spiritual experience and theological understanding. Test your knowledge of essential theological topics and their significance in the faith journey.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser