A (no) gnosis (knowledge); A system of belief in which a person refuses to state knowledge about what can neither be proven nor disproven. Modernists were often agnostics because they refused to interact with religion on the grounds that religion was irrelevant to the true needs of man, since it was based on opinions rather than on facts.

Atheism

A system of belief that states unequivocally that there is no god. My heart never turned toward atheism, though at times I did wonder if God loved me.

Atonement

The understanding that God provided a way to deal with sin, which had broken God’s relationship with people—that way being Jesus’ death, which then brought people back into relationship with God. Many Christian songs have to do with thanksgiving for God’s atonement for sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christology

“Christ” = “the anointed one,” which here for Christians refers to Jesus being God. Christology looks at 2 things: 1) Who Jesus is, and, 2) What Jesus accomplished by becoming a man (particularly, how important Jesus’ act was to humankind). We were required to consider Christology as we read the gospels, carefully noting what each writer stated about Jesus’ actions as both Son of Man and Son of God.

Creation

Christian theology views that all that exists, except for God, as having come from God, but is also distinct from God; God is both involved in creation (immanent) as well as being separate from it (transcendent). All that is included in this creation is seen as being both physical (what can be seen) and spiritual (such as angels and demons). Many hymns note that all of Creation joins in song over the redemption of all that is created through the shed blood of Christ.

Doctrine of God

Doctrine is defined as a way that a theology present a brief understanding of what Scripture teaches about a particular theological topic; that which has to do with God is doctrine that examines and tries to explain some aspect of God. Placher notes that many philosophers have tried to develop a doctrine of God, which is actually discovered repeatedly to be impossible to do; instead, one must begin with faith, and then move into who God is.

Dual Natures Doctrine

A foundational teaching of the ancient fathers regarding the truth that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. Many groups through the ages up to the current time have either denied Christ’s human nature or his divine nature, not being able to comprehend how God can also be man, and from that lack of comprehension (which truly is universal), fail to accept the mystery of the truth and thus call it a lie.

Economic Trinity

The concept of how the Trinity expresses themselves/self-in-relation in the world, which may lead into individuals thinking about how the Trinity relates to each other (as in immanent Trinity).

Theological study of end times/end of a life. There are 3 kinds: 1) consistent (thorough-going)—Jesus/apostles most interested in telling people about end being near; 2) realized—1rst time Jesus came, he brought the full presence of the kingdom of God; and 3) inaugurated—1^st coming of Christ was the beginning of the kingdom; the fulfillment of kingdom is still to come.

Imago Dei

A term used to describe the uniqueness of humans as being created in the image of God/likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27); most theologians see this “image” as having not so much to do with physical likeness and more to do with presence of will, emotions and reason; as well as with the ability to think and act creatively, and the ability to interact socially with others.

Orthodoxy

“Right belief,” especially according to Scripture.

Panentheism

The belief that God’s being includes and permeates the entire universe—all exists in God.

Pantheism

Greek for God and the universe are one, are identical.

Perichoresis

Understanding that God’s nature is shared among the Trinity in such a way that each person of the Trinity remains a separate entity.

Pluralism

The understanding, in theology, that there are many ways to know and express the truth r.e. God, that there are many ways to “salvation.”

Pneumatology

The branch of Christian theological study and discussion having to do with the Holy Spirit.

Prolegomena

The material by which the author(s) introduce(s) the work of systematic theology—talking about the nature and task of theology.

Propitiation

An offering that turns away God’s wrath toward sin—God provides the offering via Jesus’ sacrifice.

Reconciliation

A change in relationship between God and humankind by which humankind’s hostility and enmity toward God are transformed by Christ’s take the cost/that which was wrong upon himself; no one but Christ is able to perform this task.

Redemption

The process of Christ buying back sinful humanity through the “payment” of his death.

Resurrection

The understanding that Jesus Christ, being raised from the dead, is the promise that all who acknowledge that Christ is Lord shall likewise be raised from the dead and be renewed both morally and physically with spiritual bodies that will live eternally.

Sanctification

To be set apart as holy—1) made holy through Christ, and 2) continually brought into holiness through cooperation with the Holy Spirit (living within each person) until they come to be completely like Christ.

Soteriology

The study of salvation: how God brings about the ability of creation, especially human kind, to “enjoy the divine purpose for existence.” People look at election, calling, regeneration, faith, repentance, conversion, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Teleological Argument

A way to argue for the existence of God, based on seeing that God is the purposeful mind behind the structured order of the universe.

Transcendence

The attribute of God that has to do with God being totally and distinctly separate from God’s creation, though thoroughly involved with creation.

Theology

A religious belief system about God or ultimate reality.

Theological Anthropology

The study of humankind through a theological perspective, thus having to do with how people relate with God, and God with people, and how people interface within a moral universe structured by God.

Transgression

An act or thought that goes against a law, command, or duty--to go violate limits that were set in order to care for oneself and one's relations with Creator and creation.

Tritheism

The belief in 3 different Gods: Father, Son, and Spirit, rather than one God with 3 different persons