Essential Biblical & Theological Concepts Defined
Key Biblical and Theological Definitions
- The Devil: From Hebrew, Satanus, meaning “the enemy.”
- Stewardship: The principle that the Kingdom is given to those who do not glorify themselves.
- Anawim: God’s poor; the humble and marginalized.
- Miracles: Powerful signs of God’s Kingdom performed by Jesus.
- Dynameis: (Greek) “Power-action” or a powerful event.
- Physical Healings: Jesus’ power freeing people from sickness and the enemy.
- Exorcisms: The act of liberating a person from the power of the devil.
- Reincarnation: False religious teachings that hold people to be reborn.
- High Christology: An emphasis on Jesus’ divinity.
- Logos: (Greek) “Word,” referring to God’s action.
- Johannine Irony: John’s repetitive use of the same word or phrase to create deeper meaning.
- Docetism: A heresy asserting that Jesus had no human body and only appeared on the cross.
- Paraclete: (Greek) “Advocate” or “helper,” a name for the Holy Spirit.
- Philia: Brotherly affection or friendship.
- Agape: Sacrificial love that gives entirely of itself without expecting a return.
- Missionaries: Those “sent” to share the Good News of Christ’s love.
- Sanhedrin: The 71-member supreme judicial body of the Jews.
- Pontius Pilate: Roman Governor, representing the actual ruler, Caesar.
- False Prophets: People who claim to speak in the name of God without being inspired by Him.
- Blasphemy: Any thought, word, or act that expresses contempt for God or a holy item.
- Beloved Disciple: A term understood to refer to John the Evangelist.
- INRI: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (Latin for “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”), inscribed on Jesus’ cross as His “crime.”
- Parousia: The second coming of Christ.
- Maranatha: (Aramaic) “O Lord, come!”
- Transcendentals: Goodness, Beauty, and Truth, fundamental properties of being.
- Yahweh: (Hebrew) “I am who I am”; the Great I Am.
- Sin: A four-fold separation from God, others, self, and creation.
- Vocation: When God calls a person into a priestly, prophetic, or kingly role.
- Analogy of Being: Objectively, all similarities between creature and Creator.
- Communicatio Idiomatum: (Latin) “Communication of properties,” meaning whatever Jesus does, He does as both God and Man.
Short Answer Questions
1. List and Define the Four Modes of Exegesis.
- Literal: Meaning what the text literally says.
- Allegorical: Reading from a different point of view, seeking deeper symbolic meaning.
- Moral: Living the word; how the text instructs us to act.
- Anagogical: Leading us to heaven; how the text points to our ultimate destiny.
2. List the Five Books of the Torah.
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
3. List the Seven Covenants and Their Recipients.
- Adamic Covenant: Adam and Eve (Creation)
- Protoevangelium: The promise of a redeemer (often associated with Genesis 3:15).
- Noahic Covenant: Noah and his family (Flood)
- Abrahamic Covenant: Abraham (Patriarchs)
- Mosaic Covenant: Moses (Exodus and Law)
- Davidic Covenant: David (Davidic promise)
- (Seventh covenant not provided in original text)
4. What is the Meaning Behind the Numbers 3, 7, and 40 in the Bible?
- 3: Revelation, divine completeness.
- 7: Completeness, perfection, promise.
- 40: Purification, testing, preparation.
5. List the Four-Fold Separation That Occurs in Original Sin.
- Separation from God
- Separation from others
- Separation from self
- Separation from creation
6. Name the Two Gentile Cultures That the Post-Exilic Jews Had to Deal With. Which One Was From the East and West?
(Answer not provided in original text)
7. List and Define the Three Great Mysteries of Christianity.
- The Incarnation: God becoming human in Jesus Christ.
- The Paschal Mystery: Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.
- The Trinity: One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.