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A Layman's Reference Guide to Selected |
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Theological "-ism"s, "-ology"s, "-tion"s
and Other Terms |
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by Randy Smith |
A B C D E F G H I-J K-L M N O P-Q R S T U-Z
Title Page Acknowledgments Bibliography Scripture Index
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Also known as Reformed faith. Calvinism is based upon the theological writings and teachings of John Calvin (1509-1564), a central figure of the Reformation and a contemporary of Martin Luther. Calvinism holds that the entire process of salvation (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation. Though named for John Calvin, Calvinism arose after his death, during the Synod of Dort in the Netherlands in 1618. The Synod of Dort was called to settle the issue of whether salvation was a combined work of God and man, as espoused by Arminianism, or whether salvation was solely from God, as taught by Calvin. The "five points of Calvinism" were in rebuttal to the "five points of Arminianism." The "Five Points" of Calvinism are known as the "TULIP," for the first letter of each point. The TULIP is: 1. Total Depravity of Man - because of the Fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. 2. Unconditional Election - God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. Thus God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation. 3. Limited Atonement - Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. 4. Irresistible (Efficacious) Grace - the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. 5. Perseverance of the Saints - all who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. (Boettner, p.433-436) The word canon is used to describe the inspired books. The word comes from the Greek kanon and means "a rule, standard, or measuring rod." The canon of Scripture is the measuring rod of the Christian faith, and it is complete. (MacArthur, Charismatic Chaos p.94) A subdivision of Bibliology, canonicity is the study of the divine inspiration of biblical writings. Roman Catholicism teaches that the Catholic church was established by Christ through Peter as the first visible head. In addition the Catholic church teaches that the Pope is Christ's representative on earth and pronounces anathema (condemnation) on anyone who disputes their view. Roman Catholicism is generally referred to as semi-Pelagian in its theological stance. Pelagius taught that each person was born with a free will and the ability to choose good as well as evil. He rejected the notion that man's will had been affected by the fall of Adam. Although Roman Catholicism differs from Pelagianism, it does acknowledge the cooperation of the human will with God's grace in salvation. The Roman Catholic has seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, holy communion, confession, holy orders, matrimony, and anointing of the sick. The sacraments are viewed as an extension of the redeeming acts of Christ. The sacraments represent a genuine rejection of the true grace of God and salvation by grace. Salvation in Roman Catholic theology is not by grace through faith but a complex adherence to the sacraments and rituals as legislated by the church hierarchy. Mary, the mother of Christ, is (contrary to the Bible) elevated within the Roman Catholic church as mediatrix of grace and the co-redemptrix of Christ. The Roman Catholic church has invented the concept of purgatory. They describe purgatory as a place where Christians go when they die. The purpose of purgatory is for believers to suffer for their sins. The amount of time spent suffering for these sins can be shortened through prayers and good works of friends and family still alive. (Enns, p.527-539) A Charismatic is a professing Christian whose theology is built around the belief that the apostolic spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues, prophecy and miraculous healing are still available to believers today. The Charismatic Movement is characterized as being experiential, with its members over-emphasizing and aggressively pursuing ecstatic experiences, mystical phenomena, miraculous powers and supernatural wonders while tending to under-emphasize hermeneutical Bible study (see Hermeneutics) and teaching of the Word. (MacArthur, Charismatic Chaos, p.157) From the Hebrew kerub, cherubim are the highest order in the angelic realm. The cherubim are the class of angels that are closest in position to God. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant is covered by two golden cherubim whose wings are outstretched over it. The angel Lucifer, who is now known as Satan, was created as a cherub and occupied the position closest to God before he fell. see Satan A literary style whereby elements or thoughts in Scripture are repeated, but in reverse order. This A-B-B-A style uses parallels, but reverses the order of the parallel verses when they are repeated. (Zuck, p.138) The improper fixation only on Christ in theology. The Christocentrist adopts an imbalanced focus on the second person of the Trinity while giving little regard to the Father and the Holy Spirit. (Sarles, Christology, p.3-6) The study of the doctrine of Christ. Christology includes but is not limited to: 1) the study of the direct proof of Christ's deity and eternality; 2) prophecies of Christ's lineage, His birth, His life, His death, His victory and His reign; 3) the incarnation of Christ; 4) the humanity of Christ; 5) the deity of Christ; 6) the earthly life of Christ; 7) the temptation of Christ; 8) the offices of Christ. (Enns, p.215-239)
Christophany - see Theophany Generally there are three types of governing bodies in the church. These are Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational. The Episcopal church derives its name from the Greek word episkopos, meaning "overseer" and later translated "bishop" in the King James Bible. In the Episcopal church(s) the leadership rests with the bishop who oversees a group of churches. The bishop has the authority to ordain ministers or priests. Examples include the Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Orthodox churches. The Presbyterian church derives its name from the Greek word presbuteros, meaning "elder." The Presbyterian church is governed by elders who are appointed or elected by the people. Each local church appoints or elects a representative elder who sits with other Presbyterian ruling elders in a "district" which is a part of the larger "presbytery" which is part of the ruling "synod" which governs the entire body. Examples include the Presbyterian and Reformed churches. The Congregational church is typically a single church, not under the control of a governing body, apart from the local church leadership. Two things are unique about the Congregational church. It is autonomous and it is democratic. It is autonomous because it answers to no higher earthly governing body. It is democratic because all the members of the church have a voice in decisions regarding the church. Deacons and Elders are elected by the body to guide and govern. Examples include Congregational, Baptist, Evangelical Free, and Bible Churches. (Enns, p.357) The general blessing of God to all mankind without discrimination of man's spiritual condition. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. - Matt. 5:45 Biblically the term is used in two ways. First, it is used of men pronouncing judgment on other men (Deut. 25:1). Second, and more frequently, it is used of God pronouncing judgment on reprobate men. This is taught throughout the Bible in such passages as John 3:19, 5:24 and Romans 8:1. (Harrison, p.134) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Rom 8:1 From the Greek word homologeo, meaning "to speak the same thing" or "to agree with." The concept of confession is to accept or admit one's guilt. However, confession is not the same as repentance. The person who confesses his sin admits to it, while the repentant sinner turns away from his sin. Congregationalism - see Church Government From the Hebrew words haram and qades and its Greek equivalents, hagiazo and teleioo. To consecrate means "to dedicate or set apart to God." (Harrison, p.137) Consubstantiation - see Lord's Supper The proper response to sin, contrition is sorrow for sin because the sinner knows his sin is displeasing to God. Contrition leads to true repentance. A person repents of sin for two reasons: 1) fear of punishment; 2) because he has offended God. The second reason is the attitude of true contrition, while the first is simply fear of God's wrath for one's sin. (Ibid., p.138) The Greek word elegcho, meaning to "reprove, tell or rebuke," is used in the New Testament to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in lifting the veil of satanic blindness from men's eyes, enabling them to see themselves in God's sight - guilty, defiled and totally unable to save themselves. (Ibid., p.140) From the Greek word kosmos, meaning "world," cosmology is the systematic study of the universe and all its components, both living and nonliving. (Charlie Yates, lecture, CBC, 1999) Concerning the origin of the universe, there are two views. The biblical view, revealed in Genesis 1:1, testifies that the creation of the entire universe was the supernatural work of God. In contrast, the humanist view holds to the "big bang" theory that the universe was formed by some unexplained cosmic explosion. Concerning the origin of life on earth, there are two views. The biblical view, revealed in Genesis 1:2-2:25, testifies that all living things on the earth were created and placed on earth by God. In contrast, the humanist view holds to the myth of evolution, which says that life on earth evolved over a period of millions of years from a primordial pool of basic cells into the diverse and complicated life forms that exist on the earth today. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. A bilateral (conditional) covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment (e.g., Mosaic). A unilateral (unconditional) covenant, although an agreement between two parties, is binding only on the party making the covenant (e.g., Abrahamic, Davidic, New). (Enns, p.632) A mutation of the Reformation movement of the late 1500's, developed by Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669). Covenant Theology is based upon the theological writings of Reformers such as John Calvin. Covenant Theology involves two primary features: the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. Though having no scriptural basis, according to covenant theologians, God entered into a covenant with Adam prior to the Fall. In this covenant God promised eternal life for obedience to Him and death if he disobeyed. After the Fall, God entered into another covenant with Adam; the covenant of grace whereby all who would believe in Jesus Christ would receive eternal salvation. (Ibid., pp.461,503,632) The three major tenets of covenant theology are: 1) the "church" consists of God's redeemed people of all ages, not just those in the present age between the Day of Pentecost and the Rapture; 2) The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants are fulfilled in the present age; 3) the purpose of God's program is soteriological, that is, for the purpose of bringing people to salvation. (Zuck, p.239) The doctrine of the supernatural origin of the universe by the creative power of God. The creation is recorded explicitly in Genesis 1:1-2:25, but is referred to in numerous other Old and New Testament Scriptures. The essential tenet of creation is that God created all the universe out of nothing. Before God proposed to create, there was no matter or material in existence from which He used to "assemble" the universe. (Harrison, p.146) Anthropologically, this view holds that "the soul of each individual is created by the immediate agency of God Himself and is therefore not generated by the parents." Creationism holds that the soul of each individual is placed within the body at a certain stage of development. The exact time of this placement is unknown. The anthropological creationism is in opposition to Traducianism, which sees both the body and soul as being passed along from generation to generation. (Sarles, Anthropology, p.1-7) From the Latin credo, meaning "I believe," a creed signifies a confession of faith or doctrinal belief in something. An example would be the Apostle's Creed, which is a doctrinal statement of faith. (Harrison, p.147) The claim of belief in a doctrinal creed without the evidence or practice of the creed in one's life. In essence, it is confession of a creed or doctrine without the practice of that creed or doctrine. It is hypocrisy. What began as a scholarly endeavor to examine the Scripture was transformed into a platform for liberal scholars to question the authenticity of various aspects of Scripture. Criticism is divided into several categories. Lower Criticism concerns itself with the study of the languages used in the Biblical text; the Hebrew and Aramaic in the Old Testament and the Greek in the New Testament. Higher Criticism is a term used to refer to the investigation of such topics as authorship, time of writing, literary structure and contents. Higher criticism did not emerge until the 1800's. Unfortunately, when it did emerge, the biblical scholars involved sought to impose their personal biases and philosophies to disprove and discredit biblical doctrines. For this reason, higher criticism has become synonymous with attempts to disprove the inerrancy, infallibility, and divine superintending of Scripture. Within higher criticism exist several divisions. Source criticism originated in Germany in 1835 with the attempt to discredit the Gospel of Mark as simply a combination of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Form criticism, based upon the works of Dibelius and Bultmann, seeks to discredit the Gospels by questioning their historical accuracy and the supernatural events recorded in them. Literary criticism seeks to discredit the literary authenticity and authorship of Scripture. A group of people polarized around someone's interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ. Examples of cults: Roman Catholicism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism. The Apostle Paul warns of cults in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. (McDowell, A Ready Defense, p.332)
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