Biblical and Theological Terms

Question 1

Define Theology.

Answer 1

Reasoned Discourse About God.

Question 2

Define Doctrine.

Answer 2

A belief or teaching regarding theological themes; that is, a tenet regarding the nature of God and his works.

Question 3

Define Core (Major) Doctrine.

Answer 3

One that has a significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life. Among these Scripture describes as “of first importance”.

Question 4

Define Secondary (Minor) Doctrine.

Answer 4

One that has very little impact on how we think about other doctrines, and very little impact on how we live the Christian life.”

Question 5

Define Adiaphora.

Answer 5

Matters of indifference; matters considered non-essential to the Christian faith. (Neither commanded nor forbidden in themselves by God)

Question 6

Define Presupposition.

Answer 6

Assumptions that are brought to the process of thought or reasoning; they are sometimes unexamined. They are the result of our “pre-understandings”, that is our prior life experiences and thoughts.

Question 7

Define Exegesis.

Answer 7

Literally, “to draw out”. The obtaining of the meaning of a passage by drawing the meaning out from, rather than reading into, the text.

Question 8

Define Eisegesis.

Answer 8

Literally, “to draw in”. The practice of reading meaning into the text.

Question 9

Define Grammatical Historical Exegesis.

Answer 9

An approach to the text-particularly the Biblical text-which emphasizes that in orderer the meaning of a passages to be understood aright, it must be explained in light of its grammar, syntax, and historical setting.

Question 10

Define Authorial Intent.

Answer 10

The meaning that the author of a written or spoken word intended to convey.

Question 11

Define Self-Attesting.

Answer 11

The self-authenticating nature of the Bible by which it convinces us that its words are God’s words.

Question 12

Define Canon.

Answer 12

The list of all books that belong in the Bible. The term derives from the Hebrew and Greek terms that came to stand for “reed, measuring rod; standard of measure.”

Question 13

Define Apocrypha.

Answer 13

Originally meant in Greek, hidden or mysterious. The collection of books included in the canon of Scripture by the Roman Catholic Church but not included in the canon by Protestants.

Question 14

Define Revelation.

Answer 14

The making known of what is unknown; the unveiling of what is veiled.

Question 15

Define Natural Revelation.

Answer 15

God’s gracious self-disclose of His existence and certain attributes (such as his eternal power and divine nature). The locus of this self-disclosure is the created order.

Question 16

Define General Revelation.

Answer 16

Another designation for natural revelation. The emphasis falls on the revelation being available to all persons at all times, particularly through the physical universe, history, and the makeup of human nature. (We are part of the revelation not merely observers.)

Question 17

Define Special Revelation.

Answer 17

God’s words addressed to specific people, including the words of the Bible.

Question 18

Define Propositional Revelation.

Answer 18

The view that God has communication to humanity factual, meaningful, an substantial truth; albeit not exhaustive truth.

Question 19

Define Inerrancy.

Answer 19

The view that the Bible is completely truthful in all that it teaches, but that not all of its allusions need to be regarded as assertions. Where Scripture addresses matters related to the created order (science) or history, it is a true, accurate, and reliable gracious revelation from God.

Question 20

Define Infallibility.

Answer 20

The view that the Bible is unfailing in its purpose. More specifically, the Bible is true in its theological or salvific references, but not in references to matters of history or science.

Question 21

Define Hermeneutics.

Answer 21

The art and science of Biblical interpretation.

Question 22

Define Inspiration.

Answer 22

The classical English term to communicate that the words of Scripture are spoken by God. As a result of the change in the sense of this English term, the designation “God-breathed” now more accurately captures the original meaning of the term inspiration in this context.

Question 23

Define the Authority of Scripture.

Answer 23

The words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that they are binding on the beliefs and practices of human beings.

Question 24

Define Verbal, Plenary Inspiration.

Answer 24

The Holy Spirit so guided the writers of Scripture that even their choice of words conformed to God’s intention, and this extends to “all Scripture” not just certain portions.

Question 25

Define Plain Meaning.

Answer 25

The hermeneutical principle that the simplest or most obvious meaning of Scripture is typically the correct meaning.