Biblical Ethics Vocabulary 1

Question 1

agnosticism

Answer 1

The belief that one cannot, or at least does not, know reality, or especially, God.

Question 2

apologetics

Answer 2

Literally, “defense”; in philosophy, the discipline of rationally justifying one’s beliefs.

Question 3

atheism

Answer 3

The worldview which claims that no God exists; the universe is all there is.

Question 4

Brahman

Answer 4

In Hinduism, it denotes the principal and ultimate reality which is identical with all that is.

Question 5

Christian Science

Answer 5

A modern pantheistic cult founded by Mary Baker Eddy; denies the reality of sin, sickness, and death and denies the unique deity of Jesus Christ.

Question 6

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

Answer 6

The name of the religious cult founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr; denies biblical authority and doctrine, espousing polytheism.

Question 7

deism

Answer 7

The belief that God created the world and is transcendent; denies that God is immanent in the world, especially in any supernatural way.

Question 8

emanation

Answer 8

In pantheism, the flowing of the universe necessarily from God.

Question 9

humanism

Answer 9

The belief that man is the highest value in the universe.

Question 10

immanent

Answer 10

God’s indwelling or God’s presence within the universe.

Question 11

naturalism

Answer 11

The belief that the universe is all there is; everything operates by natural law (without miracles).

Question 12

nirvana

Answer 12

Literally, “cessation” or “extinction”; the ultimate state that transcends suffering, karma, and reincarnation which is sought in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness

Question 13

panentheism

Answer 13

The worldview which claims the God is greater than the universe and that the universe is contained within God. God is to the world as a soul is to a body.

Question 14

pantheism

Answer 14

The worldview which denies God’s transcendence and identifies God with His immense in the universe.

Question 15

polytheism

Answer 15

The belief in many gods.

Question 16

theism

Answer 16

The worldview that affirms the existence of a personal, infinite Creator of the world, who is immanent in the world, unlimited in power and in love.

Question 17

transcendent

Answer 17

That which is more than our experience or goes beyond the world. Theist say God is transcendent because He is outside of or beyond nature.

Question 18

yin/yang

Answer 18

Buddhist concept of the ultimate unity of all things, especially opposites, such as light and dark, good and evil.

Question 19

pluralism

Answer 19

The metaphysical view that reality is man.

Question 20

monism or monolithic

Answer 20

The metaphysical view that all reality is one.

Question 21

metaphysics

Answer 21

The study of reality

Question 22

dualism

Answer 22

The worldview which teaches the existence of two ultimate realities (such as spirit and physical)

Question 23

corresponding theory of truth

Answer 23

A definition for truth as that which is systematically consistent.

Question 24

cosmological argument

Answer 24

Everything that is the changing world (cosmos) attributed to the existence of God.