Chapter 1

Question 1

Apologetics

Answer 1

Providing a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian Faith.

Question 2

Biblical Theology

Answer 2

Gives special attention to the teachings of individual authors and sections of Scripture, and to the place of each teaching in the historical development of scripture.

Question 3

Christian Ethics

Answer 3

Any study that answers the question, “What does God require us to do and what attitudes does he require us to have today?” with regard to any situation?

Question 4

Contradiction

Answer 4

A set of two statements, one of which denies the other.

Question 5

Doctrine

Answer 5

What the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic.

Question 6

Dogmatic Theology

Answer 6

Another term for systematic theology. (Dogma is a synonym for doctrine but frequently refers to doctrines that have official church endorsement.)

Question 7

Historical Theology

Answer 7

A historical study of how Christians in different periods have understood various theological topics.

Question 8

Major Doctrine

Answer 8

A doctrine that has significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life.

Question 9

Minor Doctrine

Answer 9

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

Question 10

New Testament Theology

Answer 10

The study of the individual authors and sections of the New Testament, and of the place of each teaching in the historical development of the New Testament.

Question 11

Old Testament Theology

Answer 11

The study of the individual authors and sections of the Old Testament, and of the place of each teaching in the historical development of the Old Testament.

Question 12

Paradox

Answer 12

A seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true; an apparent but not real contradiction.

Question 13

Philosophical Theology

Answer 13

Studying theological topics largely without use of the Bible, but using the tools and methods of philosophical reasoning and what can be known about God from observing the universe.

Question 14

Presupposition

Answer 14

An assumption that forms the beginning point of any study.

Question 15

Systematic Theology

Answer 15

Any study that answers the question, “What does the whole Bible teach us today?” about any given topic.