Unit 1 Flashcards
Apologetics
the discipline that seeks to provide a defense of the truthfulness of the Christian faith for the purpose of convincing unbelievers.
Anthropology
the study of man
Bibliology
the study of the Bible
Christocentrism
placing Jesus Christ as the central or dominant theme of Christian theology
Christology
the study of Christ
Covenant
the act of God in freely establishing a mutually binding relationship with humankind; an unchangeable, divinely imposed legal agreement between God and man that stipulates the conditions of their relationship
Doctrine
what the whole Bible teaches us today about some particular topic
Dogma
another term for ‘doctrine’. This word is often used to refer more specifically to doctrines that have official church endorsement
Ecclesiology
the study of the nature and function of the church
Ecumenical
the attempt to seek a worldwide unity and cooperation among all churches that confess Jesus Christ as Lord
Eschatology
the study of ‘last things’ or of future events
Evangelical
being characterized by a concern for the essential core of the Christian message, which proclaims the possibility of salvation through the person and work of Jesus Christ
Exegesis
the process of interpreting a text of Scripture
Hamartiology
the study of sin
Heresy
any teaching rejected by the Christian community as contrary to Scripture and orthodox doctrine. Most of the teachings that have been declared heretical have to do with either the nature of God or the person of Jesus Christ
Major Doctrine (Essential Doctrine)
a doctrine that has a significant impact on our thinking about other doctrines, or that has a significant impact on how we live the Christian life
Minor Doctrine (Peripheral Doctrine)
a doctrine that has very little impact on how we think about other doctrines, and that has very impact on how we live the Christian life
Pneumatology
the study of the Holy Spirit
Soteriology
the study of salvation
Syncretism
the attempt to combine differing or opposite doctrines and practices that results in a new system altogether in which the fundamental structure and tenets of each have been changed. Syncretism of the gospel occurs when its essential character is confused with the elements from the culture.
Theology
the study of God
