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THEOLOGY
Revelation: God making himself known to humanity rather than remaining hidden (Ch.2) General Revelation: God making Himself known through creation, history, and human conscience so that all people have knowledge of Him (Ch.2) Special Revelation: God making Himself known specifically through Scripture and ultimately through Jesus Christ (Ch.2) Inerrancy: The doctrine that the Bible is completely true in all it affirms because it is God’s revelation (Ch.2) Truth: That which corresponds to reality and accurately reflects the way things actually are (Ch.2) Knowledge: Justified true belief; believing what is true with adequate reasons (Ch.2) Biblical Authority: The Bible’s right to command belief and behavior because it is God’s revealed Word (Ch.3) Inspiration: God superintending the human authors of Scripture so that its message is truly his Word (Ch.3) Trinity: The doctrine that the one true God eternally exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in nature yet distinct (Ch.4) Salvation: God rescuing sinners by His grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection so they may be forgiven and restored to Him (Ch.4) Grace: God’s undeserved favor toward sinners, expressed throughout Scripture and fulfilled in Christ (Ch.4) Resurrection: Jesus physically rising from the dead, proving His divinity and validating the Christian faith (Ch.6) Omnipotent: God is all-powerful, able to do anything consistent with His nature (Ch.8) Omnipresent: God is present everywhere at all times (Ch.8) Sin Nature: Humanity’s natural inclination to rebel against God as a result of the Fall (Ch.8) Covenant: A binding relational commitment in which God promises to redeem and be in relationship with His people (Ch.16) Body of Christ: The biblical image describing the church as one body made of many members (Ch.17) Atonement: Christ taking the penalty of sin upon Himself through His sacrificial death to satisfy God’s justice (Ch.16) Redemption: God purchasing sinners’ freedom from sin’s bondage through Christ’s sacrifice (Ch.16) Hospitality: Creating a safe, welcoming space where others can be spiritually supported and challenged (Ch.17) Accountability: Christian community practice of helping one another remain faithful and repentant (Ch.17) |
PHILOSOPHY
Worldview: The framework through which a person interprets reality, truth, morality, and purpose (Ch.1) Meaning Question: The question of life’s purpose and truth (Ch.1) Identity Question: The question of what it means to be human (Ch.1) Epistemology: The study of what knowledge is and how we know truth (Ch.2) Correspondence Theory of Truth: The view that something is true if it matches reality (Ch.2) Scientism: The belief that all real knowledge comes only from science (Ch.2) Relativism: The belief that truth is relative to individuals or cultures rather than universal (Ch.2) Postmodernism: A philosophical movement rejecting universal truth claims and emphasizing subjective interpretation and cultural influence Relativism: The belief that truth is not absolute but depends on individual or cultural perspective (Ch.2 / 13) Metanarrative: An overarching story explaining the meaning of the world; the Bible presents itself as the true story of all reality (Ch.5 / 18) Tolerance: Respecting and enduring differing beliefs while not necessarily agreeing with them (Ch.13) Materialism: The worldview that reality is only physical matter with no spiritual dimension (Ch.15) Naturalism: The worldview that reality consists only of physical matter without God (Ch.15) Intrinsic Personhood: The belief that human value is based on being made in God’s image rather than ability or function (Ch.15) Moral Formation: The shaping of character toward consistent ethical behavior (Ch.17) Cosmic Force: A spiritual worldview concept describing an impersonal universal energy or spiritual power rather than a personal God Theism: The belief that a personal, intelligent God exists and actively rules over creation Atheism: The belief that God does not exist Epistemology: The branch of philosophy studying knowledge—what truth is and how we know it Doubt: A crisis of trust in God often resulting from emotional, intellectual, or moral struggle (Ch.17) Skepticism: A philosophical position that questions or suspends belief regarding claims of truth, knowledge, or certainty Perfect-Being Theology: The theological approach that defines God as the greatest conceivable being, possessing every perfect attribute |
HEBREW
Shalom (שלום): Hebrew word for peace meaning wholeness, harmony, flourishing, and right relationship with God and others (Ch.7) Elohim (אלוהים): Hebrew title for God emphasizing Him as Creator and powerful ruler of the universe (Ch.8) Yahweh (יהוה): God’s personal covenant name meaning “I Am Who I Am,” revealing Him as relational Redeemer (Ch.8) Imago Dei (צֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים): The doctrine that humans are created in the image of God and possess dignity, purpose, and value (Ch.8) Ebed: Hebrew word often translated “slave” or “servant,” meaning dependence or service rather than property ownership (Ch.16) Zera’ (Seed): Hebrew collective noun meaning offspring, used in Genesis 3:15 to point to both many descendants and a future individual redeemer (Ch.19) Adonai (אדוני): Hebrew title meaning “Lord,” expressing God’s authority and rule Yeshua (ישוע): Hebrew/Aramaic name meaning “Yahweh saves,” referring to Jesus Ruach (רוח): Hebrew word meaning “spirit,” “breath,” or “wind,” often referring to the Spirit of God Kadosh (קדוש): Hebrew term meaning “holy,” set apart, sacred Hesed (חסד): Hebrew word meaning loyal, covenantal love, steadfast mercy, and lovingkindness Messiah (משיח): Hebrew term meaning “Anointed One,” referring to God’s promised king and deliverer Sheol (שְׁאוֹל): Hebrew word describing the realm of the dead or the grave Immanuel (עמנואל): Hebrew name meaning “God with us” |
GREEK
Agape (ἀγάπη): Deep, self-giving, sacrificial love that reflects God’s character and is central to Christian life (Ch.17) Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία): Greek word meaning “assembly” or “church,” referring to the gathered people of God (Ch.17) Porneia: Greek term including all forms of sexual immorality (Ch.17) Akatharsia: Greek term meaning impurity, filth, and perversion (Ch.17) Eudaimonia: Greek philosophical term meaning human flourishing or living the good life (Ch.17) Charis (χάρις): Greek word for “grace,” referring to God’s undeserved favor Dunamis (δύναμις): Greek word meaning “power” or “mighty strength,” often describing God’s power at work Perisseuo (περισσεύω): Greek verb meaning “to abound,” “overflow,” or “be more than enough” Daimonizomai (δαιμονίζομαι): Greek term meaning “to be demon-influenced” or “possessed” Koinonia (κοινωνία): Greek word meaning fellowship, shared participation, deep relational connection within the church Logos (λόγος): Greek term meaning “Word,” used in John to describe Jesus as the divine self-expression and revelation of God Apostolos (ἀπόστολος): Greek word meaning “one sent,” referring to Christ-commissioned messengers Pneuma Hagion (πνεῦμα ἅγιον): Greek phrase meaning “Holy Spirit” Euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον): Greek word meaning “good news” or “gospel” |
BIBLE STUDY
Translations: Versions of the Bible rendered into another language from original manuscripts Types of Bible Studies: Various structured approaches to studying Scripture (such as devotional, inductive, thematic, and exegetical methods) Canon: The recognized collection of inspired biblical books (Ch.3) Lost Gospels: Writings rejected by the early church because they contradicted authentic apostolic teaching (Ch.3) Gnosticism: Early heresy teaching that the material world is evil and salvation comes through secret knowledge only (Ch.3) Prophecy: God’s revealed message, sometimes predicting future events Narrative: Biblical writing that records historical events descriptively rather than prescribing commands (Ch.7) Literary Context: The surrounding text that clarifies meaning (Ch.7) Historical Context: The cultural, political, and historical background shaping a passage (Ch.7) Content: The meaning of the words, grammar, and subject matter of Scripture (Ch.7) Commentary: A scholarly resource explaining Scripture’s background, meaning, and interpretation (Ch.7) Hermeneutics: The principles used to interpret Scripture correctly (Ch.7) Exegesis: Interpreting a biblical text by drawing out its intended meaning (Ch.7) Eisegesis: Reading personal bias into Scripture rather than drawing meaning out (Ch.7) Genre: The type of biblical literature being read, which helps determine interpretation (Ch.7) Interlinear: A study tool presenting original biblical text with a direct word-by-word translation beneath it Cross-Reference: A tool connecting related verses or themes across Scripture Textual Variant: A difference found between ancient manuscript copies of Scripture Lexicon: A scholarly dictionary explaining biblical words in their original languages Theological Dictionary: A reference work explaining the historical and theological meaning of biblical terms Textus Receptus: A historical collection of Greek New Testament manuscripts foundational to early English translations Dead Sea Scrolls: Ancient Hebrew manuscripts discovered near Qumran that significantly confirm Old Testament textual accuracy |