Theology II – Modules 1-4 Core Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, concepts, heresies, and doctrinal views from Theology II Modules 1-4 to aid exam review.

Biblical Theology

Study of God’s unfolding story from creation and fall to redemption and new creation, tracing themes through Scripture’s historical progression.

Doctrine

A concise summary of biblical teaching on a single theme (e.g., Trinity, Christ, church, last things).

Exegesis

Objective, analytical study of biblical passages in their historical and literary contexts to draw out the original meaning.

Great Commission

Jesus’s command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations.

Historical Theology

Study of how the church has understood and taught Scripture throughout history.

Practical Theology

Explores how theological truths apply to the lives of believers and the church, shaping belief and practice.

Systematic Theology

Integrates conclusions of exegesis, biblical theology, and historical theology to present interrelated doctrines as a coherent whole.

Spiritual Disciplines

Habits (e.g., Bible reading, prayer, worship) fostering spiritual maturity through self-controlled devotion to God’s Word.

Theological Method

Process for forming systematic theology that integrates Scripture (paramount), tradition, reason, and experience.

Theology

Comprehensive study of knowing God, His revelation, works, salvation, church, future, and Christian life.

Christian Virtues

Spirit-produced character qualities led by love and including joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, etc.

Christ’s Names and Titles

Scripture’s designations for Jesus (e.g., Eternal Son, Alpha and Omega, Son of Man, Savior, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd).

Incarnation

Miracle of the eternal Son of God taking on true human nature.

Christ’s Humanity

Truth that Jesus is fully human; essential for our salvation.

Docetism

Ancient heresy claiming Christ only seemed to be human.

Apollinarianism

Heresy teaching Jesus had a human body but not a human soul.

Christ’s Deity

Truth that Jesus is fully God; essential for salvation.

Ebionism

View that the divine ‘Christ’ temporarily descended on the man Jesus at baptism and departed before His death.

Adoptionism

Heresy asserting God adopted the human Jesus as Son at His baptism by giving Him the Spirit.

Arianism

Heresy teaching the Son was God’s first and highest creature and therefore had a beginning.

State of Humiliation

Chronological phase of Jesus’s birth, earthly life, suffering, crucifixion, death, and burial.

State of Exaltation

Phase beginning with resurrection and including ascension, session at God’s right hand, intercession, and future return.

Satisfaction View

Anselm’s theory that Christ’s death restored God’s offended honor caused by human sin.

Moral Influence View

Abelard’s theory that Christ died chiefly to demonstrate God’s love and dispel human fear and ignorance.

Christus Victor View

Interpretation that Christ’s death-and-resurrection triumph over sin, death, hell, and Satan as our champion.

Penal Substitution View

Doctrine that Christ died as our substitute, bearing the penalty we deserved to satisfy divine justice.

Atonement

God’s act of dealing with sin through Christ to restore fellowship with humanity.

Christ’s Offices

Three roles of Jesus—Prophet, Priest, and King—through which He accomplishes redemption.

Prophet (Office)

Christ brings God’s final, definitive word to humanity.

Priest (Office)

Christ, like Melchizedek, mediates by offering Himself and interceding eternally for believers.

King (Office)

Christ reigns now over His people and will reign forever on the new earth.

Day of Atonement

OT ceremony when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer a bull and goat for sins.

Mediator

One who reconciles opposing parties; Jesus bridges holy God and sinful humanity.

Prayer

Speaking to God in faith through adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Propitiation

Christ’s substitutionary death satisfying God’s wrath, basis for justification.

Substitution

Jesus dies in the sinner’s place, granting forgiveness and eternal life.

Application of Salvation

Holy Spirit’s union of believers with Christ whereby His benefits are distributed through ordered steps (regeneration to glorification).

Union with Christ

Spiritual joining of believers to Jesus so that all His redemptive benefits become theirs.

Regeneration

God’s act of making spiritually dead people alive.

Calling

Effective gospel summons by which God awakens deaf and blind sinners.

Conversion

Turn of lost people toward Christ expressed in repentance and faith.

Justification

Legal declaration by God that believers are righteous in Christ.

Adoption

God’s act of placing believers into His family as children.

Sanctification

God’s work of making believers holy, both definitive (once-for-all) and progressive (lifelong growth).

Definitive Sanctification

Initial setting apart of sinners to holiness at conversion.

Progressive Sanctification

Gradual Spirit-empowered growth in holiness throughout the Christian life.

Perseverance

God’s preservation of His people so they continue in faith and are kept saved.

Glorification

God’s final conforming of believers to Christ’s perfect glory at His return.

Assurance of Salvation

Believer’s confidence of ultimate salvation based on God’s preservation, Spirit’s witness, and evidences of faith.

Christ’s Obedience

Twofold obedience of Jesus—active (law-keeping) and passive (suffering unto death).

Active Obedience

Christ’s lifelong, perfect fulfillment of God’s law on our behalf.

Passive Obedience

Christ’s willing suffering and death, bearing sin’s penalty in our place.

Eternal Life

Quality and unending duration of life that begins at conversion and culminates in resurrected enjoyment of God forever.