Theology Mid- Term Vocab

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God

The ultimate being, creator, and sustainer in monotheistic faiths, often characterized by attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.

Transcendence

The quality of God that signifies being beyond the physical universe and human comprehension, emphasizing God’s greatness and otherness.

Text

Any written material, especially sacred scripture, that conveys religious teachings, narratives, or doctrines.

Reading

The act of interpreting texts, particularly sacred scriptures, focusing on understanding their meanings and implications in various contexts.

Theological

Relating to the study of God and religious beliefs, often encompassing doctrines, practices, and their implications for faith.

Hermeneutics

The theory and practice of interpretation, especially of religious texts, focusing on methods for uncovering meaning within historical and cultural contexts.

Old Testament/Hebrew Scriptures

The sacred writings of Judaism and the first part of the Christian Bible, comprising texts that narrate the history, laws, and prophecies of ancient Israel.

New Testament/Christian Scriptures

The second part of the Christian Bible, documenting the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with writings of his apostles.

Gospel

The "good news" of Jesus Christ’s life and salvation, primarily conveyed through the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament.

Parable

A simple story illustrating a moral or spiritual lesson, often used by Jesus to convey complex truths through relatable narratives.

Q-Source

A theoretical collection of Jesus’ sayings, hypothesized as a source for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, distinct from the Gospel of Mark.

Messiah

A savior or anointed leader expected in Judaism to restore Israel and bring about divine justice; recognized in Christianity as Jesus Christ.

Messianic Secret

A theme in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus instructs his followers to keep his identity as the Messiah concealed until the appropriate time.

Theophany

A visible manifestation of God to humans, often through extraordinary phenomena, revealing divine presence and will.

Pericope

A specific, coherent passage or excerpt from a larger text, often used in biblical studies to focus on particular teachings or events.

Sabbath

A day of rest and worship observed in Judaism from Friday evening to Saturday evening, commemorating God's rest after creation, with varying observance in Christianity.

The Twelve

Refers to the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, who played key roles in spreading his teachings and establishing the early church.

Christ

 The title used for Jesus in Christianity, meaning "the Anointed One," emphasizing his role as the Messiah and savior.

Koine Greek

The common dialect of Greek used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, in which the New Testament was originally written.

Kingdom

Often refers to the "Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of Heaven," a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's reign and the establishment of divine justice.

Galilee

A region in northern Israel, significant as the area where Jesus conducted much of his ministry and performed miracles.

Judaea

The southern part of ancient Israel, significant for its role in Jewish history and as the location of Jerusalem.

Synoptic

Referring to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share similar stories and perspectives on the life of Jesus.

Levirate Marriage

A custom where a man marries his deceased brother’s widow to preserve family lineage, reflecting cultural and theological themes in ancient Israel.

Glean

The practice of collecting leftover crops from fields after harvest, highlighting themes of generosity and social justice in biblical texts.

Theological Feminism

A movement that seeks to explore and affirm women's experiences and perspectives within theology, often challenging patriarchal interpretations

A Priori/A Posteriori

Philosophical terms; a priori refers to knowledge independent of experience (e.g., logical truths), while a posteriori refers to knowledge dependent on empirical evidence.

Chiasm

A literary structure in biblical texts that presents ideas in a mirrored or inverted order, emphasizing key themes or messages.

Tetragrammaton

The four-letter Hebrew name for God (YHWH), considered sacred and often not pronounced aloud in Jewish tradition.

Hesed

A Hebrew term often translated as "loving-kindness" or "steadfast love," reflecting God's covenantal faithfulness and compassion.

Mimetic Desire

A concept from philosophy and sociology that suggests desire is imitated from others, leading to rivalry and conflict, often discussed in the context of biblical narratives.

Job Description of Prophet

The role of a prophet includes being a messenger of God, delivering warnings, guidance, and calls for repentance, often facing opposition and hardship.

Sheol

 In ancient Hebrew belief, the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where souls reside, reflecting early understandings of life after death.

Nineveh (Significance of)

The capital of the ancient Assyrian empire, significant in biblical narratives as a city called to repentance, especially in the story of Jonah.

Gentile

A term used to refer to non-Jewish people, significant in discussions about inclusion and the early Christian movement's outreach.

LORD/Lord/God

Titles used in religious texts to refer to God, with "LORD" often representing the Tetragrammaton in translations, signifying reverence and authority.

Justice

A key biblical concept referring to fairness, righteousness, and the moral order, often linked to God's character and human ethical behavior.

Significance of 1963 for Civil Rights Movement

The year marked significant events like the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, pivotal in advancing civil rights and social justice.

Nonviolent Direct Action

A strategy used in civil rights movements involving peaceful protests and demonstrations to challenge and change unjust laws and practices.

Conscientization

The process of developing a critical awareness of one’s social reality through reflection and action, often linked to liberation theology and social justice.

Sin

A moral failing or transgression against divine law, often understood as separating individuals from God and requiring repentance and reconciliation.

Incarnation

The Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus Christ, embodying divine presence and revelation in the material world.

Redemption

The act of being saved from sin, error, or evil, central to Christian theology, often associated with Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.

Pentateuch

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), foundational to Jewish law and theology.

Imago Dei

A Latin term meaning "image of God," referring to the belief that humans are created in God's likeness, with inherent dignity and value.

Cosmology

The study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe, often explored in theological contexts regarding creation and divine order.

Transcendentality

The concept that pertains to experiences or realities beyond the physical world, often used in philosophical discussions about spirituality and the divine.

Supernatural Existential

Referring to experiences or realities that exist beyond the natural world, often related to faith, miracles, and divine intervention.

Absolute Mystery

The concept that God and ultimate reality are beyond human understanding and categorization, emphasizing faith and reverence.

Infinite Horizon

A philosophical and theological idea suggesting the limitless possibilities of understanding and experiencing the divine, reflecting the depth of faith.