Theological Vocabulary List 2025-2026

A comprehensive vocabulary list covering key theological concepts and terms.

Adoptionism

Heretical view that says though Jesus was originally merely a man, he was adopted as the divine Son of the Father based on his superior moral excellence.

Apollinarianism

Heretical view that says the man Jesus’ spirit/mind was replaced by the divine Word, making his spiritual aspect divine and his physical aspect human.

Arianism

Heretical view that claims Jesus is ‘God’ as the highest of all finite, temporal beings created by the Father, who alone is God.

Hypostatic union

The concept that Jesus is fully God and fully man, united in His person with no mixture of the two.

Docetism

Heretical view that says Jesus is a purely divine and spiritual being, who only seemed to suffer and die.

Ebionite teaching

Heretical view that the Mosaic law is of abiding authority; Jesus is the Messiah as a man justified by works of the law.

Gnosticism

Heretical view distinguishing 'Jesus' as a man and 'the Christ' as the highest divine emanation empowering Jesus.

Eutychianism

Heretical view that the Word’s divine nature and human nature were distinct before incarnation, but now only one nature exists.

Nestorianism

Heretical view that the divine and human natures in Jesus are distinct and should be distinguished according to His person.

Limited atonement

The belief that Christ’s death is for the salvation of the elect; it is sufficient for all but efficient for the elect.

Substitutionary atonement

The belief that Christ’s death satisfied God’s justice and served as a sacrifice for sin on our behalf.

Universalism

The belief that Christ saved every person, extending atonement even to Satan and fallen angels in some views.

Ransom

The concept that Christ’s death paid the price for humanity's release from Satan.

Moral influence

The idea that Jesus’ death alters our inward disposition, allowing us to love others.

Ascension

The movement of Jesus to the presence of God in his resurrected body, from where he will judge and renew the world.

Catholic

Referring to the church as a universal movement, not limited to one nation or group.

Apostolic

Referring to the authority of the church based on the witness of Jesus’ twelve chosen disciples.

Propitiation

A sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to the end, changing God’s wrath into favor toward us.

Kenosis

The view that Christ gave up some of his divine attributes while on earth.

Impeccability

The belief that Christ was not able to sin.

Supercessionism

The belief that the church has replaced Israel as the people of God.

Polity

The form of government of a congregation or communion of churches.

Sacrament

A visible sign and seal of a spiritual grace.

Perseverance

The belief that God will ensure that all whom He has chosen will reach glory.

Sanctification

God’s process of making believers in Christ entirely holy and progressively putting on Christ.

Simul justus et peccator

The belief that in this life, believers are completely righteous in Christ while still struggling with sin.

Justification

God’s declaration of the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in His sight through Christ’s righteousness.

Regeneration

The Spirit’s work of raising the spiritually dead to new life in Christ through the gospel.

Pelagianism

Heretical view claiming human nature is fundamentally good and can choose good without divine aid.

Common grace

The grace of God that bestows blessings on all people.

Ordo salutis

The sequence of events through which God applies salvation.

Credobaptism

The practice of baptizing only those who profess faith in Jesus Christ.

Paedobaptism

The practice of baptizing infants based on their parents' or church's faith.

Transubstantiation

The belief that during the Lord’s Supper, the essence of bread and wine become Christ's body and blood.

Cessationism

The belief that miraculous gifts ceased after the apostles’ death and the completion of Scripture.

Episcopalianism

Hierarchical church governance that distinguishes among bishops, priests, and laity.

Amillennialism

The belief that there will be no literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.

Postmillennialism

The view that Christ will return after an earthly age of righteousness and peace.

Premillennialism

The view that Christ will return after tribulation to establish a millennial reign.

Intermediate state

The condition of a person between their death and the return of Christ.

Presbyterianism

The practice of utilizing elders for church leadership at local and assembly levels.