bible theology

Theology

The study of the nature of God and religious truth.

Metanarrative

The overarching narrative that gives meaning and purpose to smaller, individual stories; reveals God’s unfolding plan for the world.

Sin

Lawlessness and iniquity; rejection of God and everything contrary to God and His holy nature.

General revelation

God reveals Himself through nature and humankind.

Special revelation

Self-revelation of God through His word and history, the person of Jesus, the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the church.

Progressive revelation

God revealed Himself to His people over many centuries, periodically giving new information that built on but did not contradict or deny what came before.

Intertestamental era

400-year period between the Old Testament and New Testament; begins at Malachi 4 and ends with the ministry of John the Baptist.

Lingua franca

A language used to facilitate communication between groups of people who do not share a common native language.

Diaspora

Transliteration of the Greek word meaning to sow throughout or distribute in foreign lands or scatter abroad.

Temple of Jerusalem

Center of worship and national identity in ancient Israel, consisting of the First and Second temples.

First temple

Constructed by David's son, Solomon; destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

Second temple

Built 538-515 BC with the permission of Cyrus II.

Synagogue

Substitute location for the temple during the diaspora and after its destruction, serving as a place of assembly for religious purposes.

Maccabees

Group of Jews named for Judas Maccabeus, known for leading a revolt against the Greek Seleucid ruler Antiochus Epiphanes.

Fullness of time

The perfect moment when all necessary conditions are met for something significant to happen in biblical history.

Herod the Great

Roman king known for killing his family and beautification of the temple in Jerusalem.

Herod Antipas

Son of Herod the Great; ruled Galilee and Perea; involved in the beheading of John the Baptist.

Hellenism

Greek culture that spread through trade, colonization, and Alexander's conquest, contributing to the spread of Christianity.

Hellenizers

Those who spread Greek culture and language to integrate other cultures into predominant Greek culture.

Logos

Ancient Greek word meaning reason; refers to both mind and word; identified with Christ as the incarnate Logos by the Gospel of John.

Sects

Groups with different religious and political beliefs from the larger group they belong to.

Hasidim

Puritans who opposed paganization of their culture; believed to be precursors of the Pharisees and Essenes.

Gentiles

Persons who are not Jews.

Synoptic

Presenting or taking the same view; specifically refers to the first three Gospels of the New Testament.

Genre

A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, content, technique, or style.

Exegesis

The exposition or explanation of a text based on careful analysis; interpreting biblical text to understand the author's intended meaning.

Canon

A collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine, requiring authenticity, authoritative teaching, inspiration, and acceptance by the church.

Apocrypha

Hidden or obscure writings from the intertestamental period; not authoritative or included in the accepted canon.

Discourse

Formal, lengthy treatment of a subject, can be written or spoken; in Matthew, there are five discourses.

Messiah

Hebrew for 'anointed one'; a leader or savior of a particular group or cause.