Doctrine and Apologetics Terms

Doxology

A short hymn or verse giving praise to God, often sung in worship.

Ecclesiology

The theological study of the Church, its structure, and its mission.

Ecological Theology

A branch of theology that emphasizes environmental stewardship as part of Christian faith.

Eschatology

The study of end times, including the Second Coming, resurrection, and final judgment.

Eucharist

The sacrament of Holy Communion, commemorating Jesus’ Last Supper.

Fundamentalism

A movement emphasizing biblical literalism and doctrinal purity.

Heaven

The eternal dwelling place of God and the redeemed.

Hell

The place of punishment for the wicked after death.

Infallibility

The belief that the Church (especially the Pope in Catholicism) is preserved from error in doctrinal teachings.

Inerrancy

The belief that the Bible is without error in its original manuscripts.

Irresistible Grace

The Calvinist belief that God’s grace is effectively applied to those whom He has predestined for salvation.

Liberation Theology

A theological movement emphasizing social justice and the liberation of the oppressed.

Millennialism

Beliefs concerning the 1,000-year reign of Christ, including premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism.

Missiology

The theological study of mission and evangelism.

Ordo Salutis

The order of salvation, describing the steps from election to glorification.

Orthodoxy

Right belief or correct doctrine as defined by the Church.

Parousia

The Second Coming of Christ.

Pelagianism

The heretical belief that humans can achieve salvation without divine grace.

Pneumatology - Study of the Holy Spirit

Predestination

The doctrine that God has predetermined who will be saved.

Premillennialism

The belief that Christ will return before a literal 1,000-year reign.

Prophecy

A message from God delivered by a prophet.

Rapture

The belief that believers will be taken up to heaven at Christ’s return.

Sacrament

A sacred rite recognized as a means of grace (e.g., baptism, Eucharist).

Sanctification

The process of becoming more holy.

Sola Fide

"Faith alone"; the Protestant belief that salvation comes through faith, not works.

Sola Gratia

"Grace alone"; salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace.

Sola Scriptura

"Scripture alone"; the belief that the Bible is the ultimate authority.

Soteriology - The study of Salvation

Theological Anthropology - The Study of Man and His relationship with God

TULIP

The five points of Calvinism (Total depravity, Unconditional election, etc.).

Wesleyan Quadrilateral

A method of theological reflection using Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.

Theology

The study of God and religious beliefs.

Doctrine

A specific teaching or belief held by a religious group.

Revelation

God’s self-disclosure to humanity, either through Scripture (special revelation) or nature (general revelation).

Christology

The study of Jesus Christ, His nature, and His work.

Soteriology

The study of salvation.

Ecclesiology

The study of the church.

Eschatology

The study of the end times and final judgment.

Omnibenevolent - That God is completely good

Omnipotent - That God is all-powerful

Omnipresent- God is everywhere

Omniscient - That God is all-knowing

Pneumatology

The study of the Holy Spirit.

Theodicy

The attempt to explain why a good and all-powerful God allows evil.

Immanence

The belief that God is present and active within His creation.

Immutibility - The belief that God doesn’t change.

Transcendence

The belief that God exists beyond and independent of creation.

Incarnation

The belief that Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh.

Hypostatic Union

The doctrine that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human in one person.

Atonement

The work of Christ to reconcile humanity to God, often associated with His death on the cross.

Propitiation

The act of appeasing God’s wrath through Christ’s sacrifice.

Justification

The act by which God declares a sinner righteous through faith in Christ.

Sanctification

The process of becoming more holy and Christlike.

Glorification

The final transformation of believers into a perfected state in eternity.

Original Sin

The doctrine that humanity inherited a sinful nature due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience.

Total Depravity

The belief that every part of human nature is corrupted by sin, though not to the fullest extent possible.

Imago Dei

The concept that humans are made in the image of God.

Free Will

The ability of humans to make choices, often discussed in relation to sin and salvation.

Sacrament

A sacred ritual seen as a means of grace, such as baptism or the Eucharist.

Eucharist

Another term for Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper.

Transubstantiation

The Roman Catholic doctrine that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.

Consubstantiation

The Lutheran belief that Christ is present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine of communion.

Baptism

A Christian rite of initiation, symbolizing purification and new life in Christ.

Millennialism

The belief concerning Christ’s reign on earth for 1,000 years.

Premillennialism

The belief that Christ will return before a literal 1,000-year reign.

Postmillennialism

The belief that Christ will return after a golden age of Christianity.

Amillennialism

The belief that the 1,000-year reign of Christ is symbolic and not a literal future event.

Second Coming

The belief in Christ’s future return to judge the world.

Rapture

The belief that believers will be taken up to heaven at Christ’s return.

Calvinism

A theological system emphasizing predestination and God’s sovereignty, based on the teachings of John Calvin.

Arminianism

A theological system emphasizing free will and human choice in salvation.