Theology Vocab Words

abba

abba

an Aramaic word used by Jesus to address God- affectionate and intimate term for “Father,” equivalent to “Dad” or “Daddy”

amen statements

a way of speaking that was unique to Jesus in his time- used amen at beginning of statements to confirm/give weight to what he was saying, Hebrew for “truly/it is true”

Christian scriptures

the entire Christian Bible, composed of both OT and NT

Christ of Faith

title for Jesus that recognizes the Christian conviction that he was raised from the dead by God and that he truly was and is forever Lord and Savior

Christology

branch of theology that studies the person, role, nature, message of Jesus

Christology from above

understanding of Jesus that begins with the recognition of his special eternal relationship with God- first emphasizes Jesus’ divinity, then moves toward an understanding of his humanity

Christology from below

understanding of Jesus that starts with an attempt to grasp his humanity and his historical roots in first-century Palestine, then moves to a comprehension of his divinity

Christ

title early Christians used for Jesus to confess their belief that he was the Messiah, the One sent from God, who would save them from all oppression- based on Greek word Christos (anointed one)

Gospels

major sources of info about Jesus, written under inspiration of HS, contained in NT, attributed to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John- derived from word godspell (good news)

evangelists

title given to authors of Gospels- derived from Greek work evangelion (proclamation/announcement of good news)

faith sources

docs written by believers prompted by HS for purpose of proclaiming work of God evident in all aspects of their life

Hebrews

collective group of ancient tribes that made up earliest ancestors of Jewish people- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their families were Hebrew

infancy narratives

stories about birth of Jesus and his early life- found in Matthew and Luke

Jesus

popular Jewish name of Jesus’ day- means “Yahweh saves/Yahweh is salvation”

Jesus of History

term for divine Son of God who walked the earth in the person of Jesus, up to and including his death

Jew

follower of Judaism

Kingdom of God

Jesus’ description of the rule/reign of God over the hearts of people- an ideal future but also a present reality that is communal in nature and implies a new relationship between God and people and among people themselves, therefore connotes the development of a new social order based on unconditional love

Magi

Non-Jewish members of the priestly caste of the Persians, serving as chaplains to and representatives of the royalty- known for understanding of astrology and the occult, appear in Matthew’s infancy narrative

matriarchs

women who played key roles throughout Jewish history. In the era known as the Patriarchal period, matriarchs refers to Sarah, Rebeka, and Rachel- the women who, with the patriarchs, founded the religion we now know as Judaism (means mother)

Messiah

title given to saving leader who was hoped for by the Jews, later applied to Jesus, who Christians believed fulfilled the hope of the Jews- derived from Hebrew word meaning “anointed”

New Testament

section of the Christian Bible pertaining specifically to Christian faith and containing 27 books- Gospels, Acts, epistles (letters), Revelation

Old Testament

first part of the Christian Bible containing (Catholic canon) 46 books of the Scriptures that originated with Judaism. Christians believe the OT is fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the NT

Palestine

former name of a country on eastern shore of the Mediterranean. Jesus was born and lived in Palestine, which was part of the Roman Empire at the time

Patriarchs

key historical men who, with matriarchs, founded what is now known as Judaism. used to identify Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. means “father and leader of a family or people”

prophets

special figures in Jewish history who continually challenged the people to live in accordance with their covenant with God. means “one who speaks out”