Foundations of Christian Theology – Modules 1-4 Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key theological terms, concepts, and historical views from Modules 1-4 to aid exam review.

Biblical theology

Study of God’s unfolding story from creation to new creation, tracing the progressive revelation that links and frames all biblical teachings.

Doctrine

A concise summary of what Scripture teaches on a specific theme; Scripture promotes sound doctrine and opposes false doctrine.

Exegesis

Careful, context-sensitive study of a biblical passage—historical setting, literary genre, and structure—forming the foundation for all theology.

Great Commission

Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20 to make disciples of all nations through going, baptizing, and teaching under his universal authority.

Historical theology

Investigation of how the church across the centuries has understood and articulated Scripture; a communal guide, though not equal to Scripture.

Practical theology

The study of how theological truth shapes Christian thinking, loving, and living for individuals and congregations.

Systematic theology

Synthesis of doctrinal conclusions from exegesis, biblical and historical theology, showing the coherence and interrelation of all major doctrines.

Spiritual disciplines

God-given practices (e.g., Bible meditation, prayer, worship, witnessing, fellowship) that foster believers’ spiritual maturity; means, not ends.

Theological method

Ordered process of doing theology: exegesis → biblical theology → historical theology → systematic synthesis → practical application.

Theology (proper)

Study of God—his being, revelation, attributes, works, and triune life—as well as all doctrines that flow from knowing him.

Christian virtues

Spirit-formed moral qualities that reflect Christlikeness (e.g., Gal 5:22-23), cultivated by grace for spiritual formation.

Christology

Branch of theology devoted to the person and work of Jesus Christ, the touchstone of all Christian doctrine.

Christ’s names and titles

Biblical designations (e.g., Son of God, Alpha and Omega, Lord) that reveal his deity, humanity, identity, and mission.

Incarnation

Miracle whereby the eternal Son of God took on genuine humanity, becoming God-man in one person (John 1:14).

Christ’s humanity

Truth that Jesus experienced real human needs, emotions, growth, and death, qualifying him to redeem fellow humans.

Docetism

Early heresy claiming Christ only appeared to be human, denying his true flesh.

Apollinarianism

Heresy teaching that Jesus had a human body but no human soul, the divine Word replacing the soul.

Christ’s deity

Biblical affirmation that Jesus is fully God, performing divine works, bearing divine names, and receiving worship.

Ebionism

Jewish-Christian view denying Christ’s deity; the divine ‘Christ’ merely descended on the man Jesus and later departed.

Adoptionism (Dynamic Monarchianism)

Heresy claiming God adopted the man Jesus at baptism, granting him divine power but not deity by nature.

Arianism

Fourth-century teaching that the Son is the first and highest creature, of different essence from the Father, thus not fully God.

Humiliation and Exaltation (Christ’s states)

Two successive phases: humiliation (birth to burial) and exaltation (resurrection, ascension, session, return) accomplishing redemption.

Satisfaction view

Anselm’s medieval theory that Christ’s death of infinite worth restores God’s offended honor caused by human sin.

Moral Influence view

Abelard’s theory that Christ died chiefly to display God’s love and dispel human fear and ignorance.

Christus Victor

View that in death and resurrection Christ triumphed over sin, death, hell, and Satan as our champion.

Penal Substitution

Reformation doctrine that Christ bore the penalty of sin in our place, satisfying divine justice to secure our forgiveness.

Atonement

God’s act, climaxing in Christ’s cross, that deals with sin and restores fellowship with God.

Christ’s offices

Jesus as Prophet (final word of God), Priest (mediator and sacrifice), and King (reigning Messiah).

Day of Atonement

Israel’s chief sacrificial day foreshadowing Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice for sin.

Mediator

One who reconciles two parties; Jesus, both God and man, is the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Tim 2:5).

Prayer

Faith-filled speaking to God—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, intercession—addressed to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit.

Propitiation

Christ’s substitutionary death that satisfies God’s wrath and grounds justification (Rom 3:25-26).

Substitution

Christ’s taking the sinner’s place in judgment, securing forgiveness and life (Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 3:18).

Application of salvation

Holy Spirit’s work of uniting believers to Christ and imparting every redemptive benefit in time.

Regeneration

God’s act of making spiritually dead people alive (new birth).

Calling

God’s effective summons through the gospel that awakens the spiritually deaf and draws them to Christ.

Conversion

Human response of repentance and faith produced by God, turning from sin to Christ.

Justification

God’s legal declaration that believers are righteous in Christ, apart from works.

Adoption

God’s action of placing justified believers into his family as sons and daughters.

Sanctification

God’s setting believers apart as holy (definitive) and progressively growing them in holiness by the Spirit.

Perseverance

God’s preserving grace whereby believers continue in faith and holiness until glory.

Glorification

Final transformation of believers into Christ’s perfect likeness at his return.

Assurance of salvation

Believer’s Spirit-given confidence of final salvation, resting on God’s promises, preservation, and evidence of persevering faith.

Christ’s obedience

Total compliance with the Father’s will, including active obedience (lifelong law-keeping) and passive obedience (suffering unto death).

Active obedience

Christ’s perfect lifelong fulfillment of God’s law on behalf of sinners.

Passive obedience

Christ’s obedient suffering and death, culminating the atonement.

Eternal life

Quality and duration of life that begins at conversion—knowing God in Christ—and continues forever in resurrection glory.