Video Notes Flashcards: Biblical Theology Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the provided lecture notes.

Image of God

The divine imprint on humanity (Gen 1:26–27) signifying being created to relate, steward creation, and live in relation with God; prior to the Fall this includes innocence and unashamedness.

Pre-fall

State of humanity before the Fall, characterized by goodness, image-bearing, obedience, and stewardship.

Post-fall

Condition after the Fall when disobedience introduces sin, pain, mortality, shame, and alienation.

Nakedness (before the Fall)

Symbol of innocence and complete trust between Adam and Eve before eating the fruit.

Nakedness (after the Fall)

Sign of self-consciousness, vulnerability, and the loss of immediate trust in God.

Shame

Emotional response to the rupture in trust with God and others following sin.

Alienation

Separation from God and other people due to sin.

Sin

Disobedience to God that distorts relationships and begins a cycle of brokenness.

Clothing and hiding

Actions signaling self-protection and concealment after sin; a marker of separation.

Cain and Abel (Gen 4)

Story illustrating social alienation and violence stemming from inner shame and jealousy.

Divine mercy

God’s compassionate response to humanity despite sin and rebellion.

Responsibility as moral agents

Humans remain responsible, capable of obedience and moral choice even after the Fall.

Manna

Daily bread provided by God to Israel in Exodus 16 as a test of trust.

Quail

Meat provided by God alongside manna in Exodus 16.

Daily bread (Jesus reference)

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:11 about dependence on God for daily needs.

New Covenant (Jeremiah 31)

God’s promise of an internal restoration where the law is written on hearts and sins are forgiven.

Law on hearts

Internal transformation where God’s will guides the heart, not merely external obedience.

Forgiveness of sins

God’s pardon of guilt, restoring relationship with Him.

Spirit within (Ezekiel 36–37)

God’s Spirit placed within His people, enabling transformation and renewal.

Dry bones

Metaphor for spiritual/ national renewal through the Spirit.

Acts 2

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church at Pentecost, empowering believers.

Ruth

Model of steadfast, covenant love (hesed) leading to inclusion and lineage to David and Jesus.

Hesed

Hebrew concept of steadfast, covenant love and loyalty.

Ruth’s inclusion of Moabites

Demonstrates God’s inclusive love beyond Israel’s borders.

Davidic lineage

Ruth’s place in the lineage culminating in David and, ultimately, Jesus.

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5–7 collection of teachings on righteousness, trust, and love.

Kingdom righteousness

Righteousness that surpasses mere legalism by emphasizing inner purity.

Legalism

Relying on outward rules and performance to justify righteousness.

Internal purity

Purity of heart and motive, not just external behavior.

Undivided trust in God

Unwavering reliance on God expressed through prayer, fasting, and handling anxiety.

Golden Rule

Love of enemies; treat others as you would want to be treated.

Jesus fulfills the Law and Prophets

Jesus completes and fulfills OT Law and prophetic expectations.

Justification by faith

Being declared righteous before God on the basis of faith, not works.

Romans 3–4 (Paul on justification)

Paul’s argument that both Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace through faith, citing Abraham’s faith.

Abraham’s faith (Gen 15:6)

Faith counted as righteousness, illustrating faith as the basis of righteousness.

The Four Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; each with distinct emphasis and audience.

Matthew

Gospel written for a largely Jewish audience; presents Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy and a new Moses.

Mark

Shortest Gospel; fast-paced; highlights Jesus’ suffering and the cost of discipleship.

Luke

Gospel emphasizing concern for the marginalized; careful historical framing.

John

Theological Gospel presenting Jesus as the Logos and Son of God with deep teaching through I AM statements.

Early Christian Assemblies

Communities met in homes or halls on Sundays; practiced Scripture readings, hymns, teaching, prayer, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

Lord’s Day

Sunday, the primary day for Christian worship.

House churches

Small worshiping communities meeting in homes or rented spaces.

Baptism

Entry into the Christian community; forgiveness of sins; new birth; reception of the Holy Spirit; typically by immersion.

Infant baptism

Baptism of infants; debate among Christian traditions.

Believer’s baptism

Baptism upon personal profession of faith.

Immersion

Water baptism by full immersion as a sign of cleansing and new life.

Regenerative baptism

Baptism believed to convey new spiritual life.

Symbolic baptism

Baptism viewed as a public testimony of faith already professed.

The Lord’s Supper

Instituted meal commemorating Jesus’ death; debated views on presence and significance.

Memorial/commemorative view

View that the Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ.

Real presence

View that Christ is truly present in bread and wine, though the exact mode remains mysterious.

Transubstantiation

Catholic teaching that bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood in substance.

Reformed/Spiritual presence

View that Christ is present through the Spirit and received by faith.

Christian Persecution

Persecution of Christians for refusing to worship pagan gods or the emperor; often misunderstood.

Great Persecution (Diocletian, 303–311 CE)

Imperial edicts to destroy scriptures, close churches, enforce pagan sacrifices, and punish clergy.

Martyr

One who bears witness to Christ, often unto death; Greek meaning ‘witness.’

Martyrdom motifs

Imitation of Christ, victory through apparent defeat, and courage amid suffering.

Theology’s Importance

Study that clarifies who God is, what Christians believe, and shapes worship and ethics.

Christian Bible

Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and New Testament (Gospels, Acts, Epistles, Revelation); canon formed by apostolic authorship, usage, and Spirit guidance.

Canon

The officially recognized collection of authoritative scriptural books.

Apostolic authorship

Books connected to the apostles or their closest associates.

Rule of faith

Core, agreed-upon gospel truths guiding interpretation and doctrine.

Interpretation methods

Approaches to reading Scripture, including Christological and allegorical readings.

Christological interpretation

Reading OT texts as pointing to Christ (e.g., Isaiah 53 anticipating Jesus).

Allegorical interpretation

Finding symbolic or spiritual meanings beyond the literal text.

Typology

Interpreting OT events/figures as foreshadowing or prefiguring Christ.

Incarnation

The doctrine that God became flesh in Jesus Christ.

Logos

The Word; John’s designation of Jesus as the divine, pre-existent Logos.

Resurrection appearances

Post-resurrection encounters of Jesus with followers as evidence of exaltation and divine status.

I am statements

Jesus’ self-identifying claims in John (e.g., 'I am…').

Holy Spirit confirmation

The Spirit’s testimony affirming Jesus’ identity and divine status.

Trinity

The belief in one God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Ousia

Greek term for the divine essence or substance of God.

Hypostases

The three distinct persons of the Trinity.

Nicene Creed (325)

Early creedal statement affirming the Son’s consubstantiality with the Father and defending orthodoxy against Arianism.

Constantinople Creed (381)

Creed affirming the full divinity of the Holy Spirit and refining Trinitarian doctrine.