Theological terms

·       Ancient Near East - a term referring to early civilizations in a region roughly corresponding to the modern Middle East

·       Anthropology - the study of humanity; theologically, humanity as understood within the framework of creation, fall, and redemption

·       Ascension - the belief that Jesus returned to the Father’s right hand after his resurrection, where he is exalted and intercedes for his people

·       Christology - the study of the person and work of Christ

·       Documentary Hypothesis - the theory that suggests the Pentateuch is a composition from Yahwist (J), Elohist (E), Deuteronomist (D) and Priestly (P) sources, instead of being compiled and written primarily by Moses

·       Ecclesiology - the study of the nature and purpose of the church

·       Eschatology - the study of the last things (e.g. death, resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell)

·       Exegesis - drawing meaning out of a text

·       Hermeneutics - the theory and methods of interpreting texts

·       Intertestamental - the roughly 400-year time period between the events recorded at the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament

·       Pneumatology - study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit

·       Revelation - God’s disclosure of his nature, character, and purposes

·       Soteriology - the study of salvation

·       Theology - the study of God and all things in relation to God

·       Wesleyan Quadrilateral - a heuristic tool outlining four chief factors that contribute to theological reflection: Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience