Theological Terms 3 (Final Exam)

Front 1

Original Sin

Back 1

Christian doctrine that all human beings (except Jesus Christ) inherit a sinful nature (corrupt, fallen, perhaps condemned) from Adam.

Front 2

Christology

Back 2

Study of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Front 3

Incarnation

Back 3

Christian belief that Jesus Christ is God and human.

Front 4

Kenosis/kenotic Christology

Back 4

Belief that for the sake of experiencing human existence the eternal, divine Son of God divested himself for the use of his attributes of glory.

Front 5

Ebionism

Back 5

Ancient heresy that Jesus Christ was a great Jewish prophet but not God incarnate. This belief exists in the modern world as well.

Front 6

"Begotten, not made"

Back 6

Nicene, orthodox Christian confession that the Son of God "comes forth" eternally from the Father and was never created.

Front 7

Nestorianism

Back 7

Heresy that "Jesus Christ" is a corporate personality composed of two distinct persons - the eternal, divine Son of God and the man Jesus.

Front 8

Eutychianism

Back 8

Heresy that "Jesus Christ" is one person and one nature - a hybrid of human and divine.

Front 9

Chalcedon/Chalcedonian Christology/hypostatic union

Back 9

Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is one person with two distinct natures-human and divine ("one who and two whats").

Front 10

Three offices of Christ

Back 10

Traditional Christian belief in Jesus Christ as Prophet, Priest and King.

Front 11

Atonement

Back 11

Christ's saving work for sinners by his death on the cross.

Front 12

Ransom theory

Back 12

Atonement viewed as God paying a ransom (e.g, to the devil) to free humanity from bondage to sin and condemnation.

Front 13

Christus Victor/classical theory

Back 13

Atonement viewed as God conquering the devil to free humanity from bondage to sin and condemnation.

Front 14

Satisfaction theory

Back 14

Atonement viewed as God paying the debt owed by humanity for dishonoring God; Christ's death pays our debt so that we do not have to die spiritually.

Front 15

Penal substitution theory

Back 15

Atonement viewed as God, in the person of Jesus Christ, taking the punishment deserved by humanity for sin.

Front 16

Moral example theory

Back 16

Atonement viewed as God providing in Jesus Christ an example of perfect love; the cross of Jesus "draws" sinners to God and to love neighbors as God loves us.

Front 17

Semi-Pelagianism

Back 17

Heresy that human persons initiate their own salvation apart from grace (e.g., "Take a step toward God and God will come the rest of the way ...").

Front 18

Pelagianism

Back 18

Heresy that human persons are capable of obeying God without any supernatural help; denial of original sin.

Front 19

Total depravity

Back 19

Belief that original sin results in human beings being completely helpless to do anything good without assisting grace.

Front 20

Prevenient grace

Back 20

Idea that God provides sufficient assisting grace for fallen persons to respond positively to God's call to salvation with faith. This grace "goes before" salvation and heals total depravity so that the human will is not in bondage to sin but is capable of cooperating with grace.

Front 21

T.U.L.I.P

Back 21

Calvinist system of beliefs: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints.

Front 22

Calvinism

Back 22

Belief that God unilaterally elects/predestines some people to salvation and draws them irresistibly into a saving relationship with himself.

Front 23

Arminianism

Back 23

Belief that God does not elect or predestine anyone to salvation or damnation but offers salvation to all who are given "freed will" by prevenient grace.

Front 24

Election

Back 24

God's decision to have a people for his name - Israel & then the church.

Front 25

Predestination

Back 25

God's foreordination of certain people to be saved unconditionally.

Front 26

Foreordination

Back 26

God's predetermination of some people to be saved; God foreknows who will be saved because he decides.

Front 27

Foreknowledge

Back 27

God's pre-apprehension of who will be saved based on their foreseen faith.

Front 28

Monergism

Back 28

God does all the work of salvation so that human persons who are saved contribute nothing to their salvation; God is the sole active agent in salvation such that persons being saved are passive.

Front 29

Synergism

Back 29

Salvation is in some sense a cooperation between God & the person being saved.

Front 30

Grace

Back 30

God's uncaused & unmerited favor; in some Christian traditions also God's transforming power within persons being saved.

Front 31

Faith

Back 31

Belief in God; trust in God.

Front 32

Ordo salutis/order of salvation

Back 32

Theological discernment of the logical progression of salvation; what God does & what the human person being saved does & in what sequence. (Example, the following several concepts & their relationships)

Front 33

Regeneration

Back 33

God's gracious renewing of a person's spiritual life; spiritual "new birth"; "the expulsive power of a new affection".

Front 34

Conversion

Back 34

Turning to God with repentance & faith.

Front 35

Justification

Back 35

God's gracious declaration of a person as righteous on account of faith: "by grace through faith alone".

Front 36

Redemption

Back 36

God's work to save fallen humanity through the life, death & resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Front 37

Deification

Back 37

Idea that salvation includes a graciously bestowed partial participation in the divine nature.