March 20, 2010
(1320-1384)
Often regarded as a “pre-reformer,” and specifically as the “Morningstar of the Reformation,” John Wycliffe was an Oxford professor, scholar, and theologian. He was also a dissenter to the institutionalized church of his day, including the Pope. He was a founder in the Lollard movement, believing that religious piety was the only qualification of ministry, not religious identity within an institution. Wycliffe is famous for his translation of the Bible into English from the Latin. Wycliffe’s influence would prepare the way for eventual reform in England. He died of a stroke in 1384. Forty-four years after he died, the Pope ordered his bones exhumed and burned.
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March 19, 2010
[sen’-suhs dih-vih’-nih-taw‘-tihs]
(Latin, “sense of the divine”)
The belief that the presence of God is sensed by all humanity as there exists within each person a innate perception of God. This issues forth into an argument for the existence of God based upon the common human experience that causes them to search for a transcendent reality that not only explains the origin of all things but also fills this emotional longing for the divine. John Calvin called this the “sense of the divine,” while others have referred to it by other names such as “the God-shaped void” or the “divine perception.”
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March 18, 2010
[uh-tone’-mint]
(Middle English atonen, “to be reconciled,” from Middle English at one, “in agreement”)
In Christian Theology, this refers to the doctrine of the reconciliation between God and man through the accomplished death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Elwell Evangelical Dictionary, atonement “is the expiation of sin and the propitiation of God by the incarnation, life, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ; the obedience and death of Christ on behalf of sinners as the ground of redemption; in the narrow sense, the sacrificial work of Christ for sinners.”
Read Paul Helm’s work on Calvin and the Atonement.
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March 17, 2010
This council was the fourth of seven ecumenical councils. It was held from October 8th to November 1st, 451 at Chalcedon (a city of Bithynia in Asia Minor),which rejected the Eutychian doctrine of monophysitism (Christ having only one nature). It ended up setting forth the Chalcedonian Creed, which describes the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity.
For more on this, click here.
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March 16, 2010
[soe-teer’-ee-aw’-luh-jee]
(Greek soterion, “salvation” or “deliverance” + Greek -logia, “speaking”)
It is the study of the doctrine of salvation. In Christian systematic theology it is used to refer to the study of how the life and death of Christ effectually brings people to salvation. In the broader context of salvation, the idea is essentially synonymous with the concept of redemption and includes a past, present, and future sense.
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March 15, 2010
(ahr-mih‘-nee-uhn-iz’-um)
A summary of teachings that are attributed to 17th century Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius. Arminian theology took issue with the teachings of John Calvin on 5 points, articulated in the Five articles of Remonstrance of 1610. The doctrines can be summarized as universal (prevenient) grace, conditional election, unlimited atonement, resistible grace, and uncertainty of perseverance. This eventually led to the Synod of Dort of 1618-1619, which resulted in the State church upholding what later became the 5 Points of Calvinism, while condemning Arminianism. Arminian theology later received official toleration by the State and has since continued in various forms within Protestantism.
For more on Arminianism, click here.
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March 14, 2010
(ehs-kuh-taw’-luh-jee)
(Greek eschatos, “last” + Greek -logia, “speaking”)
The study of the doctrine of last things, or the end times. Topics include death, the afterlife, the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Kingdom, the Rapture, resurrection of the dead, Heaven and Hell, and new creation. There are a plethora of hermeneutical methods employed that result in various interpretations (i.e., Covenant Theology, Dispensationalism, Progressive Dispensationalism, etc.). The Book of Revelation is the most associated biblical source regarding this doctrine.
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March 13, 2010
[sim’-uhl yoos’-tuhs et peck’-aw-tore]
(Latin simul, “simultaneous” + Latin justus, “righteous” + Latin et, “and” + Latin peccator, “sinner”)
At the same time righteous and a sinner. The phrase was coined by 16th century German Reformer, Martin Luther. In his Lectures on Romans, Luther put it this way, “The saints in being righteous are at the same time sinners; they are righteous because they believe in Christ whose righteousness covers them and is imputed to them, but they are sinners because they do not fulfill the Law and are not without sinful desires. They are like sick people in the care of a physician: they are really sick, but healthy only in hope and in so far as they begin to get better, or, rather: are being healed.”
Posted in Latin Terms, S Comments Off
March 12, 2010
[pree’-mih-len‘-ee-uh-liz’-um]
(Latin pre, “before” + Latin mille, “thousand” + Latin annum, “years”)
A particular view of Christian eschatology that teaches the Second Coming will inaugurate a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on Earth from Jerusalem. It is largely based upon an interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6 which appears to describe Christ’s coming to the Earth at the end of an apocalyptic period of tribulation. The two main schools of thought related to this position are “Historic Premillennialism” and “Dispensational Premillennialism.” Also associated with doctrines regarding the timing of Christ’s return with respect to the Tribulation: “Pre-Trib,” “Mid-Trib,” and “Post-Trib.”
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March 11, 2010
[noom’-uh-taw‘-luh-jee]
(Greek pneuma, “spirit” or “wind” + Greek -logia, “speaking”)
The study of spiritual being or phenomena of any description. In Christian systematic theology it refers to the study of God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity. Subtopics include teachings on new birth, spiritual gifts (charismata), Spirit-baptism, sanctification, and the inspiration of prophets.
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