[tran’-sub-stan’-shee-ay‘-shun]
(Latin transsubstantiati, “change of substance”)
The Roman Catholic doctrine that refers to the change by which the substance (not the appearance) of the bread and wine in the Eucharist becomes the actual body and blood of Christ. That is, Jesus is not merely symbolically or figuratively present, but is really (or actually) present in what was […]

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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 […]

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[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 […]

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(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. […]

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(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 […]

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[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 […]

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[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 […]

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[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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Though considered the sub-discipline of Christian theology, it deals specifically with the being, attributes , and works of God. Because the Christian concept of God is triune, trinitarian considerations are presupposed when undertaking this discipline. As such, it often includes the study of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology) and the study of Jesus Christ (Christology).

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[saynk’-tuh-fih-kay‘-shun]
(Latin sanctifare, “to consecrate” or “make holy,” from Greek hagiazo, “to purify”)
Refers to the state or process of being set apart for special use. In Christian theology, is in reference to the change brought about by God in the believer which began at the point of salvation (justification) and continues throughout the life of the […]

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