(Latin, “the Calvinistic extra”)
The belief among Calvinists that Christ’s humanity is not infinite or omnipresent and therefore can only be at one place at one time, even after the ascension. This, according to adherents, is the historic view as espoused by the Chalcedonian definition since, according to the definition, Christ’s human nature cannot share attributes […]

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(Latin, “mother of the faithful”)
Held by Roman Catholics, mater fideium is description of the institution of the Church in relation to those who are her members. The institutional Church is the mother of the saints, keeping them pure and administering grace through the sacraments. This concept was popularized by Cyprian in the third century who […]

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(Latin, the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit)
The belief that the Spirit who inspired Scripture also authenticates and proves its divine origin through the Scripture itself. This is especially emphasized by Calvinists. Cf., Heb. 10:15; 1 John 5:7-8

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A theological system that organizes theological history through a paradigm of three implied covenants: 1) Covenant of Redemption, 2) Covenant of Works, 3) Covenant of Grace. The Covenant of Redemption refers to the eternal covenant among the members of the Godhead to redeem fallen humanity through the sacrifice of God the Son on the cross. […]

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(Greek hairesis, “a taking or choosing, faction”)
An opinion, belief, or doctrine that is in variance to an established belief of a particular tradition. In Christianity, an individual heresy can have historic value (more serious) or traditional value. In other words, a belief can be considered heretical to Baptists (e.g., paedobaptism), but is not heretical in […]

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[iye-rehn’-ik or iye-ree’-nik]
(Greek eirene, “peace”)
Irenics is a method of discourse in which a peaceful approach of engagement is sought as opposed to a more polemic, war-like approach. In theology, this involves seeking to accurately understand and represent all positions, even when there is strong disagreement among them. The irenic method seeks to engage in […]

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[puh-lehm’-iks]
(Greek polemos, “war”)
Polemics is to engage in conversation, debate, or argumentation with a very aggressive approach. Sometimes this will involve an attack on (or refutation of) the opinions or principles of another. In the church, this often takes place when one argues for a particular theological position about which he or she is passionate. This […]

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[kray’-doe-bap’-tiz-um]
(Latin credo, “believe”)
The belief that baptism should only be administered to those who are professing believers. According to credobaptists, baptism is an outward sign of faith and repentance, and an obedient response to a command of Christ in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Because it is a sign of belief, credobaptists do not practice infant […]

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[iye-kawn’-uh-klast]
(Greek eikon, “image” + Greek klastes, “breaker”)
In church history, iconoclasts were people who believed that creating any visible representation of Christ or the saints was idolatry and in direct violation of the second commandment (according to the enumeration of Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Judaism; the Roman church numbers this prohibition as part of the first […]

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[ih-pif’-uh-nee]
(Greek epiphaneia “to show”)
Refers to an appearance or revealing. It is when something is realized or understood to a greater degree than it was before. In Christianity, the Epiphany of Christ is celebrated as God was revealed to man in the incarnation in a way not previously understood. There is a Christian feast day which […]

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