[ih-gal’-ih-tayr‘-ee-uh-niz’-um]
(French egal, “equal”)
Theological position held by many Christians (contra complementarianism) believing the Bible does not teach that women are in any sense, functionally or ontologically, subservient to men. Women and men hold positions in society, ministry, and the family according to their gifts, not their gender. The principle of mutual submission teaches that husbands and […]

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[ih-pihs’-tuh-maw‘-luh-jee]
(Greek episteme, “knowledge”)
The philosophical study of the theory of knowledge, the bounds of knowledge, the source of knowledge, the method of acquisition of knowledge, and the justification of knowledge. From the Christian point of view, knowledge has its being in God. Being such, our ability to discover truth is dependent on what he has revealed […]

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[em-peer’-uh-sihz’-um]
(Greek emperirismos, “experience”)
The theory of epistemology (the study of knowledge) that limits the bounds of knowledge to that which can can be demonstrated through experience. Being practical rather than abstract, the empiricist gives little weight to pure reason or abstract thinking. If it can be tested by the five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing) […]

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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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[ahy’-suh-jee‘-sis]
(Greek eis-, “into” + Greek hegeisthai, “to guide”)
The interpretive fallacy of reading into (eis-) the text of Scripture a preconceived theology in order to make it fit with what those presumptions require. Eisegesis is to be contrasted with exegesis which involves the arrival of meaning from or out of (ex-) the biblical text, without the […]

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Describes a method or theory of text criticism that seeks to reconstruct the original text of the Scripture by using manuscript evidence from all available sources. Most modern translations rely on eclectic texts (UBS4, NA27). This is to be contrasted with some methods of text criticism that rely only on one manuscript tradition (e.g., the […]

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[ek’-spee-ay‘-shun]
(Latin ex- as an intensive prefix + Latin piare, “to atone”)
Meaning “to atone, or make reparations for.” In Christian theology the term refers to the penal substitution of Christ on behalf of his people. Specifically it emphasizes the removal of guilt through the payment for the penalty of sin. This notion is coupled […]

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[kray-aw’-tsee-o eks nee’-uh-lo]
(Latin, “creation out of nothing”)
Describes the shared theistic worldview which believes all of creation was created by God out of non-existent matter. This belief is extremely important and foundational to the Christian belief in a transcendent God. God’s nature transcends time, space, and matter. Therefore, all that exists outside of God is dependent […]

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[ek’-suh-jee‘-sis]
(Greek exegeisthai, “to explain” or “to interpret,” from Greek ex-, “out of” or “from” + Greek hegeisthai, “to guide”)
With respect to biblical interpretation, it involves the process of critical analysis of the given text to produce direct, logical conclusions (utilizing the who, what when, where, why method). It often involves the evaluation of the original […]

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(1703-1758)
Often called the greatest theologian that America has ever produced, Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinistic theologian and philosopher who is best known for his treatise on religious affections. During his years as a Congregational minister Edwards managed to produce an impressive and comprehensive body of theological writing as well as lead America through the revival known as the First Great […]

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