(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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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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[ev’-ih-den‘-shul-iz-um]
The form of Christian apologetics that believes that the Holy Spirit often uses evidences to help people overcome obstacles to Christianity so that true faith can be exercised on the basis of epistemic justification. Evidentialists are opposed to fideists who believe that evidence is contrary to faith. Important evidentialists include J.P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, […]

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(Greek, “little church”)
This refers to small churches within big churches which met together for spiritual nourishment. The purpose was to revive the spiritual life and commitment of the church through a committed nuclei. The implied idea often became that this was the true church of committed believers meeting within the larger church of nominal Christians. The strong […]

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(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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[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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