The theory of translation that seeks to represent the original text by translating in a word-for-word paradigm, rather than a thought-for-thought paradigm (see Dynamic Equivalence). Formal Equivalence translations would include, among others, the KJV, NASB, ESV, and RSV.
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(Latin liberum arbitrium)…
The belief that the human will is free from any necessitating constraint (necessitas coactio). This is often referred to as “the power of contrary choice.” In this, whatever decisions are made, its alternative decisions are viable options. The alternative to libertarianism is fatalism, divine determinism, or self-determinism. The reformers believed that the faculty […]

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The epistemological position believing that many beliefs are properly basic or foundational to humanity without the need of an outside source of information. An example of a properly basic belief would be the law of non-contradiction (i.e., a belief cannot be true and false at the same time and in the same relationship). 

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Originally fundamentalism referred to the early 20th century movement that opposed liberalism and took a decisive stand for the essentials or “fundamentals” of the Christian faith (e.g. virgin birth, miracles, deity of Christ, etc.). Later the term “fundamentalism” became associated with Christian legalism and radical conservatism. In this sense, it has become a derogatory term with […]

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[fee’-day-iz-um]
(Latin fides, “faith”)
Literally “faithism.” Fideism is the belief that faith is antithetical to reason. In Christian apologetics, fideists believe in a necessary dichotomy between rational intellectual conviction and spiritual emotional conviction. Faith, to them, is strongest in the absence of evidence. Many would critique this approach believing it misunderstands and misdefines faith as that which […]

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(Also, “Marks of the Church”)
The Four Marks describe a belief in Christendom that the body of Christ—the church—is characterized by four “marks” or distinctives. These marks are found in the early church and found their way into the Creed of Constantinople in 381, “‘[We believe] In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.’” 1) One: this […]

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Describes the basic rational foundation to all knowledge that cannot be reduced by logical methodology but are presupposed in order to form any conclusion. These are often referred to as universal axioms because knowledge of them is universal and because of their assumed validity. Among the first principles of logic are the law of non-contradiction […]

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A form of philosophy or theology that affirms certain basic presuppositions as the foundation to systems of knowledge and belief. Examples of assumed foundational principles would be the Law of Non-contradiction or the Law of Excluded Middle. These assumed truths, according to foundationalists, give epistemic justification to other truths. Most people throughout history have held […]

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(Latin, “analogy of faith”)
A principle which seeks the consent of belief among the rules of faith established by a particular tradition. In Protestantism, the analogia fidei will normally have reference to the coherence of the Scriptures as they are compared to one another hermeneutically. In the broader Christian tradition, the analogia fidei not only refers […]

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(Latin, “analogy of faith”)
A principle of interpretation which believes that Scripture can never contradict itself, and therefore Scripture is the primary interpreter of Scripture. The assumption behind the analogia fidei is that since the Scriptures have one ultimate author (God), consistency and relevance in light of other Scriptures will be found. This principle, with regard […]

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