[hur’-muh-noo‘-tiks]
(Greek hermeneuo, “to translate” or “to interpret”)
The science or method of interpretation of a given text. It also refers to the discipline of applying principles toward biblical exegesis. Several different methods implemented include, but are not limited to, the historical-grammatical, lexical-syntactical, theological, and contextual.
Take the Hermeneutical Quiz!

Posted in H Comments Off

[hoe-moe-oo’-see-oss]
(Greek homo-, ”same” + Greek ousia, “substance” = “of the same substance” “consubstantial”)
This is the Trinitarian term that expresses a belief that Christ is of the same substance or nature as the Father. This word was central to the fourth-century debate between Athanasius and the Arians. Arius believed that Christ was of “similar substance” to the Father […]

Posted in Latin Terms, H Comments Off

[hap’-aks luh-gawm‘-uh-nawn’]
(Greek hapax, “once” + Greek legein, “to count” or ”to say” = ”once said”)
This is a word that only occurs once in a particular body of literature. With regards to the Scriptures, exegetes will often find a word that only appears one time. In the New Testament alone, there are 1,932 words that occur […]

Posted in H, L Comments Off

(Hebrew, “pious ones” or “faithful ones”)
An ancient sect of Judaism that flourished during the time of the Hasmonean revolt (140-147 BC). From this post-captivity sect probably came the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. These Jews sought to preserve the classic Jewish religion in the midst of the supposed compromise during the ensuing Hellenization of the Jews […]

Posted in H Comments Off

[huh-mar’-tee-awl‘-uh-gee]
(Greek hamartia, “sin”)
The study of the doctrine of sin. Hamartiology includes an investigation into the origin and effects of sin on all creation. Included in this study is the doctrine of imputed sin, inherited sin, and personal sin. Imputed sin refers to the belief that all mankind is held guilty for the sin of Adam. […]

Posted in H Comments Off

[hyoo-ris’-tik]
(Greek heuriskein, “to discover”)
A theological method that seeks to learn truth in a non-dogmatic fashion. In heuristics, learners are encouraged to explore ideas without the use of a set formula that will necessarily lead to presupposed conclusions. It will often involve a setting aside of traditional understanding in order to think “outside the box.” Heuristic […]

Posted in H Comments Off

[hag’-ee-aw‘-gruh-fee, also hay’-jee-aw‘-gruh-fee]
(Greek hagio, “saint” + Greek graphe, “writing”)
Hagiography refers to a writing about a saint who is revered in the Christian community. The early centuries of the church saw glorified biographies written to honor those saints who had died a martyr’s death. The term also has a pejorative nuance describing those who write biased […]

Posted in H Comments Off

The hermeneutical method of interpretation which seeks to understand the Scriptures in their original grammatical and historical context. This is also known as “authorial intent” hermeneutics since it seeks to discover the meaning that the original author intended for the original audience. This type of interpretation is in contrast to “reader-response” hermeneutics which allow the […]

Posted in G, H Comments Off

Hyper-Calvinism is a pejorative designation for those who are believed to go beyond historic Calvinism in their doctrine. Although there is no one way to designate a Calvinist as “hyper,” there are many extremes that might carry such a designation. Among these extremes: the belief that we do not need to evangelize, the belief that […]

Posted in H Comments Off

(Latin ad, “to” + Latin hominem, “the man”)
In rhetorical argumentation, an ad hominem is a method of argumentation in which a person attacks the character of the opponent(s) instead of dealing with the evidence or the substance of the argument. If someone were to attack the credibility of Reformation appealing to the character of Martin […]

Posted in Latin Terms, H, A Comments Off