NBST 515 > Glossary > Flashcards
Glossary Flashcards
Gen.
Genesis
Exod.
Exodus
Lev.
Leviticus
Num.
Numbers
Deut.
Deuteronomy
Josh.
Joshua
Judg.
Judges
Ruth
Ruth
1 Sam.
First Samuel
2 Sam.
Second Samuel
1 Kings
First Kings
2 Kings
Second Kings
1 Chron.
First Chronicles
2 Chron.
Second Chronicles
Ezra
Ezra
Neh.
Nehemiah
Esther
Esther
Job
Job
Ps.
Psalms
Prov.
Proverbs
Eccles.
Ecclesiastes
Song
Song of Songs
Isa.
Isaiah
Jer.
Jeremiah
Lam.
Lamentations
Ezek.
Ezekiel
Dan.
Daniel
Hosea
Hosea
Joel
Joel
Amos
Amos
Obad.
Obadiah
Jon.
Jonah
Mic.
Micah
Nahum
Nahum
Hab.
Habakkuk
Zeph.
Zephaniah
Hag.
Haggai
Zech.
Zechariah
Mal.
Malachi
Bar.
Baruch
1 Macc.
First Maccabees
2 Macc.
Second Maccabees
Matt.
Matthew
Mark
Mark
Luke
Luke
John
John
Acts
Acts of the Apostles
Rom.
Romans
1 Cor.
First Corinthians
2 Cor.
Second Corinthians
Gal.
Galatians
Eph.
Ephesians
Phil.
Phillippians
Col.
Colossians
1 Thess.
First Thessalonians
2 Thess.
Second Thessalonians
1 Tim.
First Timothy
2 Tim.
Second Timothy
Titus
Titus
Philem.
Philemon
Heb.
Hebrews
James
James
1 Pet.
First Peter
2 Pet.
Second Peter
1 John
First John
2 John
Second John
3 John
Third John
Jude
Jude
Rev.
Revelations
AD
Description of time deriving from the Latin anno Domini, “in the year of our Lord,” using the birth of Christ as the point of reference. Some prefer to use CE (Common Era) as its equivalent.
BC
Before Christ
BCE
Before the Common Era
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
NRSV
New Revised Standard Version
NT
New Testament
OT
Old Testament
TNIV
Today’s New International Version
Resurrection
To be brought to life again after death. Central to New Testament theology is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and thepromise that believers will be resurrected at the end of the age to newness of life (1 Cor. 15:1–57). The resurrected body will not be subject to decay but will be a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:42–44, 49). Unbelievers will be raised to condemnation (John 5:28, 29).
Bible
Term derived from the Greek biblion (book) designating the sixty-six books (thirty-nine OT, twenty-seven NT) that constitute the Christian Scriptures as the church’s ultimate rule of faith and life. Roman Catholics add fourteen apocryphal books to the Old Testament.
Scriptures
Synonym for Bible
Qur’an
Sacred text of Islam, believed by adherents to contain Allah’s (God’s) revelation to Muhammad.
Church
Translation of the Greek word ekklesia (assembly), referring to the congregation of believers in Christ, whether as a whole (the universal church) or in particular (e.g., thechurch in Ephesus, Rev. 2:1, or the church in Corinth, 1 Cor. 1:2). Paul calls the church the “Body of Christ,” those who are organically united to him (1 Cor. 12:27–28; Eph. 5:29–31).
Salvation
The action of God, who alone is Savior, whereby humans are delivered from the power and consequences of sin, death, and the devil through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. We may experience the benefits of salvation in the present by faith in Christ; ultimate salvation is the believer’s future hope.
Prophet
One called to proclaim the will of God. The prophet’s task was to denounce sin, call to repentance, remind the people of God’s deeds in the past, preach warnings of judgment to come, predict future events, and offer mercy to those who responded in faith. There were New Testament as well as Old Testament prophets, and both men and women prophesied.
Torah
Hebrew word meaning “guidance,” “law,” or “teaching,” most commonly used to refer to the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. “Torah” is also used broadly to mean all of God’s teachings combined to form a way of life.
The Prophets
The second division of the Hebrew Bible. It contains longer works like Isaiah along with very short ones like Joel and Obadiah.
The Writings
The third division of the Hebrew Bible. It contains some historical books, Psalms, Proverbs, and other poetic books.
The Fall
Humankind’s loss of original righteousness by deliberate disobedience to God’s express command, resulting in physical and spiritual death, alienation from God, and universal human sinfulness (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12–21; 1 Cor. 15:22).
Righteousness
That quality of God (and derivatively of humans) that consists of moral uprightness, totally just actions, and proper relationships. God is absolute moral perfection in all that he is, does, and establishes between himself and the created order. Humans are righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
Christ
Synonym for Messiah
Redemption
Term meaning “to purchase” or “to buy back.” Theologically it is the doctrine that God saves, liberates, and delivers his people (Isa. 49:26; 60:16). In the New Testament the foundation of God’s redeeming activity is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24, 25; 1 Pet. 1:18–21).
Sins
Any thought, act, word, or state of being that is contrary to the law or will of God. Sin thus breaks one’s fellowship or communion with God. According to the New Testament all humans are sinners (Rom. 3:23), but they may be forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection secured remission of sin (Rom. 5:12–21).
Dead Sea Scrolls
A group of Jewish documents written between 250 BC and AD 68 and found in caves near the Dead Sea in the late 1940s. Fragments from more than eight hundred volumes are represented, ranging from Old Testament and possibly New Testament texts to current blessings, hymns, and prayers.
Revelation
To make known, lay bare, uncover. In general, we have knowledge of God only because he chooses to make himself known, that is, reveals himself. Sometimes God reveals specific things he wants us to know (Gal. 1:12; 2:2; Eph. 3:3). Because Scripture is the Word of God in its entirety, it is the revelation of God, as is Jesus Christ, who supremely makes God known. “Revelation” also refers to the last book of the New Testament, because John began it “The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him” (Rev. 1:1).
Canon
Term meaning standard or basis for judgment. In theology it refers to the Scriptures received by the church as authoritative for its life and thought.
Gospel
Greek word meaning “good news” that describes the message preached by the early Christians concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–8). It is also used to designate any of the first four books in the New Testament.
Inspiration
The truth that the Bible has as its origin God himself. Behind each human author of Scripture is divine initiative and activity that gives that author’s words a reference beyond himself. A classic New Testament text for this doctrine is 2 Timothy 3:16–17.
Disciples
From the Latin discipulus (Greek, mathetes) meaning “learner, pupil,” a term used more than 250 times in the New Testament to refer broadly to those who follow Christ and learn from him (Matt. 14:26; Acts 6:1). It is sometimes used narrowly to refer to the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:1–2; 11:1).
Concursus
The complementary interworking of God and human writers in the composition of the Bible.
Apostles
Term meaning “a messenger” or “one who is sent,” applied to the twelve leaders appointed by Jesus (Mark 3:13–19). Qualifications for apostleship included seeing the risen Lord (Acts 1:13–14). Paul could claim apostleship for this reason (1 Cor. 9:1). They are sometimes called simply “the Twelve” (John 20:24; 1 Cor. 15:5).
Lectionaries
Books containing brief selections (or pericopae) of New Testament Scriptures (except the book of Revelation) for use in worship services or private devotions organized in accordance with the church year.
Manuscript
A handwritten copy of the whole Bible or a part of it.
Papyrus
A paper made from reeds and used in ancient times. The earliest New Testament manuscripts were written on papyrus.
Unicals
Term used by text critics to define a large group of Greek biblical manuscripts written in large, carefully formed letters similar to our capital letters. Uncial manuscripts date from the third to about the ninth centuries AD.
Minuscules
Term used by textual critics to define a large group of Greek biblical manuscripts, dating from the ninth to early sixteenth centuries AD. They were written in a running script of smaller letters. The term “minuscule” (Latin, minusculus) means “somewhat small.”
Textual Criticism
The study of the ancient texts and versions of the Bible to determine what the original writer or scribe is most likely to have penned. Currently there are more than five thousand portions of the New Testament in Greek, and thousands more in other ancient languages. Together they contribute to the understanding of the process underlying the copying and transmitting of the original text.
Rabbinic
Found in the writings of the rabbis (Jewish religious teachers and leaders) active before and during New Testament times.
Oral Traditions
Traditions of a group that are passed from person to person or from generation to generation in oral form beforethey are written down. In the New Testament period, the time when tradition was passed on by word of mouth was very short. Eyewitnesses were still alive during the process (see Luke 1:1–4).
Praeparatio Evangelium
Term used by many church fathers and contemporary theologians; it means “preparation for the gospel” and is used to convey the idea that all prior history was a prelude leading up to the coming of Christ.
Gentiles
In Jewish thought, one who is racially a non-Jew and who, theologically speaking, is not in covenant relationship with God. Typically, gentiles were considered “unclean” by the Jews of Jesus’s day.
Essenes
A sect of Judaism at the time of Jesus that emphasized apocalyptic, asceticism, and strict obedience to the law. The Qumran community by the Dead Sea was probably Essene.
Incarnation
Latin word meaning “having become flesh.” Theologically, it is the doctrine that the Second Person of the eternal Trinity became a human being by taking on human flesh in being born of the virgin Mary (John 1:14; Phil. 2:6–8; 1 Tim. 3:16).
Diadochi
Military successors to Alexander the Great who fought among themselves as they carved up his empire following his death. Antigonus Cyclops seized Asia Minor; Ptolemy took Egypt and North Africa; Seleucus Nicator took the territory stretching from Mesopotamia east to India; others took less significant portions.
Priest
Person authorized to offer ritual sacrifices and make intercession before God in a specially designated place of worship. In Jesus’s day such sacrifices were offered in the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus predicted the destruction of the long-standing sacrificial system (Matt.24:1–2). Early Christianity taught that all believers are a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9), that their bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), and that the whole of life is “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). Everyone, not just a priestly class, should make supplications, prayer, and intercessions (1 Tim. 2:1).
Hasidim
Hebrew term used to designate those pious Jews who would not abandon their faith, even if it meant their death, during the persecutions of Antiochus IV, Epiphanes, in the second century BC (1 Macc. 2:42).
Hasmoneans
The family name of those Jews (the Maccabees) and their descendants who instigated the revolt against the Syrians in 167 BC (1 Macc. 14:25–45; Josephus, Ant. 20.8.11).
Seleucid Empire
The dynasty founded by Alexander the Great’s general Seleucus after Alexander’s death in 323 BC. It ruled Syria from approximately 312 BC until Roman times. The Seleucids’ capital city was Antioch. They controlled Palestine in the second century BC until they were driven out by the Maccabees after the defeat of Antiochus IV.
Feast of Dedication
An eight-day Jewish festival, beginning on the twenty-fifth of Kislev (November/December), commemorating the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 164 BC and the relighting of the temple candles (1 Macc. 4:52–59). It was also called the Feast of Lights and today is known as Hanukkah. Jesus attended this feast (John 10:22–39).
Pharisees
During New Testament times one of the dominant groups of Jewish thought. The Pharisees accepted both Scripture and tradition as authoritative; affirmed the traditional theological doctrines of God’s providence, angels, resurrection, and the afterlife; held to a strict observance of Jewish legal rules (their name means “separated”); and opposed Jesus and early Christianity, for, among other reasons, the Christians’ apparent disregard of key Jewish rules. Although small in number (estimated at six thousand) their influence was widespread and in many ways typified Jewish thinking at that time.
Ethnarch
A subordinate ruler. The term’s precise meaning varied throughout the Greco-Roman era during which it was used.
Synagogue
Local place of worship and teaching in Judaism. Synagogues developed during the intertestamental period, beginning after the destruction of the temple in 587 BC, as places where Jews could study the law, meet together, worship God, and administer justice according to the law. When the temple was rebuilt during Herod’s reign, synagogues continued to exist because many people could not travel to the Jerusalem temple to worship. There were numerous synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, with many in Palestine itself. Early Christian worship paralleled the synagogue service in many respects.
Polytheistic Syncretism
Combining the beliefs of different religions. This combination results in a new religion that includes the worship of many gods.
Sacrifice
An offering of value made to God in recognition of his glory and of our dependence on him. In the Old Testament an elaborate system of animal sacrifices was established. This was fulfilled by the death of Jesus, who offered himself as the final sacrifice, once for all (Heb. 9:11–14; 10:10). Believers are to offer themselves as living sacrifices to be used by God in his service (Rom. 12:1, 2).
Second Temple Judaism
Term used to describe the society and culture of the Jews after they returned from exile in Babylon and built the second temple. This era ended with the temple’s destruction in AD 70.
Rabbis
Title of respect meaning “Teacher” or “Master,” given in Jesus’s day to those who excelled in the law of Moses and were qualified to teach it. Jesus was referred to as “Rabbi” by his followers (Matt. 26:25; Mark 11:21; John 3:2). Jesus at one point told his followers not to seek such titles of honor (Matt. 23:7, 8).
Judaism
General term denoting the religious system upheld by the Jews: their theological, ethical, and social beliefs and practices based on their authoritative writings, which currently includes the Old Testament and above all the Talmud. Judaism began during the captivity in Babylon/Persia (586–539 BC). There were many divergent forms of Judaism during New Testament times. See also Jamnia.
Diaspora
Terms designating those Jews who were living outside Palestine, scattered or dispersed among the gentiles.
Sabbath
The seventh day (Saturday) of the Jewish week, set apart by God for rest and as a sign of the covenant made with Israel (Exod. 20:8–11; Deut. 5:12–15). Jesus said the Sabbath was made for the benefit of the human race (Mark 2:23–28). The book of Hebrews sees in the Sabbath a foreshadowing of our rest in heaven (Heb. 4:9–11). Christians worship on the first day of the week (Sunday) in honor of Jesus’s resurrection from the dead.
Traditions
Religious teachings that run parallel to the canonical Scriptures, in some instances considered equally authoritative with those canonical Scriptures. The Pharisees in Jesus’s day honored their traditions along with the Old Testament Scriptures; the Sadducees did not. Today’s Roman Catholics base their doctrine on Scripture and tradition, while Protestants seek to base their doctrine on sola scriptura, or Scripture alone.
Tractates
A literary subdivision of the Mishnah, like a book or chapter of the Bible.
Maccabees
Nickname meaning “the Hammer” that was applied to Judas, son of Mattathias, who led his brothers and others in a successful war against their Syrian oppressors in about 167 BC. Their family, called the Hasmonean dynasty, ruled in Judah until the Roman occupation of Palestine in 63 BC.
Kerygma
Greek word meaning “proclamation” used in New Testament theology to designate the message of the early church concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as preached to those who had yet to receive Christ.
Kerygma
Greek word meaning “proclamation” used in New Testament theology to designate the message of the early church concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as preached to those who had yet to receive Christ.
Nisan
The first month of the year in the Hebrew calendar; it corresponds to March/April. Jesus died on the fourteenth of Nisan.
Passover
Annual Jewish festival held on Nisan 14 (March/April of the Jewish calendar) that begins the seven-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. The original Passover meal included roast lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs (Exod. 12:14–30; 13:3–10) and commemorated the night before the exodus from Egypt, when the angel of death “passed over” the children of Israel because of the blood of the sacrificial lamb smeared over the doorposts (Exod. 12:12, 13). Jesus celebrated a last Passover with his disciples. Paul calls Jesus “our Passover lamb” who was sacrificed for us (1 Cor. 5:7–8).
Feast of Tabernacles
One of the three major festivals of the Jewish year (Lev. 23:33–43). It commemorated the completion of the agricultural year and in New Testament times lasted eight days, beginning Tishri (September/October) 15. During the festival people lived in small tabernacles (booths), recalling the time in the wilderness. Jesus attended at least one Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:1–39).
Covenant
An agreement established by God with his people, binding the two together. Several covenants are mentioned in the Old and the New Testaments. Jesus establishes a New Covenant based on the promise of God (Gen. 12:1–3; Jer. 31:31–34) and sealed with his sacrificial blood (Mark 14:22–25; 1 Cor. 11:23–26).
Gethsemane
An olive grove and garden on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem where Jesus customarily took his disciples. On the night before his crucifixion, he prayed there in agony and was arrested (Luke 22:39–53; John 18:1–11).
Golgotha
Aramaic word meaning “skull,” designating the place outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified (John 19:17). The term “Calvary” designating this place is derived from the Latin word for skull, calvaria.
Virgin Birth
This doctrine is perhaps better stated as the virginal conception of Jesus. It holds that Mary conceived Jesus by a miraculous act of God, independent of any human involvement (Matt. 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–35).
Ascension
Term used to describe the return of Jesus to heaven forty days after his resurrection (Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:9).
Corban
Term used to declare something dedicated to God (Lev. 1:2; Num. 7:13). In Mark 7:11–13 Jesus castigates the Jews for the practice of pronouncing something corban and thus unavailable for the lawful support of aging parents.
Kingdom of God
The sovereign reign or rule of God; it was the essence of Jesus’s teaching. It was inaugurated by Jesus’s first coming and will be consummated at his second coming. It refers to the full sweep of God’s redemptive activity.
Parable
Story used by ancient teachers and prophets and frequently by Jesus to convey a profound spiritual truth. It usually has points of contact with everyday life and sometimes contains elements of hyperbole or surprise to arrest one’s attention. Parables frequently require some significant decision on the hearer’s part. Their fundamental point in Jesus’s ministry was to change lives, not just to entertain or provide information.
Allegorical
A literary device wherein the details of a story are given symbolic meaning. Philo of Alexandria interpreted much of the Old Testament this way. Jesus (Matt. 13:1–9, 18–23, 24–30, 36–43) and Paul (Gal. 4:21–31) sometimes make use of allegory-like methods.
Proverbs
Short and compact sayings that express a well-known truth or idea. In the Scriptures proverbs usually relate theological truth to practical living, but abstract doctrinal ideas can sometimes be found.
Son of Man
Jesus’s favorite self-designation, drawn from Daniel 7:13–14. The term was not a common messianic title in Jesus’s day; hence he could fill it with his own understanding of the Messiah’s task, which he defined as bringing in the kingdom of God, dying and rising again, and returning in glory at the end of the age (Matt. 16:13–28; 26:62–64; Mark 10:32–34; 13:24–27).
Nicene Creed
A short statement of Christian belief drafted in AD 325 by the Council of Nicea. The creed emphasized the proper relationship between the Father and the Son as well as the humanity of Jesus.
Heresy
A false teaching, one that does not conform to the official standards of the religious community. Christianity was called a heresy (“sect,” NIV, Acts 24:14) by some of the Jewish leaders. Paul warns Timothy (1 Tim. 1:3–7) and Titus (Titus 3:10) against the false teaching of heretics.
Mystery
Term used to describe some non-Christian religions whose rites and doctrines were secret. Used in the New Testament by Jesus and Paul to speak of spiritual truths no longer secret but revealed. Jesus speaks of the mystery of the kingdom that is made known to the disciples (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10), and Paul explains the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:3, 4), of the gospel (Eph. 6:19), of God’s will (Eph. 1:9), and of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16). It is, in essence, the saving will of God now made known to the world through the gospel.
Second Coming
The visible return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of the age as Lord of all (Acts 1:11; Rev. 11:15; 19:11–16). Jesusprophesied his second coming (Matt. 24:29–31), as does the rest of the New Testament (1 Thess. 4:13–18; 2 Pet. 3:3–13). It is also called the parousia, from a Greek word meaning “presence” or “coming.” Some Christians distinguish between a coming of Christ for believers and a subsequent coming again with his believers to earth.
Intertestamental
General term denoting the period of time from the completion of the Old Testament to the writing of the New Testament.
Messiah
Hebrew word meaning “Anointed One.” In the Old Testament it refers to one who was specially designated by God to perform a particular task. The prophets announced the coming of a Messiah who would restore the kingdom to Israel (Ps. 110; Dan. 9:25–26). Jesus Christ fulfilled those prophesies, bringing in the kingdom of God (Matt. 16:13–20; Acts 17:3). “Christ” is derived from the Greek word for Messiah and quickly became a proper name for Jesus (see, e.g., Gal. 3:14, 16, 22, 24, 26).
Magi
Non-Jewish religious astrologers who, from their observations of the heavenly bodies and probably the Old Testament, inferred the birth of a great Jewish king. They came to Bethlehem to pay homage to Jesus (Matt. 2:1–12).
Baptism
The Christian ceremony whereby a person is publicly received into the church by application of or immersion in water (Acts 2:38–41). A type of baptism was practiced by John the Baptist and other Jews before the church adopted it.
Transfiguration
The transformation of Jesus on a high mountain in Palestine (probably Mount Hermon) during which his essential deity was glimpsed by Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were also there, conversing with Jesus. God the Father closed the revelatory scene with the words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matt. 17:1–13).
Bishop
A leader in the early church, sometimes called an “overseer” or “elder.” Qualifications for office are listed in 1 Timothy 3:1–10 and Titus 1:5–9.
Presbyter
New Testament term that refers to a church official or elder.
Form Criticism
A method of literary analysis (especially of the Gospels) that classifies the written material by form and attempts to work back through the various “life situations” in an assumed earlier oral period to the original form of a saying of Jesus. This method was supposed to help distinguish between what is primary and secondary in a text and aid the process of exegesis.
Last Supper
Synonym for the Lord’s Supper
Lord’s Supper
The final Passover meal that Jesus held with his disciples on the night he was betrayed. He established a ceremonial meal consisting of bread (commemorating his body) and wine (commemorating his blood) confirming the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer. 31:31–34; Matt. 26:27–28). It became the central ceremony of fellowship of the Christian church (1 Cor. 11:17–32). It is also called “communion” and “the Eucharist.”
