The intellectual assent to or acceptance of a theological truth
Assensus
Refers both to the damaged relationship between God and humans and to the corruption of human nature such that there is within every human an ongoing tendency toward sin
Depravity
Refers to the Spirit’s application of grace such that an individual receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life
Effectual Calling
Any theory that argues that salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ to the exclusion of all other religions or beliefs; also generally argues that Christ must be believed upon and explicitly confessed in order for a person to qualify for salvation
Exclusivism
The belief that sin is canceled out by being covered over; suggests that Christ’s death covers our sins
Expiation
Literally means “trust”; In Latin, refers to the essential nature of faith; that is, to exercise faith is to engage in trust or commitment
Fiducia
A biblical term that literally means “to know in advance”
Foreknowledge
Speaks of God’s loving actions toward creation and toward humankind in particular; the generous overflow of the love of God the Father toward the Son, Jesus Christ; This love is most clearly demonstrated to humans through God’s selfless giving of Jesus to enable people to enter into a loving relationship with God as the Holy Spirit enables them
Grace
The characteristic of being unable to sin or being completely free from sin
Impeccability
A transfer of benefit or harm from one individual to another; may be used negatively to refer to the transfer of the sin and guilt of Adam to the rest of humankind; positively, refers to the righteousness of Christ being transferred to those who believe on Him for salvation
Imputation
A theory of salvation that suggests that although God saves people only on the merits of Christ, not all who are saved have consciously known of Jesus or heard of the gospel; God saves those who, although they have not heard of Jesus, nevertheless, respond to the best of their knowledge to the revelation of God available to them
Inclusivism
First decree is that God decrees to glorify Himself through the creation of man, second decree is to permit the fall, third decree is that God will elect some to salvation and permit the reprobation of others, fourth decree is to provide salvation for the elect through Christ
Infralapsarian
Refers to the divine act whereby God makes humans, who are sinful and therefore worthy of condemnation, acceptable before a God who is holy and righteous; this key doctrine of the Reformation asserts that a sinner is pardoned from the punishment and condemnation of sin and brought into relationship with God by faith in God’s grace alone
Justification
“Ekenosen” in Greek; Refers to the self-emptying of Christ in the incarnation, as well as His conscious acceptance of obedience to the divine will that led Him to death by crucifixion
Kenosis
Sometimes called “particular redemption,” the view that Jesus’ death secured salvation for only a limited number of persons (the elect), in contrast to the idea that the work of the cross is intended for all humankind
Limited Atonement
The philosophical theory that asserts that God knows all possible events and all theoretical truths, as well as all actual events and truths; Suggests that God knows not only what humans actually do but also what humans would do under hypothetical circumstances
Middle Knowledge
The trinitarian heresy that does not view Father, Son, and Spirit as three particular “persons in relation” but merely as three modes or manifestations of the one divine person of God; Thus, God comes in salvation history as Father to create and give the law, as Son to redeem and as Spirit to impart grace
Modalism
Latin for knowledge of, or acquaintance with, something or someone; In theology, refers to one aspect of faith; To believe in Christ a person must first become acquainted with the gospel message
Notitia
Latin, meaning “order of salvation,” that is, the succession of events in God’s salvific program
Ordo Salutis
The ability to sin
Peccability
The division of Christian doctrine dealing with the Holy Spirit; The word arises from Greek words that mean spirit and the teaching about; Explores the person and work of the Spirit, especially the Spirit’s involvement in human salvation
Pneumatology
Though often thought to be synonymous with common grace, refers more specifically to the Wesleyan idea that God has enabled all people everywhere to respond favorably to the gospel if they so choose
Prevenient Grace
An offering that turns away the wrath of God directed against sin
Propitiation
The process by which sinful humans are “brought back” from the bondage of sin into relationship with God through grace by the “payment” of Jesus’ death
Redemption
