In Christendom today, there are often considered to be three primary branches - Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism (debating aside whether or not this is an accurate representation of current-day Christianity). Let's first get started with the usual... Dictionary.com Protestantism noun the religion of Protestants. the Protestant churches collectively. adherence to Protestant principles. Protestant noun 1. any Western Christian who is not an adherent … Continue reading Protestantism
Author: thebeggar
Polemics
Dictionary.com noun (used with a singular verb) 1. the art or practice of disputation or controversy: a master of polemics. 2. the branch of theology dealing with the history or conduct of ecclesiastical disputation and controversy. Etymonline.com 1630s, "controversial argument or discussion," from French polémique (16c./17c.), noun use of adjective meaning "disputatious, controversial" (see polemic (adj.)). Discussion/Explanation From the … Continue reading Polemics
Poimenics
Dictionary.com pastoral theology - the branch of theology dealing with the responsibilities of members of the clergy to the people under their care. Etymonline.com - - this term isn't in their database - - pastoral: "of or pertaining to shepherds," early 15c., from Old French pastoral (13c.), from Latin pastoralis "of herdsmen, of shepherds," from pastor (see pastor (n.)). The noun sense of "poem … Continue reading Poimenics
Philology
Dictionary.com noun the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenti-city and their original form, and the determination of their meaning. (especially in older use) linguistics, especially historical and comparative linguistics. Obsolete. the love of learning and literature. Etymonline.com late 14c., "love of learning," from Latin philologia "love of learning, love of letters, love of study, literary culture," from Greek philologia "love of discussion, learning, and literature; studiousness," from philo- "loving" (see philo-) + logos "word, speech" (see Logos). Meaning "science of language" is first attested 1716 (philologue "linguist" is from 1590s; philologer "linguistic scholar" is from 1650s); this confusing secondary … Continue reading Philology
Parable
Dictionary.com noun 1. a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. 2. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like. Etymonline.com mid-13c., parabol, modern form from early 14c., "saying or story in which something is expressed in terms … Continue reading Parable
Messiah
Dictionary.com noun the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25, 26. (usually lowercase) any expected deliverer. (usually lowercase) a zealous leader of some cause or project. (italics) an oratorio (1742) by George Frideric Handel. Etymonline.com c. 1300, Messias, from Late Latin Messias, from Greek Messias, from Aramaic (Semitic) meshiha and Hebrew mashiah "the anointed" (of the Lord), from mashah "anoint." This is the word rendered in Septuagint as Greek Khristos (see Christ). In Old Testament prophetic writing, it was used of an expected deliverer of the Jewish nation. The modern English form … Continue reading Messiah
God is Never a Copilot
People will sometimes say, "God is my copilot." On the surface and in a western culture this may sound fine at first hearing but it is not biblical. There are numerous examples in Scripture that point to a complete and utter submission to God as his follower. This puts God in the pilot's seat and … Continue reading God is Never a Copilot
Incarnation
Dictionary.com noun 1. an incarnate being or form. 2. a living being embodying a deity or spirit. 3. assumption of human form or nature 4. the Incarnation, (sometimes lowercase) Theology. the doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man. … Continue reading Incarnation
Historical Theology
Etymonline.com Historical early 15c., "of or pertaining to history, conveying information from the past," with -al (1) + Latin historicus "of history, historical," from Greek historikos "historical; of or for inquiry," from historia (see history). For sense differentiation, see historic. Meaning "narrated or mentioned in history" (as opposed to what is fiction or legend) is from 1843. Related: Historically. Theology mid-14c., "the science of religion, study … Continue reading Historical Theology
Hermeneutics
Dictionary.com noun (used with a singular verb) the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures. the branch of theology that deals with the principles of Biblical exegesis. Etymonline.com "art of interpretation, the study of exegesis," 1737, from hermeneutic; also see -ics. "interpretive," 1670s, from Latinized form of Greek hermeneutikos "of or for interpreting," from hermeneutes "interpreter," from hermeneuein "to interpret (foreign languages); interpret into words, give utterance to," a word of unknown origin (formerly considered ultimately a derivative of Hermes, as the tutelary … Continue reading Hermeneutics
Monergist Gratia 