What is meant by the terms 1st Heaven, 2nd Heaven, and 3rd Heaven? Let's start by defining Heaven: Dictionary.com noun the abode of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life. (initial capital letter) Often Heavens. the celestial powers; … Continue reading Heaven
Christian
Exegesis
Dictionary.com noun, plural exegeses [ek-si-jee-seez] (Show IPA) 1. critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text, especially of the Bible. Etymonline.com 1610s, "explanatory note," from Greek exegesis "explanation, interpretation," from exegeisthai "explain, interpret," from ex "out" (see ex-) + hegeisthai "to lead, guide," from PIE root *sag- "to track down, seek out" (see seek (v.)). Meaning "exposition (of Scripture)" is from 1823. Related: Exegetic; exegetical; exegetically. Discussion/Explanation … Continue reading Exegesis
Gospels
Dictionary.com —noun the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation. the story of Christ's life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books. something regarded as true and implicitly believed: to take … Continue reading Gospels
Unction
Dictionary.com noun 1. an act of anointing, especially as a medical treatment or religious rite. 2. an unguent or ointment; salve. 3. something soothing or comforting. 4. an excessive, affected, sometimes cloying earnestness or fervor in manner, especially in speaking. 5. Religion. the oil used in religious rites, as in anointing the sick or dying. … Continue reading Unction
Theology – part 3
Theology can be said to have 4 broad categories or areas of focus within it. These would include: Exegetical Theology Historical Theology Systematic Theology Practical Theology Exegetical Theology. It is looking at the Bible as such; it "...includes all that belongs to the explanation and interpretation of the Holy Scriptures (1)." This is the area … Continue reading Theology – part 3
Torah & Pentateuch
Dictionary.com Torah noun, ( sometimes lowercase) 1. the Pentateuch, being the first of the three Jewish divisions of the OldTestament.Compare Tanach. 2. a parchment scroll on which the Pentateuch is written, used in synagogue services. 3. the entire body of Jewish religious literature, law, and teaching as contained chiefly in the Old Testament and the Talmud. 4. law or instruction. Etymonline.com Torah "the Pentateuch," 1570s, from Hebrew torah, literally "instruction, law," verbal noun from horah "he taught, showed." Pentateuch first five books of the Bible, c. 1400, from Late Latin pentateuchus (Tertullian, c.207), from Greek pentateukhos (c. 160), originally an adjective (abstracted from phrase pentateukhos biblos), from pente "five" (from PIE root *penkwe- "five") + teukhos "implement, vessel, gear" … Continue reading Torah & Pentateuch
Holy
Dictionary.com adjective, holier, holiest. 1. specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: holy ground. 2. dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion: a holy man. 3. saintly; godly; pious; devout: a holy life. 4. having a spiritually pure quality: a holy love. 5. entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred: a holy relic. 6. religious: holy rites. 7. inspiring fear, awe, or grave distress: The director, when angry, is a holy terror. noun, plural holies. 8. a place of worship; sacred place; sanctuary. Etymonline.com holy (adj.) Old English halig "holy, consecrated, sacred; godly; ecclesiastical," from Proto-Germanic *hailaga- (source also of Old Norse heilagr, Danish hellig, Old Frisian helich "holy," Old Saxon helag, Middle Dutch helich, Old High German heilag, German heilig, Gothic hailags "holy"), from … Continue reading Holy
Old vs Young-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 4)
Summation Chart - Young vs. Old Earth Young-Earth Old-Earth Thousands of years Millions even billions of years A literal reading of Genesis 1-2 An at least partially symbolic reading of Genesis 1-2 A largely unified position Unified in old planetary/universe age and in symbolic reading. Varied on just about everything else. The creation story is … Continue reading Old vs Young-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 4)
Old-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 3)
Old-Earth Is there unity among those who hold to this view? There is in regards to what has been spoken in the following questions; however, there is greater variance within this camp when compared to young-Earth. Some common names that appear include: Progressive creationism Gap theory Day-age theory Framework Hypothesis Some would also try to … Continue reading Old-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 3)
Young-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 2)
Note: This and the following article will be organized by questions which set the stage for a later post that will compare/contrast the two over-arching views side-by-side. Young-Earth Is there unity among those who hold to this view? In a word, yes. There is some variance within this camp but it is largely from person to … Continue reading Young-Earth Creationism (Creationism part 2)
Monergist Gratia 