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
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
Homiletics
What is homiletics? Dictionary.com noun, ( used with a singular verb) 1. the art of preaching; the branch of practical theology that treats of homilies or sermons. Etymonline.com "the art of preaching," 1805, from homiletic; also see -ics. (noun) homiletic (adj.) 1640s, "of or having to do with sermons," from Late Latin homileticus, from Greek … Continue reading Homiletics
Missiology
Missiology is a sort of forced word for the study of missions. The word started to come into use between 1920 and 1925. Combine its "forced" quality and the fairly recent appearance and you get a reason why I couldn't find it on etymonline for this post. Nevertheless, here's the dictionary.com entry: noun, Christianity. 1. … Continue reading Missiology
Apologetics
At the root of the term "apologetics" is "apology". NO, we are not talking about saying "I'm sorry" here. Let's take a closer look as to its actual meaning & origin. Dictionary.com noun, ( used with a singular verb) 1. the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity. Etymonline.com apologetics "branch … Continue reading Apologetics
Defining & Where to Next
This week I thought I'd take a short break from the series to give you a preview of what I've got planned coming up. So far I've gone over Theology and then moved onto other "ologies" that are related to the study of God. Those have included Epistemology and Eschatology, each with their own posts … Continue reading Defining & Where to Next
Eschatology
The study of final things. This area of study is more directly an area of study within theology unlike epistemology - which was more directly an area of study from philosophy. It is concerned with studying and understanding what has been revealed about the end of times - the end of the world as we … Continue reading Eschatology
Theology – part 2
There are many subcategories or areas of study within theology - each with their own names. You will be seeing these as we progress through this series. For now, I want to zero in on an issue that some quibble over on the topic and that is in regards to division. Theological differences have created … Continue reading Theology – part 2
Theology – part 1
Theology is commonly defined as the study of God. From etymonline.com: [mid-14c., "the science of religion, study of God and his relationship to humanity," from Old French theologie "philosophical study of Christian doctrine; Scripture" (14c.), from Latin theologia, from Greek theologia "an account of the gods," from theologos "one discoursing on the gods," from theos … Continue reading Theology – part 1