Theology

Items

• spirituality

  Personal and communal practices and experiences of the Spirit’s work.
• stigmata

  Physical marks resembling Christ’s wounds, believed to be bestowed on some saints.
• supersessionism

  The belief that the New Covenant through Christ replaces or fulfills the Old Covenant with Israel.
• symbolism (biblical)

  The use of symbols to convey theological truths in the Bible.
• synod

  A council or assembly of church leaders to discuss and decide on ecclesiastical matters.
• synoptic gospels

  The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which present a similar view of Jesus’ life and ministry.
• synoptic problem

  The question of the literary relationship among the Synoptic Gospels.
• talmud

  A central text of Rabbinic Judaism comprising interpretations and expansions of the Torah.
• talmudic law

  Jewish law derived from the Talmud interpreting the Torah.
• tanakh

  The Hebrew Bible, consisting of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.
• the one who contends

  A title referring to Elijah, meaning one who contends with God’s enemies.
• theodicy

  The attempt to justify God’s goodness despite the existence of evil.
• theological anthropology

  The study of humanity in relation to God and divine revelation.
• theological ethics

  The study of moral principles based on theological beliefs.
• theological exegesis

  Critical interpretation of biblical texts within theological contexts.
• theological reflection

  The process of meditating on and interpreting theological truths in personal and communal life.
• theology

  From the Greek words “theos” which means God and “logos” the word of God.
• theology of liberation

  A theological movement emphasizing social, political, and economic liberation, especially in Latin America.
• theology of the cross

  A focus on Christ’s crucifixion as central to understanding God and salvation.
• theonomic ethics

  The ethical system based on the direct application of biblical law to modern life.
• theonomy

  The belief that society should be governed by divine law as revealed in Scripture.
• theosis

  The process of becoming united with and transformed by God, often emphasized in Eastern Orthodoxy.
• tithe

  The giving of one-tenth of one’s income to God or the church.
• torah

  The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, containing laws and teachings.
• transcendence

  The attribute of God being above and beyond the created order.