Title: Westminster Dictionary Of Theological Terms Author .
title:author:publisher:isbn10 asin:print isbn13:ebook isbn13:language:subjectpublication date:lcc:ddc:subject:Westminster Dictionary of Theological TermsMcKim, Donald K.Westminster John Knox eology--Dictionaries.1996BR95.M378 1996eb230/.03Theology--Dictionaries.coverPage iWestminster Dictionary of Theological Termspage iPage iiAlso published by Westminster John Knox PressENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE REFORMED FAITHedited by Donald K. McKimDICTIONARY OF FEMINIST THEOLOGIESedited by Letty M. Russell and J. Shannon ClarksonThe Westminster Dictionary Of Christian Ethicsedited by James F. Childress and John MacquarrieTHE WESTMINSTER DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITYedited by Gordon S. WakefieldTHE WESTMINSTER DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY
edited by Alan Richardson and John BowdenTHE NEW WESTMINSTER DICTIONARY OF LITURGY AND WORSHIPedited by J. G. Daviespage iiPage iiiWestminster Dictionary of Theological TermsDonald K. McKimpage iiiPage iv 1996 Donald K. McKimAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ormechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission inwriting from the publisher. For information, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville,Kentucky 40202-1396.Book design by Jennifer K. CoxCover design by Kim WohlenhausFirst editionPublished by Westminster John Knox PressLouisville, KentuckyThis book is printed on acid-free paper that meets the American National Standards Institute Z39.48 standard.PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataMcKim, Donald K.Westminster dictionary of theological terms / Donald K. McKim 1st ed.p. cm.Includes bibliographical references.ISBN 0-664-22089-4 (cloth)ISBN 0-664-25511-6 (paper)1. TheologyDictionaries. I. 96-21588
page ivPage vForewordWords are the building blocks for Christian theology. Through long centuries, Christian theological reflection has beenexpressed in words. Vocabularies have been built. Events have happened and words to describe them have been coined.The Christian church has worshiped, educated, and preached. It has passed on a tradition of faith. Theological movementshave been born and have flourished, and some have died. Ecclesiastical bodies have functioned in history. Christianshave sought spiritual growth and carried out ministries. The church has studied the Scriptures and adopted ethicalstances. All this, and more, has happened. And words have been crucial to all these developments.A number of years teaching in theological seminaries has convinced me of the need for a volume that defines wordswhich are important theological terms. A number of specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias are available to offerextended treatments of vocabularies for particular fields, for example, Bible, theology, church history, and worship.These are crucial resources. Yet today's theological vocabularies are wide-ranging and technical. Specialized workscannot attempt to be extensive. So there is also need for a wider, synthetic work that gives short, identifying definitionsover a more comprehensive range of theological disciplines. This dictionary seeks to meet such a need.The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms provides a short, one-to-three-sentence definition of theological termsfrom some twenty-one theological disciplines. The more than 5,500 terms here are drawn from the following areas:Bible, American church history, church government, general church history, ethics, evangelicalism, feminist theology,fundamentalism, general religion, liberation theology, liturgical theology, Lutheran theology, ministry, philosophicaltheology, Protestant theology, Reformed theology, Roman Catholic theology, social-scientific terms, spirituality,theology, Wesleyan theology, and worship. While the volume is not "deep," in the sense of delving into intricatetheological discussions, it is "broad" in covering a wide waterfront in short compass. My hope is that this type ofresource will fill an important niche in the theological literature while providing easy access to an expanse of theologicalterms.A survey of the areas listed will indicate that I have construed "theological terms" rather widely. This list extends beyonda traditional, formal description of theology in terms of subdisciplines such as biblical, constructive, dogmatic,fundamental, historical, and systematic theology. Instead, I have wanted to ask of each area: what terms are used asvocabulary in the field; what is their importance; and, most significant: what are their theological meanings? Majorevents in church history, biblical terms, philosophical movements, social-scientific terminology, and objects used inworship are examples of the types of terms included that extend beyond the traditional theological confines. But my hopeis for this volume to acquaint readers with likely terms they will encounter as they read in a wide variety of theologicalsources.page vPage viI have not included here as entries proper names of persons or (except in rare instances) titles of books. These wouldhave needed new dictionaries in themselves. The primary focus is on what a term means in the Christian theologicaltradition. In some cases, this significance is not directly drawn, or is alluded to generally. For some terms in generalreligion or philosophical theology no focused allusion to Christian theology is made. Yet I have seen these to be ofenough widespread importance to include them, while at the same time not making this book a dictionary of "religion."The terms are defined on their own, and I have tried not to make any definitions sound pejorative. At some points it doesneed to be indicated, however, whether the term or the view is used widely in Christian theology or narrowly by adesignated group or movement.Also, it will be apparent at times that not all the uses or definitions of a term will be listed. The reason for this in somecases will be ignorance; in others, it is because my self-imposed space constraints have meant I have needed to mentiononly the most important ways the term is employed. The etymologies included will usually reflect Latin, Greek, orHebrew derivations. Often the Greek and Hebrew will indicate the most important usage in Old and New Testament
texts.This book could not have been written without the help of a number of people. I would like to thank the followingpersons for their support and suggestions of additions to my initial word lists in the areas of their special competence:Gabriel Fackre, Andover Newton Theological Seminary; Joseph A. Favazza, Rhodes College; Janet Fishburn, DrewUniversity Graduate School; Christine E. Gudorf, Florida International University; Steve Harper, A Foundation forTheological Education; Catherine T. R. MacDonald, the Presbytery of Boston; Ralph W. Quere, Wartburg TheologicalSeminary; Peter H. Van Ness, Union Theological Seminary in New York; and James F. White, University of NotreDame. These colleagues have been tremendously helpful and I am grateful to them. Responsibility for the final word listsand for the definitions is my own.Also to be thanked is Rich Cook, my student assistant at Memphis Theological Seminary. He has aided this endeavorthrough proofreading and has been a lively conversation partner in encouraging me to dream about possibilities formultimedia resources in theological education. Carla S. Hubbard also assisted in proofreading.This work owes its genesis to Davis Perkins, President & Publisher of Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Davisapproached me with the offer to work on this volume and for that I am very glad. He has been a strong and patientsupporter through the writing process when other duties have slowed my progress. But he has remained a firm friend. Heand the staff at Westminster John Knox, including Managing Editor Stephanie Egnotovich, deserve special thanks.Production Editor Carl Helmich has been careful, meticulous, and most helpful.My own familyLindaJo, Stephen, and Karldeserve the most thanks of all. They bear with me through all the zigs andzags of our lives together and with their love support me during times of writing and in all else. To them I express mydeepest gratitude for all the joys we share.This book is dedicated to the Faculty and Staff of Memphis Theological Seminary, 199396. As Dean, I am most gratefulfor their work. These dedicated ecumenical colleagues have been wonderfully supportive friends who are deeplycommitted to the theological education this volume hopes to enhance. For the gracefulness, I am thankful.Through much of this work I have been, unexpectedly, boosted by the music ofpage viPage viiMichael Doucet & Beausoleil. Garrison Keillor called Beausoleil the "greatest Cajun band in the world." Until I sawthem in concert, I'd never been drawn to this type of music. But, Amazingly, they provided the most wonderfulbackground for defining theological terms!One of my favorites from the past is Dr. Samuel Johnson (170984) "Dictionary Johnson," the great English lexicographer,produced his monumental Dictionary of the English Language (1755) after nine years of work. His portrait, sketched bymy wife, has gazed directly down on me at my home computer. Now his famous definition of a lexicographer has takenon a very personal meaning: "Lexicographer. A writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge . . . ."Yet I hope the outcome of these labors will take away some "drudgery" from theological work. Karl Barth consideredtheology "the joyful science." So it is! The following is offered to all those interested in Christian theology, everywhere.May they understand what they readall the words, the "building blocks"and in understanding find for themselves the joysof doing theology.D.K.M.MEMPHIS, TENNESSEELENT 1996page viiPage 1
A7a cappella(Ital. "according to chapel") Choir or congregational singing without musical accompaniment.A cruce salus(Lat. "Salvation comes from the cross") Affirmation that God's plan for human salvation focuses on Jesus' death on thecross.a posterioriLatin term referring to thought or knowledge that is based on, or arises after, experience.a prioriLatin term referring to thought or knowledge arising from a concept or principle that precedes empirical verification, orthat occurs independently of experience.a se(Lat. "[existing] of itself") A philosophical concept applied to God as the only entirely independent and self-sustainingbeing.abandon(Fr. "relinquishment," "surrender") Term used by some 17th-century French writers for the willing acceptance of God'sprovidence and one's obedient cooperation with it.abbaAramaic term for "father," used by Jesus in addressing God and connoting intimacy (Mark 14:36; cf. Rom. 8:1516; Gal.4:6).abbess(Lat. abbatissa, feminine form of abbas, "abbot") Female superior who oversees a nunnery.abbey(Lat. abbatia, from abbas, "abbot") A monastery or nunnery that houses a society of persons who are separated from thesecular world or who work in the world. Also, a church connected with a monastery.abbot(From Gr. and Lat. abbas, from Aramaic abba, "father") Superior in charge of a monastic community in certain religiousorders.AbecedariansFollowers of Nicholas Storch (d. 1525), who believed that all knowledge prevented religious understanding, evenknowledge of the alphabet.abjuration(Lat. abjurare, "to deny an oath") A formal renunciation of what is recognized as false, such as heresy, sin, or falsedoctrine.
ablutions(Lat. ablutio, "cleansing") In the Roman Catholic tradition, ritual washing of the chalice and other objects with wine andwater prior to the Eucharist. Also the washing of the fingers and chalice after the Eucharist has been received. The termis no longer used, but the rituals remain.AbolitionismReform movement in 19th-century America that sought the abolition of the slave trade and emancipation of all slaves.abomination of desolationA term used by Jesus in Matt. 24:15 and Mark 13:14 (KJV; see Dan. 11:31; 12:11). It is seen either as "Antichrist," asign or act of the Antichrist figure, or as idolatry.abortionThe removal of a fetus from the mother's womb. Regarded variously in Christian ethical traditions: by some, as justifiedin certain circumstances; by others, as murder.absolute(Lat. absolutus, from absolvere, "to set free") That which exists in and of itself with no dependence. A philosophicaldescription of God.absolute idealismPhilosophical view of G.W.F. Hegel (17701831) in which all reality is perceived as the expression of an absolute idea.absoluteness of ChristianityAn affirmation of the Christian faith that God'spage 1Page 2full and final revelation is given to the world in Jesus Christ.absolutes, moralIn ethics, the rules that are to be observed in all situations, regardless of contexts, and with no exceptions.absolution(From Lat. absolvere, "to set free") The formal act of pronouncing forgiveness of sins. In Roman Catholic theology, theformula the priest uses in the sacrament of reconciliation (formerly penance), usually "I absolve you." In Eastern churchesit is "May God forgive you."absolutions of the deadMedieval service after a Requiem Mass consisting of prayers for the dead.absolutismThe establishment of one element, text, person, ideology, or reality as supreme in relation to all else. Also, theunderstanding of the absolute or ultimate reality as existing independently and unconditionally.abstinence
(From Lat. abstinentia, "self-restraint") Voluntarily forgoing a certain practice or appetite, e.g., doing without certainfoods, usually for a spiritual or devotional purpose. The term is also used to designate fasting and sometimes forrefraining specifically from alcoholic beverages.absurdIn existentialist writings, an expression of the meaninglessness of human life and activities.abunaDerived from "our father." The patriarch of the Ethiopian Church.abuseIn ethics, the mistreatment of other persons, particularly the perversion or misuse of the opportunities to care for others,such as one's spouse, children, or elderly relatives.abyssA term frequently used in the theology of Paul Tillich (18861965) to indicate the "depth of the divine life, itsinexhaustible and ineffable character" (Systematic Theology, 1:156).Acacian schism (484519)Temporary schism between Rome and Constantinople (482519) during the patriarchate of Acacius (471489) over theconcern that the Constantinopolitan patriarchs were leaning toward Monophysitism and were thus not in accord with theteachings of the Council of Chalcedon (451) on the person of Jesus Christ.academies, dissentingSee dissenting academiesacceptilation(Lat. acceptilatio, "a formal discharging from a debt") A term from Roman law indicating a verbal release from anobligation. It was used by medieval theologians to describe God's acceptance of the death of Jesus Christ as thesatisfaction of the penalty for human sin.accidentTerm used by Thomistic philosophy and theology for that which concurs or accedes to a substance and perfects it.Accidents determine the way a substance is perceivedas, for example, shape, size, and color determine how a chair isperceived. They are the outward appearance.accidie(Gr. akedeia *, Lat. acedia, "negligence") The neglecting of duties to God and others due to an inner turmoil.accommodation(From Lat. accommodatio, "adjusting one thing to another") Theologians trained in classical rhetoric (Origen,Chrysostom, Augustine, and Calvin) used this idea to indicate God's condescension in revelation. God communicated inways adjusted to limited human capacities.accountability, age ofThe age at which one is considered to be responsible for the rightness or wrongness of one's own actions.
Acemetae(Gr. akoimetai*, "sleepless ones") Name for a group of monks who supported the Council of Chalcedon (451) against theMonophysites. They stressed poverty, withdrawal from society, and perpetual liturgical adoration.acolyte(Gr. akolouthos, "follower") A nonordained person who assists in a worship service by performing actions such ascarrying a cross or lighting candles.page 2Page 3acosmism(Gr. a, ''no, not"; cosmos, "created order") A philosophical view that denies the existence of the physical world andclaims that only the absolute spirit of which the world is the expression is real. Associated with Baruch Spinoza(163277).acrosticArrangement of words, lines, or verses to form a word, phrase, or alphabetical sequence where key letters or syllables arefound in certain positions. Alphabetic sequences occur in Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, and 119. A Christian example isichthys, formed from the initial letters of the Greek word for "fish," and standing for "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior."act(From Lat. agere, "to do") The deed that is done by an agent.act of faith(Lat. actus fidei) Term used by post-Reformation Lutheran and Reformed theologians to describe the actualizing of faithin which the intellect and will appropriate the object of faith (obiectum fidei), referring either to the Scriptures or to JesusChrist.act of trust(Lat. actus fiduciae) Term used by post-Reformation theologians to describe the actualization of trust, which means theapprehension by the will of the truth of Jesus Christ.act of union(Lat. actus unionis) Term used by post-Reformation theologians to describe the personal union of the two naturesdivineand humanin Jesus Christ.action(Lat. actio) Term used for the eucharistic prayer in the Mass, which in Roman Catholic theology constitutes thesacrificial action of Christ's death.acts of a human(Lat. acti hominis) Acts done by a person that are not specifically human in character, such as instinctive reactions likesleeping when tired. The term is distinguished from "human acts" (Lat. acti humani) in Roman Catholic moral theology.Acts of the MartyrsAccounts in the early church of the actions and deaths of Christian martyrs.
actual sinSee sin, actualactualismA philosophical view which holds that the act of thinking is the "pure act" that creates the world of human experience. Itis associated with Giovanni Gentile (18751944) as the subjective extreme of the idealism of G.W.F. Hegel (17701831).actualityTerm from Aristotelian metaphysics denoting the realization of potentiality. In the thought of Thomas Aquinas (122574),God is pure actuality, for there is no change in God from potentiality to actuality as there is in finite beings.actus purus(Lat. "pure act") Medieval philosophical definition of God signifying absolute, eternal, unlimited perfection.A.D.See: anno Dominiad fontes(Lat. "to the sources") A watchword of Renaissance Humanist scholars. They urged a return to the original sources of theGreek and Roman classics, the Scriptures, and the writings of early Christian theologians. This approach influencedProtestant Reformers such as John Calvin (150964).ad majorem Dei gloriam(Lat. "for the greater glory of God") Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).Adam(Heb. ha'adam, "the man," "humanity") The biblical accounts (Gen. 1) consider the first human to be a male, made fromthe earth (Gen. 1:2627; 2:7), who received the "breath of life" from God and was created in God's image.Adam, lastDesignation for Jesus Christ, who represents the new humanity in contrast to "the first man, Adam" (1 Cor. 15:45).AdamitesSmall sect in the early church period that sought to return to the innocence of the Garden of Eden by practicing nudity.adherents(From Lat. adhaerere, "to cling to") A term used by churches following a presbyterial order of church government todescribe those who attend church worship regularly and participatepage 3Page 4in the church's life but who are not official members.adiaphora
(Gr. "things indif
The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms provides a short, one-to-three-sentence definition of theological terms from some twenty-one theological disciplines. The more than 5,500 terms here are drawn from the following areas: . events in church history, biblical terms, philosophical movements, social-scientific terminology, and objects .
PRJ Puritan Reformed Journal RTS Reformed Theological Seminary SBJT Southern Baptist Journal of Theology tniv Today's New International Version WCF Westminster Confession of Faith WLC Westminster Larger Catechism WSC Westminster Shorter Catechism WTJ Westminster Theological Journal Theology for Ministry_typesetting file.indd 17 11/18/21 6:43 PM
Methodology," Westminster Theological journal 52, no. 1 (1990): 49. 5 Whether sola Scnptura can rightly serve as the prillcipium cognoscendi of non theological knowledge is the underlying issue in the debate between Frame and Muller. See Frame, "Muller on Theology," Westminster Theological journal 56, no. 1
aspell-eo An Esperanto Dictionary for Aspell L2 aspell-es A Spanish Dictionary for ASpell L2 aspell-et An Estonian dictionary for aspell L2 aspell-fa A Persian dictionary for aspell L2 aspell-fi Finnish Dictionary Package L2 aspell-fo A Faroese Dictionary for ASpell L2 aspell-fr A French Dictionary for ASpell L2 aspell-ga An Irish Dictionary .
Theological Education by Extension (TEE) 251 Kangwa Mabuluki 15. Curriculum Development in Theological Education 263 . Toward a Unified and Contextual Program in Theological Education in the Caribbean 489 Noel Titus . xi 23. Theological Education in the Middle East 494 . Theological in Baptist Churches - major trends, networks .
At St. Paul’s Church Fellowship Hall (Corner of Green and Bond Streets in Westminster) 17 Bond St, Westminster, MD 21157 2014 Mid Winter Rally Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, Inc. 25 Union St. Westminster, MD 21157 Date: Saturday, Februa
Westminster Theological Seminary Thirtieth Anniversary Year VOLUME 28, NUMBER 9 MAY 11, 1959. Westminster Alumni The Westminster graduate is a cosmopolitan person. You may find him as a missionary in an African desert or at the head of an urban in . Pensacola Theological Institute with
Westminster Theological Journal 43 (1981) 247-288: idem; , "The Binding of God: Calvin's Role in the Development of Covenan (Th.D diss.t. Theology, "Westminster Theological Seminary 1985) Michae,; l McGifFert, "Fro Mosem tso Adam: th e Making of the Covenant of Works," Sixteenth Century (1988) Journal 131-155: 19/2;
« On attend par additif alimentaire : toute substance habituellement non consommée comme aliment en soi et habituellement non utilisée comme ingrédient caractéristique dans l’alimentation, possédant ou non une valeur nutritive, et dont l’adjonction intentionnelle aux denrées alimentaires, dans un but technologique au stade de leur fabrication, transformation, préparation .
