It’s inevitable that when people begin discussing theology, someone will start trotting out five-dollar-words. While clarity and simplicity in language are to be valued, so also is the ability to effectively communicate particular ideas in specific ways using specialized language. Like any other discipline, theology has developed terms — usually multisyllabic — to name the concepts, methods, and theories with which it regularly deals.

In order that all participants at study conference may understand the terminology being used, the BFL has prepared a list of relevant definitions for study conference. Find all 25 definitions below.—KB

adoption

(Gr. huiothesia) Reception of a sinner into the familial relationship of a child to God as parent through Jesus Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15; 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).

atonement

(from English “at” and “one”) The death of Jesus Christ on the cross, which effects salvation as the reestablishment of the relationship between God and sinners.

atonement, theories (models) of

Different theological descriptions of the ways by which the death of Jesus Christ on the cross effects an “atonement” or bringing together of God and humanity. The Christian church has never stated only one, definitive view or theory of how the death of Jesus Christ effects salvation.

Christus Victor

(Lat. “Christ the Victor”) A term for the view that in his death and resurrection Jesus Christ defeated the powers of sin and evil, winning a cosmic victory over these enemies. Associated particularly with early church views of the atonement.

expiation

(Lat. expiatus, from ex, “out,” and piare, “to seek, appease, or purify through a sacred rite”) Release from sin as well as the means by which this release is accomplished. The RSV translates the Greek (hilastērion, hilasmos) in relation to the work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).

justification

(Gr. dikaioō, Lat. iustificatio, “a reckoning or counting as righteous”) God’s declaring a sinful person to be “just” on the basis of the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24–26; 4:25; 5:16–21). The result is God’s peace (Romans 5:1), God’s Spirit (8:4), and thus “salvation.”

kenosis

(Gr. kenōsis, “emptying”; Lat. exaninatio) A theological term for the “self-emptying” of Jesus Christ in which he took the form of a slave or servant (Gr. doulos; Lat. forma servi) to accomplish the work of salvation through his death and resurrection (Philippians 2:5–11).

liberation

Release from a form of captivity into freedom. A theological image for Christian salvation as release from the captivity of sin into the freedom given in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1, 13; 1 Peter 2:16).

mediator

(Lat. medius, “middle”) One who stands between parties in order to effect a reconciliation. The term is applied to Jesus Christ as the “one mediator between God and humankind” (1 Timothy 2:5), who has effected reconciliation by overcoming sin (cf. Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).

moral influence theory of the atonement

The view that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the supreme example of God’s love, and that by recognizing this, persons will respond to salvation and be influenced to live lives of love toward God and other people. It is associated with Peter Abelard (1079–1142).

pardon

(Lat. perdonare, “to remit a debt”) The forgiveness of a wrong or debt, used to indicate both God’s action in forgiving those who repent (Isaiah 55:7; Jeremiah 50:20) and the actions of persons toward others when wrongs have been done (Matthew 18:21–35).

penal-substitutionary theory of the atonement

A view of the atonement that stresses Christ’s death as a perfect payment for the penalty of human sin that is accepted by God, whose wrath and judgment are satisfied by this work of Christ, the sinner’s substitute. It has been influential in Protestantism and evangelicalism.

propitiation

(Lat. propitius, “favourable”) A theological term for making atonement for sin by making an acceptable sacrifice. Some English translations use the term (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) to describe the death of Christ. Some theories of the atonement relate this to God’s wrath.

ransom theory of the atonement

The view that Jesus Christ procured salvation by shedding his blood as a ransom to Satan to deliver humanity from bondage to evil. It is associated with the thought of Origen (circa AD 185–254).

recapitulation

(Lat. recapitulatio, Gr. anakephalaiōsis, “summing up”) A view of early Christian theologians, particularly Irenaeus (circa AD 130–200). God “sums up all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10) as the Second Adam who restores the sinful creation by redeeming all the sin done in Adam.

reconciliation

(Gr. katallagē, Lat. reconciliatio, “a bringing together again”) Bringing together parties who are estranged. It is a key image of the salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:16–21). Christians are to be reconciled with God and with others (Matthew 5:23–24).

reconstitution

This term, used by N. T. Wright, couches the atoning work of Christ in the context of Jesus’ call to Israel and all humanity to repent of her nationalist ambition and follow him in a new vision of God’s purpose for Israel. The reconstitution is of the people of God and mandates their new public definition as a single worldwide family marked out by faith in Christ alone.[1]

redemption

(Lat. redemptio, from redimere, “to redeem”) A financial metaphor that literally means “buying back.” Used theologically to indicate atonement, reconciliation, or salvation wherein liberation from forms of bondage such as sin, death, law, or evil takes place through Christ.

representative, Christ as

The view that Jesus Christ represents all humanity through his becoming human and is thus a “second Adam.” The term is also used to indicate that Christ represents humanity in his death to gain salvation for the world.

sacrifice

(Lat. sacrificium, from sacer, “sacred” and facere, “to make”) Something of value offered as an act of worship or devotion to God. Sacrifices were offered throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 4:3–5; 8:20–22), accompanied covenant making (Exodus 24:3–8), and were of various types.

sacrificial offering

The various things presented in worship to God as an act of devotion. The Old Testament describes different types of animal sacrifices. The New Testament sees the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrificial offering for the sin of the world (Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 5:3; 10:12).

salvation

(Lat. salvatio, from salvare, “to save”) God’s activities in bringing humans into a right relationship with God and with one another through Jesus Christ. They are saved from the consequences of their sin and given eternal life. Biblical images for salvation vary widely.

satisfaction

(Lat. satisfactio, “making amends,” “reparation”) The re-establishment of one’s relationship with God through some means of making amends or repayment. In Roman Catholic theology, the sacrament of reconciliation allows sinners to make satisfaction for sin through contrition, confession, and absolution.

satisfaction theory of the atonement

A view of the atonement that sees Christ’s death as providing the means by which amends are made for human sin. Jesus Christ satisfies the requirements of God for providing forgiveness. In Protestant theology, his obedience pays for human guilt and punishment.

sin

Various Hebrew and Greek words are translated “sin” with many shades of meaning. Theologically, sin is the human condition of separation from God that arises from opposition to God’s purposes. It may be breaking God’s law, failing to do what God wills, or rebellion. It needs forgiveness by God.

substitutionary death of Christ

The view that Jesus Christ in his death was the substitute for sinners who, because of their sin, rightly deserve to die and to face God’s judgment. Also called the “vicarious atonement” (Mark 10:45; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24). The benefits of Christ’s death are received by faith.

Unless otherwise indicated, definitions are taken from Donald K. McKim, Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996).

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^[1]N. T. Wright, “Jesus,” in David F. Wright, Sinclair B. Ferguson, J.I. Packer, eds., New Dictionary of Theology (Downer’s Grove: IVP, 1988), 348-351. Also N. T. Wright, “The New Inheritance According to Paul,” Bible Review, 14.3, June 1998. Cf. Hans Boersma, Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross: Reappropriating the Atonement Tradition (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), 112.