Cross, Crucifixion The importance of the cross as a theological motif in the New Testament is impossible to overestimate. It stands as the center of the New Testament theology of salvation and is the starting point for not only soteriology, but all of Christian theology. It is the means by which we finally and fully […]
Chronicles, Theology of Chronicles’ Perspective on Israel’s Past. Chronicles re-presents the historical traditions of Israel from a different perspective and for different purposes than those found in Samuel-Kings. Samuel-Kings looks at the past from the perspective of the nation’s exile in Babylon (586-538 b.c.), a time when the very existence of Israel seemed to have […]
Call, Calling This prominent biblical term is used with particular theological significance in three ways: in connection with worship, with election, and with vocation. Worship. To “call on” God or the Lord is a frequent biblical expression: it occurs fifty-six times in total (Old Testament, 45; New Testament, 11); on four occasions it is applied […]
Command, Commandment The term “commandment” in the Bible (mainly Heb. miswa [h”w.xim]; Gk. entole [ejntolhv]) refers to orders or adjurations given by authorities. The plural predominantly refers to Mosaic laws. The commandments were for Israel’s good ( Deut 10:13 ) since God’s covenant love was lasting for those who kept them ( Exod 20:6 ; Deut 7:9 ). Obedience would result in prosperity, security, God’s […]
Covenant : The word “covenant, ” infrequently heard in conversation, is quite commonly used in legal, social (marriage), and religious and theological contexts. The Idea of Covenant. The term “covenant” is of Latin origin (con venire), meaning a coming together. It presupposes two or more parties who come together to make a contract, agreeing on […]
Create, Creation: Who created and sustains the universe? Why was it created? What is the nature of the Creator-creature relationship? These are the sorts of questions that the Bible addresses when it treats the topic of creation. Such queries are essentially theological in nature. Therefore, the juxtaposition, by some modern interpreters, of scriptural assertions about […]
Colossians, Theology of Introduction. Although short in length and written to a church Paul did not plant, Colossians stands tall in highlighting the centrality of Jesus Christ as the mediator of God’s saving activity. It emphasizes that those who belong to Jesus need only draw on the resources God provides through Jesus in order to […]
Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of Many modern interpreters believe that eschatology, the doctrine of the endtimes, is the center of the apostle Paul’s thought, beginning with his presupposition of the two-age structure. According to early Judaism, time is divided into two consecutive periods: this age and the age to come. The former is characterized […]
Colossians, Theology of Introduction. Although short in length and written to a church Paul did not plant, Colossians stands tall in highlighting the centrality of Jesus Christ as the mediator of God’s saving activity. It emphasizes that those who belong to Jesus need only draw on the resources God provides through Jesus in order to […]
Christ, Christology Jesus Christ is the central figure whom the Old Testament foreshadows and the New Testament proclaims as prophecy become fact. It is accordingly of first importance to understand the biblical portrayal of the Messiah (Heb. masiah [jyiv’m]; Gk. Christos [Cristov”], from chrio [crivw], to anoint), whom God has anointed to redeem his people and creation. A key passage that […]