Bible, Inspiration of the The cornerstone of evangelical theology lies in its confession of the inspiration and authority of the Bible, as the revealed “Word of God Written.” Since the term “inspired” is used of the Bible in different ways, it is important to clarify the particular sense in which it should be employed, not […]
Study of the Bible that seeks to discover what the biblical writers, under divine guidance, believed, described, and taught in the context of their own times. Relation to Other Disciplines Biblical theology is related to but different from three other major branches of theological inquiry. Practical theology focuses on pastoral application of biblical truths in modern […]
Bible, Canon of the The word “canon” derives from the Hebrew term qaneh and the Greek term kanon, both of which refer to a measuring rod. It designates the exclusive collection of documents in the Judeo-Christian tradition that have come to be regarded as Scripture. The Jewish canon was written in both Hebrew and Aramaic, while the Christian […]
Bible, Authority of the: The central question that runs through the Bible is that of the authority of God. His authority is majestically displayed in Genesis 1, where the words “and God said” puncture the darkness of chaos and speak the cosmos into being. It is supremely challenged by a creature of his own making […]
Baptism of the Holy Spirit Seven New Testament passages speak of baptism of/in/with/by the Holy Spirit. The varying prepositions reflect the fact that the Spirit is both the agent and sphere of this baptism. Six of these passages refer to John the Baptist’s teaching, contrasting his baptism in water with Jesus’ future baptism in the […]
Baptize, Baptism The Greek root-word baptizein [baptivzw] means to plunge, immerse, sink; hence to wash; to be immersed, overwhelmed (in trouble). From Jewish rules of purification concerning ritual uncleanness the word gained a technical religious connotation implying “purification” from all that might exclude from God’s presence. When, at the diaspora, numerous Gentiles sought admission to Israel, the […]
Augustus (venerable ) Caesar , the first Roman emperor. He was born A.U.C. 691, B.C. 63. His father was Caius Octavius; his mother Atia, daughter of Julia the sister of C. Julius Caesar. He was principally educated by his great-uncle Julius Caesar, and was made his heir. After his murder, the young Octavius, then Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus, […]
Atonement This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Romans 5:11 , where in the Revised Version the word “reconciliation” is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so […]
Astronomy The Hebrews were devout students of the wonders of the starry firmanent ( Amos 5:8 ; Psalms 19 ). In the Book of Job, which is the oldest book of the Bible in all probability, the constellations are distinguished and named. Mention is made of the “morning star” ( Revelation 2:28 ; Compare Isaiah 14:12 ), the “seven stars” and “Pleiades,” “Orion,” […]
Assyria, Asshur, was a great and powerful country lying on the Tigris, ( Genesis 2:14 ) the capital of which was Nineveh. ( Genesis 10:11 ) etc. It derived its name apparently from Asshur, the son of Shem, ( Genesis 10:22 ) who in later times was worshipped by the Assyrians as their chief god. Extent. — The boundaries of Assyria differed […]