AnthropomorphicTerm used to describe biblical language that talks about God in human terms so that we can understand. |
AseityAttribute of God meaning that He is self-sufficient |
Centrist TheologySchool of theology that maintains both that God has an eternal, unfailing plan for history, and that He also interacts with His creation regarding some plans that are limited in scope |
CommunicableTerm used to describe attributes of God that creation can share with Him |
Decretive WillPhrase used to refer to what God has ordained as unchangeable |
DualismThe belief that the creation has always existed alongside of God |
Ex NihiloLatin phrase meaning "out of nothing," used to explain how God created all things |
Fatalistic TheologyTheological concept that explains all of history in terms of God's transcendent plan, without taking into account that He also interacts with creation |
GeneralTerm used to describe revelation given through creation |
HolyTheological term which fundamentally means separate, or set apart |
ImmanenceTerm used to describe the fact that God is involved with the creation |
IncommunicableTerm used to describe attributes of God that creation cannot share with Him |
InfiniteAttribute of God meaning that He is without limits |
InfralapsarianismIn the debate regarding God's decrees, this view sustains that the decree to save His people came after the decree to permit the Fall of humanity. |
Natural TheologyThe study of God through general revelation |
OmnipotenceAttribute of God meaning that He is all-powerful |
OmnipresenceAttribute of God meaning that He is everywhere |
OmniscienceAttribute of God meaning that He knows everything |
Open TheologySchool of theology that explains everything in terms of God's immanence, affirming that God's plan depends entirely on history and the choices of spirits and human beings, without taking into account that He has an eternal, unfailing plan |
PantheismThe belief that God is identified with His creation |
PolytheismThe belief in many gods |
Prescriptive WillPhrase used to refer to God's commands |
ProvidenceTerm used to describe how God preserves and sustains everything |
Second CausesCreated beings or objects that perform real, but secondary roles in causing events to occur |
SovereigntyAttribute of God meaning that He is in total control of creation |
SpecialTerm used for revelation given through supernatural means |
SublapsarianismIn the debate regarding God's decrees, this view sustains that the decree to save came after the decree to permit the Fall, and also that the decree to save came after the decree to offer redemption. |
SupralapsarianismIn the debate regarding God's decrees, this view sustains that the decree to save His people came before the decree to permit the Fall of humanity. |
TheodicyThe vindication of God's goodness in view of the existence of evil |
TheophanyA visible appearance of God |
TranscendenceTheological term used to describe how God is above and beyond creation, and beyond our scope of thinking. |