Theology, it seems, comes with a vocabulary that is more fit for academic theologians than for the practitioners in the pews. More ink is spent in seminary defining, refining, and arguing over minute points of theology than it seems anything else! This is all fine and good for professional theologians, but makes it hard for those seeking to share the good news in relate-able ways to those seeking Christ. Here then are twelve terms bantered about the church and simple (and therefore somewhat incomplete, but workable) definitions for each.
- GRACE – “God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense” – receiving what we do not deserve and NOT receiving what we do deserve
- DISCIPLE – not just a student, but one who desires to be like Christ in all ways.
- SIN – “Selfish in Nature” – our desire to have things our way instead of God’s way
- ATONEMENT – to make amends for sin, Christ’s death “made amends” or “atoned” for our acts of selfishness (SIN)
- JUDGEMENT – God’s final verdict on our life of sin. All of us will be judged, but not all will suffer the consequences – those who accept Christ’s atonement (through the cross) have there sentence communed
- MERCY – undeserved compassion. God has mercy on us and does not punish us for our sin here on earth, even though He is in his right to do so. He does, however, allow the consequence of sin to effect our lives.
- ETERNITY – the realm of God outside of time. Not necessarily an infinite time, but rather where time does not exist or has no influence on life.
- DAMNATION – eternal separation from God for those who seek to stay in a life of selfishness (SIN) instead of accepting the grace given to us through Christ
- SANCTIFICATION – the process by which God continues to transform us from selfish sinners into Godly saints – becoming more Christ-like.
- JUSTIFICATION – “Just-as-if-I’d never sinned” Through faith in Christ we are restored to a right relationship with God
- PREVENIENT – “going before” The way that God works in our lives before we accept Christ to bring us to a point of decision.
- FAITH – The active trust in God’s promises. Faith is more than just belief – it is trusting that those beliefs are truth and living accordingly.
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