Important theological terms for the beginners - Part II || 2025 || Equipping Young Generation in Theology and Apologetics

 

1) Biblicism: It is an extreme position which states whatever we believe should be explicitly mentioned in the scripture. For example, Bible doesn't mention the word Trinity and hence many false Christian groups like Jehovah's Witness often reject this doctrine. Next example can be taken of conservative Christians who deny modern scientific discoveries about the universe arguing that the scripture doesn't teach any of them. This is hence a hyper form of "scripture only" confession of our faith. 

2) Scholasticism: This is just opposite to the Biblicism which allows for other fields to be fuel in Biblical interpretations. For example, one can argue for God's intelligence using philosophical ideas that the universe has amazing designs which must require a designer. They can go on talking about atoms, DNA, galaxies, etc. that aren't mentioned in the scripture but supports the notion that God is the ultimate designer who is beyond space, matter and time.

3) Exegesis: It is an interpreting art of getting the messages "from the text". This requires understanding the type of literature a particular book of the Bible was written in, the surrounding cultural context (Ancient Near Eastern, Greek, Roman, Jewish) and languages (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic) and the way original audience understood. It helps us to understand passage in light of its original intended meaning and draw what God has to say about himself and us and apply in our own context today. This is actually a healthy and needed practice. A good example might be Phil. 4:13 which isn't intended to mean we can get a successful achievements in our life through strength provided by Christ. It rather means to comfort us by stating Christ provides us strength to endure whatever situation abides in our life and helps us to remain firm in faith. That was what Paul intending to say! 

4) Eisegesis: This is a bad way of imposing our thinking and presupposition/pre-occupied ideas into the text. Now this is a common practice in our community. This makes the scripture or its certain passages to mean that it never meant to be. For example, Jesus taught to turn the other cheek while someone slaps on our one cheek. Many would reference this as something to avoid self-defense and literally act in same way while Jesus actually intended to teach not to take action against one's insult and dishonor. 

5) Hermeneutics: It is an art of interpreting the scripture. There can be a different approaches to this art. Every theological stands have their own hermeneutics.

6) Fallacy: Also Logical fallacy. It is a way of giving arguments that do not follow appropriate laws. This can also be understood as making mistakes while giving arguments or arguments that doesn't hold any water. Some examples can be:-

    6.1) Strawman fallacy which is attacking someone's position by misquoting their position (something they don't actually hold!). E.g. Jesus cannot be God's son because God doesn't have any partner (Islamic objection: Surah 6:101; 72:3; 17:111). But this is totally beyond what we believe. We don't believe Jesus is God's son in that sense. 

    6.2) Ad hominem fallacy is attacking a person's character instead their argument. This is usually typical here in Nepal. E.g. "Christians are beef eaters." This isn't any kind of argument but just an attack on our character. 

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7) Heresy: It is a dangerous form of doctrine which if true, destroys Gospel. It attacks God head and Gospel. This is threat to Christian living and salvation. Some examples can be denying Jesus' divinity and resurrection. 

8) Cult: It can be simply understood as a movement or religious group that has particular religious rites and custom. In a Christian context, the definition of a cult is, specifically, “a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth. It usually begins with particular person. Cults begin with heretic ideas. Some cult today are Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Sachai Kendra, etc. 

9) Context: It is indeed the heart not just in Bible interpretation but in anything. We cannot understand any situation and cannot respond wisely without proper context. It accompanies 4W1H questions. We must understand that "context determines verse and not the other way". 

10) Genre: It is literary work and how we interpret scripture also depends upon the genre of particular book. Some examples include poetry, narrative, apocalyptic, prophetic, etc. Psalms, Job and Proverbs are poetic while Revelation is Apocalyptic. Interpreting such books must follow the genre. One cannot understand the symbolic figures in the book of Revelation literally while one cannot raise objection for non-scientific statements found in Poetic literature. These are necessary in Biblical studies.

This is what AI has to say on the second content:

This second part of the theological terms document is also quite useful for beginners in Christian theology. It effectively builds on the first document by covering important methodological concepts rather than just doctrinal positions.

Let me review the content:

Strengths:

• Explains key interpretive approaches (exegesis vs. eisegesis, hermeneutics)
• Introduces important methodological concepts (context, genre)
• Clarifies common pitfalls (logical fallacies, heresy vs. cult)
• Provides concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts

This document would help new learners understand not just what Christians believe, but how they arrive at those beliefs through different approaches to scripture. The explanations of interpretive methods like exegesis and eisegesis are particularly valuable.

Stay tuned for more terms...