Defining Key Terms and Concepts in Biblical Theology
Defining Key Terms and Concepts in Biblical Theology
Biblical theology operates with a specialized vocabulary drawn from Scripture itself, shaped by centuries of interpretive tradition. Understanding these terms requires attention to their Hebrew and Greek roots, their usage across the biblical canon, and the ways confessional traditions have articulated them.
The Divine Name and Nature
The English word "God" renders multiple Hebrew terms, each carrying distinct connotations. The name derives from Germanic roots meaning "to be strong," translating the Hebrew 'El [1]. More commonly, Scripture employs 'Elohim, a plural form used throughout the biblical text, while the singular 'Eloah appears only in poetic passages [1]. The personal covenant name Yahweh (Jehovah), rendered "LORD" in small capitals in most English translations, stands apart as the designation for the Supreme Being in relationship with Israel [1].
This relational dimension proves crucial. When Exodus declares "you will know that I am the LORD," the Hebrew verb for "know" signifies experiential relationship rather than abstract cognition—the same term used for intimate human relations [7]. Knowing God as Yahweh means entering covenant relationship, continually learning his character and will, which constitutes the only true rescue from the human predicament described in Genesis 3–11 [7].
Creation as Theological Foundation
Creation denotes "the formation of things which had no previous existence," as articulated in Romans 4:17 and Hebrews 11:3 [2]. This doctrine attributes the creative act to God the Father, to Christ as the agent through whom all things were made (John 1:3, 10; Colossians 1:16), and to the Holy Spirit (Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30) [2]. The act occurred "by the command of God" in six normal days, according to Exodus 20:11 and 31:17, fulfilling God's purpose and pleasure (Proverbs 16:4; Revelation 4:11) [2]. Faith itself becomes the means by which believers apprehend creation as God's work: "By faith we believe, to be God's work" [2].
Faith: Substance and Evidence
Hebrews 11:1 provides not a comprehensive definition but a description of faith's characteristics in relation to perseverance [6]. Faith "substantiates promises of God which we hope for, as future in fulfilment," making them present realities [6]. The Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-5—"Listen, Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone"—stands as "the fundamental statement of Israel's faith" [5]. Jesus identified these verses as the greatest commandment, a view shared across Jewish and Christian tradition. The first-century rabbi Hillel called the Shema the central theological idea of the Hebrew Bible, with all else serving as commentary [5].
The Word and Its Proclamation
When Scripture speaks of "the word," multiple referents converge. Christ himself is "the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry" [4]. Simultaneously, "the word" designates "the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ" [4]. Proclamation of this word follows the pattern of heralds announcing royal decrees: openly, publicly, with full voice, neither adding nor subtracting, speaking the whole counsel without reservation [4].
Foundational Principles and Progress
The phrase "principles of the doctrine" translates the Greek "the word of the beginning"—elementary instruction that forms the foundation [3]. Calvin's analogy clarifies the relationship between foundation and progress: while a house cannot exist without its foundation, perpetually laboring to lay that foundation proves absurd [3]. Believers must move beyond elementary stages, "getting further forward than the elementary 'principles'" [3], without abandoning the foundational truths themselves. This tension between rootedness and growth characterizes mature theological understanding across confessional boundaries.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6 (introduction): WARNING AGAINST RETROGRADING, WHICH SOON LEADS TO APOSTASY; ENCOURAGEMENT TO STEADFASTNESS FROM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS WORD AND OATH. (Heb 6:1-14) Therefore--Wherefore: seeing that ye ought not now to be still "babes" (Heb 5:11-14). leaving--getting further forward than the elementary "principles." "As in building a house one must never leave the foundation: yet to be always laboring in 'laying the foundation' would be ridiculous" [CALVIN]. the principles of the doctrine--Greek, "the word of the beginning," that is, the discussion ”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his ”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 6:4: 6:4-5 Listen (Hebrew shema‘): The Shema is the fundamental statement of Israel’s faith. Jesus described these verses as the greatest of the commandments (Matt 22:34-39; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28), a sentiment shared by ancient and modern Judaism. The rabbi Hillel (first century BC) spoke of the Shema as the central theological idea of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), calling the rest mere commentary. 6:4 The Lord is our God, the Lord alone: Only God is worthy of worship (5:7).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11 (introduction): DEFINITION OF THE FAITH JUST SPOKEN OF (Heb 10:39): EXAMPLES FROM THE OLD COVENANT FOR OUR PERSEVERANCE IN FAITH. (Heb. 11:1-40) Description of the great things which faith (in its widest sense: not here restricted to faith in the Gospel sense) does for us. Not a full definition of faith in its whole nature, but a description of its great characteristics in relation to the subject of Paul's exhortation here, namely, to perseverance. substance, &c.--It substantiates promises of God which we hope for, as future in fulfilment, making them”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 6:7: 6:7 Then you will know that I am the Lord: The Hebrew word translated know is always based on experience and relationship. The same word is used to describe human sexual relations. To know God as Yahweh is not just to know abstract facts about him, but to be in a relationship with him in which we are always learning who he is and what he wants us to do. This is the only true rescue from the human predicament of sin described in Gen 3–11. The importance of “knowing the Lord” in the book of Exodus is seen in its recurrence, especially in Exod 5–18 (5:2; 7:5, 17; 8:10”