Glossary of Christian Terms

Eisegesis
The interpretation of the Bible by reading one's own ideas or beliefs into it, rather than drawing out the meaning that is naturally present in the text. It involves imposing one's own preconceived notions, biases, or interpretations onto the text, often resulting in a misinterpretation or distortion of the original meaning. Eisegesis can lead to readings of scripture that are subjective, speculative, or out of context with the intended message of the text. In contrast, Exegesis seeks to derive meaning from the text based on careful analysis of its content and context.
Exegesis
Exegesis refers to the critical interpretation or explanation of biblical texts. It involves the careful analysis of scripture to understand its meaning, intent, and significance. Christian Exegesis typically considers factors such as the historical and cultural context in which the text was written, the literary genre of the passage, the author's intended message, and the theological themes present in the text.
Gospel

The Christian Gospel is centered on the work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul put's it most plainly in saying "...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Ro. 10:9-10) And, in Acts we're told to "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)

In essence, when you speak the Gospel to another person, you are calling them to repent and believe. One way to speak the truth might be something like... "Jesus, the God-man, lived a perfectly sinless life, died on the cross, and conquered death to save those who would believe. Repent of your sins and confess that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved."

Learn More: Paul Washer - The Gospel
Hermeneutics

"The word that we use to describe interpretation of the Bible is Hermeneutics…. It is from a Greek word, hermeneuo which means to interpret or to translate, to give the meaning. It is giving the sense of what something says." (GTY Source). Hermeneutics determines the methods, techniques, rules, or principles that will best serve in determining the proper interpretation of any portion of Scripture.

Learn more: John MacArthur - Interpreting The Bible
Reformed Theology

A theological tradition within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the sovereignty of God in all aspects of life and salvation. It is rooted in the teachings of the Protestant Reformer John Calvin and other theologians of the Reformation era.

Key tenets of Reformed Theology include:

  1. Sovereignty of God: God is understood as the supreme ruler and authority over all creation, determining all events and outcomes according to His divine will.
  2. Total Depravity: Human beings are considered morally and spiritually corrupt as a result of the Fall, incapable of saving themselves or even seeking God without His grace.
  3. Unconditional Election: God chooses, based solely on His own will and not on any merit or foreseen faith in individuals, whom He will save or elect for salvation.
  4. Limited Atonement: Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross is understood to be intended specifically for the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation.
  5. Irresistible Grace: God's grace is efficacious and cannot be resisted by those whom He has elected for salvation. It is God's sovereign work in the hearts of the elect that brings about their conversion and faith.
  6. Perseverance of the Saints: Those whom God has elected and regenerated will persevere in faith and obedience until the end, ultimately being saved and glorified.
Reformed Theology also emphasizes the authority of Scripture, the centrality of Christ in salvation, and the importance of the church as the community of believers.
Theology
Christian Theology is the systematic study and interpretation of the beliefs, teachings, and doctrines of Christianity. It involves exploring the nature of God, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, sacraments, eschatology (the study of end times), ethics, and other theological topics as they are revealed in the Christian scriptures (the Bible). Christian Theology seeks to understand and articulate the central tenets of the Christian faith, as well as their implications for individual believers and the broader world.
Scroll to Top