Overview
This lecture covers key vocabulary from Chapter 9, focusing on theological concepts, heresies, important feasts, and terms related to the identity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Key Theological Terms
- Advocate is a title for the Holy Spirit meaning "helper" or "guide."
- Paraclete is another title for the Holy Spirit, also meaning advocate, helper, or guide.
- Christology is the study of Jesus Christ.
- Logos is the Greek word for "word," referenced in John 1:1 to describe Jesus' divine nature.
- Hypostatic Union refers to the union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ.
- Intercessory Prayer is prayer made on behalf of others.
Christological Perspectives & Heresies
- Christology from above emphasizes Jesus’ divinity before exploring his humanity.
- Christology from below starts with Jesus’ humanity and historical roots, then moves to his divinity.
- Arianism claims Jesus is the greatest creature God created, denying his divinity.
- Docetism incorrectly teaches Jesus only appeared human and was not truly incarnate.
- Gnosticism falsely claims secret mystical knowledge is needed for salvation.
- Monophysitism wrongly says Jesus’ divinity absorbed his humanity.
- Nestorianism teaches Jesus was two separate persons and Mary only mothered the human Jesus.
Feasts and Religious Practices
- Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah, marks the rededication of the Temple by the Maccabees.
- Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, commemorates the Jews’ forty years in the desert living in tents or booths.
Additional Key Concepts
- Glory of God refers to the visible revelation of God's invisible power.
- Hosanna is a Hebrew exclamation meaning "Oh Lord grant salvation," now used as a shout of joy.
- Sarks is the Greek word for "flesh," referring to Jesus' incarnation.
- Sign is the term John uses for "miracles" in his Gospel.
- Mystical describes a sense of mystery or spiritual meaning beyond human understanding.
- John Rylands Greek Papyrus is the earliest known New Testament text, containing lines from John 18:31-33.
- Atonement means making amends for one's sins.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Advocate — title for the Holy Spirit meaning "helper" or "guide."
- Arianism — heresy that claims Jesus was a created being.
- Atonement — making amends for sins.
- Christology — the study of Jesus Christ.
- Docetism — heresy saying Jesus only appeared human.
- Feast of Dedication — Hanukkah, rededication of the Temple.
- Feast of Tabernacles — Sukkot, commemorates Jews living in tents.
- Glory of God — visible revelation of God’s power.
- Gnosticism — heresy with secret mystical knowledge.
- Hosanna — Hebrew for "Lord grant salvation."
- Hypostatic Union — union of divine and human natures in Christ.
- Intercessory Prayer — praying for others.
- John Rylands Greek Papyrus — earliest NT text fragment.
- Logos — Greek for "word," used for Jesus.
- Monophysitism — heresy that Jesus' humanity was absorbed by his divinity.
- Mystical — sense of mystery beyond human understanding.
- Nestorianism — heresy that Jesus was two persons.
- Paraclete — title for the Holy Spirit.
- Sarks — Greek for "flesh."
- Sign — John’s term for miracles.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Memorize these definitions for the final exam.
- Review how each heresy differs from orthodox Christology.
- Practice associating key terms with related Gospel passages (especially John 1 and John 18).