Posts by Communications Team

Mercy An attribute of God and a virtue commended for human beings. In the OT mercy is associated with the covenant obligation between God and humans. In the NT God’s…

Kenosis A Greek term which means “emptying.” It appears in the Christological hymn of Phil 2:6-11, where it means the giving up of divine glory by the eternal Son of…

Theology of the Cross/Glory “A theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil. A theologian of the cross calls a thing what it actually is.” ― Martin Luther, Heidelberg…

Hypostatic (Fully God/Fully Man) The idea that “Jesus Christ is true God and true man” is also referred to as the hypostatic union and is a central tenet of orthodox…

Sorrowful/Rejoicing A contrast highlighted in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found…

Simul Justus et Peccator Latin phrase meaning “at once justified and a sinner.” It is associated with Martin Luther and Protestant thought concerning salvation. (Via An Episcopal Dictonary of the…

Already/Not Yet The phrase “Already but Not Yet” describes a central tension in biblical teaching. This tension-that believers already experience spiritual realities but still await their ultimate completion-shapes how we…

Both/And A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all (Martin Luther…

Vocation The biblical doctrine of God’s call to God’s people to become instruments of God’s purpose at work in history and to be the recipients of God’s grace and salvation.…

Reconciliation The coming to agreement of two or more persons after misunderstanding or estrangement. There are many instances of this in the Bible but the dominant theme is the reconciliation…

Stewardship Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of God’s creation. (via the Holman Bible Dictionary) 1 Peter 4:10 Like good stewards…

Discipleship Discipleship is a lifelong journey of living out and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. (via Women of the ELCA) Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all,…

Almsgiving The act of voluntarily giving to those in need.   Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing…

Sanctuary A holy place where God is present. In the wilderness, that was the tent of meeting; in the time of Solomon, it was the Temple at Jerusalem. In both…