Sanctification “Making holy” or “consecrating” a place, thing, or person to God. Since holiness is primarily the attribute of God, what is “sanctified” is removed from “profane” or “secular” use and reserved to the Lord. In the OT, rites such as sprinkling with blood sanctify places, objects, and persons. The people must consecrate themselves before…

Glory An important theological term in both the OT and the NT. The most important Hebrew word for glory, kabod, means “weight” or “importance.” Thus, to have glory is to be weighty or important to oneself or others. The notion of glory as applied to Christ’s human existence is most developed in the Gospel of…

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 merciful faithfulness results in sending Jesus to save people. (via Harper Collins Bible Dictionary) Luke 6:36 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. The…

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 God when he became incarnate. (via An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church) Philippians 2:5-8 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,6 who,…

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 Disputation (1518) 1 Corinthians 1:18 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved…

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 Christianity. Indeed, the Christian doctrine of salvation depends on the belief that Christ had to become fully human to share his full divinity with humanity.…

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 with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: in great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments,…

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 Church) Romans 7:24–25 (The Message) 24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do…

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 understand our present Christian walk and future hope. (Via BibleHub) 1 John 3:2-3 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not…

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 in Freedom of a Christian). Wow, Lutherans love paradox! Law and gospel. Saint and sinner. Free and bound. David Swartling, former ELCA secretary, often noted…

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. In the OT, vocation is the calling of Israel to be the people of God; and in the NT, the doctrine refers to the calling…