Theological Concepts Flashcards

In Christian theology, the term 'kenosis' refers to:

Answer: Christ's self-emptying of divine attributes in the Incarnation

Kenosis (from Greek 'to empty') refers to Christ's voluntary self-limitation of divine attributes when taking on human form, based on Philippians 2:7.

The theological principle 'lex orandi, lex credendi' means:

Answer: The law of prayer is the law of belief

This Latin phrase means 'the law of praying is the law of believing,' indicating that how a community worships shapes and expresses its theology.

What is the theological term for the study of the 'last things' — death, judgment, heaven, and hell?

Answer: Eschatology

Eschatology is the branch of theology dealing with final events, including death, the afterlife, the end of history, and ultimate destiny.

In Calvinist theology, what does 'total depravity' mean?

Answer: Every aspect of human nature is affected by sin, making humans unable to choose God unaided

Total depravity means that every part of human nature — mind, will, emotions — is corrupted by sin, not that humans are maximally evil, but that unaided human nature cannot turn to God.

The doctrine of 'apophatic theology' (via negativa) holds that:

Answer: God is best described by saying what God is not

Apophatic (negative) theology holds that God transcends all human concepts and language, so God is best approached by negating human attributes rather than affirming them.

In Islamic theology, the concept of 'tawhid' refers to:

Answer: The absolute oneness and unity of God

Tawhid is the foundational Islamic doctrine affirming that God is absolutely one and unique, with no partners, equals, or divisions.