Last Updated on November 30, 2020
Below is a list of the technical terms as used in theology and economics that appear on this site, or are likely to be encountered when doing deeper study of the subjects that have been covered. Note that they may slightly or dramatically differ from how words are used in common everyday language. This list will expand over time and is intended as a refresher and reference.
Autographs: The actual physical original writings of Scripture
Bibliology: The study of the inspiration, transmission, and authoritativeness of the Bible
Christology: The study of the person and work of Christ
Concurrence: God’s bringing His will and purposes to pass through the wills and choices of creatures
Creatio ex nihilo: Creating something out of absolutely nothing
Contradiction: Statement or belief which is inherently irrational due to elements of the same time and/or relationship being opposed to one another
Ecclesiology: Study of the formation, purpose, governance, and future of the church
Economics: The study of the use scarce resources which have alternative uses, and the cause and effect relationships involved
Economic Trinity: The creative and redemptive acts as done individually by the Father, Son, & Spirit in time
End times: Phrase denoting the period before the eternal state
Epistemology: The investigation of how we know what we know
Eschatology: Study of the last things; distinguished from “end times” in that it includes the eternal state
General revelation: Knowledge of God derived from natural means, often by observing and studying nature (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:18-20)
Harmartiology: The study of the doctrine of sin
Invisible Church: True believers, as known only by God; AKA the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) & the bride of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-8)
Miracle: A supernatural act of God that goes against His established created order and that cannot be explained by any naturally occurring processes. An amputee growing a replacement limb is a miracle; the birth of baby, while extraordinary, is not since it is part of God’s creative design. See Providence
Money: Anything that is accepted in exchange for real goods or services
Mystery: Something accepted as true but not understood (i.e., gravity); in New Testament usage, something that has been hidden that is now being revealed
Paradox: A statement or belief that appears to be a contradiction until closer examination shows that it is not irrational
Paterology: The study of the person and work of God the Father
Pneumatology: The study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit
Productivity: Output per costs
Providence: God’s ordering of events through His established creation. An unexpected event that takes a family from their home before a plane hits it is divine providence; a plane freezing in midair before it hits the house, defying the laws of gravity, would be a miracle. Also includes God’s sustaining of creation.
Scarcity: In economics, the physical limitation of a resource that prevents it from fulfilling all the desires of all people. There is always scarcity, but the level of scarcity can increase or decrease
Shortage: A price-related imbalance in the supply and demand dynamic for a given resource leading to more demand than supply
Special revelation: Direct revelation from God via prophets & apostles (i.e. Scripture) or other supernatural means (dreams, visions, etc.)
Surplus: A price caused disparity resulting in more supply than demand
Systematic Theology: The organization of all aspects of theology into a reasonable, consistent structure
Theodicy: The vindication of God’s goodness, justice, and sovereignty in view of the existence of evil
Theology: The study of God
Theology Proper: Study of the being and attributes of the fullness of God; not to be confused with paterology
Visible Church: The community of professing believers, made up of those with and without true faith. (Also sometimes used to speak of those who are of the elect after they have been regenerated)