Navigating Christian culture can feel like learning a new language, especially if you didn’t grow up in the church. Terms like “washed in the blood” or “born again” might sound foreign at first. This Christian’s quick guide aims to demystify some of the most common, and sometimes confusing, Christian terms and concepts. Consider this your “starter pack” for understanding the language of faith.
Biblical Terms
Redeem: In ancient legal terms, to redeem means to “buy back” or regain possession. In Christianity, redemption refers to God buying back humanity from sin and spiritual captivity through Jesus’ death. Since sin’s consequence is death, Jesus paid the price to redeem us.
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Justification: To be justified means to be declared righteous by God. When you accept Jesus, you are justified, regardless of your past. His blood atones for your sins, and God sees Christ’s righteousness in you. Justification is a one-time declaration, while sanctification is the process of living it out.
Sanctification: Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit sets us apart, purifies us from sin, and makes us more like Christ after salvation. It’s a gradual process of growth and refinement as we walk with God.
Atonement: Atonement means repairing a wrong. Biblically, it refers to Jesus’ reparation for our sins. The Bible states that the consequence of sin is separation from God. Jesus’ atonement covers our sin, restoring peace with God. In the Old Testament, temporary atonement was made through animal sacrifices, highlighting Jesus as the “Lamb of God” who made the perfect, lasting atonement.
Covenant: A covenant is a legal contract. God uses covenants throughout the Bible to define His relationship with humanity. Covenants often involve two parties agreeing to specific terms. God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. In the New Covenant, God fulfills the agreement through Jesus, providing a way for us to achieve righteousness.
Walk with God: Walking with God means being in step with His will and maintaining a daily relationship with Him. It signifies agreement and a mutual journey towards a common destination. This implies that living a sinful lifestyle is incompatible with walking with God.
Quiet Time: “Quiet time” refers to dedicated devotional time with God. It’s a period set aside for prayer, Bible reading, and reflection on His Word.
Receive the Spirit: Receiving the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience after salvation, potentially coinciding with the profession of faith or occurring later. The presence of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Walk by the Spirit: Walking by the Spirit means making choices guided by the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have the Spirit, you can’t do this. God’s will is for you to walk by His Spirit’s leading, which aligns with the Word.
Evangelism: Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
Discernment: Discernment is the ability to distinguish between what is spiritually valuable and what is not, recognizing what contradicts Christian truth.
Grace: Grace is the unmerited favor of God, freely given to those who don’t deserve it.
Mercy: Mercy is forgiveness shown to someone who deserves punishment, withholding that punishment from the guilty.
Baptism: Baptism is a symbolic act of obedience where a believer is immersed in water, signifying their identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Backslide: Backsliding is a term used to describe when a Christian reverts to old, sinful habits and behaviors, moving away from their walk with God.
Predestination: Predestination is the belief that God has already determined who will be saved, often associated with Calvinistic theology.
Righteousness: Righteousness is acting in accordance with divine law. God’s righteousness is perfect justice. As Christians, our righteousness comes from our relationship with Him through Jesus.
Accountable: To be accountable means being responsible for your choices and actions to others, including God, those you offend, and your fellow Christians.
Sin: Sin is any action or thought that violates God’s law and separates us from Him.
Repentance: Repentance is changing one’s mind, resulting in a change of action. It involves turning away from sin and turning towards God.
Sovereignty: God’s sovereignty is His absolute power and authority over all creation.
Godliness: Godliness is reflecting the character of God in one’s behavior, exhibiting traits like love, joy, and patience.
Love: Biblical love, or agape, is self-sacrificing and unconditional, epitomized by God’s love for humanity.
Hallelujah: Hallelujah is a Hebrew expression meaning “praise Yah” or “praise God.”
Worship: Worship is attributing worth to something. We are meant to direct our worship to God but can also worship idols.
Gospel: The Gospel means “good news” and refers to the message about Jesus Christ and God’s plan of salvation.
Great Commission: The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to His followers to go and make disciples of all nations.
Theological Terms
Soteriology: Soteriology is the study of the doctrine of salvation, exploring how Jesus saves us.
Doctrine: Doctrine refers to the core beliefs and teachings of the Christian faith.
Heresy: A heresy is a belief or teaching that contradicts orthodox Christian doctrine.
Canon: The canon refers to the collection of books recognized as the authoritative Word of God, the Bible.
Dispensationalism: Dispensationalism divides biblical history into distinct periods or dispensations, each with unique ways God interacts with humanity.
Calvinism: Calvinism emphasizes God’s sovereignty and predestination, highlighting that God chooses who will be saved.
Arminianism: Arminianism emphasizes free will and the idea that individuals can choose to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation.
Eschatology: Eschatology is the study of end-times prophecy and the different views of God’s actions at the end of the world.
Premillennialism: Premillennialism believes that Jesus will return before a literal thousand-year reign on Earth.
Postmillennialism: Postmillennialism believes that Jesus will return after a period of Christian influence and peace on Earth, known as the millennium.
Amillennialism: Amillennialism interprets the millennium as a symbolic representation of the present church age.
