THE SCURRY
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Theological Term Of the Week
About - TTOW
As we begin this new year, we wanted to bring you a new feature of TheScurry.org and of Chasing Squirrels. Every Wednesday, we are going to be bringing you a TTOW; a Theological Term Of the Week. We will be giving you brief definition of the word, and the reason(s) that we don’t want to lose this term from the church.
Let’s dive into our first one.
This is a phrase we have already seen on Chasing Squirrels, but it seemed very appropriate since we are coming out of Christmas.
Omniscient
The History
According to Webster the term has been around “since at least the beginning of the 17th century.” So, not a term found in the Bible, but a concept found there none the less.
The Meaning
The literal meaning of the Latin would be all (omni) knowing (scire). But when Christians use the term, we mean that God knows everything that is possible to know. (That eliminates those who ask nonsense questions like ‘Does God know what the color 9 smells like?)
The Need
We could just say all knowing. Yet, when we use the term there seems to be a gravitas that isn’t there in the basic words, all-knowing. I think it is because we can use that phrase in other ways. For instance, did it ever seem that your mom was all-knowing? But, of course, we wouldn’t have meant that exactly. When we say God is all-knowing, we mean ALL-knowing. We mean, omniscient.
Glorification
Today, we finish our look at three classic terms used to describe the Christian life. The transformation from enemy of God to child of God. A transformation that has eternal consequences.
The History
This word, just like the previous two, is found in the pages of Scripture. Therefore, the church has rightly used it ever since.
The Meaning
Glorification brings us to the end of the journey. The completion of the process begun at Justification and worked out continuously through Sanctification. Glorification is the term used to describe a believer’s status after death and judgment; of finally being perfected and cleansed completely from not only the penalty of sin (justification) but also the presence of sin. These three terms are part of the ordo salutis, the Latin phrase for the order of salvation.
The Need
By God’s grace, no believer is what they once were. By God’s grace, no believer is yet what they will be. Glorification is a key reminder that God isn’t finished with us yet. We can be sure that He will finish the good work began in us, but it won’t happen until the next life. Glorification reminds us of that.
Glorification
Sanctification
Today, we continue a look at three terms that have been used for generations to describe a Christian’s walk with God. How it is that someone goes from enemy of God to child of God. These three terms are often used together under the larger term of salvation (Last week, I accidentally wrote ‘sanctification’ instead of salvation. I must have had this week’s TTOW in mind).
The History
This word is also found in the Bible. And the church has been using it ever since.
The Meaning
Unlike justification, sanctification carries no legal connotation. However, the original Greek has embedded in it the term for holy. And while justification would be the legal decision (occurring in a moment and having eternal consequences) from God that we are forgiven, sanctification refers more to the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. It encompasses the Christian’s life from the moment of justification all the way until our word for next week.
The Need
First, it is always better to use the words that God gave us. If it is what He inspired I will assume it is what He prefers. Also, the term means so much more than just becoming a better person. It means being set apart. Being made new. Being made holy. And that is a reality we don’t want to forget.
Sanctification
Justification
This week, we will look at the first of three terms that work together to describe the life of a believer. How it is that someone goes from enemy of God to child of God. These three terms are often used together under the larger term of salvation.
So, make sure to check out the next two weeks as well.
You are going to want the entire story.
The History
In noun form, it doesn’t appear in the Bible too often, but it is there. And the concept has been critical for Christians ever since. That means that this term wasn’t crafted by the church, but by Paul himself.
The Meaning
The easiest way to understand what the church means by justification is to understand that the term carries legal connotations. In its simplest form, to be justified is to be declared innocent. God, as the holy and righteous judge, declares a person ‘not guilty’. Of course, this declaration isn’t because the person deserves it or is innocent in their essence. It is a legal rendering based on Jesus accepting the blame for us.
The Need
If we get rid of the legal language, we can forget that God is judge. And the beauty of this term for us is two-fold. One, God is declaring us to be righteous. So, whatever we may feel or whatever may be ‘true’, the judge has said that we are innocent. Two, there is none higher than the divine judge of the universe. If He has spoken that you are innocent, then you are.
Justification
Hypostatic Union
The History
This phrase (or at least the understanding contained in it) has actually been used for about 1500 years. And if you look at theological dictionaries or systematic theologies, there is some debate about whether the hypostasis referred to [hypostasis: substance – meaning one substance; look at that, a bonus TTOW on the first one!] is one substance of the Triune God, namely the Son, or that they combined into one substance, namely Jesus of Nazareth.
The Meaning
The term ‘hypostatic union’ is used to refer to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was both truly God and truly man. He did not have a God nature with a human nature hidden inside. Nor did He have a human nature with a God nature hidden within. Nor two natures forming a new and distinct nature. This term maintains that Jesus has two natures existing fully, truly and simultaneously in one person. Which is why is seems fitting to look at this term around Christmas.
The Need
To lose this term would be to lose the long argued-over understanding of exactly who Jesus was and is. (We could even say fought over, check out the history between St. Nicholas and Arias.) We cannot lose that He was truly God. We cannot lose that He was truly man. We cannot lose that it was one person of the Trinity. We cannot lose that they truly united in one person. To lose that, would be to lose the gospel itself.