(Latin regenerare, “to reproduce”)

The doctrine of spiritual renewal, otherwise known as being born-again. According to Titus 3:3-7, in his mercy God saves us by washing away our old nature through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life, as verse 7 states. There is some controversy as to when regeneration happens in the ordo salutis (order of salvation). Calvinists assert that regeneration happens before faith; Arminians believe it happens after faith evidences itself.

Read Dr. Robert Reymond’s take on Regeneration.

(Latin docere, “to teach”)

A theological formation that summarizes belief about a particular theological subject or discipline. Doctrine is often a corpus of dogma endorsed by a particular religious institution or tradition. For example, the “doctrine of Christ” refers to one’s belief about the person and work of Christ which results in a “Christology.”

For the best online theological community, visit Theologica

(Greek theos, “God”)

Worldview that believes that an eternal God freely created all of existence (time, space, matter, celestial realms and bodies) out of nothing (ex nihilo) and that he continues to act within the creation in varying degrees. This is to be contrasted with atheism (the belief that there is no God), pantheism (the belief that all is God), polytheism (the belief in many gods), and deism (the belief that God does not interact with creation).

(Latin complere, “to fill out”)

Theological position held by many Christians (contra egalitarianism) believing the Bible teaches that men and women are of equal worth, dignity, and responsibility before God (ontological equality), but that men and women have different roles to play in society, the family, and the church (relational distinct roles). For the complementarian, these roles do not compete but complement each other. Prominent modern complementarians are Tomas Schreiner, Wayne Grudem, and John Piper. 

For more information about complementarianism, see these videos:
What is Complementarianism?
What is the defense of Complementarianism? Part 1
What is the defense of Complementarianism? Part 2

Also visit the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Revelation of God that is natural and evidenced by all creation (in contrast to special revelation). Because of this general medium of revelation, natural revelation is available to all people of all times in all places. Examples of natural revelation are the human cell (evidencing God’s complexity), the sunset on the beach (evidencing God’s aesthetic attention), and the cosmos (evidencing God’s power). Romans 1 and Psalm 19 speak explicitly about natural revelation and its ability to evidence the nature and attributes of God, holding all accountable to acknowledge him as creator.

See Is Natural Revelation Also God’s Word?

This phrase was popularized by St. Anselm and describes the Christian’s endeavor to understand what he or she already believes. It is a good concise definition of what Christian theology truly is. This phase was originally based on Augustine of Hippo’s maxim crede ut intelligas, “believe so that you may understand.” Also related to this is Anselm’s fides quaerens intellectum “Faith seeking understanding.” All these phrases are used to aid in our understanding of faith’s relationship to reason.

(Greek dogma, “decree or ordinance”)

An established, settled, and often authoritative opinion concerning a matter. With respect to Christian belief, dogma expresses a statement of belief which carries with it the authority of a particular religious institution or tradition.

(Greek episteme, “knowledge”)

The philosophical study of the theory of knowledge, the bounds of knowledge, the source of knowledge, the method of acquisition of knowledge, and the justification of knowledge. From the Christian point of view, knowledge has its being in God. Being such, our ability to discover truth is dependent on what he has revealed to us, both through creation and special revelation (e.g., Scripture). The Christian worldview, therefore, has both an allowance and a mandate (Rom. 1, Ps. 19) to derive our knowledge through experience (empirical), logical inquiry (rational), and special revelation.

(Latin rationalis, “reason”)

The theory of epistemology (the study of knowledge) which limits the study of knowledge to that which is intuitively known without regard to experience (contra empiricism). Rene Descartes is often referred to as the father of rationalism, believing that all knowledge must be justified by innate intellectual deduction.