Tuesday, 16 April 2024, 9:38 AM
Site: Becker Bible Teacher Resources
Course: Becker Bible Teacher Resources (Scholar)
Glossary: Main Glossary
B
BaptismThe Baptism of Jesus Christ is a baptism of redemption through immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of Jesus Christ frees the believer from the control of sin, by bringing death to sin. When the believer arises from the baptismal waters, he is born again, and resurrected into the new life in Christ Jesus. It is an act of obedience of the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to faith in the final resurrection of the dead. |
Barbarian Society of lowest form before it evolves into higher civilization |
Beatific The giving of happiness, bliss or blessings |
Beatific VisionThe immediate, eternal and direct perception of the LORD God that is received by those who ascend to Heaven upon their physical death. |
Beatification(Rom. Cath. Ch.) The official act of the Pope declaring a deceased person has entered Heaven and is enjoying the experience in happiness. His declaration bestows the title of Saint to the person, and makes them subject to religious honor and sometimes public cult. Beatification is considered the reflection of sanctification in someone who has died through the authority of the Church. |
BeatitudeSupreme blessedness, promised to specific believers by Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount. |
Belief A strong faith, inclination, or principle that is based upon thoughtful reflection without emotional weight (See Ethics) |
BeneficePosition or post granted to ecclesiastics with guarantees of a fixed amount of property or income. |
Bernard of Clairvaux A 12th century monk who first secluded himself with the Cistercian Movement in 1112. He was of enormous importance and fame for his charismatic writings on the love of God in the 12th century. A larger than life figure, his message always reminded believers of the importance of moral purity and spiritual closeness to God. However, he is reviled by man, even today, for his contradictory participation in the condemnation of Peter Abelard, and his preaching of the Second Crusade. Regardless, by the time Bernard died, there were over 350 Cistercian abbeys throughout Europe as a result of his influence.1 (See Cistercian Movement) Reference: 1 Hill, Jonathan. "Early Christianity: A World Religion." Handbook to the History of Christianity. Zondervan, 2006, 191. |
Bible StudyThe Lord Jesus Christ taught His Word to His Disciples with four levels of learning. Jewish scholars also teach the Torah on these four classical levels. Christians studying and teaching the Word of God should strive for the same degree of detailed instruction as He moves them to learn.
Peshat—understanding the simple meaning of the text at face value. It is the cornerstone of interpretation; all other approaches must not contradict the peshat analysis, or it is flawed. (Literal) Remez—an allusion, or an allegorical and philosophical level of study (Figurative) Drash—the regal level, the Bible is understood using riddles and parables. (Parable) Sod—the hidden meaning or the mystical level (Typology) |
Biblical ArchaeologyA branch of archaeology which began in the 19th century that seeks to reveal the historical setting and material culture of the peoples and lands of the Bible; it is the science of excavation, decipherment, and critical evaluation of ancient material records related to the Bible. Biblical Archaeology can assist in understanding of the original context of the Bible so that the theological truth will not be misinterpreted or misapplied. Its proper use confirms the Word of the Bible, corrects the Wording of the Bible, clarifies the World of the Bible, and complements the Witness of the Bible.1 |
Biblical InscriptionsPast written remains of words written in Biblical languages and cognate languages have affirmed the integrity of the received authoritative texts of the Bible. They help scholars understand the peculiarities of poetic sections and better interpret words that appear only once. |
Biblical LanguagesThe original texts of the Bible were written in Hebrew (Old Testament), Greek (New Testament) with Aramaic influences (Semitic trade language spoken by ancient Middle Eastern cultures). |
Biblical Maximalist ArchaeologistBiblical Maximalists approach their interpretations that the Bible contributes significantly to our understanding of the history of Palestine. They use reason and science in the same way as Biblical Minimalists to carefully analyze their research of the extremely limited information. However, when it comes time for interpretation of their findings by ordering and analyzing the evidence, they hold the Bible to be the ultimate foundation for drawing conclusions. The Bible is the Manuscript Evidence that has sustained its surety over time. It is supported by witness testimony; because of its reliability and proven record of historical accounts the Bible has priority in interpretation. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence to the Biblical Maximalist, and the Word of God stands as the primary source which all other conclusions are based. |
Biblical Minimalist Archaeologist Biblical Minimalists approach their interpretations of archaeological evidence with the idea that the Bible contributes little or not at all to our understanding of the history of Palestine before 500 B.C. (before the return from exile). They are unable to connect the Bible with their findings in a relevant way, and when they do interpret Biblical artifacts that connect with that Truth of the Word of God, they are more likely to take a contradictory or confrontational approach. |
BirthrightThe privilege or right to which a person is entitled by birth. In the ancient patriarchal household, the eldest son took precedence over his brother (Gen 43:33); after his father died, he received a double share of the inheritance (Deu 21:17) and became head and priest (cf. Exo 22:29; Num 8:14-17). |
BlessTo make or pronounce holy, consecrated, sanctified, protected or glorified. A blessing is an offering of God’s favor coming from Him or a wish for God’s favor coming from humans. |
Blessed Made or pronounced holy, consecrated, sanctified, protected or glorified. 2. Worthy of adoration, worship or reverence: "the Blessed Trinity. 3. (Rom. Cath. Ch.) The body of a deceased person who has received beatification, and thus "blessed in Heaven". |
Blessed EventThe birth of a child. |
Blessed Sacrament The consecrated Host |
BlessingFavor of the LORD GOD bestowed upon a person, resulting in supreme happiness. 2. Invoking the favor of the LORD God upon a person. |
BoastingLust for applause.1
Reference: 1Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, The City of God, trans., Marcus Dods, Modern Library Paperback ed. (New York: Random House, Inc., 2000), 464 |
Book of Kells A copy of the Gospels in a manuscript of intricate design and beautifully illuminated, produced around AD 800 by a monastery on the island of Iona (Scotland). An outstanding work of art in the early Middle Ages, which according to tradition was written by Saint Columba, was still being used to bless Irish armies in the 1690s. |
Born Again Being Born Again, or Regeneration, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus at the moment a faithful believer is resurrected out of the Baptismal waters. The Baptism of Jesus Christ brings death to sin, and becomes the grave to which faithful believers in Jesus Christ's own Resurrection, are Born Again as they come up out of the waters. This regenerative process brings a change of heart and a new life able to receive and be guided by the Holy Spirit. |
Bourgeoisie Capitalists who have the means to produce wealth. Karl Marx believed that conflict between the Bourgeoisie (capitalists) and Proletariat (workers) was the key to social change. |
Bug-bearAn false idol causing needless fear, dread and horror to come upon a person |
Bull A formal papal document with a bulla attached. |
Bulla A seal attached to an official papal document |
Byzantine EmpireA Christian civilization founded by Constantine the Great in AD 330 with the new city of Constantinople (New Rome). Upon the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, the Byzantine Empire came to an end. The Christian bastion with Emperors presiding over civil and religious life, and the near-perfect union of the church and state, endured for 1,123 years and 18 days. |