Main Glossary


Words matter! Know the meanings of the words you speak, write, preach and teach to perfectly accomplish the things the LORD God wills.

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B

Beatific

The giving of happiness, bliss or blessings
Entry link: Beatific

Beatific Vision

The immediate, eternal and direct perception of the LORD God that is received by those who ascend to Heaven upon their physical death.
Entry link: Beatific Vision

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.
Entry link: Beatification

Beatitude

Supreme blessedness, promised to specific believers by Jesus Christ in his sermon on the mount.
Entry link: Beatitude

Belief

A strong faith, inclination, or principle that is based upon thoughtful reflection without emotional weight (See Ethics)
Entry link: Belief

Benefice

Position or post granted to ecclesiastics with guarantees of a fixed amount of property or income.
Entry link: Benefice

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.
Entry link: Bernard of Clairvaux

Bible Study

The 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)

Entry link: Bible Study

Biblical Archaeology

A 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

Reference:

1 Price, Randall. The Stones Cry Out: What Archaeology Reveals About the Truth of the Bible. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 1997.

Entry link: Biblical Archaeology

Biblical Inscriptions

Past 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.
Entry link: Biblical Inscriptions


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