Glossary
Theological terms
Every term this site uses, explained from Scripture. Where a teaching is an error, its page says what is wrong with it, what truth it undermines, and how it can harm a church.
These pages describe teachings, not the faith of any person who holds them.
E
Eternal functional subordinationFlagged as a concern
The teaching that the Son is equal to the Father in nature but eternally submits to the Father's authority, apart from his incarnation.
F
Federal VisionFlagged as a concern
A movement within Reformed churches that ties a person's standing with God closely to baptism and ongoing covenant faithfulness, blurring justification by faith alone.
L
Limited inerrancyFlagged as a concern
The view that the Bible is reliable for salvation and faith but may contain errors in history, science, or other details.
N
New Perspective on PaulFlagged as a concern
A school of New Testament study that reads Paul's teaching on justification mainly as about who belongs to God's people, often denying that Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers.
P
Penal substitution as one modelFlagged as a concern
The teaching that penal substitution is one valid picture of the atonement among several, with no special place at the center.
R
Relational theismFlagged as a concern
A view that keeps much of historic theology but sets aside doctrines such as impassibility, immutability, or simplicity, so that God is changed by his relationship with creation.
S
Silence on sex and genderFlagged as a concern
A church's choice, deliberate or not, to state no position on whether a person's sex is given by God, in a time when the question presses on every family.
Soft prosperityFlagged as a concern
A milder form of prosperity teaching that does not promise riches outright but implies that faith and giving will bring success, comfort, and blessing in this life.
T
Third wayFlagged as a concern
The stance that a church will not take a position on same-sex marriage and sexuality, treating it as a matter on which members may disagree.