Glossaries

Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:14 AM

Site: WELS.net University

Course: WELS.net University (WELS.net University)

Glossary: Defining Religion

Messianic Jew

A name used by some people of Jewish background who have come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and Savior of the world.

Methuselah

a pre-flood patriarch and ancestor of Noah. Methuselah lived to be 967 years old, the greatest age recorded in the Scriptures (Genesis 5:25-29).

Millennialism

in its broad sense millennialism is an umbrella term used to cover a variety of beliefs concerning a future reign of Christ. In its narrow sense millennialism is synonymous with premillennialism, the belief that Jesus will return to this earth to set up a visible, political kingdom and reign for 1,000 years.

Minor Prophets

those Old Testament prophets who wrote shorter books of the Bible. The last 12 books of the Old Testament (Hosea through Malachi) are included in the minor prophets.

Moralizing

Moralizing is any attempt to teach people to be good and do good without the motivation of the gospel. Only the gospel can change the heart and move people to do those things which are God pleasing (Romans 1:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Romans 14:23b).

New Age Movement

a spiritual movement which unites a variety of ideas and practices around a world view that sees everything as god (pantheism) and everything as one (monism). New Agers believe that an individual can tap into unlimited powers by focusing his attention on himself and recognizing the divine within.

New Self

the new life the Holy Spirit creates in a person at conversion. This new self trusts in Jesus for salvation, brings forth good works, and struggles against the old Adam or sinful nature.

Nihilism

a teaching that denies all traditional values and any objective ground of truth or morality. Our Savior, however, declares, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31,32).

Offense

a word or action which causes another person to stumble in the faith or to continue in sin or error.

Old Adam

the sinful nature that every person has inherited from his parents since Adam's fall into sin. This sinful nature remains in us even after conversion and produces sin in our lives. When we die we will be transformed, freed forever from our old Adam and the consequences of sin.