Abba The intimate, familiar Aramaic word for “father”

Apostle Literally, “one who is sent”; often applied to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus

Catholic Epistles James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude

Glossolalia Literally, “speaking in tongues”: regarded by Paul (1 Corinthians 14) and Luke (Acts 2) as spiritual gifts

Justification The means by which God realigns people into right relationship with God

Midrash The form or product of biblical interpretation carried out in rabbinic Judaism

Paraclete A helper, comforter, or mediator; used in John’s Gospel to characterize the Holy Spirit

Q A hypothetical source, comprising sayings of Jesus, presumably used by both Matthew and Luke

Septuagint The Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible for diaspora Jews, originating in the third century B.C.E.

Soteriology Discourse about salvation; in the New Testament, with reference to the activity of God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit

Synoptic Problem The problem of understanding the similarities and differences among the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Torah The Hebrew term referring to teaching or law revealed by God