1. CANON Literally “a reed”, thus a rule of measurement. In relation to Scripture it denotes the collection of writings recognized as normative for faith and practice.

2. INSPIRATION The NT word for this is Theopneustia which means “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16). This term refers to the activity of the Holy Spirit in relation to the writers of Scripture. This activity was of such a nature as to secure the absolute divine authority of the revelation God wished to make of Himself in the writings of Scripture. The writings which were produced under divine inspiration are properly described as the very Word of God.

3. VERBAL INSPIRATION This refers to the intensive nature of inspiration. The activity of inspiration includes the very choice of words used in expressing the divine communication in Scripture.

4. PLENARY INSPIRATION This refers to the extensive nature of inspiration. The activity of the Spirit in inspiration was full (plenary) and sufficient to attain infallibly the purpose of God had in view. This includes that all portions of Scripture are equally inspired. The list of the “dukes of Edom” is as fully inspired by the Holy Spirit as 1 Cor. 13, though of course they are not equally central to God’s message and purpose.

5. REVELATION Literally “unveiled” from the Greek “apocalypsis”. Refers to God’s personal disclosure of Himself to man either by His effects in creation (General Revelation) or by direct encounter with man in Salvation History and attested by divinely inspired witness to that encounter (Special Revelation).

6. ILLUMINATION The action of the Holy Spirit especially in relation to the Scripture, by which the spiritual and genuine meaning of Scripture is made to shine upon the heart and mind of the reader or hearer of God’s Word. Inspiration relates to the writing of Scripture, illumination relates to true perception of Scripture.

7. INFALLIBILITY That characteristic of Scripture, resulting from plenary inspiration, which secures without fail the full divine purpose of God in giving Scripture. This is especially related to God’s purpose in providing an authoritative interpretation of His saving acts in history which is necessary and sufficient for salvation of His people.

8. INERRANCY The characteristic of Scripture which secures for it the quality of freedom from error. Thus, the Scripture is exempt from the liability of mistake. Its teaching is in perfect accord with the truth. A stronger definition: “No error, even in unimportant matters…” (Calovius).

9. AUTHORITY The Scripture, in virtue of its plenary and verbal inspiration, is in itself the very Word of God to us and as such is the final rule of faith and practice. The authority of Scripture is the authority of God Himself.

10. APOCRYPHA Literally from the Greek, meaning “hidden things”. This term refers to works whose origin is not known. These extra-canonical writings were an addition to the original authoritative writings of the OT and NT writings. The OT apocrypha are found in the Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation in the third century B.C. of the Hebrew OT. The Latin vulgate was based on this and so the Apocrypha entered into the Roman Catholic canon of Scripture. No Christian Church accepted any of the OT apocrypha. The Jewish canon of the OT also rejects the OT apocrypha.

11. ALLEGORICAL METHOD A method of interpreting Scripture which seeks for an inner spiritual meaning whose structure parallels the literal meaning of the text. Usually some extra biblical key is provided which unlock hidden meanings. Origen championed this method in the early church (c. 225 A.D.).

12. GRAMMATICO- HISTORICAL METHOD An approach to the Scriptures which interprets them according to the rules of ordinary language and grammar taken in the literary and historical contexts of the writer. The purpose of interpretation, with this method, is to determine as carefully as possible the intended meaning of the writer in terms of his own words, thoughts and times.

13. ANALOGIA FIDEI Latin for “analogy of faith”. This refers to the fact that Scripture is basically a unity, essentially harmonious due to the ultimate source of authorship in the Holy Spirit. It means Scripture best interprets Scripture and that there can be no self-contradiction in Scripture.

14. HERMENEUTICS Literally from a Greek word “to interpret” or “to translate”. Refers to the science of biblical interpretation. Discusses the basic method and “rules” for interpreting the Scriptures.