Sermons & Devotionals by Dictionary of Theology

In Catholicism, the taking of the body and soul of Mary, by God, into glory. Catholic doctrine, apparently, does not state whether or not Mary died, but tradition holds that she died and was immediately afterward assumed into heaven both body and soul.... Lee mas

Theologically, assurance is the state of being confident in a condition or outcome. Usually it is applied to one’s assurance of salvation. Texts often used to support assurance of salvation are John 10:28 “and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out... Lee mas

In Eastern metaphysical and new age philosophies, astral projection is the practice of the soul leaving the human body and traveling around this world or other planes of existence.... Lee mas

A system of divination using the positions of stars, planets, and the moon, in the twelve Zodiac signs, as a means to predict the future. One's birth date falls into a Zodiac sign and this is used in determining predictive events in relation to the astral body positions. Astrology is very prominent ... Lee mas

This word comes from two Greek words, a the negator, and theos, God. Atheism teaches that there is no God of any kind, anywhere, anytime. Some atheists claim to "exercise no belief in a god" the same way they would exercise no belief in pink unicorns. Logically, an atheist would be an evolutionist. ... Lee mas

To atone means to make amends, to repair a wrong done. Biblically, it means to remove sin. The Old Testament atonements offered by the high priest were temporary and a foreshadow of the real and final atonement made by Jesus. Jesus atoned for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). This atonement is rec... Lee mas

A term frequently used by New Agers to describe a field of energy emitted by every living thing, particularly people. This aura takes on different colors depending on the person's mood, state of wellness, etc., and some New Age practitioners claim the ability to interpret the colors and diagnosis va... Lee mas

An original writing of a biblical document. The original manuscript written. The autographs would be the actual, original written document from which copies are made.... Lee mas

Freedom from all external constraints. Independence consisting of self-determination.... Lee mas

A Canaanite god. The word means "lord" or "husband." He was a god of weather, associated with thunder, which appointed the times of the rains, and was considered to be the son of the pagan god Dagon. The ancient Jews were often tempted to follow Baal because so much of their lives depended upon the ... Lee mas

The Hebrew name for Babylon, one of the cities founded by Nimrod. In Gen. 11:1-9, it is the location where the entire world spoke a single language and worked together to build a tower into the heavens. It was representative of the great pride of man. God confused their languages. The building of th... Lee mas

The tower built the builders at Babel constructed which became a symbol of their defiance against God (Gen. 11:1-6). It was probably modeled after a ziggurat which is a mound of sun-dried bricks and was probably constructed before 4,000 BC.... Lee mas

An immersion or sprinkling of water that signifies one's identification with a belief or cause. In Christianity it is the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6:4-54). It is done in the name and authority (Acts 4:7) of Christ with the baptismal formula o... Lee mas

The belief that baptism is essential to salvation, that it is the means where forgiveness of sins is made real to the believer. This is incorrect. Paul said that he came to preach the gospel, not to baptize (1 Cor. 1:14-17). If baptism were essential to salvation, then Paul would have included it in... Lee mas

A book or collection of sacred writings. The term "bible" is best known in reference to the Christian Scriptures consisting of the both the Old and New Testaments. The word comes from the Greek, biblios, meaning "book."... Lee mas

Speaking evil of God or denying Him some good which we should attribute to Him. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is stating that Jesus did his miracles by the power of the devil (Matt. 12:22-32) and is an unforgivable sin (Mark 3:28-30). Blasphemy arises out of pride (Psalm 73:9,11), hatred (Psalm 74:18... Lee mas

A book kept by God with the list of names of people who will escape God's wrath (Psalm 69:28; Rev. 21:27). Those who names are not in the book of Life are cast into hell (Rev. 20:15).... Lee mas

The new birth enjoyed by a Christian upon his conversion and regeneration. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within a believer. It is related to faith in Christ and Him crucified (John 3:3-5). It means that the person is no longer dead in sins (Eph. 2:1), no longer spiritually blind (1 Cor. 2:14), and... Lee mas

A symbolic term used to designate the Christian church in its relation to Christ as one who is a pure virgin (2 Cor. 11:2), loved by Christ (Eph. 5:22-33), who will be in the marriage supper to the Lamb (Rev. 19:7). Rev. 21:9 says, "And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the sev... Lee mas

Common Era. Another designation for dates. It replaces A.D. Hence, "I was born in 1960... Lee mas