Theological Terms

noun reparation for a wrong or injury; amends

adjective atoning (not directly related to 'atonement' but derived from the word)

• The concept of atonement is central to many religious beliefs.
• I think making atonement for your mistakes is important in personal relationships.
• Dude, you really need to do some atonement for ditching us last weekend.
• The artist's atonement for his past controversial work was a series of more socially-conscious pieces.

noun the resolving of moral problems by the application of theoretical rules to particular instances

• The philosopher's argument was based on intricate casuistry, analyzing every possible moral implication.
• The lawyer's casuistry allowed him to find loopholes in the contract.
• I can't stand his casuistry, always finding ways to twist the truth.
• Her casuistry in navigating social situations made her seem like a master manipulator.

noun belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine

• The church condemned the new belief as heresy.
• Some people think that watching TV all day is a heresy.
• Dude, wearing socks with sandals is a total heresy.
• In the world of fashion, wearing last season's trends is considered heresy.

noun a person or thing regarded as embodying or exhibiting some quality, idea, or the like

• The incarnation of the deity is a central belief in many religions.
• Her new haircut is like a whole new incarnation of herself.
• That car is the latest incarnation of speed and style.
• His latest book is considered the incarnation of his years of research and experience.

noun a quality or characteristic that resides within someone or something

adjective existing or occurring within someone or something

• The concept of indwelling sin has been a topic of theological debate for centuries.
• I can't seem to shake off this indwelling feeling of unease.
• That indwelling fear is giving me major anxiety.
• Love is the indwelling presence that fills our hearts with joy.

noun a person who promotes peace or reconciliation

adjective promoting peace or reconciliation

• The conference aimed to promote irenic dialogue among different religious groups.
• Let's try to keep the conversation irenic and avoid any arguments.
• I appreciate your irenic approach to resolving conflicts.
• Her irenic nature helped bring peace to the situation.

noun A person who is believed to be the son of God in Christianity, and whose teachings form the basis of the Christian religion

• Jesus Christ is a central figure in Christianity.
• Jesus Christ, also known as JC, is a key figure in the Bible.
• Oh my Jesus Christ, I can't believe you just did that!
• The discovery of a new species was like finding the Holy Grail for scientists - Jesus Christ!

noun a philosophical theory that there are no universal essences in reality and that the only reality is the individual objects of sense experience

• Nominalism is a philosophical theory that holds that universals or general ideas are mere names without any corresponding reality.
• I find nominalism to be a fascinating concept in philosophy.
• Some people think nominalism is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
• In the world of art, nominalism can be seen as focusing on the individual parts rather than the whole.

adjective relating to or characteristic of purgatory, a place or state of suffering where souls are purified before entering heaven

• The purgatorial process is a necessary step in the journey towards spiritual enlightenment.
• I feel like I'm stuck in a purgatorial state of indecision.
• This waiting room is like purgatorial torture.
• The endless paperwork felt like a purgatorial punishment.

adjective serving to redeem or save; relating to the act of redeeming

• The protagonist's redemptive actions in the final act of the play symbolized his moral transformation.
• His redemptive gesture towards his friend showed that he truly cared.
• Dude, that was a totally redemptive move on your part.
• The sunrise painted the sky in a redemptive glow, signaling a new beginning.

adjective not reformed or converted, obstinate or unrepentant

• The unregenerate behavior of the criminal led to his arrest.
• He's just an unregenerate troublemaker, always causing problems.
• That guy is totally unregenerate, he never learns his lesson.
• Her unregenerate attitude towards change hindered her personal growth.

adjective relating to or characteristic of the Mormon religion or its followers

• The scholar conducted a study on the Mormonistic beliefs of the community.
• She was curious about the Mormonistic traditions of her new neighbors.
• I heard they have some pretty strict Mormonistic rules in that household.
• The company's corporate culture was described as Mormonistic in its adherence to certain principles.

noun the doctrine that all things tend towards ultimate good

• Agathism is the belief that all things ultimately tend towards good.
• Some people believe in agathism, the idea that everything will work out for the best in the end.
• Agathism is like seeing the silver lining in every cloud.
• Embracing agathism is like always looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.