Note to the Reader

All definitions begin with the term in Latin or in transliterated Greek. In the case of Greek terms, differences between the Greek and Latin alphabet, plus the traditional Latinization of some Greek terms (e.g., hypostasis), made transliteration necessary for the sake of alphabetization. The Greek form of the term immediately follows the transliteration. The Greek form is followed by a literal translation (in some instances this translation is qualified by the adverb “literally”). Next, where a further explanation is needed, an expanded definition appears, with cross-references to related terms. Cross-references are noted either by “q.v.,” when the referenced term is an exact rendering of a phrase in the definition, or by see, followed by a term or terms related to the subject of the definition.

I have used the terms “Protestant orthodox” and “Protestant scholastic” synonymously, distinguishing where necessary between Lutheran and Reformed orthodox and between Protestant and medieval scholastics. Use of the term “scholastic” without modifier and in a context where the modifiers “Protestant,” “Lutheran,” “Reformed,” or “medieval” have not previously limited the discussion, indicates a term or an idea that is the common property of the several types of scholastic theology.

In addition, I have tried to distinguish between Greek terms that the Protestant scholastics drew from the New Testament and Greek terms they drew from the writings of the patristic era by the simple expedient of supplying a single Scripture reference with those terms taken from the New Testament. Here my purpose is not to attempt any analysis of the biblical term but only to indicate which lexicon ought to be consulted for a full description of the meaning and usage of the word: for terms from the New Testament, Bauer’s Greek-English Lexicon; for terms from the fathers, Lampe’s Patristic Greek Lexicon.

Finally, the dictionary proper is followed by a short English index to key Latin and Greek terms. The index will enable readers who approach the dictionary with an English term or concept in mind to locate the Latin or Greek original and thereby to use the dictionary as a basic theological reference work. The index is not at all exhaustive, but it does list important terms, even when they are cognates, and thereby indicates the location of major definitions in which related terms appear with cross-references.