The Dictionary Resource: Appropriating the Bibliotherapy of Relational Reconciliation: Bibliotherapy, #1

By Sadeir Cristine

The language of Christianity is unique. Its meaning is powerful. Its application is life-changing. Its implications are offered by no other religion. But its understanding has increasingly been diminished by a lack of its teaching. The language of Christianity has been re-defined and negated by culture. It's even sometimes neglected and discounted by Believers.  

 

The Dictionary Resource provides a dictionary of common and familiar terms within the Bible that carry more meaning than just the word itself. Consider this Dictionary Resource as a Bible translator: defining principles and concepts that are fundamentally and foundationally Christian, while using the Spirit as a guide to demystify "Christianese" (the language unique to the Christian Faith).

 

Use this Dictionary Resource to help you understand the basic teachings about God through Christ (also known as doctrine). Use it to shape your theology (your study and view of God) and theological understanding (Who you believe God is) in order to inform your perspective and identity. Learn to appropriate (access and use) all the resources that God provides through relational reconciliation for your Spiritual formation: who you are IN CHRIST. Decrease the intimidation and confusion sometimes felt when trying to understand Christianese. Don't discount the language of Christianity; embrace it.

 

Consider this Dictionary Resource as a starting point for Discipleship. It can serve as a cross-referencing guide to simplify, translate, and define Bible terms. It can be used to transition into a more in-depth study about relational reconciliation using the Bibliotherapy: Recovery through Relational Reconciliation Guide. Increase your Knowledge of God by understanding who God is from a uniquely Christian, intentionally God-centered, and Bible-focused perspective.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sadeir Cristine
• Release date: Sep 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223437222

Sadeir Cristine

Recognizing, understanding, and addressing the spiritual etiology of identity formation and disease is crucial to effecting holistic healing. Attaining and maintaining spiritual health is essential to restoring physical, emotional, and mental health. This understanding has led me to increasingly incorporate my Faith into clinical practice, believing God can heal deep suffering. I did not become a mental health clinician to discover the missing pieces that seem unaddressed. I am a mental health provider because of my Faith, not in spite of it. Every day is a reminder that my identity is IN CHRIST.

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Bible Translations. 

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIrV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIrV and New International Reader’s Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB95 are taken from the NASB® New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Verses marked WEB are taken from the World English Bible. Public domain.

Cited Works.

Excerpts from Restored: Experience Life with Jesus by Neil T. Anderson, PDF edition. Used by Permission of Freedom In Christ Ministries (FICM).

Excerpts from The Steps to Freedom in Christ Study Guide: A Step-By-Step Guide To Help You by Neil T. Anderson. Copyright © 2014. Used by Permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Excerpts from Healed and Set Free: You Weren't Made to Bury Your Pain, You Were Made To Be Free by Tammy Brown. Copyright © 2012. Used by Permission of Tammy Brown.

Excerpts from Armor of God – CD series; Spiritual Warfare, Vol 2 – CD Series; and The Power of Prayer – CD Series by Tony Evans. Used by Permission of Tony Evans: The Urban Alternative. www.tonyevans.org

Excerpts from The Romans Series: Exposition of Chapter 1, The Gospel of God; Exposition of Chapter 3:20-4:25, Atonement and Justification; Exposition of Chapter 5, Assurance by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Copyright © 1970, 1971, 1985.  Used by Permission of The Banner of Truth Trust.

Excerpts from Saving Truth: Finding Meaning & Clarity in a Post-Truth World by Abdu Murray. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com

Excerpts from The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee. Used by Permission of Tyndale House Publishers. Copyright © 2017.

What this is and how to use it.

The purpose of this Dictionary is for reading, learning, and cross-referencing familiar words and terms related to the Bible and Christianity. The goal is to gain more understanding about God, the world, others, and yourself.

This is the reason I created this Dictionary. I wanted to standardize definitions of Biblical words, terminology, and phrases to make their understanding clearer and more Bible-focused. I believe the included terms are characteristically and fundamentally Christian.

Use this Dictionary as a secondary guide to increase your understanding of foundational Biblical principles, disciplines, and doctrines.

Use this Dictionary as a cross-referencing guide when reading the Bible, books, websites ... just about anything that uses Christian lingo (what is sometimes affectionately called Christianese). Refer to this Dictionary as frequently as needed or desired.

These terms you may be familiar with; their definitions you may not be as familiar with. Think about it ... how would you define Salvation if someone asked? What does Justification mean? I provide what I consider a Biblical definition for these terms. Meaning, I believe this is how the Bible defines the term. You may have learned each word’s meaning differently or may understand the meaning of the term differently.

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Disclaimers.

The Dictionary’s terms are the key concepts and doctrines I’ve identified in my accompanying Guide entitled, Bibliotherapy: Recovery through Relational Reconciliation. For this reason, the terms I’ve included within this Dictionary—their definitions and the Scripture references included—are not all-inclusive. They are specific to the theme of this Guide.

What does this mean? I do not define every term or word from the Bible. (There are approximately 315 terms included.) Neither have I included every possible scripture reference related to each term. (Referencing a Bible concordance will serve either function.) Similar to the Bible, this Dictionary interprets itself. Each term includes  definitions from other terms. If the word is unfamiliar, it’s probably defined elsewhere in the Dictionary.

I have only included terms that I believe provide basic and foundational truths about the Christian Faith. So, while this is not an all-inclusive Dictionary, it can still serve as a good starting point for understanding foundational Christian principles, doctrines, and concepts.

And, what is the Bibliotherapy: Recovery through Relational Reconciliation Guide? I’m glad you asked ... This Guide provides a theological perspective on God’s role in identity formation and recovery, using reconciliation and redemption for Spiritual renewal and restoration. The Dictionary terms align with the theme of this Guide: why having a relationship with God through Christ by the Spirit changes everything.

This Dictionary is itself a section within the  Bibliotherapy: Recovery through Relational Reconciliation Guide. It’s included in the middle, between the Glorification and Sanctification sections.

Keep this in mind:

Each Dictionary term is not necessarily limited to its definition. The word will be simply defined. But its definition may also explain a key concept, spiritual principle, or relevant Biblical truth related to the Christian Faith.

There may be different forms of the same word; each represents a different meaning. For instance, there may be a CAPITALIZED, Capital, or lowercase version of the same word. Each form carries a different definition. There are also seemingly made up words ... these I derived to express a specific spiritual concept (that makes more sense if you read the Bibliotherapy: Recovery through Relational Reconciliation Guide).

The Scripture references are intentionally ordered: the Old Testament first, then the New Testament. This should make finding the Scripture verse in a Bible or other resource easier.

If you want to use this Dictionary for more than just cross-referencing terms, please visit the sections located after the Dictionary. They include suggested Mini-Studies you can do on your own. There is also a section discussing foundational Biblical concepts and principles to become more familiar with.

Alphabetical Contents.

A  abide, abiding      

B baptism, baptize, baptized   

C called, calling     

D Day of Pentecost    

E edify, edification    

F Faith      

G  glorified, glorify, glorifying, glory  

H heart      

I identified, identify, identification  

J Jesus, Jesus Christ    

K Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven 

L (a) law      

M meek, meekness    

N natural, naturally    

O obedience, obey    

P paradox     

R Rebirth, Reborn    

S sacrifice     

T temptation, tempt, tempted   

U unbeliever     

W weak, weakness    

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Topical Concordance with Scripture. 

Suggested Mini-Studies.    

Biblical Concepts.     

Biblical Principles.    

Additional Resources.       

A

abide, abiding—(GR + OR). 1) To remain, continue, stay with; 2) To dwell, reside, live in; by 3) aligning, allying, attuning, keeping in step, or acting in accordance with, in cooperation. As a Believer, you are called to abide in Christ (John 15:4-7) and with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Following God’s commandments is proof that you abide in Him; the Spirit living in you is proof that God abides in you (1 John 3:24).

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ascension—(GR). Jesus’ physical and spiritual return to God the Father, 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:1-11). Jesus’ ascension back to heaven 1) placed Him at the right hand of God the Father, giving Him sovereign rule and authority over the World (Ephesians 1:20-22). It is proof that Jesus ended the Devil’s usurped authority (of the world from people) after The Fall (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8). The ascension also 2) gifts Believers the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit upon their receiving Salvation (John 16:7).

accusation, accuse, accused, accusing—A claim or charge of wrongdoing. In the case of the Flesh’s and the Devil’s use, an accusation is made against yourself because of Sin, intending to condemn. As a Believer, any and all Sin has been redeemed by Jesus Christ’s atoning Sacrifice. You are also restored IN CHRIST. You are purified and Justified, severing the Law of the Flesh (Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:11). Therefore, an accusation is a half-truth, intending to deceive. And, a half-truth is a full lie (1 John 2:21 and verse 26). An accusation attacks your heart.

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(In) Adam, Adamic—(human nature). The natural, spiritual state all persons are born with. We are born slaves to Sin and children of wrath. This makes us sinners: people having a Sinful nature who can’t help but sin. spiritual death reigns in our lives because of Sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:12-21). If you are a Believer, being In Adam is your old/former spiritual nature.

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anoint, anointed—(GR + OR). To be dedicated to serving God. God anoints you BY THE Spirit; you appropriate this anointing by choosing to consecrate yourself to God. 

apostle— A disciple of Jesus Christ who personally witnessed and interacted with Him while on earth. An apostle served as a witness to Christ’s resurrection and was called to serve as Christ’s representative. Therefore, an apostle has divine authority... (is) authorized by God ... commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ ... (and) led and guided by the Holy Spirit