Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms: Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Want to know what those technical words of Greek and Latin are? Tired of having terms tossed around and not knowing what they are? This will definitely help!

A very handy resource for understanding more advanced theological writings and discussions.

Written from an Protestant point of view, it also includes a gracious comparison with differing definitions and doctrinal view points.

This is one of the most helpful tools in my library. Muller defines key Latin theological terms that you will read in key importantant works of dogmatics. He doesn't just give the simply definition, but also writes about its historical significance in the development in the history of doctrine. At the end of entry Muller gives significant cross-references of other Latin terms. This work opens up the rich history of thought in the church and is easily understood. This is a great tool for any student of theology, layman or pastor. You don't need to know Latin to profit by this book. I highly recommend this book!

This work will be especially helpful to you if you are studying texts that date back to the time when it was normal for Americans to have had Latin in high school and that would include such worsks as Karl Barth's 16 volume "Church Dogmatics" where the Latin goes untranslated in the older translation of his Dogmatics. Muller's personal interest is primarily scholastic Calvinism, but the theological terms interpreted and explained here are helpful to anyone studying the Reformation, classic dogmatics, or the Reformers' interaction with late medieval scholastics and the terms normal for the Reformation debate. As one previous reviewer noted, the term "media gratiae" is interpreted as means of grace by both the Reformed and the Lutherans, but that the Lutherans use the stronger term "media salutis" (means of salvation) when speaking of the sacraments. The reason is that salvation is exclusively tied to the Word and the 2 Gospel sacraments in Lutheranism whereas Calvin and Zwingli always allowed for independent action of the Spirit outside of the 2 sacraments in particular. Another good example of Muller's fairness to other traditions is his description of "consubstantio." Muller points out that "consubstantion" is not the appropriate term to describe Luther's understanding of "real presence" in the Lord's Supper. The term was mistakenly given to Lutherans by the Reformed, but it is incorrect since Luther's understanding of Christ's presence in the eucharist is a sacramental union of Christ's body with the bread and wine and not a local presence. Those are just two examples and any student of the church fathers will benefit from Muller's explanation of terms such as "persona," "ousia," "substantia," etc. in relation to the early Church's understanding of the trinity (mia ousia, treis hypostaseis) and the two natures (naturas) in the person (persona) of Christ. Overall an exceptionally helpful resource for Protestants.

'This latter, saving knowledge is available only in the revelation given in Christ.' p 97

The alphabetical Dictionary of Theological Terms is a rare modern classic, and a reliable barometer, widely portrayed as a lexical, non-technical tool for those interested in theology dating back to the Reformation era. Its principal scope is also its primary appeal as it is most interested in historical vocabulary that issued in theological codifications that were precise and dogmatic, and predominantly loan words that were transliterated directly from the Latin or Greek into later English formulations. It also serves as a basic theological cross-reference work.

Church history is important, especially to Reformed theology. This work brings together the major doctrinal words and definitions drawn from the original languages in which the New Testament was written in, therefore settling on the accepted and sure findings of orthodox theologians in the church's service who preferred to work and were skilled in those two languages. Professor Muller seeks to collate and perpetuate as trustworthy those interpretations that were transmitted faithfully. This dictionary also submits the essential truth that what was at stake was often forged in disputation, at times involving minutiae of grammatical differences or affected meanings, which went on to establish themselves as distinctly heterodox.

'media' (given or received means): in the justification of the sinner, the means of grace given by God, Word and sacrament, as distinct from faith, the medium or receiving means. (p 187)

Surely a redemptive word affected to a large degree through its common association with modern secular means!

'mirabilia' (wonders, wondrous things): amazing, and even seemingly inexplicable occurrences that are not, however, in the category of miracula. Angels and devils have the power to perform mirabilia but not miracula. (p 193)

'media gratiae' (means of grace): in addition, Word and sacraments are the sole officially ordained or instituted instruments or means of grace. God has promised the presence of His grace to faithful hearers of the Word and faithful participants in the sacraments. (p 187)

'perseverantia' (perseverance of the saints): a term used by the Reformed to indicate the final indefectibility of the elect, who, although they continue after justification to experience temptation and sin, will ultimately never fall beyond the power of God's grace. Even if the exercise of faith ceases, the cessation will be only temporary. (p 222)

Muller's dictionary is a tremendous work and tool for those who need or desire to know what all of those italicized words really mean. First published in 1985, my edition is from 2006 and says it is the seventh printing. There are (many) reasons for this.
First, Muller's preface provides a helpful bibliographical list for further reading. This is easily overlooked. Furthermore, each entry is not limited to a mere definition but provides context to each term. Muller even adds historical examples to help connect the word to more concrete ideas. Some entries are only a few sentences, whereas others occupy a few pages (e.g. "persona"). There is even an index that allows the reader to look up English words/phrases and points you to the correct Latin or Greek word. As Muller states, "The object of this volume is to provide an introductory theological vocabulary which will help students to overcome the difficulties inherent in current English-language works that use Latin and Greek terms and even to move somewhat beyond the vocabulary of those works" (9). There is a noted limitation to this reference tool: as the subtitle explains, these terms are mostly drawn from Protestant Scholastic Theology. Nevertheless, this is a valuable tool and worth the investment.

The Kindle edition of the Dictionary is not searchable (and the only index is based on English & has no page numbers) making it very difficult to use. A searchable dictionary is great, as the reader can zip straight to the desired entry but, without a search capability or even an index, the only way to find an entry is the old-fashioned way - by iteratively flipping pages in the guessed-at location of the desired entry; given that each Kindle page flip takes 6 to 8 thumb strokes, this is a very cumbersome process. For $5 more you could buy the paperback which, although you probably won't carry it with you on the road, would be much more usable.

Note: Within an hour of bringing this to Amazon's attention (on a Saturday, no less), they had refunded my purchase priced and promised to look into this design flaw (my term) and to let me know if it gets fixed.