Theological Term of the Week

advent
The coming of Christ, used to refer to either his incarnation (first advent), or his future second coming (second advent). Also used in reference to the season of worship (or the period of the church calendar) leading up to and anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ.  

• From scripture:

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ … . (Titus 2:11-13 ESV)

• From George Eldon Ladd:

[C]ontrary to outward appearances, the life of Jesus of Nazareth embodies an invasion into history by God, veiled though it was. In this veiled form the presence of God could be seen only by the eyes of faith…

This is why the Second Coming of Christ is necessary – to complete the work begun in his Incarnation. There are, in other words, two great events in God’s conquest of the powers of evil, two invasions of God into history: the Incarnation and the Second Coming. 

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Celebrating the First Advent of Christ
2. Bob Deffinbaugh: The Coming of the Christ
3. Leon Morris: Second Coming of Christ
4. Kim Riddlebarger: The Second Coming
5. John MacArthur: Living in Anticipation of Christ’s Return, Part 1, Part 2 (audio)

Related term:

• ascension of Jesus
• incarnation
• virgin birth

Filed under Person and Work of Christ

Do you have a term you’d like to see featured here as a Theological Term of the Week? If you email it to me, I’ll seriously consider using it, giving you credit for the suggestion and linking back to your blog when I do.

Clicking on the Theological Term graphic at the top of this post will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.

A Catechism for Girls and Boys

Part III: Questions about Salvation

103. Q. Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?
          A. No. I can do nothing good without God’s Holy Spirit.

(Click through to read scriptural proof.)

Click to read more ...

Sunday's Hymn: And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

—Charles Wesley

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Update: Father In Thy Presence Kneeling at Rosemary at Home
• May the Mind of Christ My Saviour at Jam and Books
• Angels from the Realms of Glory at Gospel Grace
• Be Thou My Vision at By Grace Alone
• I Have a Song That Jesus Gave Me at The Happy Wonderer
• Soon May the Last Glad Song Arise at Conjubilant with Song
• Lord’s Day 48 at Tried With Fire 
• Lord’s Day 48, 2012 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Your Weekly Dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: Our Place
• Faith Alone - November 25, 2012 at The Upward Call
• Update: Praying the Sermon on the Mount at Daily On My Way to Heaven

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.